Moth to a Flame

15. CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Landon

Working from the office isn’t something I normally do unless I absolutely have to.

Then again, I don’t sleep over at someone else’s bed, either. I sure as shit don’t cuddle them all night and murmur sweet words while pressing my lips to the crook of their necks.

Hers.

Regan is my everything. After we got to her home, I made love to her. I went slow. Deep. Crawled under her skin the same way she’d crawled under mine.

I told her I loved her again and again. When she came, before she closed her eyes. As soon as she opened them.

I’m fucking whipped.

And I’m happy about it.

My obsession with her is just as enjoyable.

I love it, this constant desire to be around her, listen to her beautiful voice and pick through her head.

Not a part of me wants to kill her because I love her too much. None.

See? I promised I wouldn’t kill her.

That’s a promise I won’t ever break.

Unlike the promise I made to my two VPs, Vince and Beverly.

“You can’t do this, Sterling.” Beverly taps her fingers on the mahogany table in our conference room. Her green eyes cast from me to Vince. “Tell him he can’t do this to us.”

From where we sit, we have the best view of the city. Central Park and the rest of Manhattan are sprawled beneath us. Green and gray, nature versus concrete. Clouds hang heavy in the skies, and as the morning progresses, they slowly clear.

The sun shines through the floor-to-ceiling windows in one of Moth to a Flame’s conference room.

A brighter, metaphorical sun will shine through my heart by the end of the day.

When I get my pictures.

“I can, and I will.”

Finding what makes me happy is a foreign notion. As foreign as the charcoal suit I’m wearing is on my body. Alas, this is an important meeting.

As friendly as the three of us have been throughout the years, I won’t act like the news I’m delivering isn’t a big deal.

It is to them. I don’t have to see their furrowed brows and pinched lips to realize that. We’ve been working together for months on setting the groundwork for Moth to a Flame to get listed on the stock market.

This is more than money for them. I’m not that much of a prick to not see it for what it is. We’ve put months into this. On going over contracts. Dozens of hours wasted on meetings with lawyers and accountants.

They mean nothing to me.

My company does, and I don’t want to go public. Simple as that.

“Ignore him. He’s lashing out because we argued. He’ll get over it.” My best friend pushes his glasses up his nose, clearly not as confident as he’d like her to think he is. Despite how sharp he looks in his dark blue suit, he seems on edge. “We’re not pulling out.”

“Yes, we are.” My temper rises. I recognize this reaction from years ago. The bubbling anger when something stands between me and what I set my eyes on. In this case, my company. “I’ve had time to consider this. I’m not letting goddamn outsiders stick their nose in my business. This…”

They both frown when I gesture around the room. At Vince to my left and Beverly to my right.

“This is just a courtesy announcement.”

“I put down a mortgage on a new house,” she growls, her lips pinched. “I spent hours away from my wife. This isn’t right. You. Can’t. Do. This.”

“I’ll pay for your new house.” A few millions won’t make the slightest dent in my bank account. “As for Faith, take the week off. Take the month off. A paid leave, of course. Now, if that’s all, I’ll be on my way.”

Regan. I need inside her. I need to touch her.

There’s a free use pass I have every intention of abusing. Not just sexually. Regan has no idea that I’m about to monopolize every minute of her free time. Unless I have to be here for formal meetings, I’m moving my office to her store.

All I need is my laptop and her.

“That’s very generous of you, but—” she starts.

“That is not fucking all.” Vince slams his eyes closed. When he opens them, his blue gaze darkens. His hands ball into fists.

I’ve never seen him like this before, so I do as he asks. Sit there with my fingers steepled and listen. As bored as I am of this subject. As antsy as I am to get to Regan.

So bored that I notice that my nails need repainting. Torturing Tripp messed with the coat on my right thumb and it peeled right off.

Even that’s more important than discussing this.

I’ll have to do it before Regan closes the store, let them dry. I’ll paint hers too, just for the opportunity to touch her. Pamper her.

Right before I defile the living fuck out of her tonight.

For any of that to happen, Vince has to stop giving me the silent treatment. “Well?”

“I’m worried about you.” Disappointment flashes on his features. I care, barely. “You’re not being yourself. I’m your best friend and I have no idea what’s going on. Also. Sue the fuck out of me for not wanting to see you behind bars.”

The walls of this particular conference room aren’t made of glass like the rest of the offices are. They’re thick so no one can hear or see through them. I bet it wouldn’t matter to Vince either way, though. He’d still let anger slip into his voice.

“I’m not going to get locked up.” Truly, I’m not.

