Chapter 10

Josh

“You didn’t have to do that.”

His ‘fiancé’s’ tone was definitely wooden, and who the hell could blame her? He sure as shit couldn’t, not after what he’d just witnessed.

“Of course I did,” Josh said bluntly as they headed into the elevator that would take them to the ground floor. It was a long way down from the penthouse. The Garrett’s building was an eighty-story monolith, but he pushed the button for the floor below.

Within a handful of seconds, the doors opened onto the wrong floor. Samantha turned to look at him, a question in her eyes. He stepped out, answering her question with a physical response.

“Come on out. You need to calm down. If Erin sees you like this, he’ll know something’s wrong.” He cleared his throat. “For that matter, he’ll pick it up from me too. I’m not feeling all that peaceful right about now either.”

The doors started to close, but they pinged open again as she stepped out.

Nodding, she murmured, “You’re right. I just need a moment.”

“We both do.” The words weren’t supposed to be reassuring, but he knew they acted that way because the tension in her shoulders dissipated, and he was glad he’d eased her some.

Even if he hadn’t eased himself.

Reaching up, he rubbed at his temple as he leaned back against the wall opposite the elevator. Blowing out a deep breath, he tried to figure out what the fuck had just happened, because really, Janice couldn’t have known the truth about her son, could she?

Had Jamie told her?

That was the only thing that made any real sense, dammit.

Because Josh hadn’t known shit about that side of Jamie’s character. So why would his mother? A mother Jamie hadn’t really liked all that much?

Feeling suffocated, he pulled at the knot of his tie and dragged it from his throat. Unbuttoning his shirt too, he sucked in a deep breath but the truth was, it wasn’t deep enough.

Emotions were riding him, and for a man most considered ice cold, it was too much.

It was all just too much.

He squatted down, and knew she jolted in reaction to his move. But he couldn’t think about her—selfish as that sounded considering she was the true victim here. At that moment, Josh was just trying to reconcile the new world order.

A world where his best friend was a cokehead and a wife beater.

What did that say about him that he’d gotten the man’s character so wrong?

In business, he prided himself on reading a situation, on quickly assessing it and making a deal from whatever he judged appropriate.

But all of that was in tatters because the man closest to him, hell, the only person who’d ever been consistently close to him throughout his entire life had managed to pull the wool over his eyes.

Utterly.

Totally.

It was all a lie.

All of it bullshit, and that bullshit had been perpetuated by Janice.

He knew what hatred was. Some days, he hated his mother. He hated her avarice, her greed. He hated that she saw him as some kind of piggy bank, and still believed she had rights over how he lived his life. He despised the men she’d brought into her life throughout his childhood, men that had belittled him for being a bastard, for being unwanted…

But this kind of hatred was soul deep.

He knew, at that moment, he’d destroy the Garrett family if Janice and Frank went ahead with their threats.

He’d annihilate them, and he’d hit them where they hurt the most—their bank balance.

He’d tear them into shreds and do so gladly because they deserved it.

They’d made Jamie into the monster he was with their lack of care, and with their own hideous personalities. They’d formed him into what he was. And Josh wasn’t taking away the man’s nature. He knew parents could only take so much of the blame, but for Janice to have known and to have enabled her son?

That was low.

Really fucking low.

“Why did you warn them about the Sanderson-Montecor deal?”

The question was softly uttered, but there wasn’t accusation buried within the words. No, just curiosity. If anything, her tone revealed how swiftly she’d calmed down, and after what had just happened—Samantha had just been fucking spat at—she should still be raging. That she wasn’t told Josh exactly what Samantha was accustomed to dealing with.

Sickeningly, she was used to abuse. Accustomed to being treated that way.

For a second, Josh felt his world shake because tears pricked at his eyes.

How could he have been so wrong about everything?

“That’s how I work,” he said, hating how husky his tone was. “I give a first warning and if they don’t heed that warning, it’s their mistake.” Curious as to how she’d respond to that, he peered up at her. Seeing she was frowning, he asked, “That surprises you?”

“It doesn’t fit with what I’ve always thought about you.”

His nostrils flared—that surprisingly hurt.

Not even, fuck hurt. It cut. To the bone.

