Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
marlowe
I t’s my first day of grad school and I’m bursting with excitement.
My only class that day is a three-hour lecture in the UTA Building, located two blocks from the main campus. I get there twenty minutes early and claim a seat in the front row of the empty classroom.
With time to spare, I take out my laptop and set it on the table. When my phone’s musical ringtone trills from my purse, I rummage around until I find it. My good mood bursts like a pricked bubble when I see Mom on the screen.
I could ignore her call, which I’ve been doing for the past two weeks. But she’s my mother so I can’t avoid her forever.
I take a deep breath, mentally bracing myself before hitting the answer button. “Hey, Mom.”
“Well, look who finally answered her phone,” she says with exaggerated shock.
I suppress a sigh. “Sorry. I’ve been busy.”
“Not too busy to take your sister’s calls. You talk to her every day.”
“Not every day,” I argue.
“Close enough. Anyway, she told me you started school today.”
“Yes, I’m actually in class right?—”
“Excellent. Make sure you take good notes and meet regularly with your advisor. Grad school is a great deal more challenging than undergrad. It’s very important to get off to a good start.”
“Thanks for the advice,” I murmur as two laughing students walk through the door.
“I was planning to send you some new clothes for school, but since you couldn’t be bothered to take my calls . . .” She deliberately trails off, her reprimand hanging in the air before she says, “I hope you’re dressed appropriately for class. Grad school is a job, and you should always dress for the job you want.”
I look down at my white cap-sleeve shirt, khaki shorts and flat sandals. Though far from slovenly, the outfit would never pass my mother’s stringent standards, and I take some perverse satisfaction in that.
“Anyway,” she continues more cheerfully, “how are you getting along with your new boss?”
“Um, fine.”
“I hope he’s pleased with the quality of your work.”
“I think so,” I say, trying not to blush at the wicked turn of my thoughts. “I haven’t heard any complaints.”
Mom titters. “That’s my girl.”
Really? Since when?
“My friends and colleagues are so impressed that my daughter works for the Gunner Ransom,” Mom gushes.
I can’t help smirking. “Did you tell them I’m his housekeeper?”
“Of course. Why would I leave out that detail?”
Because you’ve always disparaged my lowly cleaning jobs? Because you’re ashamed of me?
As more students file into the classroom, Mom sighs airily. “I’m thinking about flying down there for a?—”
“What?” I squeak, alarm shooting through me. “You want to come here? To Texas?”
“Well, yes. I thought it would be nice to see where you live and spend a few days together.”
“Um . . .” I glance across the room as the professor strides through the door. “I have to go, Mom. Class is starting.”
“All right. But what do you think?—”
“We’ll talk later.” I hang up on her and stuff my phone back into my purse.
Dread knots my stomach at the thought of hanging out with my mother, shopping together, going for lattes, getting a manicure, pretending that everything is normal between us. I’d rather be trapped inside a medieval torture chamber.
Of course, she has no interest in spending time with me. The only reason she wants to visit is because I work for a billionaire. I don’t know what she plans to do or what she hopes to accomplish by meeting Gunner. But I have no intention of giving her a chance to embarrass me, which she most definitely would.
“Welcome to Intro to Information Resources and Services,” the professor announces, drawing my attention to the front of the room. He introduces himself, shares a bit of his background and cracks a witty joke that draws laughter from the class.
Feeling some of my good mood return, I shove thoughts of my mother aside and focus on what I came here for.
i get home from class that evening to find Gunner stretched out on my couch with Sansa curled up on his chest, both fast asleep.
The sight of them melts my heart into a puddle, and I’m pretty sure my ovaries explode.
I set my backpack down, pull out my phone and quietly snap a picture of the sleeping pair. Then I tiptoe across the room and squat beside the couch to stroke Sansa’s soft fur. I smile when she starts purring.
“I know he’s irresistible, but he’s mine,” I whisper to her. “Get your own man.”
She flicks her tail as if to say Fuck off .
Stifling a laugh, I look up to find Gunner staring at me from under his thick lashes. My stomach flutters like crazy. “You’re awake.”
“Hmm.” His eyes are heavy lidded, a lazy smile curving his lips. “How was your first day of class?”
