I’m buzzed and desperately trying to find a quiet spot where I can make a call and track Kady down. It’s Friday night, and we’ve been out for three hours, hoping Raide would show at one of his favorite local clubs. No such luck. After giving up hope of finding him tonight, I nursed two martinis while Kady got her groove on on the dance floor. But it’s been an exhausting week, and like the granny I am, I have decided it’s time for home and bed.
But I can’t leave Kady here alone, so I need to find her first.
I didn’t plan on drinking much tonight since I needed to stay sharp, but the stress of my job lately and my disappointment at not finding Raide called for it. I manage to find a quiet spot and press my body against a brick wall and start scrolling through my phone to find Kady’s number.
“Well, hello there.”
I lift my head to see a young man standing, smoke hanging from his lips. He looks pervy, and quite frankly, I’ve had enough of them tonight. “Go away,” I mutter, focusing back on the phone.
“That ain’t no way to talk to a man,” he says, stepping closer. “I was just sayin’ hello.”
I shoot him an angry glare and push off the wall. “I’m not interested, perv. Now, move.”
I try to step past him but he lashes out, curling his arm around my waist and hauling me back against the wall. “What did you call me?”
“Let me go,” I growl.
“I said—” He lifts me off the wall and slams me back again. “—what did you call me?”
“You just made a mistake.” I lift my knee, hitting him in the balls.
He screams and drops to his knees.
I lift my leg, not very gracefully, and plant my heel in his chest, kicking him backwards.
Damned bastard is quick, or maybe I’m too slow, because he manages to wrap his fingers around my ankle. He takes me with him and my body flies down to the ground at rapid speed.
I land on the pavement with a thud and cry out as my ankle twists beneath me. “Jesus!” I cry.
“You stupid bitch!” he roars, trying to flip me over.
Suddenly his entire weight is gone and I’m left staring up at nothing. I blink and my eyes scan the lot, to see Raide, of all people, launching the man through the darkness until he slams into a nearby car. He cries out in pain, and Raide, in all his gorgeous glory, prowls over, lifting him by his shirt and launching him again. Damn.
“Get the fuck out of here!” he bellows. “You touch her again, I’ll kill you.”
I shudder and stare as the man scrambles away and Raide turns, pinning me with a glare. I flinch, and I would scurry backwards but my ankle is throbbing. I watch in fascination as Raide comes toward me, his strides determined, his body wound up tight.
I pull out my sass as he looms over me, looking pissed. “Anyone would think you’re following me,” I smirk.
“Lucky for you I was. Get up,” he orders.
Wait, what? He was following me? How the tables have been turned.
“You were following me?” I squeak.
“Yeah, went to your house to get that drink I earned and saw you leaving. Followed you. You owe me a drink.”
Oh. Wow. “That’s creepy and sexy all at the same time.”
He sighs. “Get up.”
“Can’t.”
“Why not?”
I lift my leg, shoving my ankle toward him. I cry out as I do and quickly let it fall back down. “My ankle is twisted.”
“Jesus,” he mutters, leaning down and scooping me up into his arms. “You always so much trouble?”
I laugh. “Yes, sir, I am.”
He mumbles something under his breath and carries me out of the parking lot.
“Hey, whoa, hold up,” I say, squirming in his arms. “My friend is back there.”
“You can call her when you’re home.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you. Let me go and I’ll find her.”
“Fine.”
He lets me go, and the moment I land on my ankle, I stumble forward. He catches me before I fall and then scoops me back up again. “Exactly,” he rasps. “You’ve been drinking, you’ve got a twisted ankle, and there ain’t no way you’re navigating through that club.”
I ponder the irony of my plan to play the helpless drunken female coming true for real.
“Fine, then I’ll call her and wait out here.”
“Takin’ you home.”
I don’t want him to take me home. I want him to take me where he lives so I can see, so I can bring him in when I’m in physical shape to do it.
“I don’t, ah, I can’t go home.”
