Yield

26. Max

“Melody! Focus.” She feathers a string in front of Oscar, the tabby cat she found in the dumpster behind her apartment. Shaking her phone, she rolls over, seeming to finally pay attention to me on the other end of the screen.

“He was blinded by love.” Her eyes widen, not believing the words herself.

“Or was he obsessed?” I’m finding I’ll search for any excuse to push Ryke away and instead of battling with it internally, I’ve run to the only friend that has the time to talk. I can only text Amber because she’s at the track and Lauren had an extended shift.

“Would it be that terrible to have a man obsessed with you?”

“What if he becomes controlling?”

“Like in the bedroom?” She tucks her chin with a stupid smile, earning a blank glare.

“Like straight-up psycho, you can’t go to the club without a Freddy mask on.” I wag my finger.

“Haaa!” She squeals. “I can see that kinda being hot. He reserves the mask kink on you.” Her tongue darts out of her mouth and she flicks the tip. “Why are you worried about it?”

Amber’s name lights up, popping into the video chat with a close-up. “What are we talking about?” She greets us.

“Max’s ability to catch ’em all, like Poké balls.”

I’m ecstatic that Melody would compare my attraction to red flags with a child’s series.

“Hold on. I thought it was too loud to take a call,” I scold her.

“I’m in the bathroom. It’s nasty as fuck. You need me, I’m here.” She scrunches up her nose, looking around the stall. I can picture it without a photo reference.

“Ryke’s ex stole a motorcycle when he was seventeen and he took the fall.” I pull my hairband out, sliding it over my wrist, and tease my fingers through the knots left behind.

Amber’s grave tone doesn’t surprise me. “So when Cole is found belly down in the lake, we know who to blame?”

“You’re terrible.” I shake my head.

My phone chirps as Lauren enters the conversation.

“Sorry I’m late. The boys refused to nap and the moment I walked through the door they were no longer happy with their dad.” The bags under her eye excuse her tardiness.

“I don’t know how you do it. One is enough for me.” I adjust my phone, propping it against my open laptop, and pull my hair back up in a mess of a bun.

“Aw, you don’t want anymore?” Melody pouts. “I want at least four.”

With a short, airy laugh from my nose, the words of ridicule hurry out. “You need to keep a boyfriend first.”

“Or get a sperm donor and a sugar daddy.” Amber rolls her eyes.

“You’re in a mood today.” Melody rolls with her phone again.

“Ryke wants six,” I mumble.

“What? You’re talking about having kids?” Amber’s nose shot is unappealing.

“We’re having another.” Lauren’s head falls back to the weaved, tan swivel chair that she relaxes on in the sun.

Amber pulls away from the screen, sharing the ugly green stall with us. “Having another what?”

Lauren sits upright. “I’m pregnant,” she announces.

Oh my gosh! The unison of shock and excitement puts a smile on her tired lips.

“When are you due?” I ask.

“The end of October.” When did they even have time to get it in?

“A little spooky babe. Maybe you’ll have a girl this time,” Melody suggests.

“I thought you were done?” Amber leans back into the camera lens.

“Believe me, I did too.”

“Let me guess, you walked in on him shirtless with riding pants and boots on? Gets me every time.” All three of my friends groan in understanding. I’m picturing Cole, not Timmy, or I’d be grossed out. I haven’t talked much to him or Andy since I left. It sucks. They’re my friends too and I’ve only had a handful of text conversations with them in the past few months. “I miss you guys.”

“Aw, Max. We miss you too. You should have taken us on that beach trip instead of Ryke,” Melody teases.

“What’s going on with Ryke?” Lauren’s sixth sense picks up on her tone.

“Max is looking for reasons to bail.” Melody would throw me under the bus.

“She shouldn’t have got with him in the first place,” Amber sneers.

“He seems like a nice guy.” Lauren’s yawn starts a contagious chain reaction.

“And look what she’s worrying about…him. Did you ever sign up for that self-help class? The one online?“ I stretch my arms above my head, leaning back while Amber plays Mom.

“I’ve been busy.”

“We all know what you’ve been busy doing.” Says the woman petting her pussy on camera. The smart-ass comments I could fire back.

“Come on,” I groan.

“That’s it! You’ve been coming on and on,“ she plays.

“You fucking suck.” I roll my eyes.

“Do I, or do you?”

“Both. Everyone does except Lauren, apparently,” Amber inserts herself.

“Might suck. Doesn’t swallow,” I quip.

My sleepy doe-eyed friend rejoins us from la-la-land, not realizing the depth of our conversation. “Hey.” She dozed off.

I know how to wake her up. “Those riding pants said it was pie-o-clock.”

“Seriously, Max,” Amber begins a lecture, ignoring my dirty remark. It was kinda funny. I thought so anyway. “If you’re unsure about this guy, then pull back.” Oh, she’s talking about Ryke. “Focus on yourself like you wanted to.”

“I know.” I sigh. “Don’t remind me.”

“You needed to be reminded. You need a kick in the ass. I’ll send you the link for that program.”

“I started working out in the morning. I haven’t been able to do that in years. Do I get credit for that?”

Dammit Lauren, stop with the yawning. That chain reaction is convincing me I need to be less productive today. “I wish I had the energy to work out. I could use the endorphins.”

“You got this, Laur. You’re the mom I wish I could be.” I nod, sucking in my lower lip.

“Max, shut up. You’re a great mom. You always put Ri first.”

“Max. Yes. Awesome. But did anyone watch the new season of Outer Banks yet?” Melody with her ADHD interruption the same way she goes through men, but I’m the one being called out.

