CHAPTER SIXTEEN
brOOKLYN
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Reaching the door of my apartment, I shake my head, smiling at the beautiful orchid sitting on the floor.
“You staying in tonight?” Decker asks me.
He’s done such a good job this week. I barely know he’s there. “I am. Thanks for being so discrete. You are good at your job.”
He smirks. “Cool. Have a nice night. I better head home to the wife.”
“Have a good night,” I say, thinking how lucky she is.
He’s extremely hot despite his tough edges. Then again, he’s a US Marine, so he’s not exactly going to be a teddy bear.
When he leaves, I pluck out the note and unlock my door. It’s starting to look like a florist in here. I put the plant down beside the white roses...and the yellow ones.
I open the note and start reading.
How do you feel about kidnapping? Friday is too far away.
From anyone else, that might be a little scary, but Travis has a dark sense of humor. If I were open to dating, I think I might have fallen in love with him already. The flowers, the romantic dates, the banter, and blistering glances that promise things he most definitely can follow through on.
His body. Whew!
Even his style and swagger. Because he does have swagger, and I felt those buns—they are delicious. And it goes without saying, the chemistry between us is dizzying.
Sometimes I find myself drifting off into a dreamlike state, almost forgetting to breathe. Then I suck in air, shuddering at the lust that blasts through me.
That’s without Travis even being in the room.
Spending a whole weekend with him is going to be thrilling, sensual, and exciting.
What it won’t be is boring.
I just need to keep my mind focused on this being the last time we spend together and remind myself it’s not a relationship and neither of us wants that.
That I should use this time to talk to him about Terrance Taylor and find out what else he can tell me. With prodding, people can remember all kinds of things.
Especially in light of the fact that Scott and I have been unable to find anything about Terrance since he was a young boy.
It’s very strange.
Sure, some celebrity kids lock their private lives down pretty tight, but this is like the kid—now an adult—fell off the edge of the earth.
“Do you think he changed his name?” Milly asked. “A few of them do that.”
“Look into it.” I told Scott tonight as I left the office. “If this intel is right, he might be estranged from his father.”
“That makes sense.” Scott nodded and headed back to his office.
My instinct says Travis knows more. So, while the sexy billionaire and I spend a debaucherous weekend together, I intend to gather as many details as I can from him.
Hey, I’m a journalist—it’s what we do. I’m not going to just accept the breadcrumbs he dropped.
Surely he’s expecting that.
Luna rubs up against my leg and then stretches up, treating me like a tree.
“Hello, baby girl. Hungry?”
Meow.
“I’ll take that as a yes. Now, remember Aunt Katie from next door is taking care of you this weekend. She’ll give you a brush, turn on the TV during the day, and feed you.”
Meow, meow.
“I thought the same thing. Glad we’re in agreement,” I say, pouring food in her bowl, giving her a smooch, and then leaving her to chow down.
With the note still in my hand, I climb onto one of the bar stools and read the rest of it.
Itinerary and wardrobe instructions: Picking you up Friday after work, pack your passport and for the cold, but bring your bikini. T x
Well, that’s damn confusing. I pull my phone out of my purse and call him.
“Hello, sweetheart,” Travis rasps. The sound of his gravelly voice glides through me and percolates at my sex. I wriggle on the stool, glad that he can’t see me.
“You could’ve just messaged.” I tell him. “You don’t need to keep buying me flowers.”
“I like sending you flowers. What’s the problem? Don’t you want people knowing you’re fucking me?”
I choke on my next breath.
Cough, cough, cough.
“Christ. Travis. No, I don’t want people knowing about my sex life, and I’m sure neither of us wants to be connected with one other. The media would spin it in ways that harm both of us.”
He’s a billionaire, and I’m a controversial podcaster right now. They’d have a field day, making something out of nothing.
He lets out a low growl.
Despite my frustration, that growl permeates my barriers, and I swear my panties are wet from simply the sound of his voice.
“Fuck the media.”
I frown.
“Is everything okay?” I ask, surprised by the grouchiness in his tone.
“Are you alone?”
My brows fly up my forehead. “No, I have a guy in my bed, and he’s licking my pussy while I’m reading your note and talking to you.”
