Chapter 16
16
I thank Dr. Norton and climb out of the limo, where I just had a twenty minute session with her to address my “issues.” On the way to the airport I told Colton it wasn’t necessary for me to talk to a psychiatrist, but when I turned white as a sheet as soon as the plane came into view, he insisted.
“If I can take the edge off your fear, then that’s what I’m going to do,” he said. “That’s what I’m here for, Sunshine. No arguments.”
Meeting with shrinks in limos on the tarmac? Having your pilot wait until your therapy session is over before he fires up your private jet? This is seriously a next level lifestyle.
Colton’s waiting for me, leaning up against the other limo, arms folded. Looking surly. Not even reading his phone. Just waiting there. Even with the scowl, he looks mind-numbingly gorgeous, with his big, buff body, his aviators and his dark, windswept hair.
For I second I wonder if he’s mad that I’ve held us up. But he carefully loops a muscular arm around my shoulders and I realize his mood is all about…him being worried about me. Something about this unease in him etches itself into me. Like there’s a permanence to the mark it leaves.
How am I going to heal from all these marks he keeps branding me with once he’s gone?
“How was it?” he asks.
“It was helpful.”
“What did she say?”
“She told me to remember that anxiety isn’t the same thing as danger. I’m safer at 40,000 feet than I am on the ground.”
“As I’ve already said.” Cockily. But there’s something almost sweet about his concern. “ I should be a shrink.”
Despite my nerves, his unashamed arrogance makes me smile. “Maybe we should go talk to Dr. Norton about your overinflated ego,” I tease him.
“No need. My ego’s perfect just the way it is.”
This makes me laugh. “Of course it is.”
“You’re good to go then?”
I take a deep breath, looking up at the admittedly very shiny and brand new-looking plane. “Let’s do this. I’ve been ordered to embrace the discomfort.”
“I’ll make sure you’re too distracted to worry about it, baby girl. You can trust me. ”
Here he goes again with the saying-the-nicest-things-while-still-being-grumpily-gruff-and-totally-hot. It’s my weakness. “She did say my fellow fliers can help me cope with anxiety during the flight by avoiding my triggers.”
Colton lifts me into his arms and starts carrying me toward the steps of the plane. “There’s only one trigger I’m interested in. And since I’m your only fellow traveler, I’m going to make sure your trigger gets so much attention you end up in the fucking stratosphere.”
“Metaphorically speaking, I hope.”
“Orgasmically speaking.”
Oh.
It strikes me again that there haven’t been a lot of times in my life that I’ve felt so incredibly cared for . At all. My father bailed. My mother didn’t have time. My friends are my friends but they have their own lives.
Colton Maddox makes me feel like I’m the most important, most beautiful person in the world.
It’s a heady feeling.
And one you definitely should not be getting used to.
I can’t help wondering if he makes all his girls feel this way. I have to make an effort not to let the sting behind my eyes become tears.
Maybe I’m just emotional because I’m so wildly out of my comfort zone. I’m boarding an actual airplane .
Holy shit. And what an airplane it is.
It’s like something out of a Kardashians Instagram post. There are oversized leather seats next to the windows and a built-in table with two flutes of mimosas freshly poured. Through the doors of glass-fronted cabinets, I can see platters of food, ice and cold drinks.
Colton sets me on one of the seats next to the window and buckles me in, sitting next to me.
A man’s voice comes over the loudspeaker. “Welcome aboard, Mr. Maddox, Miss Bailey. Flight time through to Aspen is four hours and forty-nine minutes. Skies are clear and it should be a smooth flight. I’ll ask that you fasten your seatbelts for take-off. Once we’re airborne and the seat belt sign has been turned off, you can help yourselves to the platters and meals our acclaimed chef has prepared for you. Over 700 movies are available on our entertainment system, and there’s a super-king bedroom suite and full-sized ensuite with luxury amenities for your convenience. I’ll let you know when we’re beginning our descent into Aspen. Until then, sit back, relax and enjoy the flight.”
Colton hands me the cocktail. “Drink it. It’ll calm your nerves. And it’s more fun than sleeping pills.”
I don’t argue. I take a sip. It tastes so good and I’m so nervous I end up drinking all of it.
As the jet engines are spooled up, the noise gets louder.
I give Colton an anxious glance. He’s cool as a freaking cucumber.