His voice grew more gravely, “You’ve never had that good a view of me because of how I’ve treated you. I can’t blame you. I’ve treated you like shit too.”

She winced, but brightened up a little as she said, “You’re more than making up for it now. I-I don’t really know what I expected when I came to you, Josh. Whatever it was, it isn’t this.”

He nodded. “It’s the least I can do.” A shuddery breath escaped him. “I can’t make up for what happened to you and Erin, Samantha. I can’t make up for what he did…” At that moment, Josh couldn’t even name Jamie. “And I sure as hell can’t make up for the way I’ve spoken to you all these years, but I can make the future brighter.”

“I know, and you are. Thank you. I never thought you’d have my back like this and it looks like I’ll need it.”

“I don’t think you will. Janice is delusional. I don’t even know what she thought she was doing back there.” He shook his head, still bewildered by her reactions—she’d been like a crazy person. “I can’t believe she spat at you. Who even does that?”

She plucked at her blouse. “This was my favorite blouse too. I’ll never be able to wear it without thinking of what just happened.” Samantha didn’t sound angry, more like resigned and glum.

Her reactions once again reiterated how accustomed she was to being abused. It also told him that Jamie truly had been speaking bullshit about Samantha’s so-called expensive tastes. That shirt was nice but it wasn’t expensive. The gauzy cream linen skimmed over her curves and cupped her breasts in a way that spoke of casual elegance, but he’d been around enough women to know good clothes and this was definitely something you’d find in a nearby mall and not a designer studio.

Jamie had told him Samantha nearly broke them every damn month with her need for new clothes and new jewels. Yet, here she was, admitting that that was her favorite blouse…

“I’ll buy you another.”

She scowled at him, for the first time looking peeved. “You don’t have to do that.”

No, he guessed not but he wanted to make this better and didn’t have a clue how to go about doing that.

Clearing his throat, he murmured, “No. But the offer’s there if you want.”

She blinked at him, and in her eyes, there was such a strange light that he had to shutter his gaze and peer down at the floor to avoid it. That look stirred something in him, something he didn’t want to admit to.

Not yet, at any rate.

“Do you think Frank will listen?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. It depends if Janice tells him at all.”

“She’s spiteful enough not to, that’s for damn sure. Even if she’s the one who’ll suffer in the end,” Samantha agreed.

“Exactly. I’m weighing up telling Frank privately; I can hardly pass out a warning if the intended recipient doesn’t receive it. And I wasn’t bullshitting, he’d need to act fast.” Resting back on his heels, and pressing his back to the wall, he scratched at his chin as he pondered what to do next. “I want Frank to know.”

“You want him in your debt.”

“Yes. But more than that, I want him to know I’m aware of the situation and that you have my backing.

“Janice can wear the pants with her husband’s money, but it’s damn different when you approach a businessman and tell him his bank balance is under threat. If I have to destroy them, I will, Samantha. If it means protecting Erin, I’ll do it.”

Her eyes widened. “You don’t have to do that.”

His mouth firmed. “I do.”

“They’re Erin’s family. I don’t want to hurt them,” she murmured softly.

“They’re more than willing to hurt you. And they’re more than willing to do something that directly harms Erin. They’re not being so kind, Samantha. Treat others how you wished to be treated yourself? Well, not now, and not with a custody battle.” When she flinched, her mouth quivering… he said gruffly, “Don’t do that.” He’d read her hesitation and was surprisingly irked by it.

“Don’t do what?”

“Don’t hesitate with me. You don’t have to be frightened of me.” He wanted to tell her she never had to be frightened ever again but he couldn’t make such a promise. Not only because it was an irrational one to make, but also because a singular person could never protect someone entirely. Even when you, metaphorically, wrapped someone up in cotton wool, you couldn’t protect them totally.

“I’m not frightened.”

Her mulish tone had him smiling—not much. His lips just twitched but it was something after the total meltdown he’d just had. Blowing out a breath, he murmured, “I know you’re not. But that doesn’t mean you’re not used to having your opinions either belittled or ignored. Say what you want to me. I prefer honesty to BS.”

“You can’t always blurt out the first thing that’s on the tip of your tongue.”