“Awesome. The lecture was a bit long but highly informative. I have a ton of reading to do.” I grin at him. “I see you and Sansa are getting along. That didn’t take any time at all.”
He glances down at the drowsing cat on his chest. “She must’ve made herself comfortable after I dozed off.”
“Because she likes you.” I grin knowingly. “And you like her, too.”
He grunts. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
“Seriously? Just look at you two all cuddled up and taking a nap together. You’ve clearly bonded.”
“Maybe.” He strokes a hand down Sansa’s back and she purrs louder than I’ve ever heard her.
I snort with feigned disgust. “Putty in your hands. Literally.”
The corner of his mouth kicks up in an ironic smile. “My mother’s cat hates my guts, and the feeling is mutual.”
“I’m really sorry to hear that.”
“Don’t be. I’m not shedding any tears.” He runs a finger down the side of my face, leaving a trail of goose bumps.
I bite my lower lip, smiling at him. “Sansa’s a good judge of character. Plus she can tell that I trust you, which lets her know she can, too.”
Gunner’s expression turns serious. “Do you?”
“Do I what?”
“Trust me.”
I stare at him, my breathing suddenly shallow. “Should I?”
He goes quiet, his eyes boring into me with an intensity that makes my belly clench.
Please say I can trust you , I silently beg. Please promise you won’t hurt me.
His lips part. “I think?—”
“Sansa,” Mrs. Calder calls from downstairs, “dinner’s ready!”
Sansa leaps off Gunner’s chest and races out the door so fast that we burst out laughing.
Mrs. Calder has been spoiling my cat all week, feeding her fresh meals made from raw meat and fish, cooked grains and vegetables. Sansa has never eaten so good, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
As Gunner brushes an escaping strand of hair away from my face, I smile into his beautiful eyes. “Have you had dinner?”
“No. I was waiting for you.” His thumb strokes my cheekbone. “We can eat together while you tell me all about your first day of grad school.”
“Okay.” Smiling harder, I rise from the floor and hold out my hand to him.
Instead of taking it, he sits up and hauls me down to his lap, bringing our bodies flush together. My nipples peak beneath my bra and tingles race to my core.
As his big hands slide under my bottom, I circle my arms around his neck and cuddle into him. He’s wearing a dark gray Henley that clings to his broad shoulders and muscular chest. His skin is warm beneath the soft cotton, and I like the rough scrape of his jeans against the insides of my thighs.
“I just realized something,” I say, surprised. “You’re not wearing a suit today.”
“Mmm,” he murmurs, his breath brushing over the delicate skin behind my ear. “Your powers of observation are impressive.”
I laugh. “I’m serious.”
“So am I.” He catches my sensitive earlobe in his teeth, making me shiver and close my eyes.
“Everyone must’ve been shocked when you showed up to work in jeans,” I tease. “They probably thought you’d been invaded by an alien.”
“Probably.” He nips my jaw.
Smiling, I bury my face in his neck and inhale his yummy scent, savoring the soft rasp of his beard stubble against my skin. “So why aren’t you wearing a suit today, Mr. CEO?”
“Does it matter?” He spears his hand into my hair, his fingers sifting through the strands.
I lift my head to give him a smug grin. “It’s because I teased you that day in your office, isn’t it? I made fun of you for wearing suits every day. I got inside your head.”
“Oh, you have. No doubt about that.” He palms the back of my head and presses his lips to mine in a slow, drugging kiss that leaves my panties sticking damply to my folds.
“Ready for dinner?” he murmurs against my lips.
I nod, too breathless to speak.
“I told Gustav to serve us in my room. We’re going to dine on the balcony, share a bottle of wine and watch the sunset. When we’re done, I’m going to carry you to the shower and fuck your brains out.” His eyes gleam at my whimper before he rumbles on, “From the shower we’ll move to the bed. I’m going to make love to you, Marlowe, until you’re too damn exhausted to even think about sneaking back to your room.”
“But Mrs. Calder?—”
“Wasn’t born yesterday. If you think she doesn’t know about us, you’re fooling yourself.” He bites my bottom lip and soothes the sting with his tongue, getting my panties wetter. “Any more questions?”