Colton takes my hand, weaving his fingers through mine. “Easy, Sunshine.”
We’re rolling forward! I squeeze Colton’s hand so hard I’m surprised he doesn’t complain .
“Good girl. You’re okay. Think of it as freedom. You’re fully alive, like a soaring eagle taking flight. You’ve never been more powerful than you are right now.”
I watch the blurred landscape. We’re going so fast now and we lift off the ground—“Holy shit, we’re in the air!”
“That’s the idea, baby.”
We’re over some buildings now, getting higher.
“Cole,” I gasp, because it’s actually… amazing . We get up to the clouds and then we go through the clouds and from here they look all fluffy and surreal, like a giant layer of white cotton turned pink and silver by the sun. “ Look .”
His grin is…beguiled.
“Isn’t it beautiful ? Colton, you’re not even looking at it.” He’s still watching me.
“It’s not as beautiful as what I’m looking at.”
There’s a ding as the seat belt signs overhead turn off.
Colton unbuckles his seat belt and then mine.
He lifts me into his arms and carries me into the bedroom, closing the door behind us and lowering me onto the bed. The look in his eyes is wolfish. “The professor needs his fix,” he says. “It’s time for your next lesson, darlin’. I can’t wait a minute longer.”
“Yes, Professor Terminator Shelton,” I giggle, because I just chugged an entire glass of mostly-champagne mimosa and I do feel free and powerful up here above the magical pink clouds. I feel like I’ve conquered my fears and also like I’m a little bit in love—temporarily, of course. He’s so damn gorgeous all I can think about is running my fingers over his chest that’s straining against his buttons and running my fingers through his thick hair. “What are you going to teach me today?”
“I’m going to teach you what it feels like to have a man go literally out of his mind crazy for you. You’ll learn that once you get a taste of something real, you’re ruined for anyone who doesn’t have fucking time for you.”
If I wasn’t so high on life right now—literally—I might get mildly offended by that. I know who he’s referring to, of course.
But it’s impossible to get offended because he just told me he’s crazy for me .
But by next week he’ll be gone and you might never see him again.
Then why is he using words like “real”?
The thought brings back that sting behind my eyes and I can’t stop it this time. A single tear paints a line down my face.
He holds his weight above me with his strong arms.
“Tell me. What could possibly be making the most beautiful girl in the world cry?”
“You are.” Because you’re going to break my heart, I can feel it.
But we’re here now. We have today. And right now that feels like enough. I’m in this fancy space-age bedroom 40,000 feet in the glittery blue-sky air with a hot billionaire. I’m going to let myself enjoy the moment.
“Are you scared?” His face is very close to mine and he’s dazzling me.
Why do I get the feeling he’d turn the plane around and take me back to the RV if I asked him to? “No. It’s not as scary as I thought it would be.”
“Then what’s wrong?”
I let my fingers glide through his hair, gazing into the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen. I love the colors of him and the textures. The strength and the heat of his big body. “Thank you for bringing me here. Even if we never make it to Aspen or the Grand Canyon or Vegas, this was the best trip I’ve ever had. I just wanted you to know that.”
Colton smiles gently. “We’re going to make it to Aspen, baby. And the Grand Canyon. And Vegas. Then L.A. Then back to New York.”
Back to New York. I let it slide. “Okay.”
He kisses my face. He kisses my eyelids softly. My tears wet his lips.
My tears seem to have struck something in Colton, some animal desire or protective flare. There’s a new edge to his kisses. Something in him has turned, and there’s a new desperation and a heightened ferocity to him that makes my heart beat faster.
“I like the dress.”
I’m wearing another one of my own designs, a pink floral shirtdress with a flouncy short skirt and flared detailing on the three-quarter sleeves. “Thanks.”
“Take it off or I’ll rip it off.”
Jeez. Not wanting him to ruin it, I peel the dress over my head. I’m wearing a lacy pale pink push-up bra and a matching g-string .
“Are you trying to drive me fucking insane, Bailey?”
Coyly, sort of, because I am. “Maybe.” I made my decision and, after last night, I can admit I want Colton Maddox more than I’ve wanted anything.
Colton unclasps my bra and peels off my panties. Roughly, like he’s lost his mind a little. And like he’s completely forgotten about our lessons—or he’s given up pretending. He pulls his shirt off and unfastens his jeans, releasing his huge, glistening cock.
Woah.