“No, maybe not always,” he conceded. “But sometimes, sure you can. This situation is one I’m piggybacking in on. It’s about you and Erin, and what’s best for the both of you. If anyone has a say, it’s you.”

She processed that, then surprised him by stepping carefully his way. He didn’t look up, just saw her leather ballet pumps approach his peripheral vision, then she too leaned against the wall and slowly slid down. Unlike him, she didn’t rest on her heels, she spread her legs out before her. “You’re right. It is my right to have a prerogative.”

“Good,” he told her, pleased they’d cleared that up.

“I don’t want you to hurt them.”

“I won’t. Not physically. Not even emotionally,” he countered. “They can’t be hurt there. Not really. They’re too pig-skinned. But hit them in the bank balance? That sure as hell will get them moving.”

She turned her head to the side. “I-I know you’re right.”

“But?”

“I just don’t want to cause anyone any unwilling pain.”

“I understand that, and I think it’s very noble of you, but let me reiterate, there’s nothing noble about the fistfight Janice is willing to drag us all into. And look at how she just behaved. Aside from abominably, it’s damn proof that the woman had bare-knuckle fighters in her bloodlines.”

He caught her smile, and ducked his head to avoid it once more. Yet again, he couldn’t face the cacophony of emotions she was making him feel.

“Can’t we just threaten them but not act on it?”

“It depends. I’ve made the first move.”

“But like you said, Janice might not even tell Frank.”

“Maybe not. Do you want me to contact him?” This time he did meet her gaze, wanting her to see just how serious he was about this matter. At this moment in time, nothing held more importance to him.

She bit her lip. “You’re leaving it in my hands?” At his nod, she turned her head away and stared at the elevator floor.

He followed her gaze, looked at the sleek silver, that was matched either side by exquisite watercolors that depicted Central Park at sunrise. The entire vestibule screamed exactly how prime this real estate was. Some people’s apartments weren’t this fancy, and it was only the walkway to the four homes on this level.

As Samantha fell silent, he scooped out his legs, mimicking her posture too. With his feet in front of him, he eyed his hand-tooled leather shoes, and wondered what exactly had happened to his life where, on a Friday at five in the afternoon, he wasn’t at the office, arranging deals and meetings to get ahead of the weekend, and was instead having a crisis of the emotional variety.

He couldn’t say he didn’t prefer the latter. He’d have been lying if he’d said he appreciated this shit, but if it meant helping Erin, he’d make the sacrifice. Because of the man Josh had once upon a time considered a brother, he and Samantha were in this state. But he’d make sure they both were protected.

If it was the last thing he did.

After a few moments pondering, she murmured, “Tell him. But warn him that you’ll bring out the big guns if he threatens Erin’s custody.” She peeped up at him through thick dark lashes. “Is there some kind of contract that can be drawn up? Something legal? Something that will stop them from being able to petition in the future?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know, but I’ll get one of my lawyers on the job. See what can be done, okay?”

Her smile was as warm as the colors of sunset on the watercolors decorating the vestibule. “Thank you, Josh. For everything.”

“It’s no problem.” He reached into his jacket and dragged out his cell phone. Shooting off a quick text to his attorney, requesting that, if he himself couldn’t advise, for him to find him the best attorney in the state for these kinds of family law matters. Then, when that was done and he received an instant response stating the affirmative and that Justin was on the case, he rolled through his contacts for Frank’s cell.

As he connected the call, Samantha squeaked, “You’re going to call him now?”

Despite himself, he grinned. When Frank answered, he said, “Hey Frank.”

“Joshua. Great to hear from you, kid. It’s been a long time.” From his tone, Josh discerned that Janice hadn’t called Frank.

Or he hadn’t answered.

To be honest, Josh wasn’t sure which option was correct. He could well imagine Janice not calling Frank even though it was spiting herself and nobody else. But by the same route, he could equally imagine Frank ignoring his wife’s call, thinking to speak with her later—after all, it was nearly six in the evening. He’d be home for dinner soon.

“Yeah, it has. Things have been busy,” Josh admitted. “I should have called sooner, checked in with you.”

“You’re a good kid,” Frank said softly. “We’re having good and bad days.”