I shake my head.
“Good girl.” He smacks my ass. “Now let’s go eat. I’m starving.”
after dinner we linger on the balcony, lost in light conversation and a savory red wine. The summer night is sticky and warm, the moon hanging low over the lake.
I end up on Gunner’s lap at some point, probably around the time he pours me a third glass of wine.
“Are you trying to get me drunk?” I tease.
“Now why would I do that,” he murmurs, “when there are so many things I want to do to you tonight?”
My thighs clench at his words. I’m sitting sideways across his lap, barefoot, my arms wrapped around his neck. Our faces are close enough that we’re breathing each other’s air, our heartbeats practically synced.
Taking my chin between his thumb and forefinger, Gunner gently brushes his mouth over mine.
My heart pounds, my belly breaking into wild flutters. Gazing into my eyes, he traces the seam of my lips with his tongue, causing my whole body to quiver against him.
He makes a hungry sound, a dark hum I feel low in my stomach. Then he opens my mouth with his lips, his tongue sliding in. The wine-scented heat of his mouth is downright intoxicating. I breathe his name, wondering if his kisses will always reduce my body to a mindless puddle of want.
He palms my face, his tongue tasting my mouth in hot, luscious strokes. I whimper with pleasure and writhe in his lap, trying to quench the pulsing ache between my legs.
A guttural noise rumbles from his throat, his hand moving down to squeeze my hip and my thigh. His dick is impossibly hard beneath my bottom, making me moan as he grinds himself against me. The friction has my clit throbbing and pulse rioting until I’m panting into our kiss.
“Fuck, Marlowe.” He stands up, lifting me with him and shifting my body so that my legs wrap around his hips. His hardness presses into the seam of my shorts, and I can’t help rubbing against him.
He groans thickly and bites my bottom lip, plunging one hand into my hair while the other grips my ass, grinding us together.
Moaning into his mouth, I run my hands over his shoulders, enjoying the flex of hard muscle beneath his shirt. His fingers tighten in my hair, tugging my head back as his lips trail along my jaw and neck, tasting my skin. Then he returns to my mouth, taking it like he wants to devour me right there.
Trembling with need, I rake my fingers through his hair, fisting thick handfuls to bring him even closer as I suck his lower lip.
With a raspy groan, he swings me around and strides across the balcony to deposit me on the wide lounger. I stare up at him, breathless and dizzy, my panties so wet they’re plastered to my skin.
“Don’t move.” He goes inside and comes back out with a tube of lube, his night-dark eyes glittering with intent.
My mouth runs dry as I watch him set the lube on a table beside me. Then he cups my jaw, his thumb brushing over my bottom lip.
“Gunner—”
“Take off your clothes.” His voice is like silk over steel.
Shivers dance down my spine to pool in my belly. I begin undressing, peeling off my shorts and cotton panties and playfully tossing both at his face.
He catches them midair, never taking his eyes off me as I pull my shirt off and unhook my strapless bra. It falls away, freeing my breasts with a bounce.
Gunner is silent, his hooded eyes smoldering in the moonlight.
I push my hair into a messy tousle and give him a coy smile. “Your turn.”
He strips his shirt off. Shoves his jeans and boxer briefs down his legs. Then he stands before me, gloriously naked, his cock bobbing toward my face.
I swallow hard, my pussy heating with arousal. “Maybe we should take this inside,” I whisper.
“Why?”
“We’re out in the open.” I gesture around the large balcony and toward the lake. “Someone might see us.”
“Who? We’re on private property and there’s not another house for miles.” His eyes gleam wolfishly. “Even if someone did see us, something tells me you’d enjoy it.”
I bite my lip, cheeks flushing. “I’m not an exhibitionist.”
“You didn’t think you enjoyed being spanked or denied orgasms, but here we are.” He winks at me. “Don’t knock it till you try it.”
My clit twitches at his words. He’s right, of course. He’s broadening my horizons in ways I never dreamed or imagined. If any man can unleash my inner exhibitionist, he can.
Licking my lips, I hitch my chin toward the lube. “I don’t need that. Not with you.”
“You will tonight.” He fists his cock, giving it a long slow stroke.