Even though I’ve already tasted it—and then some—it’s hard to get used to the sight of so much… maleness .
With his fingers, he draws circles around my nipples, teasing them. Pinching, pulling and playing them until each squeeze sends a current of need deep into my body. He’s rough and it’s almost painful. He licks me, biting lightly, drawing the sensitive bud into his mouth, increasing the pace and the suction, until a melting warmth starts to build in the core of my body. It feels so good. He moves to my other breast, feeding there like he’s hungry, drawing with his mouth until the melting warmth inside me gets hotter. And deeper. And higher, reaching a crazy peak and then tumbling over it. I moan as the pleasure-surges clench voluptuously inside me, over and over.
Holy hell. He just made me come…so easily.
He starts kissing a line down my stomach. His tongue dips and teases which makes me squirm but he holds me down and roughly pushes my legs apart, kissing me, licking into me. Greedily. In slippery glides. Everywhere. “Fuck, you’re beautiful,” I hear him murmur. “You taste so fucking good.”
His mouth fixes onto my clit and sucks in deep draws. My body goes limp. The pleasure, where his mouth is latched onto me, becomes everything about me. It’s centered there, radiating in slow-moving waves. His fingers are using the moisture, sliding inside me, pushing the pleasure deeper, stretching me and compounding the bliss as the suction of his mouth milks me in a beautiful rhythm.
He’s so dirty . One of his fingers slides wetly in a very secret place as his other fingers slide deeper inside me and his mouth tugs more strongly until all the sources of pleasure converge in a tidal wave of beauty that shatters me. My pussy clenches tightly around his fingers as he sucks and licks and plays until it blows my mind.
He’s so damn good at this.
I’m writhing against his mouth. Wave after wave of pleasure throbs hotly throughout my entire being. I hear a low sound and realize it’s me, moaning his name.
After the waves calm and I can actually form words, I whisper, “Cole. Cole. Come here.”
He takes his time, kissing my clit, causing another deep ripple of bliss. Then he kisses his way up my body, taking his time, laying himself over me.
I weave my fingers through his hair. I need him so much. I grab onto him and hold him. I’m riding some crazy rush and I need him to anchor me .
“You’re okay,” I hear him murmur. “I’m here. I’ll take care of you.”
My soul drinks in his words even though I don’t want it to. “Cole?”
“Yeah?”
“I want it to be you. Here. Now.”
There’s emotion behind his blue-on-blue eyes. Not just lust, but fire. I can read his jealousy, because even though I didn’t mean to, we’ve wandered back into…the reason I waited.
“I’m on the pill,” I tell him.
He blinks at me. Frowning. “Why?”
“Why?”
“When did you start taking it?” Like he’s mad about it.
I don’t want to admit it. “Just…like, a few days ago.”
“You went on it in case he wanted to take you to bed.” It’s more of an accusation than a question.
I hate that the thought had crossed my mind. Once. Maybe twice. But that wasn’t really the reason. Either way, I don’t have to feel bad about that. I hadn’t even met Colton yet. And I don’t want the nothingness of my past to ruin this moment. It’s not about Troy. It’s about Colton. “No. I went on it because I’m about to turn 24 and I thought it was overdue. In case I met someone. Some day. Which I was obviously hoping I might, eventually.”
His eyebrows are furrowed and I use my thumb to gently smooth away his anger.
“And now I have. And even though he’s only my guide for one week, he’s really hot.” I kiss his perfect lips. “A little ornery, maybe, and very full of himself…but I want it to be him.”
“Is that right.” Still grumpy.
“Yes. And…I just wanted to let you know that…it’s safe.” My doctor told me the pill is effective from the day you start taking it.
“There’s nothing safe about you, Lila Danger Sunshine Bailey. You’re the most dangerous person I know.”
“Am not.”
“Are too.”
“Why am I dangerous?”
“Because you’re more beautiful and sexy and off-the-charts hot than I can fucking handle.”
Damn it. Why does he have to be so sexily gruff and say such nice things to me all the time? “Does that mean…you will? I want that to be my next lesson.”
Colton glares at me, like I’ve offended him. “You want me to fuck you right now, with no condom?”
I bite my lip. “I mean…you can use one if you want. I guess it’s the safer option, considering we?—”
He holds me down, pinning my body underneath his.
His hot— enormous —cock slides against my slippery, still-pulsing pussy. I gasp, because the pleasure wave is still waiting there, getting ready to crash all over again.
