Chapter 2
Declan Buchanan
For the first time in my adult life, my cock hardens in a painful rush at the mere sight of a woman.
Not just any woman. Karey Justice. The girl who broke through my defenses in middle school, ruined me for anyone else, then stomped on my already jaded heart.
It’s been twenty years since I’ve seen her, but no amount of time would make me forget her face.
She’s a more mature version of her middle school self. No longer is she a bouncy little girl with a ponytail and a word of comfort for every living thing. She’s a woman with expressive light brown eyes, luscious lips, and curves to tempt a saint.
I may not have had sex in years, but I’m nowhere near a saint. My long stretch of abstinence is purely coincidental.
Between expanding my wildly successful business and keeping my grandma out of trouble, I barely have time to sleep much less fuck the boring blonde bimbos always throwing themselves at me.
It seems as though I’ve been successful in business but not in keeping my grandma out of trouble.
I’d planned to go along with her scheming—like always—then secretly pay whatever hapless dating coach she’d roped into dealing with me when I proved too difficult—like always—but I never expected to stand face to face with Karey Justice.
I’ve been aware of Karey’s success since the beginning but thought my reputation as a systemic workaholic and stout unromantic—as well as our separate social circles, namely hers the female socialites and mine the boardroom-bound businessmen—would prevent us from running into each other, and for twenty years, it has.
But now my grandmother has brought us together.
Unease worms through my veins even as my cock pulses in my trousers.
Karey’s lips widen in a stunning smile, morphing her gorgeous features into an expression of professional curiosity and eagerness, but the playful sparkle of youth is gone.
The difficulties of life lurk in the depths of her chocolatey eyes.
As she approaches with a woman an age roughly between her own and my grandmother’s, I fight to keep my gaze above her collarbone.
The memory of her creamy flesh exposed for all the world to see both taunts and fills me with jealous rage.
She unwittingly sealed her fate when she allowed the woman’s baby to flash her breasts to New York City’s socialites.
Those tits are mine. All mine.
Mine to taste, knead, and worship with every ounce of devotion trapped inside my body.
I tried to push her away twenty years ago. I warned her I never wanted to see her again, and I never make empty promises. Just because my middle school brain couldn’t fathom the sexual desperation seeing her has caused doesn’t mean a woman with her killer body doesn’t understand.
She knows better than to flounce her tempting body toward me.
I reach across myself to swap the hand on my grandmother’s elbow before shifting my arm across her upper back. Holding on to the only person on the planet who dared take me under her wing when I was at my most volatile is the only way I’ll keep my hands off Karey.
As Eileen, the woman beside her, makes the introductions, I don’t bother hiding my interest as I study Karey’s face. Despite my scrutiny, her smile never falters and her cheery persona never fades.
Part of me sits in silent awe at how little her mannerisms have changed, while another part rants and raves like a feral beast at the idea of her showing such kindness to a single man, much less the countless men she’s interacted with throughout her life.
I don’t share. Never have. Never will.
She’s mine.
I may turn into a caveman if I don’t get a taste of her sweetness soon.
Me man. My woman. Mine.
All mine. Only mine.
I long to toss her delicious curves over my shoulder and haul her back to my flat. I need her writhing underneath me and jiggling from the force of my thrusts.
Eileen introduces us.
Karey offers me a handshake.
My digits engulf hers. A shiver runs down my spine at the feel of her soft skin. I relish the sensation while ignoring the incessant jerking of my cock.
Good thing I wore compression boxer briefs today or I’d never be able to show my face in public again.
She loosens her grip. I do not.
Incredulity twitches in her brow. She gives the slightest tug of her hand. I hold firm.
She curls her much smaller fingers around the edge of my hand with such calm gentleness my heart lurches.
“It truly is nice to meet you, Mr. Buchanan, although I’d hate to make your grandmother feel neglected after she’s waited so long to meet me,” Karey says.
The challenge hidden within her sweet voice threatens my control. A wave of desire barrels down my spine and pulses in my balls. Liquid fire sears the inside of my shaft. A single drop escapes my tip.
I clamp down on my control, release Karey’s hand, and cup my grandmother’s elbow.
