A groan escaped me, and my head fell into my hands, feeling helpless and so… confused. Maddox was simply maddening and so goddamn stubborn.
“Breakfast doesn’t suit you?”
My head snapped up, and my gaze found his. My mouth went dry as I gaped at him.
Maddox leaned against the door that led to the balcony, where I was currently sitting. He crossed his ankles, and his lips twitched with a grin. He was barefoot and freshly showered, his hair still wet and droplets of water lingered over his bare chest and thick arms, as if he hadn’t bothered to dry himself.
His jeans hung loosely around his hips, halfway zipped, unbuttoned and unbuckled. My eyes lingered over his wide chest far longer than I intended, his nipple piercing catching my attention. The silver barbell was enticing as I remembered the feel of it on my tongue last night, my teeth grazing his nipple and the tip of my tongue flickering over his piercing.
I flushed at the reminder. My gaze lowered to his hard-cut abs and the perfect trail of hair, a shade lighter than the hair on his head, leading from his navel to his…
Oh shit, he wasn’t wearing any underwear.
My head snapped up, but it was too late. Maddox had caught me checking him out, and he was now giving me a dirty smirk. There was a mischievous glint in his blue eyes as he walked into the sunlight and onto the balcony of our – his – hotel room. One of the finest hotels in Paris, our master suite had its own balcony, with a little breakfast area – an outdoor sofa and coffee table. It gave us the perfect view of the Eiffel tower. One could easily eat a French baguette, while admiring France’s famous landmark.
Maddox stopped next to the coffee table and nodded toward the tray. “You haven’t eaten yet. Not hungry?”
As if I could eat in this situation.
He perched himself on the coffee table, sitting directly in front of me and practically crowding into my personal space. Maddox reached for a chocolate croissant and brought it to my mouth, silently waiting, silently demanding. My lips parted, and I took a small bite.
He nodded in approval. “Good girl.”
I chewed, the taste of rich chocolate on my tongue. Sweet and oh, so good. This was probably the best croissant I ever had. No surprises there; it was a Parisian specialty.
“I thought you’d build an appetite after last night’s…” Maddox trailed off and took a bite of the croissant. “… vigorous fucking,” he finished, still chewing.
I almost choked on my saliva as my face heated up. “Maddox!”
“Okay, my bad. I meant, vigorous love-making. Is that better?”
Once again, we were back to him taunting me. “No,” I hissed.
He shrugged. “It is what it is. We fucked last night. Get over it, Lila. It’s not as dramatic as you’re making it out to be.”
“Everything is just so easy for you, isn’t it, Maddox?” I said, sitting up straight. “Sleep with a girl tonight, find a new conquest tomorrow. This is what you do, isn’t it? Fuck and move on to the next available girl.”
His eyes darkened, and he leaned forward, bringing his face closer to mine. His breath fanned over my lips. “Who said I was moving on…? You’re still here. I haven’t kicked you out yet.”
My heart thudded hard against my rib cage, but I still glowered. “Do you have to be such an asshole? We,” I angrily motioned between us, “are best friends. What happened last night can’t happen again. It was a moment of weakness…for both of us.”
Maddox seemed unfazed at my outburst, as he brought the rest of the croissant to my mouth. I pressed my lips together, refusing to give him the satisfaction of feeding me and effectively shutting me up.
His lips twitched in amusement. “Open your mouth, Lila. Or I will force feed it to you. Don’t tempt me.”
I gritted my teeth, the urge to punch him strong. Yes, I was stubborn, but he was acting like his usual asshole self, right now, and I didn’t like it one bit.
Warm breeze hit my bare chest, and I gasped, looking down. Maddox had pulled my white robe apart, untying the belt from around my waist without me even realizing.
Sneaky bastard. Why was I even surprised?
His hand snaked upward and inside my robe, before I could even think. Mischief flashed in his blue eyes as he cupped my breast, lazily brushing his thumb over my hard nipple. Heat flushed through me as my stomach fluttered and my heart raced.
“Eat,” he demanded, rolling my painfully tight nipple between his thumb and forefinger.
Maddox waited, his attitude aggravating, and his grin – so freaking annoying.
I opened my mouth and took a big bite, shoving the rest of the croissant in my mouth and biting on the same fingers that were feeding me. He hissed and pulled his hand away from my lips… and teeth.
I raised an eyebrow, cocking my head to the side. Two can play this game, Maddox.
He pinched my nipple, hard. A squeak left my lips, and he smirked.
“We can’t be friends after I fucked you like I did last night,” Maddox said, ever so crudely. I tensed, my lungs clenching at his words.
Don’t do this, Maddox. Don’t…please.
“If you think we can go back to being just friends, then Lila, you’re more delusional than I thought.”
I opened my mouth to snap at him, but he was already pushing me back against the seat. “Maddox, what–”
He loomed over me, our chests touching, and his hands landed on either side of my head. Maddox caged me against his body. “Give us one week,” he rumbled. His face was the most serious I had ever seen, his expression hard and sure. “Our time in Paris, seven days.”
One week…
With Maddox? Not as his friend, but as his lover?
A fling? An affair…?
My eyes widened, and I was already shaking my head. My heart wouldn’t survive a one-week affair. Maddox would wreck me, and I’d leave my bleeding heart in Paris.
His thumb brushed against my throat, over my throbbing vein. “Lila,” Maddox breathed my name.
My breath hitched as my robe slid open. He knelt in front of me, his big shoulders settling between my spread thighs, pushing them farther apart. I breathed in, but my throat closed, as I ended up silently gasping instead. I was completely naked under my robe, and he took it as his advantage.
He lifted his head, his gaze hot and dark. “Your cunt looks thoroughly used from last night, Lila,” Maddox said, unadulterated satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. My fingers curled around the cushion, and I dug my nails in, feeling a rush of heat coursing through me. My skin grew tight and warmth spread through my lower region, my sex growing damp. Damn him and his filthy mouth.
My eyes turned into slits as I glared down at his imposing self. I wasn’t going to fall for it; I wouldn’t let him sway me with sex.
Maddox’s hand slowly slid up the outside of my calves, up my thighs… and…
I squirmed, my voice gone and the fight leaving me. He was meticulously slow, dragging out the suspense and forcing me to feel him.
Inch by inch, his hand slid upward, his touch scorching my flesh as he continued toward my center.
His slightly calloused palm felt rough against my sensitive skin, but his touch was… so light, he was barely touching me. Teasing and tempting.
Driving… me… crazy.
My heart thudded so hard I thought it would spill out of my chest. His fingers brushed against my folds, a soft touch, but I quivered in response.