Maddie’s pussy was still sore the next day, but she wasn’t complaining. Jace had really worked her inside and out. They had fucked until the early hours, passing out shortly before dawn. It left Maddie having to rush to get to work on very little sleep – and Jace managed to make her come whilst she was in the shower using just his mouth between her legs – but it was worth it.
Sex had been overrated in Maddie’s mind before. But not now. Sex had never felt like that. And Maddie was glad of having had one night of it.
She wasn’t under any illusions that she would see Jace again. He had never said anything, and she wasn’t expecting it. They didn’t even exchange numbers. Jace had simply kissed her before leaving the shower and was gone when she got out. Maddie knew it would happen and didn’t feel any regrets. They had been mutually attracted and acted upon it, nothing more.
An itch to be scratched. Maddie’s itch had been more than scratched.
It had resulted in her going around the office with a smile on her face. Sitting down was interesting and Maddie had to perch on her chair gingerly but she didn’t stop smiling. Everyone else, including Beth, wondered what she had been up to. But Maddie wouldn’t say; she was keeping this to herself. If Beth got it correct, Maddie wouldn’t deny it.
But, for now, it was her little secret.
The morning passed uneventfully and Maddie was able to get over to the clubhouse after lunch. She hoped Jeremy didn’t ask her about the migraine – she didn’t think she could keep the smile off her face. He would be able to guess immediately, and Maddie wouldn’t be able to lie her way out of that.
If he did find out, Maddie could handle it. As long as he didn’t ask who she had slept with. He wouldn’t approve of it, but fucking a stranger was better than getting back with Drake.
Although fucking a Broken Hounds member would be, to Jeremy, worse than a stranger. No one in Broken Hounds was allowed to touch her sexually. She was out of bounds and Jeremy had made it clear. Maddie didn’t like him doing that, but she saw everyone in Broken Hounds as family. She didn’t think she could have sex with any of them anyway.
She was broken out of her thoughts as she stared at her laptop, trying to make sense of the numbers jumping about in front of her, when two men passed the open door. Maddie barely glanced at them, although she recognized Dave Schuman. He gave her a wave as he went past, and Maddie nodded back before staring at the screen.
Then she heard his laugh. The laugh she had heard several times the night before. And then that voice, one that would stay with her for a while.
It couldn’t be…
Maddie shot out of her seat and hurried towards the door. Dave was nearly at the end of the hall going into the bar. Beside him was Jace.
Maddie’s mouth dropped. What was he doing here? How did he…?
She hurried down the hall after them.
“Dave?”
Dave turned and grinned at her.
“Hi, Maddie. How are the figures looking?”
“I can’t concentrate enough to find out.” Maddie gave Jace a pointed look. “I didn’t sleep well last night.”
Jace smirked.
“Maybe you should get to bed a little earlier.”
Maddie seethed. Was he playing with her?
“I would if there weren’t some…disturbances that prevented me from sleeping.”
Jace tittered.
“Dear me, noisy neighbors. Who’d have them?”
They stared at each other. Maddie had no idea what was going on. Last night they had been intimate and had the best sex Maddie had ever experienced. Now he was treating her completely different, like a stranger.
What was going on with that?
“Sorry to bother you, Maddie,” Dave went on, “I was just showing Jace around. He hasn’t seen the place in some years.”
“And nothing’s changed.” Jace said.
“What?” Maddie was confused. “He’s been in here before?”
Dave looked at her strangely.
“Come on, Maddie. How could you not know Jace Howard?”
Then Maddie felt her heart stop. No. It couldn’t be. Not Jace Howard, the guy who had tormented her through school. She stared at Jace, who shrugged at her sheepishly.
“Hey, Maddie.”
His expression said he had known all along. Maddie felt sick. She hated Jace Howard for what he did to her and she’d just had the best sex of her life with him.
That was not good at all. Maddie backed away.
“I…I’m going to go now.”
“Maddie?”
Maddie ignored them and hurried back to the office, shutting the door and leaning against it. She was close to having a panic attack. She couldn’t believe she had had sex with Jace Howard.
The man had been her bully for years. He did whatever he could to torment her. And he’d had her scared enough that Maddie wouldn’t say a word to her family. She couldn’t say anything, or the tormenting would have become much worse.
Maddie wanted to cry. She thought it was bad enough when she found out about Drake. But this was different. This was Jace.
A gentle knock at the door startled Maddie out of her thoughts. Then the knock was louder, and she heard Jace’s voice.
“Maddie?”
Maddie backed away from the door, wishing she could lock it.
“Get out of here, Jace,” she warned. “I’m not talking to you.”
Why did her voice have to shake like that? Maddie hated that she was still scared of him, now that she knew who Jace was. The little girl in her was still scared of the Jace Howard she once knew.
She squeaked when the door opened and Jace came into the room. He shut the door and gave her a lopsided half-smile.
“Well, you’re going to have to, Maddie.”
Maddie felt her heart pounding in her chest. She was going to have a panic attack. Now she was trapped in a room with her school bully, Maddie didn’t feel safe and confident. She was scared and freaking out.