Even though they hadn’t been close, Frank and Janice had reacted poorly to their son’s death. In fact, the level of their grief had surprised him. He hadn’t been able to stop thinking that it was more about regrets about what might have been, as well as the sadness at the loss of Jamie’s potential.

“I can believe it. And the same goes here.”

“Yeah. You two were like brothers. Peas in a pod back when you were kids. We were surprised when that didn’t change as you grew up. If anything, you got stronger.” Frank let out a chuckle. “I’m glad he had you.”

There was definite regret there. But there was no point in regretting shit. Frank’s lamenting didn’t make up for Jamie’s childhood.

The funny thing was, people reckoned the rich had it easy. But money didn’t mean shit. A family who gave a damn about their kids enriched their children’s lives more than wealthy and uncaring parents could for their child. Sure, there were plenty more advantages and opportunities, and that wasn’t fair, but emotionally? Josh would have preferred to have a parent who gave a shit about him than one who could afford the fees at his swanky school.

“Yeah. Me too.”

The words stuck in his craw. They were the truth, but what he’d learned recently about Jamie made it hard for him to swallow. The grief was still there like a festering wound. It bled every now and then, would scab over, and then he’d pick at it when he wanted to watch a Red Sox game or the Patriots were playing. The shit he’d once done with Jamie were sore nerves he never liked to prod.

But now?

The way the wound was festering wasn’t healthy.

Mixed in with his grief was outrage and disgust.

Never a healthy blend.

He let out a sigh. “I have to speak with you on a personal matter, Frank.”

The other man must have sensed the change in his tone. “What’s going on, Josh?”

He let out a sigh. “Look, you’re not going to be happy about this, and I’ve already spoken with Janice—her reaction couldn’t have been worse.”

“She called a few minutes before you did. But I thought I’d be seeing her soon,” Frank murmured, cementing Josh’s earlier thought. Still, it came as no real surprise. When it came down to hurting their money, it was always likely Janice would act predictably.

“These past couple of months, Samantha and I have been helping each other, you know? It’s been hard, Frank. Real hard. We’re the only ones who could understand what the other was going through. We knew Jamie not as a son, but as the man he was.” He cleared his throat, and though the lie was meant to soft soap Frank, it really was hard to maintain the fiction. “We grew closer and the time came for me to man up and admit my feelings… I proposed and she said yes.”

There was silence then the other man cleared his throat. “Janice always thought you two were having an affair.” There was no anger in his tone, but then, there wouldn’t be, Josh thought. A man like Frank didn’t think adultery was that bad… Josh knew of two women he’d had affairs with, and highly doubted Janice didn’t know of them either.

“We weren’t. Not before Jamie died. After, we just grew close.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Because of what happened with Erin the other week. I wanted a long engagement. Wanted to keep it between us while making sure Samantha knew my feelings were strong. I didn’t want to upset anyone, namely you and Janice, but then she threatened Erin’s custody and I can’t have that, Frank. You have to understand that.”

“I don’t like what Samantha’s been teaching Erin, Josh. I don’t like it one bit. Making out Jamie was some kind of—”

When he broke off, Josh murmured, “He was, Frank. He did beat her, and Janice knew.”

The silence was deafening now, and Frank whispered, “You’re lying.”

“No. I’m not. I’m not saying this to hurt you, I’d rather say nothing at all. But Janice has just set a precedent. According to her, she’s going to raise hell to take Erin away from Samantha and I won’t stand for that. Not after what she had to endure at Jamie’s hands…”

Frank let out a deep sigh. “I can imagine how badly that conversation went, and can imagine what she had to say.”

“Yeah. Well, imagining is worse than the reality. She spat at Samantha, Frank. Spat at her.”

“Wow.”

“Exactly. Look, the threats she made, I don’t like them. Not one bit. A woman scorned, and all that… I know she’s more likely to act foolishly on her feelings while I know you’re more likely to keep a calm head. If she intends to throw all your might at this, then I intend to do the same.”

And both of them knew just how much might Josh had over Frank.

Billions.

Rather than simply millions.

“I understand.”

The words were cool. And Josh knew Frank wasn’t happy but he was, unlike Janice, level-headed.

