Chapter 13
The VIP section was deserted, which suited my mood just fine. I wasn’t interested in women crawling all over me when the only one I wanted was downstairs grinding on Dominic. Lucky bastard. I hated watching him put his hands all over her, their movements getting more frantic with each moment, until they finally kissed.
So why couldn’t I stop?
Maybe it was the way she gave in to him, a sort of submission that she only offered him. Maybe it was the way he knew her body, the way he riled her up so much that I could see it clear as day. Maybe it was the way I could easily picture myself on the other side, boxing her in so all she could see, taste, and smell was us.
One of Mari’s one-timers came up, and the moment he was gone, Dominic had his hand wrapped in Mari’s hair. For the longest time, they talked and stroked and kissed. Dominic nipped and bit at her until even I could see the bruises. It didn’t piss me off like I expected; it just made me want to give her my own.
Dominic’s words came back to me. Mari doesn’t need you as a friend. But would she let me be more?
All of a sudden, she pulled away, her face twisted until she stormed off the dance floor. I was staring dumbfounded at where they’d been when Dominic looked up and caught my eye.
You’re welcome,he mouthed, throwing me a cheeky wink before he made his way to the bar.
Welcome for what?
I kept my eyes glued to the lower level, looking for any sign of Mari, but she never returned. Where the hell is she? My heart beat faster as I took off for the stairs. Moore and Tennessee were in the club watching, but I didn’t trust anyone. Not with Cash fucking around the city.
I rounded the corner and found her leaning against the wall, hair plastered to her skin and one hand buried under her skirt.
Holy shit.
Mari moaned, eyes closed and hand moving faster until I couldn’t stand it. I wanted to see her. I wanted to feel her.
Her wrist was in my hand before I realized I’d moved. I pulled it away, just held her still. Mari’s eyes slitted open, and she started when she realized who grabbed her. “Greyson.”
Fuck.Had she ever said my name like that before? Breathy and full of wonder. What was it about that tone that broke down all those little barriers we’d erected over the years?
“What’s wrong, reina? Did Dominic not satisfy you?” Her arm was tense under my fingers, and I was aching to see just how tense I could make her. If I traded her hand for mine, would she let me?
She scowled. “He refused.”
“What?” Dominic denying Mari sex felt like a cosmic joke.
“He refused to touch me. Said he had to earn me.”
Her little pout was adorable and so unlike Mari, it nearly threw me. She was so refined all the time; I’d forgotten what an insolent little shit she could be when she had the chance. Maybe she did need someone to remind her to be soft occasionally.
“Poor reina. Left needy and all alone. What should we do about that?”
Her eyes widened as she watched me pull her hand out of her panties. “We?”
“We.” It was beyond time. Dominic was right, the irritating bastard. The living mattered more than the dead, and Mari mattered most of all.
I was so fucking sick of not having her. Of not being hers.
Mari’s mouth dropped open as I slipped her wet fingers into my mouth. Her flavor exploded on my tongue, and I groaned. How had I survived decades without her? I licked and sucked, desperate for more of her from the source.
“Jesus,” she whispered.
“You taste so fucking sweet.” When her hand was clean, I fisted a hand in her dress and yanked her to me. “Can I touch you?”
“Is this a good idea?” she whispered.
I kissed along her shoulder, her neck, her jaw. “I don’t know, but I’m tired of pretending I don’t want you, Mari. If you don’t want this, I’ll stop. Otherwise, I’m going to do what I’ve been dreaming of for years.”
“Which is?”
“I’m going to take what’s mine.”
She was quivering. Shaking in my arms. But it wasn’t fear, not completely. It was anticipation and need. I could practically smell how much she wanted me, and it was a head rush. I slid my hand under her skirt, lifting her dress just enough to see the faintest hint of her pussy beneath black lace panties.
Christ. She’s going to kill me.I almost hoped she did.
I circled my hand around her hips, so close to her pussy that I could feel the heat of it. A few more inches and I’d have her cupped in my palm. “Let me touch you.”
She arched into me, pushing herself closer. “For tonight.”
Absolutely not.
“No.” I pulled my hand away and gripped her chin.
“Why does everyone keep telling me no?” she snarled.
She was pissed and frustrated, but I was too. “I’m not going to be one of the men you use and lose, Mari. You’re either mine, or you aren’t.”
“I can’t promise forever. I can’t even promise monogamy.” Because of Dominic.
