Page 45

TWENTY-THREE

MADDOX

THAT TOOK FUCKING forever. Way longer than I wanted. But finding out everything Butch knows is a necessary evil.

I want to take Audrey home. I want to start our lives together. To do that, she has to be able to put this one behind her. Completely. In order to make that happen, I have to make sure Trevor’s taken care of. And the only way I can do that is to find out what the fuck is going on.

And there’s a lot fucking going on.

Audrey’s at my computer when I let myself into our room. The place has been freshly organized and cleaned, and her hair is falling in smooth waves over one of the new sweaters she ordered.

I look over everything, spending most of my time drinking her in. “You’ve been busy.”

She smiles wide. “I have.”

Standing, she comes straight to me, both arms linking at my neck as she pushes up onto her toes to press her lips against mine. I’ve never come home to someone before, but this is pretty damn close. It makes me eager to have her in my house. For Audrey to greet me like this every time I walk in.

That eagerness quickly morphs into need. Need that’s been gnawing at me for hours since Luca interrupted what was about to be a great fucking time. My desire flares back to life, and soon I’m pushing her across the room, ready to mess up the freshly made bed.

“Is it rain check time already?” Audrey smiles against my mouth. “I thought maybe you were going to tell me what you guys talked about and what Butch had to say.”

“Later.” I’m not even sure how to begin explaining what Butch had to say. It’s either going to make her feel better, or worse, and I don’t like those odds.

“Later it is.”

Audrey’s grip shifts, coming to my shirt. She holds tight and seems to stumble. In my attempt to stabilize her, I end up being the one who lands on the bed first.

Dropping my ass onto the edge, I focus mostly on making sure she’s steady on her feet. It’s not until I notice Audrey’s got a wicked grin on her face that I suspect I’ve been set up. “What are you doing?”

Her hands are already at the waistband of my pants, so there’s not a lot of room for things to get lost in translation, but I’m still trying to wrap my head around what’s happening, and why.

“I’m cashing in the rain check you gave me.” She flips my belt open, eyes coming to my face. “One of the many infinite ones you said I could have.”

“The rain checks were for me making you come,” I clarify. “Not whatever you think you’re about to do.”

Audrey grips the end of my belt, holding the buckle tight as she tugs the leather free, snapping it off my body in a sharp move. Angling a brow at me, she holds it between us. “There’s no think to it. I know what I’m about to do.”

I raise my brows. “And it involves that belt?”

I didn’t think Audrey could surprise me, but maybe she can. So far we’ve been on the same wavelength when it comes to just about everything, but if she thinks she’s going to spank me, our waves are about to hit a fork in the road.

“Only if you’re going to try to stop me.” Her lips curve. “I’d hate to have to restrain you.”

Well then. Our waves are once again back together.

“Are you suggesting you tie me up and use me?” I never expected I’d be much into bondage—especially if I’m the one on the receiving end—but if this whole scenario keeps Audrey’s pleasure at the center? She can tie me up whenever she wants to.

Hell, I’ll teach her how to tie the knots.

Audrey’s blue gaze locks on my face. “You sound a little excited by that.”

“If you think it’s only a little, you’re not paying close enough attention.” I peel off my shirt, tossing it to one side. “Where do you want me?”

Audrey’s jaw goes slack, like she wasn’t expecting me to take her up on the threat. Too late now. I’m not the kind of guy you can mention something like this to thinking he won’t take the bait.

Sex is another area where the two sides of me converge in an interesting and oftentimes unexpected way.

I’m laid-back and easy-going. As long as I’m in charge.

I’m adventurous and eager to try just about anything.

As long as it’s my partner’s enjoyment the act focuses on.

I get off on getting Audrey off, and if she didn’t figure that out when I came in my pants the night we messed around in her apartment, she’s about to figure it out now.

Audrey’s blue eyes drop to the belt in her hand. “Can I even tie you up with a belt?”

“Technically, if you’re motivated enough, you can tie someone up with just about anything.” I take the belt from her, looping the end through the buckle before slipping my hands in and pulling it tight with my teeth. “But with a belt, you’re going to be limited to pretty much this.”

Her lower lip plumps in a hint of a pout. “That doesn’t seem very restraining.”