“I also wanted to talk about the Sanderson-Montecor deal.”

The off-topic olive branch had Frank stuttering, “The Sanderson deal? What about it?”

“I warned Janice about it. The SEC are closing in. Insider trading. If you act now, you should be able to pull out.”

For the first time, Frank sounded pissed off—go figure, Josh thought sadly. “Fuck! You’re shitting me?”

“No. I had word this morning, and I’ve also heard how heavily you invested in the deal. I wanted to give you a heads up.”

“Thanks, Josh. I appreciate that. I sunk a lot of money into that deal too. Dammit.” Then, Frank seemed to realize what he’d said. “Shit. You just warned me, didn’t you?”

Josh’s smile was tight. “You could say that.”

“Gosh,” he said, heaving out a sigh. “Never thought I’d see the day when I was on the receiving end of a patented Joshua Lewis warning.”

“Well, I don’t want this to escalate. We’ve always been friendly, Frank, and through Jamie, we’ve known each other a long time. I have no desire to do you or Janice any harm.”

“But you will if it means protecting Samantha and Erin.” Frank’s tone was musing. “Maybe that’s exactly what Erin needs in his life.” He went quiet, then asked, “Josh, is it true? Really? No bullshit.”

“Yeah. It’s true. She’s like a wounded animal, Frank,” he said softly, and hated that Samantha flinched at his side. “And Erin’s flourishing now his dad isn’t around. I’ve been noticing the difference every day. It’s chalk and cheese. So silent around his father, to so chatty now Jamie’s not around. And I think that’s why he said something that last visit, because he’s finally talking and Janice, well, she didn’t like what Erin had to say.”

“You’re sure she’s not just saying it?”

Josh was surprised to hear the plea in Frank’s voice. “I’m sure.”

“What a goddamn mess.” He cleared his throat. “I’ll handle Janice, but the truth is, and I’m sure you know this already… your threat will have worked on her. She’s as avaricious as a goddamn magpie on the hunt for shiny tchotchke.”

That Frank knew his wife so well came as no surprise to Josh.

“I figured that out when you said she’d called,” Josh admitted. “Look, Samantha doesn’t want to deny you or Janice access to Erin. She just wants to make sure there are no future threats about his guardianship. That’s entirely justifiable, isn’t it?”

There was a pause down the line.

“Yeah, it is.”

“I’ll be hiring a family law attorney to handle this mess. Just to keep you advised.”

“There’s no need to be so formal about this, Josh,” Frank argued. “I understand what’s going on and I’ll handle Janice.”

“What happens if something happens to you, Frank? I don’t like the idea of leaving Samantha unprotected. It’s no grievance against you, but if something happens to me or you, and Samantha is left fighting Janice on her own… well, I don’t want that and will do what I have to to safeguard that from happening.”

“I understand.”

“I’m glad we’re on the same page.”

“Me too. Thanks for the warning about the Sanderson deal.”

“I was always going to keep you in the loop.”

“But this time, your intentions were a little different.”

“Circumstances definitely dictated my intentions, you’re not wrong.”

Frank’s laugh was wry. “Okay, kid. I’ll speak to you another time. And, Josh?”

“Yeah, Frank?”

“Apologize to Samantha for me?”

“I will.” He cut the call, angry despite himself. “Frank wants me to tell you he’s sorry.”

“For his son beating me?” Samantha, unlike him, didn’t sound angry. She snorted. “That sounds about right. Next time he sees me this will be like water under the bridge—like it never happened. That’s the story of my fool life since I met Jamie.”

Josh winced. “The man has no guts or honor. I’m angry he wanted me to apologize on his behalf, but at least it’s something.”

“He caved in like you thought he would?”

“He did.” He fingered his cell a second, checked the notifications, then shoved it back in his pocket. “We should go. We’ve been down here twenty minutes.”

Samantha grimaced. “Well, I’m not sorry. Erin will have been fine with your guard, and he likes cars so it was better for him to be there waiting than for him to have seen us shaken up. It was a good idea to take a breather.”

He shot her a look. “I’m full of good ideas.”

She chuckled. “I’m sure your board of directors agrees with that.”

“Some,” he admitted meekly.

