GRIPPING THE EDGE OF MY desk, I came in my hand—thick and hard—fast. I needed the relief as I was dying without Rosslyn. At least, I felt like I was. I’d watched her touch herself—her hand disappearing into the pair of my boxers she was wearing and her fingers sliding through her wet heat. I couldn’t help myself. I fisted my hard cock and followed her rhythm as if she was fingering herself for my eyes only.
I hated jacking off. Especially when I knew she’d let me into her condo as well as her body. It was obvious she wanted me—needed me—craved me as much as I craved her. I could hear her desperation as she called out my name when she came. It pushed me over the edge, and I exploded in my palm.
I missed her.
Not just her body but also her mind. The way she lit up the condo with her happiness and sweet nature. The place didn’t even feel like home anymore. I fucking hated it. I prayed every night that she’d show up for the grand opening of Jessica’s so I could be near her even for a brief time.
I’d named the place after her. Maybe she’d see that and know how much I loved her—how much I missed her and needed her. The name Jessica held so much meaning. I’d tried to explain that to her over the years. That name signified my happy place.
When I was younger, I’d watch cartoons to escape, but Who Framed Rodger Rabbit was the most influential. I wasn’t sure why, but it was during a time when I needed the escape the most. And so it was Jessica Rabbit who saved me. And Rosslyn had saved me, as well. It was only fitting.
Jessica.
My escape.
My love.
My life.
I knew she’d love it. At least, I hoped. But I hadn’t planned on her reaction at all. She exploded with anger, her face screwed up and her eyes narrowed.
She hated it.
Didn’t she know how much that name meant to me?
Didn’t she understand what it meant to be my Jessica?
Even in her rage, she was beautiful. Her long hair draped over her slender shoulders like red silk against her open back dress. Her dress, which was a concoction of black lace and silk, was amazing. Sexy yet simple. Hiding everything yet showing off her curves, which seemed to have thickened in a way that made my mouth water.
I wanted to taste her.
Lick her from head to toe and suck her sweetly in all the places that made her break.
I’d all but lifted her dress and fucked her up against the wall in a place where at any time the kitchen staff could see us when they came out of the kitchen. But I didn’t care. She was breaking me.
She’d always break me.
And then I looked at her face.
I actually looked at it.
And I could see the sadness lingering around the edges of her eyes. The tightness of her lips and sunken cheeks. She had gained a tiny bit of weight, which looked amazing on her, but at the same time, her face was slimmer—sadder—paler. She wasn’t happy, and neither was I. We were miserable, and until I found the motherfucker responsible for threatening my Rosslyn, we’d remain that way.
I wanted to reach out and hold her. I wanted to kiss it all away, but I couldn’t. Instead, I’d walked away and left in the middle of the grand opening—leaving behind celebrities and some of the most influential people in the city.
Fuck it.
Fuck it all.
None of that mattered. All that mattered was keeping Rosslyn safe. I no longer trusted myself in a room with her. If I wanted to keep her safe, I had to continue to stay away.
Mac was standing by the car outside. I hadn’t fired Martin, but until this whole fucked-up situation blew over, I needed muscle behind the wheel—I needed someone who could protect Rosslyn while she was out. Although she hadn’t used Mac as a driver since he’d dropped her off at Trish’s apartment, which drove me fucking mad.
Martin was old and fragile—he couldn’t protect himself much less Rosslyn. He didn’t know the reason behind his impromptu vacation, but he didn’t question, which was exactly how I liked my employees.
With Martin out of the way, I had Mac following Rosslyn’s every move. I couldn’t take any chances.
“Leaving so soon, Black?”
I didn’t answer.
Instead, I pulled open the back door, climbed in, and looked Mac straight into his eyes before he could close the door behind me.
“This shit stops now. We need to find him. And when we do, I’ll put a bullet between his fucking eyes.”