Rumor Mill, page 11
“You don’t know Nikki,” Teddy insisted. “She was my friend.”
“Well, she’s not anymore,” I snapped.
Teddy looked away, and I could see that I wasn’t getting through to her. There was something else I wanted to talk to her about, something that went much deeper than the lawsuit. I needed to know where we stood. Was this the end of our short-lived experiment in love? Were we too different to ever stand a chance?
“Teddy,” I began. “I’d like to talk about something else.”
“What?” she responded, taking no pains to keep the anger out of her voice.
“Us.”
She sighed, looking down at the table. “I really like you, Brad. And I want this to work.”
“A week and a half ago you said you loved me,” I reminded her.
“I do,” she said in earnest. “I just want you to understand that this is something I need to do.”
“And I can’t let you,” I replied, equally as stoic.
“You don’t have a choice,” she argued.
“I think I do.”
“No.” Teddy stood up, reaching for her keys.
I followed her to my feet, standing between her and the door. “I said no storming out.”
Teddy narrowed her eyes and ground her teeth together. I could feel something altogether different radiating from her beautiful body. It looked like hate. I knew I had crossed a line, but for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out where. Maybe it was putting my body between her and the only exit. Maybe it was insulting the woman she still thought was a friend. Maybe it was my refusal to part with my hard-earned money in the same way she was. No matter what, we had obviously reached a new level of conflict in our relationship, and it didn’t seem like there was any way back.
I did the only thing in the situation that I could do: I kissed her. It was probably the wrong thing, but I didn’t care. I’d had enough of the fight, and for some reason, she looked even more attractive with fire in her eyes.
The rational side of me knew that hate-fucking wasn’t the answer. We had to repair our broken ties through conversation and honesty. But as hard as I tried, nothing seemed to be working. If there was one thing Teddy and I had going for each other, it was sex. We were masters at pleasuring one another, and if words weren’t going to fix things, maybe lust would.
I half expected her to slap me, grab her purse, and walk out. But she did exactly what I was hoping for and dove into the encounter with more force than I expected. She reached behind my head and grabbed me by the skull. A heartbeat earlier, I had been worried about overstepping her boundaries; now I was worried about her overstepping mine.
Our tongues locked in mortal combat, the flavors of the cuisine mingling with the frustration we both felt. I wanted to devour her, to conquer her, to make her bend to my will. She must have been thinking the same thing, because every ounce of passion I gave her, she returned tenfold.
Without breaking the kiss, I reached for her shirt, pulling it up and over her head. We were forced to split for an instant but flew back together the moment the garment passed. I felt her fingers on my buttons but didn’t care. She was mine, and all that mattered to me was getting her naked. She would have to fend for herself when it came to my clothing. I would help her out later on, when her tight pussy was on display.
There was no love in the room, only anger. But the anger fueled some of the heaviest desire I had ever experienced. Suddenly I didn’t care about our argument or about the money. It didn’t matter if we saw eye to eye or ever spent time together again.
The only thing I was thinking of was getting into her pants. It was a raw, electric energy that raced through my bones. I had never felt such an animal impulse, and it drove me crazy. I needed her in that moment more than I had ever needed anyone else. And she was right there with me, giving back as good as she got.
I lowered my lips to her neck, sucking a silver dollar of skin deep between my lips. It was a power move, designed to mark my mate. She let out a groan, raking her fingernails down my scalp so deeply I nearly flinched. I didn’t know what this was, but it was as far from making love as we had ever been.
Chapter 16
Theodora
I WAS SO ANGRY, I COULDN’T see straight. But in Brad’s arms, it didn’t matter. My body took over and told me exactly what to do. The thoughts that floated around my heated brain didn’t help. They were all accusations. I was furious with Brad for caring so much about the money. That’s what it all seemed to boil down to. He wanted me to lie to the judge and refuse to take responsibility. And then, as if it would help in the slightest bit, he wanted me to donate the money that Nikki was after to charity.