I stare at him, my pulse going berserk. “What?—”
“I’m going to fuck your tight little ass, Marlowe,” he rumbles, dark and seductive. “You’re going to take every inch of me like a good girl, and you’re going to come so hard you’ll forget your own fucking name.”
His filthy words set off an avalanche of need inside me, potent and hot and thrilling. I’ve never had anal sex before. I’ve always been curious about it, but I’ve never met a guy I wanted to try it with. Until now.
“Get on all fours.”
I obey without hesitation, pulse racing with excitement as he moves behind me and cups my dewy pussy in his hand. I groan and close my eyes, my hips swiveling as he slowly rubs my clit, the little bundle of nerves knotting tight.
Dropping to his haunches, he smears lube over my asshole and rims me with blunt fingers. With each expert swirl, he presses deeper and deeper into my puckered opening, and I moan as everything inside me clenches painfully.
He murmurs something I can’t make out. Then he pushes his finger all the way in to his knuckle.
A soft cry stutters out of me, the virgin muscles fluttering around him.
“Perfect,” he rumbles. “You’re almost ready.”
His slick digit stirs in my ass, circling and stretching me while the rough pad of his thumb rubs my needy clit. As spasms of raw pleasure roll through me, I moan his name and squeeze my thighs together.
He spanks my right ass cheek, wordlessly commanding me to spread my legs for him so he can have access again. I obey at once, shivering under the searing heat of his palm. When he drags his tongue down the crack of my ass, I quiver all over, biting into the lounge cushion to muffle my loud moan.
His answering growl thrums in the sultry air around us, his breath fanning over my skin and raising goose bumps. He licks my crease a few more times, the lewd carnality of the gesture coaxing wetness from my pussy, which he spreads over my puckered hole.
Surging to his feet, he squirts more lube down the crack of my ass, parting my cheeks. I moan and roll my hips back, watching over my shoulder as he pours some gel into his hand and lubes up his hard cock.
He then takes me by the shoulders and turns my body toward the end of the lounger. I’m on my hands and knees, my ass lifted high as he kneels behind me with one foot on the floor, his other leg up on the chair.
I tremble as he spreads my cheeks with his hands and presses the head of his cock against my tight opening. My clit pinches and my stomach quivers with anticipation. Anticipation mingled with more than a little fear.
Grasping me by my hips, Gunner slides the first thick inch of his dick inside me, pushing past the puckered ring of muscle.
My breath explodes from my lungs. “Oh God.”
“Press back against me,” he orders roughly.
I do as I’m told, gasping as he buries his cock deeper. My entire body convulses, pleasure mixing with the sharper sting of pain. He’s stretching me impossibly and it hurts like hell but also feels good. How can both be true?
Gunner pauses, his big cock throbbing in my sensitive canal as he grits out, “You all right?”
“Yes,” I gasp, arching my back to push into him.
His animalistic growl makes my skin sizzle and my pussy spasm. When I peer back at him, his eyes are hooded and his jaw is set in a brutally tight line. Meeting my gaze, he brings his hand down on my ass cheek in a stinging slap.
I cry out in shock, clenching so tightly around him that he hisses before spanking me again.
I moan deliriously, my legs quaking as he begins moving inside me. His hard cock glides out and then in again, lubricating me with my streaming juices. Tears fill my eyes, pain and pleasure mingling in an unbearable storm of sensation.
He reaches between my spread thighs, tracing lazy circles around my clit to distract me from the discomfort. As my puckered hole loosens up more, he groans approvingly, “That’s it, angel. Open up for me. Take me as deep as you can.”
I whimper as he leans down and takes possession of my mouth the way he’s possessing my virgin ass, spearing his tongue in and out in tandem with his thrusts. The combined sensations are so intense that I have to break the kiss to gasp for breath, turning my head away to rest my cheek against the lounge chair.
I can feel his muscled thighs straining against the backs of mine, each slap of his hips sending ripples over my heated flesh and making my ass jiggle.
“Yes,” I keen, throwing back my head. “Oh, my God, yes!”
“You feel so fucking good, Marlowe,” he growls fiercely. “Your body was made for me. You know that, don’t you? You can never belong to anyone else.”
