Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Rhodes
The scalding-hot water sends steam curling into the air around us. Last night was surprisingly good, though I didn’t foresee Ace would be the one who fucked her. I was happy to watch them from above, and it was a stroke of genius for me to come on her face that way.
I turn, letting the hot spray hit my back as I stare at him until his hand slides around the back of my neck, dragging me in. The kiss is brutal, and I melt into it.
My hands find his waist, and I scrape my fingers along his cut abs as he pins me to the tiles. He then spins me so I’m facing the wall, the water still pouring down my body.
“Did you like watching me fuck her?” he growls, his hips pressing into my ass.
I grin as my cock twitches. “You mean when you went all savage and fucked her before anyone else could?”
His hand reaches around to grab my jaw, forcing my head back. “Answer the question.”
“I liked the view,” I murmur, rolling back into him. “I like it when you lose control.”
He curses as he grips my hips tight, then he’s inside me, a brutal push that steals the air from my lungs and sends my forehead slamming against the tiles.
Fuck yes. This is the Ace I love.
I moan through gritted teeth, biting on my forearm to muffle the sound as he sets a brutal rhythm. Each thrust slams into me like he’s trying to punish me—or reward me; it’s hard to tell with Ace sometimes.
One of his hands slides up and fastens on the back of my neck. “You’re such a fucking mouthy brat,” he growls, his teeth scraping my shoulder. “Just like her.”
“You love it,” I rasp.
“I do,” he says, slamming into me deeper.
My legs shake, pleasure building in my spine as he reaches around and takes my cock in his hand, stroking me in time with each thrust.
It doesn’t take long before I come, shouting his name, but he doesn’t stop until he’s spilling into me as he presses his forehead to my shoulder.
Finally, Ace eases out, then grabs the body wash. He soaps himself up and hands it to me.
“Told you the view was worth it,” I mutter.
He shakes his head. “Maybe I’ll make her watch us next time.”
Fuck, his words make me hard all over again. I get out of the shower before my cock gets any more ideas. As much as I would like to stay in and fuck all day, that’s not the plan for today.
I’m still buttoning my shirt when there’s a knock on Ace’s bedroom door.
“You two done in there?”
“Yeah, yeah,” I call back, running a towel through my hair one more time. Ace is already dressed, staring at his phone with a frown.
When we emerge, Vander is sitting on the couch.
“Sleep well?” I ask him as I drop into the nearby armchair.
Vander’s eyes flick to me, then to Ace, and back. He doesn’t answer me, but that isn’t unusual for him.
“Did you see her face last night?” I ask, grinning. “When we told her we knew she snuck out?”
“This isn’t funny,” Ace snaps, pacing the room. “What if she tells Riley what happened?”
“Relax.” I lean back, lacing my fingers behind my head. “I already talked to Archer.”
Ace freezes mid-stride. “You did what?”
“I called him yesterday and told him we wanted to handle Maddie’s fantasy personally for security reasons.
” I shrug. “He thought it was a smart move, actually. Said it would keep her safer than having strangers involved and has marked her file as fulfilled by trusted personnel. Completely anonymous on his end.”
Ace runs a hand through his hair, still tense but no longer looking like he might punch the wall. “You should have told me.”
“I’m telling you now.” I flash him a grin. “Besides, it worked out perfectly. She has no idea it was us, and we maintained complete control of the situation.”
“We fucked our client,” Ace hisses as if he only just realized.
“Actually, you fucked her,” I correct him.
“You know what I mean.”
Vander stands, heading toward the door without a word.
“Where are you going?” Ace asks.
Vander pauses, his hand on the doorknob. “Day off, remember?”
He leaves without another word, and I turn to Ace. “That was almost a full conversation for him.”
Ace shoots me a look. “He talks when he needs to.”
I scoff. “To you, maybe.”
Before Ace can respond, there’s a knock on the door.
Ace opens it to find Maddie standing there in sleep shorts and an oversized band tee, her hair piled on top of her head in a messy bun. She glances past him and scans the apartment.
“Morning,” she says. “Where’s Vander?”