“I didn’t ask for either.” Though, I wanted forever. I could deal with the others if it meant I got to keep her. I wasn’t an idiot. It would be hard to see them together, to come to terms with my place in her life, but I didn’t care. I didn’t have to be her only man as long as I was hers.
“Greyson, we can’t.” Her voice cracked, eyes glossy with tears she’d never shed. It broke my heart.
“We can.” I pulled her into my arms, holding her for the first time in what felt like months. Her hair was soft under my palm as I stroked it, desperate to soothe her. “I love you. I don’t need you to myself—I just need you.”
“I don’t know how to do this.”
“I don’t either, but the logistics can wait until tomorrow. Just tell me you’re mine because I can’t give you up anymore.”
Mari tilted her head back, and she swept her lips over mine in a kiss so searing, I felt scarred. Like I’d never forget this moment as long as I lived. “We’re really doing this?”
“We’re really doing it.” I brushed a kiss to her cheek, her nose, her mouth. “It’s past time, don’t you think?”
Her breath hitched. “Fuck yes.”
“Good girl. Come with me.” I wrapped her hand in mine and dragged her back to the VIP section. I didn’t mind an audience, but not yet. Not for this. I wanted her to myself for just a little while longer.
I settled on the couch, legs spread as she stood in front of me.
“Panties off and sit on my lap.” She did without complaint, and I reveled in a complacent Mari. I liked having her like this. Pliable and eager to please. Eager to come. I hadn’t expected it, but what a gift. I tucked her panties into my pocket, not wanting to leave them behind. “Now lift that dress and show me that pretty pussy.”
There was no hesitation as she gripped the hem of her dress and slowly tortured me one inch at a time. Brat. I wasn’t much of a brat tamer, but I had a feeling Dominic would be more than up to the task.
I ran my hand up her thighs and between them, groaning at the wetness there. She was soaked and so fucking pretty. “You want more?”
“Yes.”
“Beg for it.” I taunted her with slow circles around her clit, not quite touching. She wiggled in my lap, trying to force my fingers where she wanted them most. God, I loved watching her squirm.
“Please, Greyson. I want more. Please.”
“Good girl.”
I sank two fingers into her with no resistance, and the way she wrapped around me was enough to make my hips kick up. My thumb took over on her clit, and she dropped her head back, breathy moans traveling, even with the noise below.
I wanted her wrapped around my dick, soaked in my come, her head on my chest in the morning. I wanted everything.
I readjusted my hand and smacked her thigh lightly. “Ride my fingers, baby.”
Without question, she rotated her hips, taking what she wanted. It was so fucking sexy, I wanted to blow right then. “What if someone sees?”
“What if they do?” I challenged.
We had no real protection from the people below us, no door or lock keeping them out. Even from the couch, we could see the outskirts of the room dancing the night away, but they were more focused on their own pleasures than us, giving us the illusion of being alone. Most were smart enough to keep their eyes off mi reina, but the idea that they wouldn’t, that they watched her coming apart against me, just made me harder.
One set of eyes did exactly that.
Mari’s pussy clenched around me, and I growled. I wrapped my free hand around her throat and pulled her down until I spoke against her lips. “You like that, don’t you? Thinking that someone down there is going to see you grinding your pussy on me. Does it turn you on when people watch?”
She moaned into my mouth, and I savaged her with lips, teeth, and tongue as I held her close. She could barely move, so I took over, thrusting my fingers into her until she was coating my hand. Her breathing grew frantic, and it was like I could feel her orgasm cresting.
“Almost there. You’re doing so well,” I rasped, watching her skin bead with sweat as she tensed muscle by muscle. “Come for me, baby.”
The first clench of her pussy around me was a revelation. Mari was glorious when she came. Hair down her back, body shaking, thighs quivering. Quieter than I expected, but repeating my name over and over. Greyson, Greyson, Greyson. I didn’t know it would be such a turn-on.
She sagged against me, coming down from the high. I rubbed her back and pressed kisses against her hair, her cheek, her shoulders until her breaths evened out again.
“I needed that.”
“You needed me,” I corrected.
“I really did.” The way she looked at me, so soft and honest, felt like some of that distance we’d forced between us had been crossed. Bridges built. It felt like we were healing, and I wanted it more than anything. “What now?”
“You made a mess.” My pants were soaked from where she’d ridden me, and I didn’t even care. Judging by the shit-eating grin on her face, she didn’t either. I pulled my fingers from her slowly, dragging them along her clit until they were hanging between her lips. “Clean them up.”