He stares down at me with narrowed eyes. “Why not?”
“Because, ah, my parents were due to arrive tonight. I just wanted one night away from them before I had to endure their crap. I was staying with Kady but … well … she got distracted by a man with a mega—”
He growls. “I get the point. Fuck me, you need ice on that ankle.”
I smile slyly. “Then take me to your house.”
Cool, real cool.
He stares at me again, his jaw tight. It’s the moment of truth. If he suspects me at all, he won’t take me to his house. “Fine, I’ll take you there while you call your friend.”
“Fun times,” I say.
It doesn’t skip my notice that he drives the back roads home in a car that I’ve never seen him in before. He pulls up at a massive house that has me gasping. It’s huge. It’s a white three-story mansion. It’s beautiful, surrounded by pristine gardens and a gorgeous stone path leading right to the front patio. Rich people’s house. I didn’t pick Raide as a rich man.
“This is your house?” I cry.
“No, it’s my friend’s. He’s out of town, letting me stay.”
Damn.
“How long are you staying?”
“A few weeks.”
He gets out of the car and comes around to my door, opening it. He lifts me into his arms and I allow myself a moment to let myself drown in how amazing that feels. He’s muscled and strong, and he smells divine.
“You smell really good,” I murmur, pressing my nose to his chest.
“You’re drunk.”
“That doesn’t mean you don’t smell good.”
In truth, my buzz is fading, but he doesn’t need to know that yet.
I hiccup and giggle drunkenly as he carries me inside. I quickly stop laughing when I set my eyes on the inside of the immaculate home. It’s got the most striking furniture I’ve ever seen. It all looks antique, probably extremely expensive and rare.
“Wow,” I breathe. “This place is amazing.”
Raide puts me down on a golden couch that’s so soft and squishy, I want to melt into it. Then he strides into the kitchen, rifling about until he finds an ice pack. He brings it back and sits on the coffee table in front of me, taking my ankle in his hands and placing it on his knees. Then he presses the ice to it. I yelp, but he’s unrelenting.
“Keep still,” he orders.
“Are you always so angry?”
He lifts those gorgeous amber eyes to mine and holds them. “No, but tonight I’m pissed.”
“Why?”
“Why?” he laughs bitterly. “You were out there, a man on top of you, ass on display. That’s fuckin’ why.”
“I’m not your woman,” I protest. “So why should it matter?”
He shakes his head. “We’ve been dancing around each other for nearly a month now. Showin’ up in the same places, flirting, kissing, making a scene. You might not be my woman, but you’re fuckin’ thinking about me as much as I’m thinking about you.”
He’s thinking about me?
My heart melts. Bad heart.
“So?” I say, my voice lustier. “Doesn’t mean you should be angry at me because that crazy man tackled me to the floor.”
“If someone had come out, they would have gotten a good look of your ass.”
“And?”
“And—” He leans forward until we’re only a breath apart. “—it’s an ass I’ve been wanting to see since I first saw you.”
Oh boy.
“Ah.” I look away. “So who’s this friend you’re staying with?”
He reaches up, curling his fingers around my chin and turning my face toward his. “Stop changing the subject. You want it as much as I do.”
He’s right, I do. But I shouldn’t. It’s too big a risk.
“Doesn’t matter,” I whisper, staring at his lips. “I can’t have you.”
“Why?”
“Why?”
“Yeah, lady, why?”
“Ah.” I let my eyes dart around his room. “I don’t know. Can I use your shower?”
He growls and lets me go. “No, you fuckin’ can’t. You’re going to sit here and let this foot rest.”
I huff, but I’m quickly distracted when he runs his thumb over my skin. I look up at him and see he’s watching me with an intense expression. “Why’re you playing these games with me?”
I swallow, looking away. I feel buzzed, but I don’t know if it’s the alcohol or him. My mind is screaming at me that I shouldn’t be here, but I can’t turn away. I want to, but I can’t.
“Is there a serious side to you?”