“That would be a shame, Ms. Justice. My grandmother is my world. I’d never survive the guilt,” I say before suggesting we find her a place to sit.
I swear hurt flashes in Karey’s eyes, but the emotion fades so fast I can’t be sure.
Despite my yearning to watch her ass swaying as we walk down the hall, I follow my grandmother’s silent demand and lead us to the small private room on the far side.
An intimate space with two overstuffed couches, two matching cushioned chairs, a fancy coffee table, and a well-stocked drink and snack bar, the break room morphs from a functional space to one of endless delights the moment Karey steps inside.
I want to bend her over every possible surface and explore every glorious inch of her with my hands, mouth, and cock.
God, I’ve never been so aroused before. Never been so obsessed with a woman before. Never wanted anything so desperately before.
Not even when I was first starting my business was I like this. Although I am meticulous and ruthless in business dealings, they do not affect me on such a visceral level.
The drive to prove my worth and make up for my evil deeds drove me into greatness, but the pull toward Karey reaches into my soul and demands action in a way nothing else ever could.
I help my grandmother toward the couch, but she waves me away and takes the closest chair.
Eileen urges Karey in front of her before pulling her down onto the couch beside her. Lust throbs through me as her breasts, hips, and thighs jiggle at the sudden movement.
Fucking lord, her dress is going to send me straight to hell.
I sit on the opposite couch from her, lean back, and prop my ankle on my knee to hide my predicament and give my erection more room.
“I know this isn’t what you expected today, Karey, but Ms. Murphy and I have been friends for decades, so when she finally told me what she was going through, I had to introduce you,” Eileen says.
I quirk a brow, realizing Karey was tricked into this room the same way I was tricked into attending the party. I send an amused glance at my grandmother. Her unapologetic gaze lifts the hairs on my nape.
Karey’s cheerful smile hides any grief she may feel at being duped into this meeting.
“Anything for a friend. How can I help?” she asks.
My grandmother reaches out and takes my hand. After a skeptical moment, I drop my foot to the ground and shift to face toward her.
“I’m sick. Cancer. Doctors say I have about a year. I can’t go knowing my grandson will be alone after I die,” she says with a sternness only a woman who’s led a difficult life can pull off.
For a horrible moment, the world darkens. I cannot lose my grandmother. She is the only reason I’m a free man today.
Understanding rushes through me.
My grandmother demanded I accompany her during her doctor’s appointment a week ago. She wouldn’t let me leave the room until her test results came back.
She’s healthier than any woman her age has a right to be. Her illness is a lie.
A lie to get me married off by the most renowned matchmaker in New York City.
Excitement flows through me.
My grandmother has no idea she released the feral beast trapped within my soul by reintroducing me to Karey.
I morph my confused expression to one of hard determination and place my hand over my grandmother’s.
“She’s right. I’ve put off finding someone for too long. It’s time I marry,” I say.
“Really?”
The uncertain hope in my grandmother’s voice only solidifies my conviction.
“Yes, really. I have only one condition,” I claim.
My grandmother narrows skeptical eyes on my face. I smile, although the expression no doubt appears deranged with the unhinged excitement flowing through me, and turn my attention to Karey.
I’m evil. A curse. The blood flowing through my veins is rotten.
I’ve spent my entire life fighting the demons lurking within my psyche.
None of it matters anymore. With Karey in front of me, there is only one thing I know for certain.
She’s mine. She was always mine, and our time apart only deepened my obsession with her.
“I’m only interested in marrying you, Karey.”
She jerks as though I hit her.
Silence fills the room as she stares at me. Shock, disbelief, betrayal, fury, and hatred flash in her eyes, but underneath it all, a small flicker of longing escapes.
Masculine pride floods my soul, hunger fills my belly, and lust closes a vice around my balls.
She takes a deep breath and buries her true self under a mask I recognize all too well. Soft understanding mingles with unrealistic cheerfulness as she dons her defenses.
Before she even opens her mouth to respond, my hackles rise. Adrenaline buzzes through me and sensitizes every nerve in my body.
I’m going to have fun chasing Karey Justice.
Nothing can save her now.
Nothing.