The worm I planted in Moth to a Flame and other government websites is untraceable. Tripp and Bobby won’t talk unless they have a death wish. Then there are the people I bribed. Maybe I should threaten them. Good point, I’ll get on it later.

After Regan moves into my house, with or without her consent. Ah, the perks of having free use over the woman of my dreams.

“Explain. Tell us exactly why we shouldn’t be worried.”

I lean back in my chair, crossing my ankle over my knee. “Because I’m not reckless. Is that enough?”

They both shake their heads.

Fine. Fine. Fucking fine. They won’t let me off the hook without an explanation and yes, fine again, I owe it to them. The clean version of it, anyway.

I start with an apology for wasting their time. It’s as unnatural to me as telling a woman that I love her. Then I go on to tell them that the girl I stalked is mine now. Just like my company is.

Their eyes bulge out as I admit and own my possessiveness.

Beverly’s smile comes next as she congratulates me.

“You’re serious about her. That’s a good thing.” Vince sighs, trying his best to smile. “Is she okay?”

I know why he’s asking, and it doesn’t hurt my feelings one fucking bit. I’d asked myself the same question over the two weeks I stalked her.

But she’s fine. A couple of taps on my phone and the feed from the security cameras in her store are up on my screen. I melt—fucking dissolve—at the sight of her at the cash register.

Then I spin it toward him. “Does she not look okay to you?”

He frowns. Shakes his head. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Yes, she’s fine.” The phone is back in my pocket. “I’m doing everything I can to take care of her, not thinking of a million ways to kill her.”

Beverly gasps.

“My mother set a bad example.” I shoot her a glare. “That’s what Vince is worried about. That I wouldn’t have the first clue about being in a healthy relationship.”

Of course I do. That’s why I’m planning on buying a chastity belt for Regan as soon as I get out of here.

Which is none of their business. I’ve told them all they need to know. I can’t take another moment without her.

“As long as I’m alive.” I’m out of my chair. “Regan will be safe.”

The need for her grows and festers and my goddamn skin itches. I fling my bag over my shoulder.

Words like okay and call me if you need woman advice follow me out of the conference room.

Background noise. The whole world is gray and dull and motherfucking boring when I have the most vivid, alive woman waiting for me just twenty minutes away.

My woman.

Mine.

“A gift?” Regan’s cheeks flush as I hand her the square velvet box. “For me?”

The urge to destroy every one of her ex-boyfriends for not spoiling her is intense.

Until I remember she hasn’t had any.

Doesn’t matter. I’ll shower her with gifts, as many as I can fit in our home.

Yes. Our home.

Not here, although her apartment is nice. Homey.

But the place I live in is better, objectively speaking. There’ll be enough space for her and our future children. She’ll have rooms upon rooms for her books. A space to host her book club.

Most importantly, she’ll be safe there.

No one can get through the gates and the sophisticated locks on my door.

Any day now.

I’ll ask her, and she’ll say yes.

Or I’ll kidnap her.

“Landon?” she calls me back from my fantasies of possessing every aspect of her life. Her soft smile thaws through the ice in my heart. “Where did you just go?”

I fold my hands in front of me. “I’ll be honest.”

“Please.” Her fingers are pressed to the box in her hands. There’s a slight tremor to them. It excites her, to see what’s in there. To listen to my sick, depraved thoughts.

“Locking you up in my bedroom.” That lands me a shocked expression on her face. “Keeping you there for days.”

The look in her eyes. It’s like she’s questioning whether I’m serious or not.

I fucking am.

About something else.

I’m not standing in the middle of her living room to make demands.

I’m not here to tear her gray blouse and black leggings off so I can see all of her. So I can sink into her.

And the gift. I want her to see it before we do anything else.

“Open it.” I place my hands on hers until she’s no longer shivering. “We’ll discuss binding you to my bed later.”

“Landon.” Her lips curve into a teasing smile.

“Regan.”

“Is this a snake egg? I knew it. I could tell you liked Billy and Stu.”

It takes everything in me to keep from smiling at how adorable she is.

“What’s in there is meant for your sweet pussy.” I shrug, and her breath hitches. Loudly. “If any living thing goes anywhere near it, I’ll be very fucking jealous.”

“For my pussy.” Her lips are round in an O shape.

Regan pulls back and rips the lid open and, fuck , the expression on her face. My cock strains in my suit pants, pushing against the fabric.

“Is this…?”

I hook a finger under her chin, tipping her head up. “Who owns you?”