But there was no money!
I worked myself into a frenzy, sucking on his tongue at the same time as I was cursing him internally. How dare the man quote stupid rules to me as if I was a child?! He was one step away from getting kneed in the groin, and the only thing stopping me was my desire to do something altogether different with his package.
Maybe later I would satisfy my desire to inflict pain. But at the moment, all I wanted him to do was ram his dick so far up my cunt that I saw stars. I needed him in a way I had never felt before.
It was an intoxicating brew of anger and longing. I couldn’t wait for the final act. His shirt was in the way, as were our pants. I wanted rid of all of them as quickly as possible. Luckily for me, he felt the same way and had already dispensed with my bra.
My nipples were hard already, scraping against the cotton that still hid his chest. My fingers wouldn’t move fast enough, snagged on one button after another. I thought I might die if I couldn’t free him from the protective layering. My skin was on fire, and the only thing that would quench it was him.
I bit his lip, sucking hard and enthusiastically. He grunted, and I realized that I was out of control. I half expected him to step back and accuse me of hurting him, but he didn’t. The sensation only drove him wilder. He pushed my hands away from his chest and reached for my waistband.
We fought briefly. I didn’t want to abandon my pursuit. But he was bigger and stronger than me and ended up winning in the end. He yanked my pants down, cupping my rear end as he pushed me up onto the table.
My bare bottom hit the wooden surface, and I realized that we weren’t going to make it to the bedroom. I redoubled my efforts to get him out of the shirt. My struggle was so real that he had to pause, giving me time to unbutton the last one. He tore his way out of the work shirt and did me the honor of peeling off his undershirt before coming back to me with renewed vigor.
I felt the warmth of his skin against my breasts as he pulled me close. We were approaching uncharted territory. This was where we habitually took a breath to examine each other and linger over loving caresses. But not this time.
He sucked on my lower lip, giving me no chance to return the favor. At some level, I knew what we were doing. If we came together quickly enough, maybe we could ward off the eventual demise of our romance. It was terrifying and invigorating all at the same time.
I wanted him, and I wanted to be with him. But I was so angry, I couldn’t let go of my own agenda. He likely felt the same way, and it was that shared frustration that drove us together. One last time before we had to admit things weren’t working. One more glorious declaration of our affection for each other before it all fell to pieces.
My body was aching for his, and I didn’t understand the consequences. It just felt like having him inside me was the only thing that mattered. I couldn’t see any other solution. We had to join, and we had to do it now.
I reached for his pants, but I couldn’t access them. His crotch was pressed against mine, the package growing stronger with every passing second. I felt the rock that he was carrying dig into my intimate flesh. The pressure was necessary, welcome even, but it wasn’t enough.
He held me firmly by the small of my back, binding me to him as he devoured my lips. With no other recourse, I grasped him by the hair, bearing down on him as he forcefully led the dance.
I was overwhelmed with his presence. No one else on earth could make me feel this way. What was it about Brad that made my head spin? He caused my heart to flutter and my knees to go weak. Chest-deep in our greatest conflict, I felt nothing more than a burning desire. This had to stop, and there was no way out but through.
I bit him gently, just hard enough to cause him to pause. He pulled back, regarding me with a wariness that I didn’t expect. I wasted no time reaching for what I wanted. His cock, secured deep inside his clothing, was mine for the taking. He wanted to give it to me as much as I needed to have it. I was done with all the pretending. It had to happen now.
I undid his fly, pushing his pants down past his thighs. He grinned at me in an ugly version of the smile I was used to. “You want this?” he said disrespectfully.
“I want it,” I confirmed.
He didn’t stop to ask me twice. Pushing his pants down to the ground, he tossed the underwear off at the same time. And finally, his rod stood out proud, swollen, and eager to fill me. I was dizzy with lust, so drunk off his energy that I didn’t know what I was doing.