I hold my hands out, letting her flip the prong into place before securing the end through the stationary loop. Then I stretch out down the center of the bed, lifting my hands over my head. “What if I promise to stay just like this?”

Audrey’s lips curve. “You’re making an awful lot of promises today.”

“I’ve got a lot to make up for.” And this is an excellent place to start.

If Audrey wants to feel like she’s the one in control of things, I’ll let her.

Especially if her being in control involves nearly suffocating while she sits on my face followed by watching her perfect tits bounce while she rides me.

Audrey sobers. “That’s not how this works.”

She climbs onto the bed, hands at my waistband again.

“You didn’t do anything wrong, so there’s nothing to make up for.

” Her eyes fix on my face as she flips open the button of my fly and drags down the zipper.

“I get that you’re a very giving partner, but I’m not the kind of person who’s only going to take.

” She grips the front of my open pants, but goes no further.

“So if that’s how you’re expecting this to go, you’re going to have to get over yourself. ”

I swallow hard, because for some reason her words have my dick hard as steel. “You don’t have to give me anything, Audrey. I just want you. That’s enough.”

“You have me, but you’re going to have to take me as I am.” She tugs on the fabric gripped in her hands, easing it past the rigid line of my cock. “And if you think I’ll kill for you but won’t expect to be allowed to suck your dick every now and then, you’re very wrong.”

“ Fuck .” I swear under my breath as heat races through my veins.

She’s right. Knowing she would kill for me the same way I would kill for her changed things between us. Changed things in me.

But sex is different. It always has been. And maybe a little part of me was still scared to completely give in. To fully admit Audrey could match me tit-for-tat in every way.

Even this one.

She leans down, the length of her soft blonde hair brushing against my skin as her mouth hovers over the leaking head of my cock. “What’s it going to be? Are we going to keep killing for each other, or do you want to take a step back?”

Just imagining taking a step back from Audrey causes actual fucking pain to stab through my gut. She’s been exactly what I need from the second she swung that damn baseball bat at my head, and I need to trust that she can be what I need now.

Even if it’s not what I think I want.

I slowly shake my head, body strung tight. “No steps back.”

My leap of faith is rewarded with the most beautiful fucking smile I’ve ever seen. “Good.”

Without warning or hesitation, her lips wrap around me, the wet heat of her mouth sinking down until I feel the back of her throat. A groan rips from my chest at the velvety feel of her tongue gliding against me as she pulls back, humming her enjoyment as she takes me down again.

I can’t look away from her. Can’t even blink as I watch her bob over me again and again, each pass of her lips making them glisten more and more. It feels fucking amazing, but that’s not what has me nearly coming in record time.

It’s the little sounds she makes as she does it. Small groans and soft moans that almost sound like pleasure. As if making me feel good, makes her feel good.

And I’m an ass.

I wanted to rob her of this out of fear and selfishness. Was going to refuse her something I’d never give up myself.

But, while I no longer plan to keep things so one-sided, she needs a little bit of a warning.

“Audrey.” My voice is tight as I fight to keep control. “I’m not sure what your plan is here, sweetheart, but if you intend to make full use of me, you should probably slow your roll a little.”

She makes a disappointed little sound that vibrates around my shaft and pulls my balls tight, testing my ability to maintain control. By some miracle, I manage not to come down her throat, and I let out a sigh of relief when her mouth pops off of me.

She uses the back of one hand to wipe across her mouth. “I guess it would be a shame to go to all the trouble of restraining you if I’m not going to enjoy all the benefits.”

“I agree.” Wholeheartedly. My dick flexes in anticipation. “You should get naked.”

Audrey gives me a sexy little grin as she slides off the bed and begins peeling away her clothes. I love how bold she is when it comes to getting naked in front of me, and it has me solid as a rock by the time she’s fully undressed.

My eyes roam her creamy skin, following the line of her collarbone to the full weight of her perfect tits. I love the gentle curve of her hips and the bit of cushion at her belly. Every inch of her is feminine and soft, and more than I probably fucking deserve.

I’m going to enjoy it anyway.

“Come here.” I tip my chin to beckon her close, sticking to my promise of keeping my hands where they are.

Audrey goes to straddle my hips, but I shake my head. “Higher.” I zero in on the object of my desire. “I want you on my mouth.”