In an instant, she says, “You, but—”

“No buts.” I pluck out the chastity belt, tossing the box to the floor. “I asked who owns you .” Her hair is so fucking soft in my grip. “You were such a good girl.” She lets me push her into the bedroom. “Giving me the right answer.”

“You’re going to put it on me?”

Her curiosity makes me harder. A drop of precum wets my boxers. “Later.”

“What now then?”

The chastity belt is placed on the bed. The key from my pocket sits next to it after I throw it there.

“Now that you’ve seen it, I’m going to have you.” My voice is hoarse, low, and full of need for her. “Bent over.” I manhandle her, shoving her face to the bed. “Naked.”

She moans when I shove her leggings and panties down. The gun drops to the floor. It could’ve gone off. I could’ve bled out while I was fucking her.

Minor inconvenience.

“Legs spread.” Not waiting for her to comply, I kick her knees apart as far as they’d go with the leggings down to her shins.

“Beg for me.” I’m throwing in some torture, brushing my fingers over her wet pussy. A soft touch that makes her squirm.

“You’re being cruel.” Her thighs clench, and she tilts her hips back. My hand goes to the back of her neck, forcing her in place. “Please.”

“You can do better than that,” I whisper in her ear while tapping on her clit.

“I don’t know how to do better.”

“You’re a clever girl.” Trailing a fingertip along her outer lips, I taunt, “You’ll figure it out.”

“Oh my God,” she cries out. Her brown eyes gleam with unshed tears. “Please. Please, Landon. I-I’m begging you.”

“For what?”

“To fuck me.”

Not to come. To be fucked.

She feels safe enough around me to say these words. To tell me she wants my cock buried deep inside her.

“Such a good girl.”

My dick is out of my pants and boxers so fucking fast. We both moan in relief when I shove myself in one thrust, balls deep.

Having her like this is hot and dirty and right. I rub her clit. Stroke her nape. I’m the hardest I’ve ever been. More than that, I could come at any second. I’m lost for this girl.

I’m hers.

Taking her isn’t about me, though. Not at all.

It’s about her sounds of pleasure, how she gives in to me. Her ass, damn it, I could bite and grab and pummel it for days.

“Come on my cock, Regan.” I need…I don’t know. I’m cursing and grunting and railing her and I just need . “Be a good girl and come for me. Want to fill you up. To have you dripping with my cum. Be a good girl for me. Be a good. Fucking. Girl.”

Her mouth gapes while the rest of her body stills. I recognize that expression. I’m obsessed with it as much as I’m obsessed with every part of her.

I have to put a hand over her pretty mouth before she…Yes, fuck, I love the way she screams as her climax ripples through her body. Her pussy clenches on my cock, and—

“Oh, fuck.” Moaning, I release myself inside her. My hand runs along the curve of her ass, squeezing, rubbing, claiming her. “Fuck, Regan, you’re so good. That’s my girl. So good.”

“Hmm.” It’s the softest sound, and I have no choice but to mirror her softness.

I put her on her back, cupping her cheek while I shove my semen that’s leaked out back inside her. “You’re going to take every drop before I lock you up for the night.”

The smile vanishes from her face. I must’ve gone too hard on her.

That turns me right the fuck on all over again, and I can’t have that. I tuck myself in my boxers and lose my pants, suit jacket and shirt. Kiss her forehead before getting up and going to her bathroom.

With a cloth soaked in hot water, I clean her inner thighs. Her swollen, red pussy. I strip her of her leggings and panties. Walk back to the bathroom and add the cloth to the pile in the hamper.

She’s eyeing me cautiously when I crawl between her legs. As I slip the chastity belt on her.

My possessiveness, this obsession with her, skyrockets as I watch her pretty cunt bound by in leather and metal.

Sucking in a deep breath is all I can do to not lose my goddamn mind. The scars that motherfucker left on her stomach are nothing in comparison to the chastity belt. To this sign of ownership.

It’s me who’s marked Regan’s body. Me who lays claim on her pussy and heart and soul. My belt.

“Landon?”

My nostrils flare as I snap my eyes up to her.

“I’m here.” Blindly, I reach for the key, slide it into the lock, and flip it. “Owning you. Teasing you. Making you mine.”

Until I put a ring on you. And even then…

The thought of marriage jarred me the first time it came to mind. Not anymore. As she nods and opens her arms for me to come to sleep at her side, I realize I embrace it fully.

Madness. Obsession. Unhinged desire.

I can have it all and I can have Regan.

There’s nothing wrong with that.

I kiss the top of her head, pressing her back to my chest.

Nothing wrong at all.