For a second, she studied him, then she murmured, “It’s really under control, isn’t it? This situation, I mean?”

“Yeah. And I meant what I said. I’ll get a family lawyer to draft out some kind of agreement to make sure that further threats are contained. I don’t want you to have to deal with them in the future,” he replied.

“Thank you, Josh.”

He cut her a look. “You don’t have to thank me for doing what’s only right.”

She shook her head. “That’s exactly why I have to thank you. Just because something is right doesn’t mean someone is willing to back that up. Look at Janice. She knew and did nothing. You, on the other hand, have.”

“After the fact. And too late to protect you from Jamie’s fists.”

Self-hatred filled his tone and she must’ve heard it, either that, or sensed it, because she turned, and her hand came out to cup the one he rested on his knee. She squeezed his fingers, and it didn’t surprise him that she was trying to comfort him when, if anyone deserved comfort, it was her.

“You’re beating yourself up over this, and it’s not necessary. I didn’t come to you, didn’t open your eyes to the truth, to make you feel badly about what Jamie did. How Janice behaved then? It was wrong. That she knew and didn’t help me? Also wrong. You didn’t know. Jamie hid it from you, and I did too. I appreciate everything you’ve done, but not at the expense of you hating yourself over something you could never have prevented.”

“I should have seen it. Should have seen the change in him,” He told her ruefully, and the emotion stemmed not from her words, but from the strength it took not to turn his hand in hers, and to bridge their fingers. He wanted to feel her palm against his with a desire that not only astonished him, but overwhelmed him.

“How could you have seen? What goes on behind closed doors and all that…”

“I was his closest friend. If I didn’t see it, what else was he hiding?”

She grimaced. “I really don’t want to think about it,” she admitted.

“I can’t blame you.”

Samantha sighed again, and as she squeezed his fingers, started to get up. At the same time, he moved onto his feet as well. In the melee of arms and torsos moving and shifting, they ended up leaning against each other as they stood upright.

Too close, he realized. Far too close for his or her own good.

Her scent filled the air around him, and it packed such a wallop he almost choked. He pressed his hand to her arm to steady her, and she did the same; only her hand fell against his chest. Unbidden, his pecs tightened at the delicate touch. The tip of her fingers brushing his shirt, like a butterfly’s wings against the silk, felt as powerful a caress as another woman’s hand around his shaft.

Before he knew what she was about, she’d leaned up on tiptoe. Suddenly in his face, she pressed her lips to his cheek, and whispered, “Thank you, Josh. For everything.”

He could have left it there.

Should have left it there.

She didn’t deserve for him to overpower her with these strange feelings she was building in him. But just like he couldn’t stop his lungs from needing the next breath, he couldn’t stop his head from tilting to the side, couldn’t stop his lips swiping across her cheek, coming to a final halt at hers.

As their mouths touched, he felt her stiffen up. Fully expecting her to reject his touch, he was astonished when she didn’t take a step back. When, if anything, she pressed her other hand to his chest, and the tips of both sets of fingers dug deep into the hardened muscle.

They stood there, breathing in each other’s air, their lips touching in an innocent kiss. So innocent, it reminded him of his first kiss with Eloise Jamison back in second grade. When neither of them had really known what they were doing, hadn’t particularly understood what a kiss was, just knew that it was something everybody was sneaking at that moment.

There was no sensuality to it, not really. It was too chaste, too innocent. And yet, his body responded as though she was doing a striptease in front of him. As though she was actively trying to entice him.

The thoughts built up in his head.

Working him over, seducing him more than she even could.

He shuddered, felt her shiver against him, and then she slanted her head and let him in.

His tongue speared between her lips and thrust against hers. The moan she made nearly broke him. It decimated his control, slammed into him with the force of a freight train.

Her taste, goddamnit, it was like nothing he’d ever known.

He groaned into her mouth, loved the noises she made, the whispers and whimpers of sound that escaped her as he made love to her mouth; and that was what they were doing.

This was no hard kiss.

No sloppy tongue fuck between two people who knew the score.

This was gentle, and soft.

It was breath-stealing, and that was the reaction he felt.

