Chapter 6
I never stay the night. It’s my first rule.
Sleeping beside someone implied a deeper connection. At least in my book.
Maeve never cuddled either. It was rule number two. Cuddling leads to a toxic hormonal response which lends itself to picking out slow cookers for a wedding registry and sensible shoes.
So why am I laying next to Nox?
They’d screwed around last night, and it had been epic, the best sex of her life.
And it was something else, too. Inexplicably, Nox had been tender. He’d opened up a bit about his past, held her as she slept. And she’d babbled to him about Reggie and her sister.
This seemed to be much more complicated than a cheap fling. Which is a real problem.
And yet, she couldn’t seem to move. Instead, she lounged beside Nox, enjoying the warmth of his body.
Maybe her hormones had gotten the best of her. Maeve hadn’t slept with anyone in a long time. She and Nox were intensely sexually compatible, and the hormones were making her a little nuts.
Yeah, that had to be it.
Or maybe this was about letting go.
She’d been in charge of the company for a year, and in a powerful position for six years. Maeve was always the one making decisions. With Nox, all she had to do was lay back and let him take charge.
Yeah, right. Excuses, excuses.
Her phone buzzed with an incoming call, and she picked it up before Nox woke up.
It was Jim. “How’s the search going?”
“We hit a brick wall. No one has seen Amy.” Maeve gingerly slid out of bed and lowered her voice, so she wouldn’t wake Nox.
He sighed. “I’m sure she’ll turn up in a day or two with a great tan and a story to tell.”
Really? Because I’m not.
Some sixth sense told her this wasn’t a simple case of irresponsibility. What if Amy was hurt? Lying in a ditch somewhere? What if she’d gone off on a wild bender? All sorts of scenarios flooded her mind, each one was more terrible than the last.
“I hope so.”
Maeve picked her tank top off the floor and quickly slid it over her head. Then she grabbed the rest of her clothing and laid it on the end of the bed. She wouldn’t get fully dressed until she’d cleaned up a bit.
“Why are you whispering?”
“Um, no reason.” It was none of his business where she was, or what she was doing.
“Do you need anything?”
“No, I’m fine.” It was a lie.
Maeve had expense reports to sort through, and a new marketing proposal to create, and countless other tasks to finish, but she couldn’t concentrate. Every time she settled down to work, Maeve’s thoughts kept drifting back to Amy.
The phone line crackled. “Come on, Maeve, don’t lie to me. There’s at least a hundred things to do. Let me help you.”
“It isn’t fair to dump this on you.”
Since she was failing as a CEO, Maeve needed to buckle down and spend more time in the office, not less. She needed to be perceived as a competent leader, not someone who was vulnerable and needed assistance from her underlings.
“Don’t be silly, it’s what I’m here for. Come on, I’m here to make your job easier. Let me take care of everything.”
Maeve didn’t have the energy to argue with him, and she did need his help, even if she didn’t want it. When this was over, and her position with the company was secure once more, they’d have a performance meeting, and she’d recommend a huge raise to the board. He couldn’t climb any higher without unseating Maeve, but she wanted to show her appreciation for his service.
“If you’re sure…”
“I am. You can hand off everything to me if you like.”
“Thank you, Jim. I really appreciate it.”
If she didn’t have to worry about all these routine tasks, Maeve could give the Amy situation her full attention.
She sighed. “Okay, I’ll send you an email tonight, with some attachments.”
“I’ll be looking for it.”
“And Jim?”
“Yeah?”
“I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
He chuckled. “You’ll never have to wonder.”
“Who are you talking to?” Maeve whirled to see Nox who watched her from across the room. His arms were folded over his chest.
“Someone from the office.”
“Who’s that?” Jim asked.
“Uh, no one. Look, I have to go.”
“Sure. Call me if you need me. Goodbye.” And then he hung up.
“And by someone, you mean Jim, right?”
“Yeah.”
“What did he want?”
Maeve tensed. “Nothing.”
His frown deepened to a scowl. “Are you sleepin’ with him?”
Was he jealous? “Is that any of your business?”
“Maybe I gave you the wrong impression. I’m kinky and adventurous, but I don’t share. When you’re with me, you won’t see others.”
Maeve squared her shoulders. “I said it was work-related.” She wasn’t sure why she was digging her heels in. Maybe Maeve didn’t like his possessive tone.
Or I like it too much.
“Fine, then I believe you.”
Maeve should be keeping him on the edges of her life, not drawing him closer. Why had he gotten under her skin so fast?
What if she was in over her head? Crap.
He cocked his head to one side. “You’re losin’ it, aren’t you?”
“No. What makes you think so?”
Nox just shook his head, chuckling.
“What? Tell me.”
His lips twitched in the most sardonic way. “You and I are more alike than I thought. You don’t have to worry, Maeve, I ain’t tryin’ to crowd you.
Once again, she was torn between wanting to slap Nox and kiss him. What an irritating, infuriating man.
“I’m fine.” She sounded defensive, even to her own ears.
“Glad to hear it. I have another proposition for you.”
Maeve tensed, waiting.
“Since we haven’t gotten a decent lead on your sister, why don’t you stay at HQ for a while?” He cleared his throat. “You never know when somethin’ will come up.”
“I’m not sure it’s a good idea.”
Maeve was already dangerously close to caring about Nox. If she spent a lot of time with him, especially in this emotional state, it could get even more awkward.
