Chapter 16 Nonnegotiable
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
NONNEGOTIABLE
Harlow
What have I done?
I was engaged a few days ago, not that I had any intention of following through. But still, it’s significant enough to mention it twice.
I was engaged a few days ago, and I just entered into a contractual agreement with an older man to make me feel alive with copious amounts of sex.
Fucking, as Devon promised. I have lots of fucking in my immediate future to look forward to.
He made so many declarations and promises, I lost count. I can’t stop thinking about the two that are most important to me.
Albert tried to control every part of me. It was slow. He did it little by little. Pushing here, taking there. I felt it along the way, but I wanted to make him happy. I thought I loved him.
More importantly, I thought he loved me.
His suggestions were nonnegotiable.
His desires were demands.
And when he minimalized my feelings, it was manipulation.
In the moment, I didn’t recognize that I was losing the person I was. But it was clear as day. Chrissie has told me a million times, that hindsight is always twenty-twenty and to not beat myself up.
That’s easier said than done.
I need something new to focus on. A jumpstart to a new life. I need to do something I’ve never done before.
Devon isn’t exactly a stranger. I’ve known him...
Well, since my rehearsal dinner.
Fine, he should technically be categorized in the acquaintance category. But the last few days don’t count. My time here should be counted more like dog years.
That makes me feel better. Besides, Devon knows a hell of a lot about me. Most importantly, he knows my biggest secrets. The more he learned, the more curious he became.
If you can call it curious.
I’d like to think it’s an obsession. I know I am with him.
The moment I agreed to his contract, he kissed me one more time before taking me by the hand and stalking all the way back up the pier to the main building.
He never let go and didn’t care who saw.
And since we hurried right past Blake, I’m pretty sure every employee will know by breakfast tomorrow morning.
But Devon doesn’t care. He’s on a mission, and I’m here for it.
This is the first step to getting me back. My heart, my love for life, and most importantly, my ability to trust again.
I’m not dense enough to think this is the smartest choice.
That’s an answer for hindsight.
What I do know is that it doesn’t feel wrong.
He must have the Midas touch when it comes to his own manor, because the moment he pushes the button, the doors part.
We’re barely inside when a voice calls from behind us. “Oh look, Silas! It’s our elevator friends. Yoo-hoo! Hold the doors! Hold the doors!”
“Fuck,” Devon mutters under his breath.
I shoot him a small smile as I reach out to hold the door. Mel is shuffling in an awkward jog, but Silas is lumbering along like he’s more stuffed than he was last night. He also worked on his base tan today. He’s as red as a lobster.
First day vacationers. There’s always one.
When they reach the doors, Devon pulls me straight to him. My front is plastered to his side and his fingertips are firmly planted on the swell of my ass.
Mel is huffing and puffing with a smile on her face as she takes us in. “You two are as cute as a button.”
Devon doesn’t like being referred to as cute and lets out an audible exhale. I don’t blame him. There’s not one cute thing on Devon.
Hot? Yes.
Pensive? Absolutely.
A sex god? I’m counting on it.
But not cute.
“Thanks,” I respond for both of us. Devon proves he doesn’t belong in hospitality and remains silent. “How was your excursion?”
Mel points out the obvious. “As you can see, Silas didn’t reapply. Other than that, it was great. What did y’all do today?”
“I had a facial.” I look up at Devon, pat his chest, and smile before turning back to the older couple. “And this guy followed me around like a stalker. The spa was amazing. I recommend you try it before you leave.”
Silas scratches his chest through his shirt. “No one is touching me with this burn.”
Mel rolls her eyes.
Devon stares at the digital numbers that move at the speed of dripping molasses as his fingertips drum restlessly on the swell of my ass.
“We have wine tasting and a cooking lesson tomorrow. We’re going to learn how to make our own pasta,” Mel says. “What about you?”
Silas yawns. “I only eat pasta. I’m sure as hell not making it.”
“Tennis,” I say.
Mel turns to her husband. “If they can play tennis together, you can make pasta with me.”
Devon finally decides to speak. “I don’t play tennis. I’ve got a full day exacting revenge on my enemies.” He presses his lips to the top of my head. “When I’m done with mine, I’m taking care of hers. ‘Tis the season.”
I cringe.
Silas’s jaw goes slack.
Mel gasps. “Oh, my Lord!”
Devon’s chest moves with a low chuckle. “Kidding ... sort of. It’s a workday for me. Not everyone is on vacation.”