“You want me to take you now, just like this?”
God, he’s so close. His cock is pressing against me, opening me. “Yes. Yes. ”
“You better be sure, baby girl, because if I fuck you without any barrier between us, I’m going to come inside you. There’s no way I’m pulling out of this tight little juicy heaven on earth once I’m home. I’m going to want to pump you so full of my hot cum you’ll be overflowing with it. Is that what you want?”
Yes. I want him. This is the way I want to remember him.
I can feel his engorged length throb against my clit and it’s almost enough to tip me over the edge again. Almost.
I squirm against him trying to get more of him but he’s too strong and too heavy.
“ Please , Cole.” The slow, slick glide of his cock is so beautiful I feel emotional again.
“I’ve never done it bareback before.”
This surprises me. And I don’t know why I’m so freaking happy about it. Okay, I do know why. Maybe I am special to him. I ignore the echo of Sloane’s warning. He’ll rip your heart out and eat it for breakfast!!! “Never?”
“Never.” He shifts his weight, and the head of his cock slides against me, barely into me.
“Oh.”
It’s so freaking thick. Even though I’m very wet and he’s hardly even inside me at all, there’s a hot, stretching burn.
Now I’m wondering if this is even possible. Maybe he’s too damn big.
“ Cole ,” I whimper.
“Come on, Bailey, don’t cry about it. Take it like a good girl. If you want my big cock so bad, then fucking work for it. It’ll hurt at first but you won’t care because you’ll be coming so hard you’ll be crying with pleasure and the best kind of pain. Beg me for it if that’s what you want, you little minx. Say it. Say, ‘Cole, fuck me hard with that big cock until I’m crying because I’m so full of it and it feels so fucking good.’”
Oh god. “ Do it .”
“Say it.”
“ Fuck me, Cole. Please .”
“Good girl.” He’s adjusting me, roughly pushing my legs wider. “Wrap your legs around me and hold on tight.”
He pushes his gigantic bulk against me, opening me as he grips me. He’s so strong I think he might leave marks on my skin but I don’t care. I want him to.
“Is this what you need, baby girl?” He softly bites my neck. “Daddy’s giant cock?”
A giggle escapes me and he’s laughing too but I’m also moaning because his thickness is forcing me to take more. I feel dizzy with the overwhelming pleasure-pain. The wave is starting to build again, and this time it’s even stronger. Higher. More forceful. Full of gliding friction and deep, star-flicked heat.
Colton drives deeper. And I’m not laughing anymore because there’s a sharp pain as he thrusts hard.
He just broke through.
He pushes further, more aggressively now. Deeper. And deeper still.
God. How much more is there ?
My body’s resisting him. He’s too freaking big.
“Cole,” I whimper at the hot, stretching demand.
“Relax, baby girl. Let me in.”
I struggle a little, trying to free myself of the feeling of being split wide open. “ Cole. You’re too big .”
“You can handle me, angel. That’s my girl.” He pushes my legs even wider, settling deeper with a forceful thrust. Cole’s soft-edge grunt hums with a note of finality and I know that he’s fully inside me now.
It’s uncomfortable, this extreme fullness of him deep inside my body. It’s too much.
I ease forward a little, and back. I can feel the huge thickness of him barely slide out. But then he thrusts again, even deeper, and I moan.
God. I can feel every vein and every ridge, rubbing against some insanely sensitive trigger inside me.
He does it again.
We both groan.
His hands are on my ass now, gripping me as he continues this rhythm, pulling back, then pushing deep until the melting wave of pleasure-pain is a tsunami riding a crazy-high crest.
“ You feel so fucking good, Sunshine. Like heaven on earth. Come for me, baby. Let me feel you .”
He thrusts again and it tips the wave over an impossible peak, crashing over me. The clenching spasms of my body squeeze Colton’s massive cock in a luscious rhythm, and I can feel the deep throbbing pulse of him as he surges and comes. He’s growling my name. The jets of his liquid heat set me off again, my inner muscles working him, over and over.
It’s a while before either of us can move. We’re dazed and entwined. Our bodies are locked in a rippling bond. He kisses me lazily, his tongue caressing mine, his body still deeply, wetly inside me. My arms and legs are wrapped around him. To keep him there.
I love him.
I wish we could stay like this forever.
My perfect little Sunshine girl , he whispers.