“You better be fucking joking right now, Brooklyn.”
“Wow.” I drop the note and spin on the stool looking out at my empty apartment. “I never picked you for the jealous type.”
“I don’t get jealous,” he says darkly, and something in me knows the unspoken I get even is right on the tip of his tongue. “Put me on FaceTime.”
Hell, no.
I look terrible after a long day at work. There is no way I’m letting Travis see me like this. I caught up with Detective Ward, a contact from my New York Times days, regarding Leo Taylor and have only just got home.
“I’m not having phone sex with you. I just wanted clarity about the weekend. Where are we going that I’ll need warm clothes and a bikini?”
“Mostly you won’t need any clothes.”
“Travis, I swear to god.”
“I’m not telling you, Brook. Pack a dress, warm clothing, and all your sexy lingerie.”
Christ.
These men have no idea what it takes to put together outfits and look sexy. All they need is a pair of jeans or shorts and a couple of shirts. Add a jacket if cold.
“So not a tropical island.”
“No.”
“Are we flying?” I ask, guessing the passport means we’re leaving the country.
“Yes.”
“Ugh. I’m not a spontaneous person.”
“I told you on Monday. This is hardly spontaneous.” He laughs.
I roll my eyes and pat Luna, who walks along the kitchen counter, shoving her fluffy tail in my face, purring as loud as an engine.
“Now, go undress, lie on your bed, and turn on the camera.” Travis demands.
God, I want to. I want to see his face, those gorgeous steel eyes, and revel in the addictive lust I only feel around him. It’s like no other man exists for me right now.
I huff, feeling overwhelmed by the power he has over me. It’s scary...but I want it. While also not wanting it.
It’s better if I say no. Men like Travis need to hear no.
“I have work to do.”
He goes quiet.
Then I hear a knock at the door.
“I have to g—”
“Open the door,” Travis growls, and you have never seen a woman move so fast off a barstool in your life. I rip open the door as he stands there, lowering his phone from his ear.
My mouth falls open and nipples harden as a rush of invisible, powerful testosterone blasts me.
Travis slams the door behind him and stands before me with his nostrils flaring.
Oh, fuck.
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TRAVIS
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TWO STEPS AND Brook is in my arms, my mouth smashing down on hers.
Fuck, I need this.
Her body submits to me, turning to jelly as her arms loop around my neck. I force inside her mouth, her lips parting eagerly as she responds. Hunger plows through me as I take her tongue and consume her like a starving man.
Seeing her with that man brought out something inside me I can’t explain. No one, and I mean no one, touches her while she’s mine.
She’s mine.
I found the first fucking parking spot available then strode the next three blocks to Brook’s apartment building. That she phoned when I was one block away was a coincidence.
Lifting her ass, I carry her to the kitchen and place her on the counter. Our mouths separate and with eyes fully dilated, lust greets me.
“Don’t speak,” I tell her, sliding my hand under her dress and tugging off her panties.
“I—”
“Talk and I’ll stop.” I spread her legs wider as my eyes graze over her body.
Brook presses her lips together, obeying me as her nipples harden and press against the cream fabric.
Buttons.
That’s coming the fuck off.
I grab the collar of her dress and yank it open.
“Oh, my god!” she cries as her breasts come free.
I feel like a fucking caveman and don’t care. The sight before me is carnal, and if I weren’t hard before, I would be now.
Her dress hangs open, no panties, and her bra is being tested by her hard fucking nipples. I yank one of the cups off, exposing her breast.
When our gazes lock, I lower my mouth and push her back as I lick the hard flesh.
“I don’t like being told no.” I growl, and she moans, shuddering under my touch. “Good girl. No talking.” My hand snakes between us. “Fucking Jesus, you’re wet.”
I dive my face between her legs and give her one long lick, then clamp onto her clit.
“Oh, shit!” she cries.
Like a madman, I flick my tongue over the swollen, hard nub and slide two fingers inside her.
If she’s even thinking about fucking another man after tonight, she’ll be totally destroyed. For the rest of her life, she’ll remember my mouth inside her cunt and crave the pleasure only I can give her.