Overwhelmed, he made to pull back, to put distance between them, but her hands slid up higher on his chest, coming up to dig deep into his shoulders. He felt the bite of her nails, felt them score and scratch through his jacket.

How he wanted to feel them against his skin.

To experience her claws.

She was so damn placid all the time that he wanted to see her riled up. Wanted to see her lose all control, to be freed from the restraints marriage to his bastard of a best friend had shackled her in.

He wanted her to fly, he realized.

With a grunt, he grabbed a hold of her ass and pressed her harder into him. Rocking his shaft against her belly had her stiffening, but when he thought she’d step back, demand space, she didn’t, if anything, she cocked her leg and stacked it on his hip.

He grunted at the perfect angle of her soft belly caressing and holding his hardness in place. Rocking his pelvis, he felt himself harden and knew that it would be so easy to climax. Would be so easy to find release from even this most meager of caresses.

She let out a soft mewl as he curved his hand about her waist and moved higher to shape her breast from the side. When she arched her back, rippling against him, he couldn’t stop himself.

He moved them in a short two-step and pressed her into the wall.

At that moment, he didn’t care if they were in a luxury condo in the city center. He didn’t even care if there were cameras filming them. At that exact moment, she took up all his thoughts, left him with nothing behind.

Samantha moaned as her back collided with the plaster behind her, but he hoisted her up, grateful that her skirt was baggy and loose-fitting, that it swayed around her legs rather than constraining her. The new angle had him sending her skirt up to her groin, and he felt the soft silk of her thighs against his palm.

With a moan, he delved between them and let out a hiss that had him pulling his mouth from hers at how hot she was, how fucking wet.

He shuddered, pressed his forehead to hers. “You’re so wet for me,” he whispered, his tone like gravel.

She whispered,. “Yes. Please, yes.”

Her pleading set him on fire and before he knew what he was about, he pinned her hard to the wall and used sheer brute force to keep her up there as he moved his fingers between them to release his shaft.

He was mindless at that moment, mindless where he’d never been out of control.

The sensation was both freeing and terrifying, but he was too far gone to question, too far gone to even think about the consequences.

All that mattered was her. Here and now.

He shuddered the second his fist was around his cock, and he pushed it against her. She jolted, then let out a deep sigh that resonated with him so badly, he felt like howling out his desire.

She wriggled her fingers between them, pulled her panties aside and bared her to him.

With a moan, he surged inside her.

She was so slick, so hot and wet, that she took him easily. Her tight walls clenching firmly around him as he plowed her, not stopping until he was home free inside her depths.

She shuddered, her pussy muscles rippling around him as she accepted all he had to give.

The pair of them stayed there, unmoving, as they both processed how fucking good it felt to be like this together, then she clenched down hard as her hands came up to grab the back of his neck and head. He felt the pinprick of her nails dragging against his scalp and let out a sharp grunt. He began to tilt his hips as an urgency overcame him, overwhelming him until he felt certain he’d come before he even got her worked up.

Samantha let out a soft cry that fired his blood even higher as he began to thrust into her, harder, deeper, faster. The slap-slap of their skin, the sounds of slickness between them sent them both to another level as she used her grip on his head to drag him closer to her.

Within the space of a breath, her lips were on his. They began to kiss once more, plunging and raking into each other, biting and sucking, slurping and sampling.

Sensation shuddered through him as she took charge of the kiss while he handled other matters. He managed to slip a hand between them and used the narrow space to begin to frig her clit.

Her gasping breaths were swallowed by him, and when she pulsed around him, her pussy clamping down and releasing, he quickened his pace, needing her to come before he shamed himself inside her.

When a sharp, hoarse exhalation escaped her, one that had her ripping her head back and her lips from his, she tilted against the wall, gulping down deep breaths that moved in the same rhythm as her pussy around his shaft.

“I’m coming!” she gasped, and he felt it. Felt it without her having to say a damn word.

Before she could do much more than gulp, he felt his orgasm too. It boiled like a brew in his blood. Made every part of him burst into flame as sensation overwhelmed him.

It blackened his senses. Blinded his eyes, deafened him as the cataclysmic release roared through him, until all he knew, the only thing that grounded him to this planet, was her clasp on him.

Her hold on him.