I’m surprised by his question. So much so, I just stare at him instead of actually answering.
“Who is the real Grace?”
What? “Pardon?” I whisper.
“You’re always playing, but there’s more to you. Tell me.” He leans back, keeping my ankle on his lap.
I can hardly kick him off. He watches me with those unfathomable eyes, and I’m captured by him—so much so, I start talking to him. “I am serious,” I say softly. “But if I live my entire life like I’ve got a stick shoved up my ass, how happy is that life going to truly be?”
He tilts his head to the side. “You’re right, but most people avoid these things because they’ve got something to hide.”
I shake my head. “I have nothing to hide. This is who I am. It’s always been who I am.”
“Okay, Gracie,” he murmurs low. “Tell me something about you no one else knows.”
I lean back and think about it. “Well, I didn’t have a puppy named Tiger growing up.”
He grins, and I crack a genuine smile back.
“Answer this for me, and I’ll let it go. If you could be anything in the world, what would you be?”
I’d say a bounty hunter, but that’s not entirely truthful, and I know it’s not what he’s asking. So I look him straight in the eye, “I’d be me, Raide. Nothing but me.”
Pain flashes through his eyes, and it hurts me to see it.
“What about you?” I breathe.
He places my foot down and stands. “I’d be free, Gracie. That’s it.”
God.
He’s breaking my heart.
* * *
Raide disappears and I decide to go and find a shower. I feel sticky and horrible. With some hobbling, I finally come across one. It’s as nice as I thought it would be. There’s a massive spa bath in the corner and a shower big enough for eight people, no shit. I hobble toward the sink and turn on the tap, splashing water onto my face. My mind is reeling, and this is a bad situation. Raide is tempting, too tempting. Not to mention, we’re connecting. I can feel it.
I had a plan, and this is pretty much it, but the idea of calling it in right now scares me. Firstly, the state of my ankle puts me in a bad place if anything were to go wrong. Secondly, something is holding me back. I want a little bit longer, I want to talk some more, I want to spend one night to see what Raide is really like despite the risk. I’m sinking myself deeper, I know I am, but it doesn’t change how I’m feeling.
When I’m finished in the bathroom, I hobble back out. Raide is nowhere to be seen. I drag my wobbly body through the house until I find him in a bedroom. I gasp when I let my eyes settle on him. He’s standing beside the bed, shirtless, and in the process of unbuttoning his pants. I can’t take my eyes off him, no matter what tiny voice is screaming inside my head to look away.
I have to blink at least six times, because there is no way someone who looks like that is real. His shoulders are wide and muscled, narrowing down to a gorgeous set of hips that his jeans are hanging low on. His biceps are huge, and lines of muscles run up and down his arms, flexing when he moves. God. When his jeans drop, I suck in a breath.
Naked.
He’s naked.
Oh my God. I’m a perv. I’m staring at him and he doesn’t even know I’m here.
“You going to stand there staring at me, or are you going to come in here and finish what we’ve been starting for a good while now?”
I swallow. He knows I can see him. He wants me to go in there and finish what we started. I want to, I do—oh boy, I do—but if I go in there, I’m risking everything. I must think on it too long, because he turns and strides toward me. I let out a little squeak, and my eyes drop to that spot between his legs. Oh … holy … erection. He’s huge—not that I thought he wouldn’t be, considering how big his body is, but he’s huge.
When he reaches me, I let my eyes slowly move up his body until I meet his gaze. He’s got the lusty look going, and I know what he’s going to do. I should be running, yet my legs don’t agree, and they refuse to move. He reaches out, running his thumb over my bottom lip, and damned if I can turn away. I’ll blame the alcohol. Yes, the alcohol.
He leans down and scoops me up. I squeak as he carries me across the room and then deposits me onto the bed. “You’re naked,” I croak, watching as he moves around the bed.
“And?” he mutters.
“You’re naked.”
“Baby,” he murmurs, pinning me with his stare. “And?”
Oh God. He called me baby. I’m going to hell.
