Obsessive Cravings (Wicked Cravings Book 1)

Chapter 18

Greyson sat across from me at my small table. My mouth was unflatteringly agape as I stared at him.

“Are you serious? It’s too early for that, isn’t it? I mean, it’s only been a little over a week.”

His smirk made my legs turn to jelly. “Well, if you count the times I had you tied up, it’s been longer than that.”

I pursed my lips, shooting him my most annoyed look, which only caused him to chuckle.

“Greyson, I can’t move in with you this fast.”

He’d suggested it over our morning coffee. He’d already insisted I quit my job for conflict reasons. It didn’t look good to be fucking one of his employees and breaking his own dating rule. Instead, he set me up at the small boutique firm I’d initially interviewed with. There was something about how he made all the arrangements for me, like Mason had done, that I wasn’t comfortable with. I hadn’t known Mason had gotten me the position in Treemont until our fight, but the truth had burned. I had my degree in finance, and I was good at what I did. I’d even interned at one of the larger firms in the city. But he’d set it all up, like he’d done everything in my life. The internship had probably been him pulling strings as well.

Now Greyson was doing the same thing, treating me like I couldn’t function on my own.

“It makes sense, Riley.” He sat back and crossed his arms, ignoring the daggers in my eyes.

“No,” I said, sitting back and mimicking him.

He raised his brow, his jaw ticking. “No?”

“No.”

Leaning forward, he rested his elbows on the table, his hands clenching. “No one says no to me, Riley. It comes with repercussions when they do.”

If those repercussions involved a spanking, I would be happy to rebel. Every time his hand met my ass, it left me soaked.

Giving him a defiant glare, I said, “Well, I just did.”

I’d never seen his muscles so strained. I was resisting him, and he didn’t like it. And he didn’t know what to do about it. I was enjoying the power play and wished I’d said no to Mason more often. It had taken me years of being told what to do to find that confidence.

“You’re an aggravating woman,” he grumbled.

“I know, but you’re not changing my mind.”

He stood, the chair sliding back as he ran his hand through his hair and muttered, “Fuck.”

That’s when I saw there was more to his request. Worry sat on his shoulders. I could see it in the tension that rolled from his neck and onto his back.

“Then you stay at my place more often,” he finally said.

I’d only been there twice. It was cold and held no personality.

“I like it here. My bed is big enough for both of us.”

He glared at me. “That’s my compromise, Riley.”

Laughing, I said, “That’s a compromise? Move in with me or spend every night at my place?”

“I didn’t say every night. I said more.”

I pursed my lips. “Your place is cold and sterile.”

“Then decorate it,” he said. “Cover it in fairy lights and puffy blankets like your apartment. I don’t care. I want you there, Riley.”

Standing, I walked to him, taking his hand in mine and feeling the tension there. “Is there something you’re not telling me, Grey?”

His jaw tightened, and I could see the conflict in his eyes.

“You know,” I said. “If I’m going to decorate your house in fairy lights and fluffy pink blankets, I need you to open up more.”

He looked down at my hand in his and fingered the bracelet I never took off. The one with the delicate peonies that sat softly on my skin.

“You’ll move in?” he asked.

“No. I won’t have you lead my life, Greyson. I…it reminds me too much of my brother.”

“You have a brother?” he asked quickly.

“I told you we didn’t know enough about each other,” I said, flashing him a smile.

He sat and pulled me to his lap. “Tell me about your brother.”

“There’s not much to tell. We’re…we’re estranged. I don’t talk to him anymore.”

I looked away, but he eased my face back to him. “Why not?”

“Because of the shit you’re pulling and, well, he’s not the man I thought he was. He lied to me about a lot of things, and I found out the hard way. Getting hurt in the process.”

“So that’s why you left Treemont?” he asked, rubbing his hand down my thigh.

“Yes. There was a situation that turned bad, and none of it would have happened if he had been honest with me.” I looked away again, not wanting to relive the pain. The fear the memory of those two days held. The way Clint had turned on me, using me only to get to Mason. I still didn’t know what had hurt more: the pain from knowing he’d used me, the pain of his fists and the knife wounds, or the pain of learning Mason’s secrets.