I tug her ass farther to the edge, and she lowers onto her elbows. Reaching for her exposed breasts, I fondle and flick, while sucking her pussy and finger fucking her eagerly.
Mine.
This body is mine. Until I tell her she is free to be with anyone else, her orgasms belong to me.
Brook’s guttural needy moans fill the apartment, telling me she’s close. I free one hand, unzip, and let my hard, thick cock fall out.
Shuddering and arching, Brook is getting close to climax. I close my mouth around her flesh, sucking harder, using my tongue to drive her over the edge.
“Fuck, shit, oh god.”
“If you want to come, sweetheart, you better be quiet.” I smile darkly against her dripping wet cunt. She’s a mess, and I bury my face deeper into it. Then I slide a finger farther down and tease her ass.
Her hips fly off the counter, pressing into my mouth, and she explodes.
I give her five more seconds, then stand, press the fat head of my cock at her entrance and slam inside her.
Leaning over her tiny body, I grab her face. “Feel that? Feel my enormous cock, Brook?”
“Yes,” she gasps, looking dizzy.
“That’s my cock inside you,” I say darkly, my hand sliding around her neck. “No one else goes in here. Just me. You got that.”
Her eyes widen.
Slam.
I pull back, thrust inside again. Over and over. Deeper. My body aching from the pure need to dominate and possess this woman.
“Travis.”
“You want me to stop?”
“No!”
“You want someone else’s cock?” I pull right back, almost letting my head pop out.
“No!” she cries, clawing at my arms.
Slam.
I hit her wall, pumping in faster now.
“Good. Because for now , you belong to me.”
Grabbing a breast, I press my thumb harshly against her nipple and throw my head back, letting my orgasm blast through me. Filling her with my seed and staking a claim I have no right to make and every intention of giving back.
Once I’m done.
I’m just not sure when that will be.
Perhaps I’m not Lancelot. Maybe I want to be the fucking king.
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BOOKLYN
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I SIT UP in bed after Travis leaves and tuck my arms around my knees. He carried me here. Laid us down and slid back inside me. It was slower, but no less passionate.
I don’t know what’s going on with him, but the possession almost knocked the air out of my lungs. While also making me come the hardest I ever have in my life.
His hand on my neck...
Jesus.
I didn’t know I liked it like this.
Because for now, you belong to me.
What brought this on?
After he came a second time, we lay kissing for a few minutes, then, running his finger over my asshole, he said, “This weekend I’m going in here.”
“You are not . I’m a virgin there.”
“Good.”
“No.”
“You heard what I said, your body belongs to me.” He smirked, a darkness on his lips warning he wasn’t joking.
“Pretty sure that’s illegal.” I taunted him.
“Probably.” Travis kissed my lips firmly, then climbed out of bed and began dressing, leaving the but I don’t care left unsaid.
Like a Scottish Highlander, he’s planted his flag in me and staked his claim. Something had happened, and I’m not sure what.
You want someone else’s cock?
What happened to not getting serious?
“Travis? I don’t want to mislead you.” I sat up on my elbows.
Once dressed, he came around the side of the bed, pulled the sheet down to expose my breast and pinched a nipple. As I drew in a breath, his eyes held mine.
“Don’t mistake possession for love, Brook. But I won’t share your pussy. Make sure you understand that.”
Then he pushed me back on the bed, kissed the life out of me, and left.
God, I’m a fool.
It’s almost laughable I was concerned he would want to date. Travis Warner is a predator. He’s been circling me, playing, and taking his pleasure. When he’s done, I’ll be a carcass lying on the ground in pieces.
He doesn’t want me, he wants my body.
I should walk away.
I should cancel the weekend.
I don’t know if I’m strong enough to pretend I don’t feel anything for the gorgeous billionaire.
Lying back down, my hand slides between my legs, cupping my swollen sex as I close my eyes.
I’m not going to cancel.
I lie and tell myself it’s for the story, but it’s not. It’s so I can have a whole weekend with him before we both walk away. Because I’m almost certain of one thing: Travis will lose interest in me very soon.
The past dictates the future, and this man has never been involved with anyone.
In the meantime, I need to honor those who have trusted me with their confidence and stop Leo Taylor getting his potentially unworthy star on the Walk of Fame.