Page 25

24

MADISON

L oud sobs shake my body as I stare at the door in disbelief, trapped in a nightmare I can’t escape. Jagger’s words echo inside my head. “ I’m not letting you go, Madison. I’m never letting you go .”

Funny how when he said he was never fucking letting me go when I was in his truck, I didn’t mind it one bit. In fact, I was thrilled to hear those words fall from his lips.

Now, I’m terrified.

I’m not just bothered by his words. When he called me Madison, which is what my mom used to call me, it grated on every last nerve. The coldness of his voice and in his eyes was eerie. He showed me a side of himself I’d never seen before. Something evil, monstrous, devoid of all emotion lurked in his Vantablack eyes.

Then he exited the room, the click of the lock reminding me I’m simply a little bird locked inside a gilded cage.

I move to the same window Jagger stood at moments ago. Tears scald my cheeks as I blankly stare outside into the darkness. I’m being held captive by a potential serial killer, a prisoner at an unknown location.

Everything is such a fucking mess. I’m so sick of my life being a constant shit show since my dad died. I’m spiraling into a pit of despair, powerless from the heaviness that drapes over my body. My heartbeat feels like it’s in my throat as my tears blind me. I sob until there’s nothing left and I’m left a distraught mess.

From out of nowhere, my dad’s voice is inside my head. “Strength in battle is another meaning of the name Madison. It suited you. You’ve always been my strong-willed girl, displaying strength whenever life gets tough.”

Swiping my hand across my cheeks, I draw myself up to my full height. Don’t let the bastard bring you down.

The key in the lock draws my attention to the door. My hands clench into fists and my muscles tense. I pivot, facing the door like an army of one.

Jagger steps through the door, his gaze sweeping me from head to toe and back again before he opens his mouth. “Maddie, I—”

“If you’re here to insult me or be an asshole again, you can just turn your ass around and march the fuck back out. I’m not tolerating your bullshit.”

He appears shocked for about thirty seconds before a bemused expression transforms his face. His hand moves to his mouth, tracing his full, luscious lips, trying to hide his smirk before he crosses his arms over his chest. He tilts his head, contemplating me.

Why am I thinking about his damned lips? He’s an asshole. A freaking serial killer, Maddie.

Focus.

“You’re cute when you’re pissed.”

I glare at him, tapping my foot against the floor. “And you’re a psychotic asshole. I’m glad we had this little conversation.” I point toward the door. “Now get the fuck out.”

His smug smile widens. “Do you really think you can order me around in my own house?” His condescending tone grates on my nerves.

“Do you really think I give a fuck about that? I don’t care if I’m in your house, standing on a mountain, or riding in a fucking jet with you. You aren’t going to talk to me or treat me like shit. I won’t tolerate it.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I stare him down beneath lowered brows.

Sauntering over to me, he appears unbothered by my threats. His body is relaxed beneath his sweatshirt. As he moves, he grabs the hem of his shirt, pulling it over his head and tossing it on the floor so he’s only wearing a pair of jeans. He’s not even wearing shoes and… Fuck. Why does he have attractive feet? Is every fucking thing on this man gorgeous? It’s unfair to the rest of the male species.

Pulling my gaze from his feet, my eyes drink in his lower body. The way his thigh muscles flex against the denim as he moves makes me want to sink my teeth into my lip while dropping to my knees in front of him. My gaze raises, his sculpted abs making me drool. Slowly, my gaze drags up his body as if I have no control over myself and my reactions. My lips part, my breathing heavy because I’m pissed, yet turned on by his sculpted physique.

My gaze finally lands on his face as he stands right in front of me, his expression conveying that he knows exactly how he affects me.

God, that smirk. I want to smack him and kiss the hell outta him.

“You make my dick so hard with your feistiness.” His gaze is locked on me as though he can read my thoughts. Hear the way my heart bangs like a drum against my chest as my arousal courses through me like fire in my veins.

Exhaling a shuddering breath, I drop my gaze and it goes right to his… Oh, God. He’s noticeably hard through his jeans. It wouldn’t be so damned noticeable if he wasn’t so big.

My gaze darts to his, my cheeks scarlet. Damn him. This isn’t supposed to happen! I need to be in control…

His hand shoots out, grabbing the back of my neck, tilting my face to his. He’s dominating my space, pulling me against him with one single tug. His body radiates enough heat that it burns my skin. He licks his lips, mesmerizing me with such a simple move.

“I’m not a patient man, baby girl,” he whispers. “You’d do well to remember that before challenging me.”

I snort, but inwardly, I melt from his low, husky voice when he calls me baby girl. His nearness is stretching my control like a frayed rope about to snap. “I’m not afraid of you.” I’m pleasantly surprised by how strong my voice sounds. It doesn’t waiver the slightest bit.