“Riley,” Greyson said softly.

“I’m fine. I don’t want to talk about it. Do you have siblings?” I said, turning the questions to him.

He let out a long sigh before saying, “I have a brother. Correction, I had a brother.”

I creased my brow. “He’s dead?” I asked, my heart breaking for him.

“No,” he said, with the shake of his head. “But he’s dead to me and I’m dead to him. We had a falling out twenty years ago.”

I waited for more, wondering if it could be any worse than my falling out with Mason.

“Over a woman.”

I gritted my teeth, the thought stirring an envy I didn’t like.

“That’s cute. I might ease up on my punishment if you keep that jealousy thing up,” he teased.

“Punishment?”

The memory of his smacks to my ass returned, warmth rushing between my legs. He’d followed every one with the firm smoothing of his hand over the sting, his body pressing mine into the tile wall as he breathed in ragged exhales close to my ear. I’d come so hard when he finally mumbled a ‘good girl’ and jerked my hips back and penetrated me, I could barely remain upright.

He didn’t answer me. Instead, a wicked gleam filled his eyes. His hand moved up my back before it slid down my arm and encompassed my wrist.

“Oh,” I breathed, a fire heating in my belly. He was distracting me, and it was working. “What woman?” I asked, needing to fight for my control back.

“A beautiful redhead I stole from him. He didn’t like it when he found her mouth around my cock, and we haven’t talked since. I saved him. She was a bitch who needed to be put in her place.”

I cringed at the visual he’d put in my mind, not liking the thought of another woman touching him. But the harsh way he’d spoken surprised me. It was crass and heartless. He must have noticed my reaction, his eyes crinkling with humor.

“You don’t like my language?”

“No, I don’t.”

He laughed harder. “Says the woman who told me to fuck her when I had her tied up.”

Butterflies skittered through my stomach. He tightened his grip on my wrist, bringing my other one behind me, and my breath hitched. “What do you say I give you that punishment now?”

I couldn’t help the way my body pressed toward him at his words. Aside from the few smacks to my ass, he’d been nothing but gentle with me, although there was a force behind his gentle moves, a strength that was Greyson.

His phone rang, and his expression hardened. With a sigh, he let go of my wrists and lifted me from him. I gave him a frown, my disappointment clear, but he only kissed my nose and walked out of the apartment.

“Speak,” I heard him say as the door shut.

He established the rule that first day—the phone would not go to voicemail, and he would take all calls away from me. He didn’t mix business with pleasure he’d told me, but I didn’t buy that.

I chewed my bottom lip, thinking about his proposition of moving in with him. While it seemed soon, and I wanted to maintain my independence, the idea made me tingle inside. This powerful man, who could have any woman in the city, wanted me. And he wanted me enough to have me live with him.

It was dreamy, and if Mason hadn’t burned me, I would have considered it. I cracked the door, hearing Greyson come down the hall. He was yelling at someone, and the sound sent a chill down my spine.

“I don’t give a fuck, look again. I want him found and if he steps foot in Bridgeville, I want to know.”

I backed away from the door as he pushed it open. His blue eyes were dark and hard, and I took a step back. I’d seen that look before and it was one that brought back nightmares I’d submerged beneath the fa?ade of strength I’d built.

His expression changed, softening to the man I loved, his blue eyes brightening as they widened with realization. He stopped and studied me before looking down at his phone. “I need to be tough, Riley. Respect is earned, and it’s hard to keep. There’s a reason I’m as powerful as I am, a reason I own this city.”

He lifted his eyes back to me.

“And what reason is that?” I asked.

“Because people fear me.” He walked closer to me, running his hand through my hair. “But you don’t need to fear me. I’ll never hurt you.”

I searched his eyes, looking for any sign of doubt, any sense that he was lying to me because I’d heard those words before. From my brother, from Clint. And they’d lied.

He put the phone on the table and took his shoes off. I cocked my brow, giving him a questioning look. “Don’t you need to go to the office?”

“I don’t have a schedule and I believe punishment is due for telling me no.”

I inhaled sharply, the air burning my lungs as he rolled his sleeves up. Warmth seeped between my legs when he walked to me and pulled my shirt over my head. My stomach quivered in anticipation, but he stepped back.