“Hear me out.” Nox raised his hands. “Do you want to be involved in the case? Rather than us handling it for you?”
Maeve sighed. “Yes.”
“Then, you should be with me, I mean us. You know, boots on the ground.”
What he said, made a lot of sense, even if it discomfited her. This was too important for anyone else to handle. Maeve wanted to be here, offering information and her perspective.
“What do you say?” Nox prompted.
“Sure, but this is strictly professional.” Maeve nodded to the bed. “It doesn’t have anything to do with you and me.”
He raised a brow. “Understood.”
Maeve cleared her throat. “I should probably freshen up.”
Nox stepped aside, with a wave of his hand.
Once inside the safety of the bathroom, Maeve studied herself in the mirror.
Holy hell. Is this some kind of weird dream?
“Pull it together, Maeve. It’s just sex.”
Screwing around with Nox hadn’t been the best idea. Yet, she hadn’t been able to help herself. The man was almost hypnotic.
Suddenly, she could feel his touch once again. She imagined Nox running his hands down the length of her torso, lingering on her lace covered breasts.
Stop it. Get a hold of yourself.
Maeve washed her face, spritzed on some perfume from the travel size bottle in her purse, and pulled her hair into a demure little bun. She briefly considered rinsing off but decided against it. The bathtub could use a good scrub, so she didn’t climb in for a quick shower. Maeve settled for wetting a washcloth and rinsing the rest of her body off.
When she emerged, Maeve was more in control of her emotions, but her triumph was short-lived.
Nox stepped in her path. “Damn, you look all prim and proper, like a librarian.”
A blush heated her cheeks.
“You’re gonna wear this for me today.”
Nox opened his palm to reveal a small rubber butt plug. She’d seen plugs before, but she’d never worn one. It was a slender thing, the size of his pinky finger.
Wait a second. Where had he been keeping it?
He seemed to read her thoughts. “Don’t worry its new.”
“When did you have time to go on a sex toy run?”
He didn’t respond.
“Oh, I see. You buy in bulk.” Then she remembered the black duffel back. “And you brought it with you.”
With his sex life, it probably saved him money. Nox was clearly a man whore, and it bothered her, although it shouldn’t. She didn’t want to think of him with other women, but she didn’t mind the experience he brought to the table.
I’m such a hypocrite.
“Yes, I brought the plug with me. Will you wear it?”
Maeve wanted to say “no” but couldn’t somehow. She remembered the feel of his cockhead against her ass. What would it feel like to have his big, thick dick sliding inside her? Filling her up. The thought alone made her moan.
“Maybe we can work something out.”
“I see.” He folded his arms over his massive chest. “We’re negotiating.”
“Well, I am a businesswoman.”
“And what do you want in return?”
That was easy. “Your mouth. I want you to lick me again.”
“Done.” Nox smirked. “Now, get your sweet ass over here.” He walked to the edge of the bed again, and he pulled a bottle of lube from his black bag. Nox squirted some on his fingertips, and it made a rude sound.
She did as he asked, with her ass in the air like a flag, and her dignity flapping in the wind.
The lube was cool against her asshole, and she tensed. Maeve felt his hand glide against the small of her back, a gentle pressure.
“It’s okay. Don’t worry.”
He massaged her asshole, slipping his slicked-up pinky finger inside, easing the passage. And when she’d gotten used to the intrusion, Nox pushed the head of the plug in and slowly, inch by inch, pressed it inside her.
Nox swatted her ass and squeezed a cheek. She squealed in surprise.
She imagined him taking her there and squirmed. His cock would be thick and hard, enormous compared to the tiny plug.
When she stood, Maeve felt full, more aware of her own body somehow. Her nipples were hard, poking out, and her pussy was wet. It like her body was under his control, at his command. Lightning-fast, he pushed the straps down and seized her nipples, lifting her breasts slightly. It hurt, stung, but in a hot way.
Who knew pain and pleasure were next door neighbors?
“How do you feel?”
“Aroused.” It was an honest answer.
“Tell me.”
“My pussy’s wet.”
“What?” He cupped his ear with one hand. “I didn’t hear you.”
She breathed. “My pussy’s wet.”
“Mmhmm.” He closed his eyes. “I figured as much.”
She was utterly shameless, and Maeve couldn’t bring herself to stop right now. Somehow, she was lost.
“Show me.”
Biting the inside of her cheek, Maeve opened her legs, partially displaying herself for him.
He cupped her sex, held it as though her pussy belonged to him, and maybe it did. He thumbed her clit, and she cried out.
“That’s enough for now. Clean my fingers.” He pressed them to her mouth, and she obediently licked them. “And now I’m gonna choose what you’ll wear.”
And that’s where I draw the line.
“No.”
“Yes. Come on, you’re not goin’ anywhere important, and since we didn’t bring clothes along, the options are limited.”
He was right, even if she hated to admit it.
“Fine.” She sighed. “What do you want me to wear?”
“I’m tempted to take your bra away, but you have big tits and bouncing around would make you uncomfortable, right?”
“Hell, yes.”
He snickered. “Then you can wear everything but the panties and your outer shirt.”
It would leave her in a skirt and a tank top. “How generous.”
“Yeah, I’m downright magnanimous. Now, get goin ’and then we’ll head back to HQ.”