“You’re stupidly brave.” The raspy way he says keeps it from sounding like an insult. The sexy way his lip curled up has me feeling weak. Victory flashes in his dark eyes. “But I like it.”

“Well, I don’t like you.” Fuck, Maddie. You sound like an elementary school kid.

His face transforms into a wide smile, the dimple in his left cheek popping.

Holy shit, that smile is everything . My breathing hitches before rasping in and out of me, my lips parting. I want so badly to lick my dry lips, but I’m fairly certain he’d take that as an invitation.

Cocking his head, his intense stare bores into me, stripping me bare. “You’re lying, baby girl.” His voice drops to slightly above a whisper. “You may not want to like me, but you do.”

Why does he say shit that gets under my skin? My palm itches to smack him but I squelch the urge. Touching his skin will send me over the edge. Right now, I’m trying to cling to the last bit of strength I possess inside of me.

I tilt my head, noticing a flicker in his eyes. “You won’t hurt me.”

Instead of his usual tactics, he stuns me when he raises his hand, his knuckles lightly grazing my cheek. “You’re right. I won’t hurt you.”

A whimper escapes me as I close my eyes, basking in his gentle touch. My body is out of my control as I lean into his touch, wanting more . His confession snaps my resistance, crumbling my resolve, my fury decreasing.

His lips brush mine, feather light. My nerves are frayed, resembling a lightning bolt, as his hand cups my face gingerly, his full lips teasing mine. My hands slide up his chest, feeling his heartbeat thumping beneath my palm. Touching his skin sends a bolt of electricity coursing through me.

I’m helpless to resist him as he lazily kisses me like he has all the time in the world. A low groan rumbles from his chest, and I melt against him, shedding my last bit of restraint. His strong arms wrap around me, holding me tightly. Unbidden, a sigh of pleasure falls from my lips, and he drinks it in. As much as I love when he loses control and devours me like I’m his last meal, the soft way he’s teasing my mouth with his makes me forget about everything. My anger at him. The horrors of the night. All of it erased by his kiss.

Jagger pulls back slightly, his lips against mine. “I’ve been dying to kiss you like that.” Then he presses his lips against mine again, his hand sliding up my back and into my hair, turning my head, controlling the kiss.

This man is making me come undone.

My hands slide over his shoulders, then around to the back of his neck. My fingers caress the short hairs on the back of his neck, causing him to release a half sigh, half groan that makes me want to rip his clothing off.

His phone beeps, pulling me from the lustful haze I was floating in. Reluctantly breaking the kiss, he stares at me for a couple of beats. Regret is in his eyes as he says, “I’m sure that’s my sister texting to tell me she’s on her way.”

Sister? Did I hear him correctly?

He grins at my flabbergasted expression. I open my mouth, close it, then open it again. “Why is she coming over now?” Glancing out the window, the first rays of dawn lighten the world outside.

Jagger grins. “Jason, my brother, told her I’d been stabbed. I told him not to bother her, that this could wait, but obviously, he didn’t listen.”

Stabbed? So that’s why he’s limping. I have so many questions, none of which I’m sure he’d answer right now.

Hope fills my chest. Maybe I can bang on the door and get her attention. I can’t imagine she’d leave me locked up in here.

“You’re coming with me.” A warning look is in his eyes as he stares at me. “And no, she won’t help you. Neither will her husband, who is my best friend, or my brother.” He gives me an evil grin. “I made sure of it.”

Fuck. I close my eyes, feeling helpless and foolish. First, they are his family, and god only knows what he told them. Of course they won’t help me. Second, I let him kiss me, melting against him like butter on a piece of toast fresh from the toaster.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I glare at him. “I’d like to punch you in the dick.”

Jagger throws his head back, laughing. The smug smile on his face when he tilts his head, looking down at me, irritates the hell out of me. “What’s that? You wanna suck my dick. Sorry, baby girl. We don’t have time for that right now.”

The anger flows beneath my skin like lava inside a volcano, about to erupt. “You fucking wish,” I snap.

Before I can blink, he pushes me against the wall, my hands pinned above my head by his hand. The other is on my hip, sliding down to my leg before he yanks it around his waist, pressing his hardness against me. He rolls his hips against my aching center. Even though I had sex with him recently, my body is insanely aroused, wanting him again.

“You can’t tell me you don’t want me, baby girl.” His voice is so damn husky against my ear. Then he dips his head, his lips moving to the spot on my neck that makes me crazy. As he sucks on it, my head tilts, giving him access, even as my brain screams at me to fight him. But I can’t. It’s as though I’m trapped in a spell, my body no longer under my control.

“Jagger,” his name is a sigh on my lips as my hips move with his, aching for him. What the hell is wrong with me? Why am I powerless to resist him?

“Baby girl.” The nickname is a seductive whisper, pulling me deeper into his web. “You want me, don’t you?”