“Take the pants off, Riley.”

I held his gaze and pushed my jeans off.

“On the bed, like a good girl.” My legs clenched. He’d never been commanding before, but that good girl drenched me every time he said it. This side of him reminded me of the nights he’d sneaked into my apartment.

I walked over and crawled onto my bed, but as I tried to turn over, he yanked me back to my knees. Every nerve in my body quivered in expectation. Slowly, he removed my thong, sliding his hand up my leg and dipping his fingers between my legs. I moaned, throwing my head back, but he moved behind me and pushed my head down. There was no force, just the gentle strength that was Greyson. Moves that never brought me pain or fear, only pleasure. He pushed the strap of my bra down and cupped my breast as his fingers slid to my clit, rubbing my wetness over it.

“Do you want to come, baby girl?” he murmured, pressing his length against me. His clothes were still on, but I could feel how hard he was.

I wanted him to take me again, to bring me the release his fingers were building in me. I groaned into my sheets as it climbed, my body quivering until I was so close I knew I would fall. But he removed his fingers, leaving me aching.

“You haven’t been a good girl, Riley.”

“Greyson,” I whined.

I tried picking my head up, but he forced my shoulders back down, pressing further into me. He pulled my bra strap further more cupping my breast and brushing his thumb across my nipple.

“You need to understand that I don’t like the word no, baby girl.”

My moan was muffled but loud, my entire body quivering as he bit my shoulder, saying, “Beg me, Riley.”

The command fueled the unfulfilled release that was pulsing to be freed. He dragged his teeth over my shoulder, his hand skimming the length of my body before he plunged his fingers back into me. My entire body lurched, the need to climax crashing for a way out, so close my legs could barely hold me up.

“Tell me what you want,” he demanded, his teeth scraping my ass, his fingers falling from me and leaving me so empty it hurt.

“Make me come, Greyson,” I begged. “Please.”

His hands left my body, my cry loud and anguished until they spread over my back, his fingers threading in my hair and pausing there before sliding over my neck. I moaned again, wondering if he would leave it there.

He leaned back over me. “I think you’re forgiven,” he said. I shuddered, knowing he was finally going to bring me the release I was craving. His fingers twitched, almost tightening around my neck before they drifted over my body, softly caressing my breast then moving over my stomach, slowly, tantalizing me with the expectation. And when he brushed my clit, his other hand coming around my hip, two fingers penetrating me, I lost it. My climax shredded me with its force, my hoarse cry echoing through the room.

I didn’t have time to even take control of my body when I heard his zipper, followed by the fullness of him as he drove into me. His growl was loud, almost feral, and had me trembling. My body was a storm brewing and waiting to explode as he pounded into me. He’d never taken me this hard, and the force of it sent my climax tumbling. I shattered again, coming so hard he had to hold my hips up while he continued to drive into me with abandon.

“That’s a good girl,” he said. “Fuck, that feels good.”

I picked myself up and threw my hair back, feeling his hand reach up to thread through it. I could tell he was holding back. He wanted to pull it but didn’t want to be aggressive with me. But damn, I wanted him to be rough this time. I needed to feel all he could bring. To know the side of him he hid from me.

“Pull it,” I purred, and he growled, his fingers wrapping tight and pulling until I was arching forward.

A rush of stimulating tingles hit me, my body alight with the sensation. I let out a cry, loving the side of him that fed the bad girl in me, the one who needed him to own me in only the way he could. He tightened his hold on my hip, thrusting into me so hard I could barely catch my breath. The thrill of it sent my climax climbing again, a fire burning me from the inside. An uncontrollable blaze that Greyson was about to unleash. The way he was clinging to my hip while his other hand remained entangled in my hair, accompanied by the grunts he was emitting, tore my release from me. I lost control, coming with an intensity that had me screaming. He let out a growl, breaking with me and pulling my hair so hard that my body lifted, my back hitting his chest. My orgasm was pummeling me, and he wrapped his arm around me, pushing deep into me until he stilled. The tremors that were rippling through me made it hard to breathe, and I clung to his thighs, trying to gain some control. Loosening his grip, he let me go and I dropped to the bed, peeking over at him as he fell next to me.