Grasping him by the handle, I pumped it a few good times. He grasped me by the back of the head, pulling me in for another kiss. I lost maneuverability. My hand on his manhood faltered. He pushed it away, grabbing a fistful of my hair and yanking it back.
My neck stretched open to his touch. He kissed it longingly, lighting it on fire with his eager tongue. I squirmed in my seat. This was torture of the most exquisite variety. He knew that I was desperate to be fulfilled, and yet he was toying with me.
“Brad,” I moaned, wishing he would hurry up.
He bit gently at the base of my throat, like a vampire hungry for female flesh. I saw sparks go off behind my eyes. Holy crap, I was going to come even before he penetrated me. I was caught between a rock and a hard place, and the only thing I wanted was a thorough fucking. Yet he playfully denied me that one outlet, choosing instead to rob me of my dignity.
I scooted forward, positioning my opening at the tip of his dick. Spreading my legs wide, I hoped to encourage him to take advantage. Luck was with me, because once I made it known that I expected him to deliver, he sank his prick in without further ado.
I felt the impact of his shaft within me, pushing out against my core with extreme prejudice. It was exactly what I wanted. No, what I needed. He completed me, and his loving told me that I wasn’t alone.
Too late, I realized that I had rushed the whole thing. There would be no heavy petting, no fondling or cuddling. We were mesmerized by each other, overwhelmed with the desire to connect. I was a desperate survivor on a desert island, lost to the world and starving for human contact. He was my lifeline, my Navy Seal, my flotation device.
I gripped him hard around the waist and crunched my abs up to drive his monstrous cock home. Brad responded by pumping generously. He tilted me back on the table to get a better angle, never releasing my hair.
I arched my chest up and planted my hands on the surface beside me. It was awkward and uncomfortable, but nothing mattered. He ground deep into my pleasure zone, taking me away from everything difficult in my life. For one glorious moment, I forgot all about Nikki and the lawsuit. I forgot about the gallery and my pricy mistake.
He rode me hard, banging my backside into the table. I held on, pressing my hips up into his with every thrust. I wanted it so badly, and it felt so good. We were locked into the most carnal of positions, using each other to get what we needed.
I felt myself peak as the energy between us skyrocketed. There was nothing left to give and nothing left to take. This was the end of the road, and I knew it. My body clenched, every muscle within me screaming for release. Then I soared into a climax that shattered every nerve ending.
Brad must have sensed it because he came at me hard. Digging his tool into my core, he rocketed to completion. I felt his body go rigid. He pulled me even closer, releasing my hair and grabbing on to my shoulders.
The essence of his being transported into me, released from the confines of daily life. We both surrendered to our urges, achieving the raw satisfaction that only sex can bring. I felt the life drain out of me, purged by the wickedness of our carnal sin.
He lowered himself toward me, putting his hands beside my hips and his head down on my shoulder. I relaxed patiently, allowing him to come around in his own time. My heated breath began to cool, the wonder of the act slowly fading.
Finally he pulled out, and I was left empty, cold, and alone. The remnants of our dinner were pushed far back on the table, but its scent was unmistakable. This wasn’t a romantic encounter. This was a lustful rutting next to half-empty cartons of takeout food. I had no dignity left to restore, and I didn’t care.
Brad stepped back, looking sheepish. He gathered his clothes off the floor and held them to his body. I could see that he was embarrassed. I wanted to make things right, but I didn’t know how.
“Why don’t you go take a shower?” I suggested. “I’ll be up in a bit.”
He seemed conflicted, as if he wasn’t sure what to believe. I myself wasn’t convinced that I meant what I had said. But what else could I do? If I left now, it would be unconscionable. The least I could do was spend the night and try to smooth over the violent interaction that had just occurred.
Finally, he agreed with a small smile. He kissed me gently on the lips before walking away toward the stairs. I watched him go, knowing that I had betrayed him. I couldn’t spend the night any more than I could pursue the lawsuit. I just didn’t have it in me.