“Day off,” I call from my spot on the couch.
She looks past Ace to me, one eyebrow raised. “But Vander never takes days off.”
“He can now that we have Rhodes on staff,” Ace says.
Maddie studies us for a moment, and I wonder if she suspects anything. Then her phone rings, and she glances at the screen.
“It’s Kade,” she mutters. “What’s up, rock star?”
Her expression shifts from confusion to delight in about three seconds.
“Are you serious?” She grins widely. “Which video? Wait, let me check . . . oh my god. OH MY GOD!”
She pulls the phone away from her ear and scrolls on the screen. Then she’s laughing so hard she has to lean against the doorframe.
“Kade, I’m sorry, but this is the best thing ever.” More laughter ensues. “Yes, I know you’re embarrassed. That’s what makes it so much better for me.” She pauses. “No, I’m not taking it down. It has three million views.” Another pause. “Love you too, wedgie boy.”
She hangs up and immediately turns her phone toward us. On the screen is a video of Kade on stage, clearly thinking he’s off camera. He reaches back and adjusts his pants with the unmistakable motion of someone dealing with a wedgie situation.
The caption reads, “He might be your rock star, but he’s my brother” with several crying-laughing emojis.
“Three point two million views and climbing,” Maddie announces proudly. “I am a content genius.”
I can’t help it; I burst out laughing and hold up my hand. “That’s hilarious. High five.”
She grins and smacks her palm against mine.
“Your brother is going to kill you when he sees you,” Ace says, but even he sounds slightly amused.
“He’ll get over it.” Maddie pockets her phone. “Besides, he pantsed me at his album release party. Payback’s a bitch.”
Ace’s phone buzzes, and he checks it with a frown. “I have a meeting with your father. Conference call about the new security protocols.” He looks at me. “You’re in charge for a few hours. Don’t let her leave the building.”
“Got it, boss.”
After Ace leaves, Maddie looks at me. “So what are you going to do, follow me around my own apartment? Or do you have any other ideas?”
“I was thinking we could watch a movie,” I suggest. “Your choice.”
Her eyes light up. “Really?”
“I’ll even let you pick a scary one if you promise not to make fun of me when I jump.”
“Deal.” She’s already heading back to her apartment. “Come on, I know the perfect one.”
Twenty minutes later, we’re in her living room with the blackout curtains drawn and a horror movie ready to go. Maddie’s curled up at one end of her oversized couch, and I’m on the other.
“This is my favorite,” she says as the opening credits roll. “Fair warning, it’s actually terrifying.”
“I can handle it.”
I could not, in fact, handle it.
By the thirty-minute mark, Maddie has slowly migrated closer, using each jump scare as an excuse to scoot another few inches in my direction. I’m not complaining because this movie is scary as shit, and though I want to seem brave, I am ready to hide under the throw blanket.
“Oh god, don’t go in there,” she mutters at the screen, her hand finding my forearm.
The scare hits, and Maddie yelps as she practically launches herself onto me. I put my arm around her, pulling her closer.
“I’ve got you,” I say, covering her eyes with my free hand as another disturbing image flashes on screen. “See? I’ll protect you.”
She laughs against my chest, but she doesn’t pull away. “My hero.”
We stay that way for the rest of the movie, her tucked against my side with my arm around her shoulders. Every time something scary happens, she burrows closer, and every time she does, I hold her tighter. When the credits finally roll, neither of us moves.
“That was terrifying, wasn’t it,” she blurts.
“Absolutely.” I look down at her. “Want to watch another one?”
She tilts her head up and meets my eyes, and for a moment, I see her as simply a woman, not someone I am paid to protect. How Ace and Vander have done this for ten months and not laid a finger on her is beyond me.
“Yeah,” she says with a soft smile.
We watch another movie, and then another. By the time Ace gets back hours later, Maddie is asleep with her head on my shoulder. Ace takes one look at us and shakes his head, but I catch the hint of a smile before he turns away.
“Wake her up,” he says quietly.
I don’t want to. Right now she looks peaceful, and I like the way her body feels pressed against my own, even though I know I shouldn’t have crossed this line.