His breaths were ragged and sexy, the completely satisfied look on his face worth the throbbing in my scalp. He rested his hand on his chest and glanced at me, his eyes questioning me.

“You assumed I don’t like it hard,” I said, giving him a shrug.

“Shit. You’ve been holding out on me.”

I leaned over his chest and kissed him. “I don’t want that all the time. Just when you’re fired up and yelling at your employees.”

He chuckled and pulled my lips to his, kissing me ravenously until the kiss softened and the lover I knew returned.

“Sure you don’t want to wake up in my bed every morning? I can promise you my punishments will have you coming repeatedly now that I know you’ve been holding out on me,” he said against my lips.

“I’m sure, but you already have me coming repeatedly.” And more than any man had ever made me come.

“I’m only just starting,” he said, rolling me from him and rising.

I watched as he tucked himself away and realized he had taken none of his clothes off, and I was lying there just in my bra. The thought added a heightened level of naughtiness to how he’d taken me.

He put his shoes and coat on, then picked up his phone, giving me a devious grin before heading out to work. I dropped my head back. I didn’t know what to think of Greyson. He wouldn’t let me in, but he was slowly showing me who he was. There was no question I was in love with him. Just the thought of him sent quivers through my body.

Glancing at the clock, I knew I had to get moving. Greyson had scheduled a meeting for me with the local firm I’d originally planned to interview before his firm tempted me. I cleaned myself and dressed, opting for a flattering pair of black slacks and a stylish wrap shirt I’d picked up with the money Greyson had given me for my furniture. I shook my head at how sneaky he’d been as I locked my door, glancing over at Ava’s apartment and wishing I could share my news with her. She’d left right before the Christmas party to spend the holidays with her family. I’d have plenty to tell her when she returned and could only imagine the sheer look of shock she’d have at the news that Greyson Tides now belonged to me just as much as I belonged to him.

I pulled my collar up against the cold as I exited the building. It had snowed the night before, but the sidewalks were clear, and my boots had chunky heels, so I didn’t worry about slipping. I knew Greyson had his security on me, but I didn’t see them. Wherever they were, they were discreet enough to go unnoticed by even me. The constant need for bodyguards reminded me of Mason’s men, always close by, always on watch. He’d given the same excuse when I’d asked him about them many years ago. We had money, and that meant we needed protection. It had seemed like a simple answer back then, before I discovered the true reason he needed protection.

I let the thought go, shaking the idea that Greyson was anything like my brother. He was a businessman. My brother was a criminal who had done nothing but lie to me. I turned my thoughts back to Greyson and the way he’d let loose today, showing me the side he’d kept reserved. My stomach somersaulted, remembering how his fingers had felt tangled in my hair and forcing my head back.

As I approached my destination, I remained in a daze, the glow of my orgasms still lifting my mood and the residual of Greyson’s touch leaving me warm. But a strange feeling of dread slipped in as I drew nearer to the office. A familiar fear sat in the back of my mind, causing the hairs to rise on my neck. I glanced around, not seeing anything but random people walking behind me. Turning back, I perused the oncoming walkers, but nothing caught my eye. I hurried my pace, a sense of urgency behind my steps. My heart was beating hard in my chest, and as I opened the door to the building, there was a movement in my periphery. I glanced up. Clint’s cold brown eyes stared at me from down the street. He didn’t move. He just stood there, leaning on the side of the building, staring at me. He tipped his head toward me, giving me an evil grin before Tom, the manager of the firm, pulled my attention away.

“Miss Brinks?” Tom said. “Is everything okay?”

Only then did I realize I’d dropped my bag, my hand gripping so tight to the door that my gloves had ripped. I looked back to find Clint gone, but the fear that had strangled me remained. Tom bent down and picked up my bag, handing it to me, his kind eyes evaluating me.

I willed myself to nod and made up an excuse of feeling dizzy. All the while, my mind was screaming in fear. Clint had found me, and he was here to finish the job. I’d fled Mason, leaving my protection behind and handing myself over to Clint like a lamb at slaughter.