Page 42 of The Tempo of Truth (The Monsters Duet #3)

She turned her head, hungry lips seeking mine.

The kiss was rushed and hard enough to leave a bruise because our movements were so frantic.

I felt Winnie’s body clench and a swell of heat and moisture engulfed my throbbing erection.

Her head flopped forward in my hand, and she convulsed and went limp in my hold.

“The boss is well aware of my performance. He knows if I deserve a raise or not.” Her quiet response was somewhat lost as I swore and hammered into her without any restraint.

All my limbs were tingling, and my dick felt like it was about to explode.

I hadn’t had sex raw, with no protection, since that night in Portugal—no wonder I could hardly contain myself long enough to get her off.

Everything felt more intense and sensitive because there was no barrier between me and her.

I never brought up birth control or protective measures with her.

I was happy to keep my cock wrapped up, considering the last time I didn’t, I’d knocked her up.

It felt like the least I could do. But when Winnie asked if she could trust me enough to go back on some form of birth control, I said absolutely before considering I wasn’t exactly a reliable guy.

It would be more responsible to keep fucking with precaution, but the thought of being inside of her bare led me to make promises I wasn’t sure I could keep.

When I was inside her, so close to coming apart and sensing the sort of orgasm that would make me forget all my sins, I had no regrets.

In the bright light of day, when I had to face my faults and the disparity between my life and hers, I was much more apprehensive about swearing I was safe and that she could trust me.

The red mark from where I smacked her ass was still lingering on her pale skin.

I squeezed the spot with my palm as she sprawled underneath me, letting me do whatever I wanted to reach the finish line.

I leaned my forehead against the back of her head and inhaled the rich, floral scent that clung to her hair.

I grunted like an animal in heat until I finally released all the passion that had been steadily building.

My cock kicked inside of her, and I was drained within seconds.

I collapsed on top of her in a boneless heap, muttering, “You’re hired,” in a voice that was so husky it didn’t sound like mine.

Winnie laughed as I nuzzled against the side of her face. I could close my eyes and go to sleep right then and there. Whenever we had sex, it felt like I was exhausting more than my body. My heart and soul also got a killer workout, leaving me wrung dry and barely functioning.

“Thank you for the opportunity. I’m looking forward to proving myself in the future.

” Winnie made a strangled sound when I pulled out of her.

I kneeled behind her on the bed, watching the remains of our heated connection leak out of her tender opening.

The sight satisfied the same primal part of me that wanted to send her to the office with evidence that she’d been aggressively fucked.

I had no idea where that sleeping beast had been lurking inside of me, but now that it was awake, it was hungry.

I pushed myself off the bed and waited a minute before moving because my knees were weak.

I was going to grab her a washcloth and whatever else she needed to clean up, but she stopped me and said she needed to take another shower.

She pointed at the oil that made her breasts shiny and slick.

The sight was almost enough to make my dick hard again.

Almost.

I followed her into the shower for emotional support, then I helped her change the sheets.

We were both exhausted, and I was ready to turn off the lights and go to bed, but Winnie wanted to check on Lowe.

He’d been doing better about staying in his own bed.

Probably because I was taking his place in his mom’s bed more often than not, and he didn’t seem as anxious about the start of school. Or he’d gotten better about hiding it.

I was almost asleep when Winnie slipped under the covers. I mumbled goodnight, but she didn’t respond. I knew she wasn’t asleep yet, so I turned over and found her staring at the dark ceiling, clearly lost in thought.

“What’s wrong?” I thought maybe I pushed her too far tonight and was ready to apologize for not respecting her boundaries when she turned her head and gave me a bemused look.

“Do you know that I’ve never had to interview for a job?

Not even when I worked in a small wine bar in Spain.

The owner was a friend of my Aunt Channing’s.

When I went to Japan for my internship, I walked in like I owned the place.

There was no trial period or grunt work.

I went straight to the executive offices.

Every job I’ve ever had was handed to me, whether I was qualified or not.

” She sighed and turned to face me, resting her cheek on her hand and watching me in the dark.

“No wonder I can’t convince the board of directors that I know what I’m doing. ”

I copied her pose, reaching out to smooth her damp hair off her forehead.

“Royalty doesn’t have to prove they belong on the throne.

That’s not how things work when the entire kingdom is yours to rule, even before you’re born.

” I brushed the curve of her cheek with my knuckle.

“It’s not your fault you were born into a family that has endless advantages. ”

She sighed and closed her eyes. “Royalty has to fight for the throne and prove they’re fit to lead the kingdom.”

I tapped the end of her nose with my pointer finger and asked, “Isn’t that what you’re doing every day when you go into the office and battle against those who oppose change?

If you ask me, no one is better for the job.

It’s pretty clear everyone in your family knew you were meant for the role; otherwise, they wouldn’t have invested so much time and effort in prepping you to be Win’s successor.

A million could interview for your position, and none of them would pass the preliminary round because they didn’t survive Colette Halliday.

” I brushed my thumb across her lips and felt her smile.

“And I passed my very first interview with you tonight, so I guess I’m not too much of a lost cause.”

I shifted closer so I could hold her in a loose embrace. “Keep up the good work, and you’ll be employee of the month.”

I’d even hang her picture on the wall to remind her just how much I appreciated her efforts.