I didn’t know the rules with Mari, didn’t know how far to push. But seeing her wrap those greedy lips around my finger was worth every ounce of hell she’d give me for my demands later. She sucked me clean, and I felt an almost feral need to put her on her knees so she could do it to my cock.
Not yet. Not here.
Mari leaned back, hair tangled, lips swollen, lipstick smeared. Beautifully disheveled.
“You’re gorgeous.”
There was the soft smile she used to give me. The one that was mine and mine alone. I’d missed it. “I want you, Grey.”
Fuck yes.
“I’ll give you anything you want,” I swore. There was no question about it.
“Then fuck me.”
“Patience. There’s something I want first.”
I twisted, putting her on the seat and sinking to the floor in front of her. Yanking her to the edge of the cushion, I pushed my head under her dress and dove right in. I nipped and licked and sucked her lips and clit until she shoved a hand in my hair with a near scream.
Yeah, I like the screams too.
There was something right about being on my knees for Mari. Serving my queen. She writhed and twisted, sharp nails digging into my scalp as she held me where she wanted. Hooded eyes blazing down at me as she took and took. I loved it.
When she tensed again, I trapped her clit between my lips and sucked. Her body jolted, fingers painfully tight in my hair as she came again, and I relished the taste of her on my tongue.
“Greyson,” she whined, struggling to move away from the oversensitivity. Or so I thought. “Fuck me.”
I laughed, running soothing hands along her thighs. “Needy girl.”
There was the scowl again. “I am, so give me what I want.”
I was torn. I didn’t want our first time in a club, but hadn’t we waited long enough?
“This isn’t over. We’re going home after this, and I’m going to fuck you again until you can’t talk.”
Mari’s eyelashes fluttered as I pulled back just enough to unzip myself. “God, yes.”
I had my hand on my boxers when my phone vibrated in my pocket.
Motherfucker.
“Goddammit.” Mari echoed my thought. “I just wanted one night.”
I was helpless as she started to tuck herself behind her armor and away from me. Her back straightened, her chin high as she sat up and fixed her dress. I hated it. I hated that the soft, sated look was already gone.
I yanked her close, pressing a harsh, biting kiss to her lips. “Don’t pull away from me.”
“I’m right here, Greyson.”
“Good.” I nipped her lip until she moaned into my mouth. “Because I’m not letting you go again. You’re mine now, Marianna, even if I have to remind you every day.”
“Grey—”
I soothed her worry with one last kiss, softer than the rest. “We’ll figure it out, I promise.”
My phone vibrated with another call as she let out a deep breath and nodded. It wasn’t enough reassurance for me, but it would have to suffice.
“Andrews.”
“Mr. Andrews.” My teeth clenched at the sound of Mari’s new obsession on the phone. “There’s been an incident at Gilded.”
“What kind of incident?” Mari’s eyes darted to mine, and I mouthed Nate. She immediately pulled out her phone and started making her own calls.
“The kind with complications.”
Complications. I sighed as I remembered Mari and Nate surrounded by bodies on the side of the road. “How many?”
“At least one. He’s an Ace.”
The universe hates me. “We’ll be there in ten.”
I hung up, and Mari immediately started talking. “Geneva pulled the car around, Moore and Tennessee are waiting on the dance floor, and Dominic’s meeting us out back.” Mari stepped around me to head downstairs, but I grabbed her hand. Not to stop her, but to keep her with me. “Grey?”
“I just want one more minute before we have to pretend.”
She stilled, taking my face in her other hand and giving me a final kiss.
“One more minute,” she agreed.
When we made it to the bottom of the stairs, I let her go with one final squeeze, and I saw the subtle smile she tried to hide. Moore and Tennessee flanked her, moving her through the crowd with ease. I followed behind, not surprised when Dominic fell into step with me.
“Enjoy the show?”
“Depends. Did you?” I glared and he smiled. “Seriously, congrats. It’s been decades in the making.”
It had, and it was worth every painful second.
“Are we good?” I wasn’t just talking about the sex, but everything else. Obviously, we both had strong feelings for Mari, but Dominic was slowly proving he’d be a better ally than an enemy. For her sake, we could be friends. Or, at least try to be.
Dominic stared at me again, and that smirk softened into something genuine. Almost friendly. “You only live once, Grey. Got to enjoy it when you can. As far as I’m concerned, Mari deserves to enjoy every fucking day. So, yeah. We’re good.”
On that, we agreed.