And why did Jace have to look so good. He didn’t look anything like the puny young man who thought it was funny to make her cry. He had grown, but not much, and he had built hard muscle. Dressed in black jeans and a black shirt with a band name Maddie didn’t recognize blazing across the front, he looked good enough to eat.
Something that Maddie had done several times during the night. Now she was beginning to feel her stomach churning. How could she have done this and not figured out who he was?
Jace’s smile faded. He seemed to realize that she wasn’t pleased to see him.
“What’s going on? Why are you white as a sheet?”
“I was going to ask you what was going on?” Maddie snarled. She folded her arms, trying to put up a wall between them. “Did you know who I was last night?”
That was when Jace looked sheepish.
“Yes, I did.”
He knew? Maddie couldn’t believe it. He had known who she was, and he’d fucked her anyway? What sick game was he up to?
“You knew who I was, and you didn’t think to tell me?” she snapped.
“Would you have slept with me if you knew?” Jace shot back.
“No, I wouldn’t.” Maddie was seething. She didn’t care if people could hear her now; she was too scared to care. “I’m not about to sleep with someone I actively hated as a teenager.”
Jace slanted an eyebrow at her.
“‘Hate’’s a bit of a strong word, Maddie.”
“Not for me, Jace.” Maddie went behind the desk. Her brother’s gun was in its holster, which was stuck to the underside of the desk. Having it near her hand made her feel better. She glared at Jace, who was smirking at her. “I remember you as a bully. You were nasty to me. I remember you pulling my hair because you liked to see me cry. And you never did it when others were around, just when it was between you and me. I’m not likely to forget that.”
“We were kids. We’re adults now. I’m not like that anymore.”
“No, you just fuck women and walk off,” Maddie sneered. “Did you think it was amusing fucking the woman you bullied.”
Jace winced and scowled back.
“No, of course not. I’m not that callous.”
Maddie snorted rudely.
“Now, why don’t I believe you?”
“Because you’re a skeptic.” Jace folded his arms, his muscles flexing. Maddie tried not to stare at them. “I helped you out with your ex, didn’t I?”
Maddie growled. She wished she wasn’t so grateful for that.
“That doesn’t redeem you for all those years where you tormented me,” she snapped. “The only reason you still have that big cock of yours is because Dad and Jeremy had no idea about what you did.”
“Good thing, too.” Jace winked and cupped his crotch. “You were enjoying it last night.”
Maddie felt her face go red. That was the problem. She had enjoyed it. Her pussy was still sore from it all and Jace hadn’t failed to disappoint. But now she wished she didn’t hunger for him again. She felt her hands shaking.
“I’m not doing this.” She took a few deep breaths before she spoke again. “You’re staying here, yes?”
“Yes.” Jace pushed himself off the door, approaching the desk with a swagger. “Fancy hooking up again? I’m right above this room.”
Maddie panicked. She didn’t want him near her. She grabbed at the gun and pointed it at Jace’s face, taking off the safety.
“Don’t tempt me to pull the trigger, Jace. Jeremy doesn’t like fights or dead bodies in his personal spaces.”
Jace stopped, his smile snapping off. He eyed the gun wearily and held up his hands as he backed away.
“Take it easy, Maddie. There’s no need to go overboard.”
“Yeah, well, that’s what happens when someone is stuck alone with their bully. One day the victim is going to snap.”
She lowered the gun but didn’t put it down. Having it in her hand made her feel better.
Maddie knew she had to think fast. Keeping Jace busy and away from her was the best thing she could do right now. If she kept him going on whatever she could think of, then he wouldn’t be able to bother her. Maddie could breathe more easily if Jace stayed away.
From what she had gathered, Jace always kept himself moving around. He wouldn’t be here long. She would just have to avoid the clubhouse for the moment. Nobody need know.
Keeping the gun in her hand, Maddie picked up a pen and scribbled down a list of both important and mundane things for Jace to complete, filling a whole side of paper.
“What are you doing?”
Maddie tore of the sheet off and held it out.
“This is a list of errands and duties I want you to do, Jace.”
“What?”
“If you’re going to be hanging around, you might well make yourself useful. You can talk to Dave about some of them, see if he can help. Then help Dave out with whatever you can and whatever everyone else needs.”
Jace looked like he was about to argue but he stopped. He sighed and took the sheet, glancing through it before folding it and shoving it into his pocket.
“Easy enough to do.”
“Keep yourself busy and report to Jeremy.” Maddie sat at the desk, laying the gun on the desk. She glared up at him. “And only Jeremy. You are not to come anywhere near me. I don’t want you in my sight if I can help it.”
Jace raised his eyebrows.
“You don’t want to see my big cock again?”
Maddie growled even as her pussy begged to be filled again. Her hand tightened on the gun.
“I don’t want to see your face and be reminded of the mistake I made sleeping with you last night. I hated you then, Jace Howard, and I hate you now for deceiving me. Now, get out.”
“Maddie…”
“Get out!” Maddie shrieked.
Jace hesitated. He clearly wanted to say more. But then he stopped, clearing weighing up his options. Then he gave her one last look and turned away. Maddie watched him walk out the room and close the door behind him.
It was only then that Maddie slid to the floor, curled up into a ball and pressed her head between her knees. It was all she could do not to burst into tears.