“I—”
He doesn’t let me finish. He drops down over me, elbows on either side of my head, large body covering mine. He uses his leg to push my foot out so it’s not in our way, then he practically shoves himself between my legs, forcing me to spread them. Then his lips are on mine. No warning. No games. He’s kissing me with a raw hunger that, I won’t lie, I need. I need everything Raide has to give.
Somewhere in my fuzzy mind, I’m screaming at myself to stop. But my lust and everything else Raide are clouding my judgment. I can’t take it any longer. I reach up, curling my fingers into his hair, pressing my body up into his. My mind is spinning, my heart is pounding, and it feels amazing. I kiss him hard and I kiss him deep, taking all of him until both of us are panting. His naked body is hot against my skin, and I don’t even try to stop my fingers from roaming down his back and over his muscles.
“Dress off,” he murmurs, reaching down and pulling my dress up. He shifts his body just enough for me to flick it off.
He slides a hand behind my back and unclips my bra, then he flicks that off right along with my dress. Then his mouth is closing over my nipple. I groan, slapping my hands out my sides and curling my fingers into the sheets. His tongue flicks and taunts, swirling and teasing until I’m begging him for more. Then his mouth is moving down my body, his fingers gliding along my skin.
I shouldn’t be doing this. I shouldn’t … Oh God, he’s kissing me over my panties.
“Raide,” I pant.
He says nothing, he doesn’t need to. His presence is all the man anyone needs. He’s dominating and powerful, I don’t need to hear him speak to know that. He hooks his thumbs into my panties and suddenly they’re gone. Then he’s right there. Right where I need him. Right where I’ve imagined for so long. His tongue dives into my flesh, tormenting my clit until I’m bucking beneath him. One of his fingers finds my entrance and he slides it in, slowly fucking me with it while his mouth devours me.
I arch against him, wanting and needing so much more. I reach up, curling my fingers into his hair and tugging harshly. He grunts against my flesh, but he doesn’t stop. He sucks my clit into his mouth so hard and deep, I scream his name as my body shudders with orgasm. He doesn’t pull back right away. He sucks every tremble from me before slowly sliding up my body.
I’m barely down from my high when I hear the sound of a foil wrapper, and then he gently nudges my legs open. His mouth is on my neck, his hands are running up my sides, and when his fingers find my nipples, he gently rolls them until I’m thrusting up for him, wanting more. The tiny buds are straining against his hand, needing more.
“More,” I breathe. “Dammit, Raide, don’t make me wait.”
Before I can think or process any further, he’s inside me. A choked moan gets stuck in my throat, and my body arches as he fills me, inch by inch. He’s big, solid, and damn, he feels amazing. His cock throbs in my depths and he lets out a long, guttural moan.
“Raide,” I breathe. “Oh God.”
“Fuck,” he grunts, curling his fingers into my hair and bringing my head up so we’re kissing with hungry intent.
Then he’s fucking me.
I don’t have anything else in my head, not for a blissful moment. It’s all Raide. All his body. He’s making me feel things I’ve never felt before and I don’t want it to end. My nails are in his skin, my legs are wrapped around his waist, and we’re moving at a frenzied, desperate pace. Our skin is slapping together, he’s got a sheen of sweat covering his body, and his muscles are straining. He wraps a hand around the back of my neck and brings me up closer, just close enough so I can feel his breaths against my lips.
“Raide,” I gasp.
“Baby,” he grunts.
“God.”
“Yeah.”
Then I explode, I explode with his hand curled around my neck, with his body covering mine, with his gorgeous amber eyes locked to my own. When he sees me lose it, his eyes soften and he gets a deep, passionate look that has my heart twisting. Then he’s right there with me, growling my name, jerking his hips in quick succession until we’re both limp and tangled in each other.
“Dammit, fuck me,” he breathes into my ear. “You’re beautiful.”
Oh God.
Why does he have to do that?
Why does he have to make this harder than it already is?