Chapter Forty-Three
“What did you mean back there,” I finally get up the nerve to ask, when Braden and I are back at his place, “when you said you’ve looked the other way far too long?”
He sighs. “Remember when I showed up at the MADD gala, and Peter Reardon stayed away from you after that?”
“How could I forget?”
“I didn’t want you with him because I wanted you, but that wasn’t the only reason.”
“Oh?”
“I’d already decided his father’s firm wasn’t going to get my contract, even though their bid came in the lowest.”
“Are they not good architects?”
“They’re excellent architects, actually. I just don’t like the way they do business.”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“They’re not the most ethical people, and it begins at the top with Peter’s father, Beau Reardon.”
“Braden, Betsy is dating Peter now. And they got cuddly awfully quickly. You don’t think…?”
“It’s possible. I hear things in my circles that don’t become common knowledge. Beau Reardon sometimes uses unconventional methods to get what he wants.” Braden’s eyes are dark with anger. “I’ll take care of it,” he says succinctly.
“How?”
“Does it matter?”
“Well…yeah. I don’t want you getting into trouble.”
“I won’t get into any trouble. Don’t worry. But the Reardons and Garrett will wish they’d never crossed a friend of mine when I’m done with them. Now, let’s get you that warm bath I promised you.”
…
I lean back against Braden’s hard chest and let the warm and fragrant water soothe every part of me. Yeah, my sore ass needs it, but the rest of my body needs it no less. This night has given stress a new meaning. I close my eyes.
At least Tessa’s okay.
I have more questions. So many more. Like how did Addison end up at the convenience store across the street from Tessa’s after midnight? For that matter, how does Addie always know everything about Braden and me?
Is she stalking me? Is she still stalking Braden? If she is, he must know. He has eyes and ears everywhere.
I can’t ask, though. At least not now, when I’m breathing in the soothing lavender steam from this amazing bath. Braden turned the jets onto low, so they give the water just the gentlest of swirls, as if we’re bathing in a lovely natural hot spring.
He moves his hand slowly up and down my arm, just the whisper of a touch, and it soothes me.
I’ll figure everything out.
Later.
…
My eyes pop open. The sun streams through Braden’s bedroom windows. I turn my head. No Braden. Then I sit up and grab my phone from the nightstand.
No way! One p.m.?
Makes sense, I guess. We were up almost until morning waiting for news on Tessa. Then we came back here and bathed together, which was amazingly sensual.
I rise, pad over to Braden’s closet, and grab one of his shirts. I button it around me and breathe in his piney and masculine scent—my favorite perfume in the world. Then I grab my phone and call Carlotta. She lets me talk to Tessa.
“Hey, Skye.” Tessa’s voice is a little hoarse, but she sounds…okay.
“Tess, thank God. How are you?”
“Tired. But okay. Very thankful for you and Braden.”
“Please. If I’d been with you in the first—”
“Stop,” she interrupts. “Don’t go there. Don’t do that to yourself. I’m an adult. At least now I know why I was acting so strangely.”
Fresh anger ignites in me. “I can’t believe Garrett. Braden’s going to take care of this.”
“Good.” Tessa lets out a hoarse scoff. “Tell him to let the pig have it.”
“Don’t worry. I will. When are they springing you?”
“Today,” she says. “Mom’s staying with me for a while. I couldn’t talk her out of it.” She coughs softly.
“I don’t want to keep you. You need to rest. Do you want me to come by?”
“No. I think I’ll take some time to hang with my mom. You don’t mind, do you?”
“Of course not. Whatever you need. I’m here if you need me.”
“I know. Thanks, Skye.”
I end the call and walk out of the room. “Braden?”
“In the office.”
I follow the sound of his voice to his home office. He sits behind his desk, staring at his laptop screen.
“Hey,” I say.
“Good morning. Or should I say good afternoon.” He finally looks up and sucks in a breath. “You look fucking sexy in my shirt.”
I smile. I can’t help it. The soft cotton against my body infused with his scent. I feel sexy in this shirt.
“What are you working on?”
“Nothing that can’t wait. Come here.” He moves his hand downward.
Once I’m behind his desk, I see that he’s freed his cock from his lounge pants. I part my lips.
“Fuck, you’re sexy,” he says. “Climb on, Skye.”
I’m wet already. No surprise there. Braden’s mere presence makes me wet and ready, and right now, with his tousled bedhead and heavy eyelids, I’m ready to pounce.
I climb onto his lap and straddle him, slowly easing down onto his erection.
“God…” I groan.
His moan meets my own as we sit immobile for a few seconds, and I relish the feeling of him deeply embedded inside me.
“Fuck.” He inhales. “I can’t get enough of you. Never enough.”
He takes charge then, and grips my hips, lifting me until his cock head is only teasing my pussy lips. He holds me there for a minute, my nipples abrading the cotton of his shirt. I struggle against his strength, trying to sink back down so I’m complete again, and just when I think I may seriously lose my cool, he finally pushes me back down onto his hardness.
It’s quick. It’s lusty. It’s not romantic at all, but I don’t care.
It’s us.
Simply us.
He grasps me harder and harder, and I feel like a piston on an engine. And I love it. I love it so much. The pressure builds inside me, and before I know it, an orgasm is imminent. “Braden! I’m going to come. God!”