God, yes . Pressing my lips tightly together so I don’t say that, I close my eyes, trying to find the courage to resist him. To push him away and fight him.

As if the fucker knows that I’m digging deep, trying to find the courage to push him away and scream at him, he pulls his hips away from mine. His lips lightly nip at my neck before his hot tongue slowly soothes it, the sensual movement of his tongue over my heated skin causing goosebumps to erupt all over my body.

Then his hand slides to the waistband of my yoga pants and slides down them before I realize what he’s doing. His fingers rub over my panties, and I feel the curve of his smile against my neck as he says, “Different panties than you had on earlier. Did we ruin the other ones from my come running out of you after we fucked?”

Asshole. “No, I took them off and lit them on fire so I’d have no reminders of you,” I snapped.

He chuckles against me, breaths tickling my skin. “You’re a liar, baby girl. I’ll bet those panties were uncomfortably soaked from our come running out of you. I know my boxers were soaked from you gushing all over my dick.” His fingers rub over my panties, his mouth sucking on my neck again.

I don’t say a word, too focused on trying not to moan from the way he’s expertly touching my pussy through my panties. God, I hope he doesn’t —

My thoughts are cut off as he slides my panties aside and plunges a finger deep inside of me. At the same time, his mouth leaves my neck, lips close to mine as his stare bores into me.

“Fuck, baby girl. This soaked pussy doesn’t lie to me.” He slowly slides his finger out, before ramming it back in.

I close my eyes, trying to hide from him. But he makes it impossible when he adds a second finger, sliding them deep inside of me, expertly pleasing me like he’s done this a million times.

Shit. My lips part, my breaths falling out of me faster as desire crashes over me, drowning me. I’m helpless against him as he fingers me in a way no man has ever done before.

“This pussy is mine,” he growls against my lips. “There are so many things I’d like to do to you. So many ways I’d love to enjoy you. But we don’t have the time right now.”

Thank God, because I swear, I’d let him do whatever he wants to me right now.

“I’ll just have to settle with sucking your hard nipple while I finger you until you shatter all over my hand.”

His words float over me, a moan passing my lips.

Releasing my wrists, his hand grips my sweatshirt, tugging it up my body. He bends slightly, his mouth capturing my nipple, teasing it with his tongue, while his fingers continue moving in and out of me.

“Jagger,” I moan, as my hips rock toward his hand.

His tongue moves faster, flicking over my nipple, as he moves inside my walls, faster and deeper. Because of the orgasms he gave me earlier, as well as the expert way he handles my body, I’m primed and aching for release again.

Jagger works me into a frenzy before I explode all over his hand, his name on my tongue. My legs shake as my orgasm washes over me, my head tilted back against the wall, moans and heavy breaths coming out of me until I’m parched, my throat dry.

He stays with me, greedily wanting everything I can give until it’s over. When my orgasm is finished and I slowly roll my head so that I’m looking at him, victory shines in his dark eyes—again.

Releasing my nipple with a pop, he pulls his fingers out of my pussy. Planting a kiss on my lips before I can turn my head, I don’t have the strength to fight him, too weakened from the orgasm he so easily coaxed from my body.

When he pulls back, his eyes are hard. “Don’t fucking lie to me again, Maddie. I provided my point. The next time you aren’t honest with me, I’m shoving you to your knees and shoving my cock between those pouty lips, fucking that lying mouth until I come down your throat. I won’t be fucking gentle about it, either.”

Then he lowers my leg from around his waist, his hand moving out of my pants. Stepping back, he shoves the two fingers that were inside me into his mouth, a moan coming from his lips. Cleaning off every bit of my come from his fingers before he removes them from his mouth. A wide smile curls up his lips, his dimple popping. “You still taste fucking heavenly, baby girl. I can’t wait to spread you wide and devour you with my tongue.” He winks at me. “Be good and I’ll make it happen as soon as they leave.”

Like a damn greedy bitch, a desperate whimper escapes me. Goddamn it, Maddie. Be strong. My blush heats me from the top of my head to the tips of my toes.

“Awe, don’t be embarrassed, baby girl. I love pleasing you. Just think how many orgasms I can give you now that you’re mine until you take your last breath.”

And just like that, anger courses through me. “Fuck you, Jagger,” I seethe.

“Oh you will. Over and over again. You won’t be able to walk when I’m finally done with you.” Then he pivots, pointing toward a door. “Bathroom is in there if you wanna use it before they get here. Come out when you’re done.” He shoves his hands in his pocket, a slight limp as he moves to the door.

Turning to face me, the cold, impenetrable mask is back on his face. “Don’t try anything stupid. You won’t like your punishment.”

I stick my tongue out at him once he’s left the room. As I head to the restroom, an evil smile tugs at my lips.

He’s wrong. I think I’d like the punishment he doles out.