Chapter 17
Brad
I WALKED UPSTAIRS, knowing there was a fifty-fifty chance that Teddy wouldn’t follow me. Still, hope sprung eternal. I went to take a shower, half expecting her to join me. When I was done, I wrapped a towel around my midsection and ventured into the bedroom. No Teddy.
I sighed. It was either try to sleep or go downstairs to get some more work done. But though I had energy to burn, I didn’t have the focus necessary to work. I thought about hitting the gym, but that seemed like too much of a chore. So instead, I did something I rarely engaged in, and turned on the television to watch an old movie.
I managed to fall asleep halfway through, proving that I was more tired than I realized. The bed felt cold and empty without Teddy. I thought about texting her but knew it was too soon. The sex had been a mistake. It felt too final.
Or maybe it was my insistence on following through with the court appointment that had been the final straw. I knew I was right. I had the benefit of experience, and Teddy was leading with her heart. If she could just trust me and allow me to help, I would have been able to prove to her that seeing it through was the best course of action. She was too stubborn for her own good.
My mind replayed the forceful lovemaking on the kitchen table over and over again. I saw Teddy’s beautiful body bent toward me, taking everything I had to give. She was maddening and yet intoxicating. I wanted more, no matter what the cost.
The next morning, I couldn’t stop myself from texting her. I could have left it alone, considering that she hadn’t even said goodbye the night before. But I wanted her to know that there were no hard feelings.
Good morning, I wrote.
Good morning, she responded a few moments later.
Did you sleep well? I asked.
Fine. You?
Fine, I said. There didn’t seem to be more to the conversation, and unless I wanted to rehash our argument, it was clearly at an end.
I set the phone down, propelling myself to my feet to get ready for work. I went through my whole morning routine. Workout, shower, shave, get dressed, just like it was an ordinary day. I had a bowl of oatmeal before leaving the house and drove straight to the office instead of stopping by Teddy’s place.
Something had changed the night before, and not in a good way. I could feel the future slipping out of my hands but couldn’t think of any way to stop it. Teddy and I were meant for each other, that much was obvious. So why, then, did we have such trouble seeing eye to eye?
My new assistant made it a habit of getting in early. She preferred to take an hour-long lunch break and make up the time at both ends of the day. It worked well for me, considering that we got all the scheduling out of the way before 9 a.m. and she was there a little bit after five to help with the late meetings and the odds and ends that remained. She was a good worker and a pleasant companion, but she wasn’t particularly interesting. She was nothing like Teddy or Nikki, and that was a good thing. I needed some boring, responsible people in my life.
“You have a ten o’clock meeting with Gary White,” Clara said.
“Who?” I asked.
“He’s an accountant,” she clarified, checking her notes.
“Oh, right,” I said, remembering.
I’d asked my lawyer to recommend someone who could help me go over the books. I wanted to discuss the feasibility of paying out all the missing severance checks. It was such a large amount altogether, and I needed to discuss the legal ramifications of doing so. Since Alec had his melt down and I had to let him go, I didn’t have a CFO. The woman who was filling in was more of a clerk than an accountant. But she was going to sit in on the meeting as well.
“Thank you,” I told Clara, dismissing her back to her office.
I thought about Teddy but then stopped myself. There was only pain in that direction. I needed to let things sort themselves out, and mooning over her wasn’t going to help. I busied myself until ten o’clock came, reading and responding to emails. It was amazing how they just kept cropping up, like whack-a-moles at the arcade. No sooner had I satisfied one concern than another shot into my inbox.
“Mr. Miller?” Clara tapped on the door at the appointed hour.
“Come in,” I said.
Clara opened the door, and Gary White walked in. I stood up to shake his hand, appreciating the firm grip. He was a little paunchy in the middle and dressed in an off-the-rack suit from the mall or some other equally accessible clothing store.