Silas frowns, but Mel barks a high-pitched laugh. “You had me there! Revenge on your enemies. It’s like we’re really taken back to another century.” She directs her sights to me and lowers her voice, like Devon can’t hear what she’s saying. “He’s got an odd sense of humor.”
Thank goodness the bell dings and the elevator stops at their floor.
“See ya around,” Silas mutters.
“Good luck with the tennis,” Mel calls over her shoulder before she raises her voice and yells from the hallway. “And your enemies!”
One more floor, and Devon is dragging me from the elevator and straight to his suite.
We’re through the door when Devon puts a hand to my abs and pushes me against the wall.
The door slams behind us. Any other time, I’d worry about the antique hinges, but I’m more concerned about the buttons on Devon’s shirt. I want to feel every inch of him.
My fumbling fingers are forced aside when he yanks my tank up and over my head. His strong hands frame my face as he claims my mouth with more ferocity than he did on the pier.
I moan and grip his wrists to hang on.
His touch is new and foreign and exciting. Wetness pools between my legs when he presses his cock into my belly with a promise of what’s to come. He’s long and hard. The thought of him makes me weak in the knees.
I don’t remember the last time I’ve felt like this.
His strong fingers are rough when they slide down my chest and cup my breast. When he claims my nipple, he twists over the lace.
My lips go slack, and my head falls to the wall behind me.
“Fuck,” he hisses.
I open my eyes when he nudges his muscled thigh between my legs. I step to make room for him. He presses into my clit, and I feel it everywhere. His fingers trail farther down, between my breasts, until they hit the front clasp of my bra.
Snap goes the hook. My breasts are free for him.
His lustful blue eyes rake over my face and down to my chest as he pushes my bra down my shoulders. “You’re a minefield, baby. I cannot wait to set off every inch of you.”
“Yes.” I manage the one word on a nod. It’s impossible to string a sentence together. “Please. Every inch.”
He licks his lips. “Every. Fucking. Inch.”
I force myself to focus and move back to his shirt. I’m surprised buttons don’t fly, I’m ripping at them so fast.
When I finally push his shirt open, he takes his hands off me for the first time since he claimed me down by the water. His shirt joins mine on the floor, and my eyes go directly to his shoulder where a puckered, faded scar sits front and center.
I can’t think about that now, because he easily lifts me at the hips.
I wrap my legs around his waist, press my bare breasts to his warm chest, and thread my fingers through his hair.
I’m confident in my body. I always have been.
But that doesn’t mean I’ve ever felt like this. I can’t get close enough. His hands squeeze my ass, and I tug at his hair where I’m holding on by the roots.
“Devon.” I breathe his name close to his lips and only have eyes for him as he moves me through the suite. “Please.”
My back hits the bed, and he has no choice but to follow me down, because I refuse to let go of him. He puts his lips to my collarbone and murmurs, “Please what?”
He starts to kiss and lick his way down my chest as I stare at the ceiling of his bedroom. Even his ceiling reminds me of him. Wood paneling with darker wood beams across it. It’s even distressed.
Rough around the edges, yet all together, fascinating.
Beautiful.
Just like him.
Though I’m not going to call him beautiful right now.
His teeth sink into my nipple.
“Oh, Lord. Yes. Please.”
I feel his lips smirk around my nipple before he licks and kisses me where he gave me a love bite. His fingers rip at the button on my linen slacks. He only lets go to snag them at my hips and takes my panties with them.
Down, inch by inch, he pulls them past my hips and sex and thighs until I’m completely bare.
For him.
He stands upright to stare down at me.
I bring my knees together. “What?”
He shakes his head and runs his fingertips up and down the outside of my thigh. “I’m going to ask you one more time. Do you want this?”
I pull in a deep breath and sit up so I can shift to my knees.
I still have to look up to gaze into his eyes, but we’re chest to chest again, even though the naked game isn’t equal since I’m bare, and he’s still wearing pants.
“You don’t know everything about me, but I think you know enough that I don’t do anything I don’t want to do. I’m here, and that means something.”
He wraps his hand around my bare hip. “Tell me exactly how you feel.”
I lean in and press my lips to the scar on his shoulder before whispering against his stubbled jaw, “Free.”
His hand slides around the bare globe of my ass and pulls me to him.
I look into his deep, blue eyes. “Help me celebrate my newfound freedom.”
He licks his lips. “Shift your legs apart, baby.”
I pull in a breath and do as he says.
I get one nod of approval before he slips his other hand between us, directly between my legs.