“Never,” I gasp, agreeing wholeheartedly.
He moves faster, fucking me harder. I moan incoherently and lower my upper body, sinking from my hands to my elbows. He keeps one hand on my hip and brings the other around to squeeze my achy breast as he pummels my ass, forcing me to take each powerful slam of his cock.
I’ve never experienced anything like this before. It’s too good. Too raw. Too much.
“That’s it,” he rasps, now gripping my ass cheeks hard enough to leave handprints. “That’s it, baby, fuck me back.”
I groan his name, pussy throbbing and toes curling. When I look over my shoulder at him, his skin is sweaty and glistening in the moonlight, pecs bulging, abs contracting, his possessive gaze locked on mine.
“My dirty fucking girl. I knew you’d love it. I knew you’d love having my cock up your ass.” He wraps my hair around his fist and tugs until my back arches like a bow. “You take my cock so good, sweet girl. I’m gonna come so hard in your hot little hole.”
I bite my lip hard, trying not to scream. Just because his household employees know we’re involved doesn’t mean I want them to hear us having no-holds-barred sex.
“Don’t get quiet on me,” Gunner scolds darkly. “Tell me how you’re feeling. Tell me what you need.”
“More,” I pant, breathless. “Give me more.”
“Such a greedy little girl.” He plows into me over and over, his hips slapping loudly against my ass. I sob with pleasure, slamming my hips back into his, desperate for an orgasm that’s just out of reach.
“Fucking hell, kitten.”
The night air is filled with our gasps and groans, the pounding of skin against skin, the steady creak of the lounge chair. Sweat trickles between my breasts, drips from my nipples and runs in rivulets down to my fluttering pussy.
“Gunner . . . oh please . . . oh God.” I arch my back, crying out his name, begging for release.
He groans his pleasure. “Almost there, angel. So fucking close.”
My breath escapes on a whine as he pounds deeper into me, his balls smacking my clit with every long stroke of his thick hard length. I thrust back against him as he reaches between my legs and strums my swollen clit, then slides two fingers inside my creamy pussy, possessing me every which way he can.
“Come for me, Marlowe,” he commands in a raspy voice. “Let me feel your tight little ass squeeze my cock when you lose control.”
I let out a throaty choking sob as the dam finally breaks, my thighs shaking so hard it rocks my whole body.
“That’s it, angel,” Gunner croons, his thumb working my clit.
I throw back my head, my climax forcing a scream from my tight throat.
“That’s right, baby, scream for me. Scream my name so everyone will know exactly who you belong to.”
“ Gunner, ” I wail, trembling violently from the strength and ferocity of my orgasm. The first one is still tearing through my body when another hits me out of nowhere. I sob loud and long, tears of ecstasy streaming down my face.
Gunner growls and shudders against me, hips bucking in a wild fury. Then he thunders out an animal groan, pumping his hot seed into my asshole. With his fingers buried in my pussy and his cock in my ass, he comes and comes until I’m full to the brim and his balls are drained.
We collapse together on the lounger, his heavy body sprawling on top of me. We’re both panting hard, the smell of sweat and raw sex permeating the humid night.
Gunner kisses my shoulder, his chest vibrating against my back as he rumbles, “I was rough with you.”
“Is that an apology?”
“Do you want one?”
“Did you hear me complaining?”
“No.” He smiles against my skin. “You’re phenomenal.”
His praise makes me bloom like a hothouse flower. “You’re not too bad yourself, Mr. Ransom.”
We stay in that position until he softens and pulls slowly out of me. A hot gush of semen trickles down between my thighs until I’m lying in a puddle.
“Holy shit,” I breathe. “That’s a lot of jizz.”
His husky laugh caresses my shoulder as he palms one cheek of my ass and squeezes gently. Then he stretches out next to me on the lounger and tucks me into his side. I close my eyes, a drowsy smile curving my lips.
I don’t know how long we lay there under the moon. I’m boneless, sex drunk. I doze off and wake to him picking me up like a bride, my slick naked skin sliding against his.
“Where’re we going?” I mumble dazedly.
“I’m going to give you a warm bath,” he murmurs against my temple. “It was your first time and you were such a good girl. You deserve some TLC.”