“Oh yeah! I forgot that dropped this week,” Amber answers.

“Just say JJ and I’m already there, girl. I’m binge-watching it this weekend when Timmy takes the boys to his mom’s.” If she can stay awake.

“I’ve been rewatching Supernatural too.”

“For the plot right, Melody?” Amber sasses.

“Speaking of plot, who wants to send me a new book?” I play innocent.

“I’m about to gift you a subscription so you stop asking to borrow my books.”

“You told me to look into therapy, Amber. Reading is my therapy.” I dip my head to the side and walk to my stack of books on top of my dresser, casually showing them on camera behind me. Eventually, I’ll get an actual bookshelf.

“Your toxic therapy. Girl, those are your red-flag catalogs. But what’s that one on top?” I snicker at Lauren’s approach to agreeing with both Amber and me.

“I’m going to text you every day till you sign up for one of those programs. Bitch, I’ll pay for it if you’re that tight on money.”

It doesn’t have much to do with money or time…It’s the bad taste that was left in my mouth from the many people I was forced to talk to as a teenager. She doesn’t get it. I never confided in her about my hate for it back then. I never talked about it with anyone…except Cole.

“She doesn’t have kids. Take her money.” Lauren points, lining up her finger with Amber’s cube or what appears like an attempt.

“I hear you. I’ll check it out tonight.” I look away, not so sure that I’m telling the truth.

“You better.”

Melody’s outburst of laughter lasts ten seconds before she shares her humorous thought. “Amber’s going to have felony charges too, adult-napping.”

“I could do some adult-napping.” My laugh is reciprocated.

“Me too.”

“Me three.”

“All four of us could handle adult-napping, do adult-napping, be adult-nappers.” Amber smirks.

“I will detain from all the gory parts and stick to the snory parts,” I add.

Sex with Cole has always had a playful element. The way we could laugh and still be turned on by each other was deeply intimate.

Sex with Ryke has a little of that, but it’s pure heat. His dark stares make me feel a rush of adrenaline that erases my identity, free to give in to my desires. Even in this crowded club, his attention is on me…his hands are on me as if I’m the perfect stranger. The most important one.

I wrapped up the live twenty minutes ago and found myself a seat at the bar, requesting a French Kiss shot. Two shots in, I close my eyes, swaying on my stool to Lips by Jxdn. My hair swings side-to-side in my high-set ponytail as the streams of red and blue lights dance over me. A heavy breath reaches my ear, fingers spreading down my thighs, pressing over my pleather pants that I finally found another place to wear. I lean back against his chest, smiling dreamily.

Sex with Cole has always had a playful element. The way we could laugh and still be turned on by each other was deeply intimate.

Sex with Ryke has a little of that, but it’s pure heat. His dark stares make me feel a rush of adrenaline that erases my identity, free to give in to my desires. Even in this crowded club, his attention is on me… his hands are on me as if I’m the perfect stranger.

I wrapped up the live twenty minutes ago and found myself a seat at the bar, requesting a French Kiss shot. Two shots in, I close my eyes, swaying on my stool to Lips by Jxdn. My hair swings side-to-side in my high-set ponytail as the streams of red and blue lights dance over me. A heavy breath reaches my ear, fingers spreading down my thighs, pressing over my pleather pants that I finally found another place to wear. I lean back against his chest, smiling dreamily.

A gasp shoots from my lungs, vocally out of my throat, jolted with the unexpected hand clasping around my throat. His palm cloaks my throat, much like a Greyhound’s martingale collar, but far tighter. Far sexier.

The hard plastic of his mask presses to my cheekbone. “I’ve been looking for you.”

“You found me.”

“Have you been drinking?”

I fight his grip, glancing at the bar. My empty glass still sits in front of me.

“A little,” I murmur.

“No more. I want you to be sober for what I have planned.” He lets go of me and I spin around to face him.

“I’ll do what I want,” I sneer and stick my tongue out at him.

“Not with Rave, peach,” he yells over the noise.

“Oh.” I laugh, wrinkling my nose and squinting. “Is he going to cry?” I’m shocking myself with the level of alcohol induced sass.

Raveturns back to me, grabbing my jaw between his fingers and thumb. “No more alcohol.” He lets go of me and turns to find Tess, getting her attention. “Max is cut off. Serve her again and it’s your job.”

“Seriously, Ry—”

“Hey. That’s not who you’re talking to right now. Look at where you’re at.” He holds his arms open wide, walking backward. “And what’s in front of you.” The mask may hide his face, but a smug smirk undoubtedly accompanied that arrogant head tilt.

“You don’t have to be an asshole,” I yell, leaning into my elbows against the surface of the bar.

“You don’t have to be disobedient,” he calmly fires back.

I turn around after he walks off. “Sorry, Tess. I didn’t mean for you to get dragged into that.” She places a glass under the counter and straightens, tightening the bands that hold her two braids.

“It’s cool. Rave isn’t the owner. And that guy won’t fire me.” She winks.

I lean in, lowering my voice as much as I can. “Does everyone understand his split personality?”

“It’s a living joke that anytime he’s in a bad mood, Rave rage is in the building,” she chuckles.

In realization, I speak out loud. “I’ve never seen him in a bad mood.” I mean, he’s become stern a few times. He knows what he’ll accept and it’s clearly not pressure to do things he’s uncomfortable with. But Ryke is the sweetest man I’ve met.

“Well, I’d stay away from the tequila when he has that mask on if I was you.” She smirks before walking off to serve a patron.

Ryke and I talked about this. He explained what I should expect. We agreed on safety precautions and I picked his brain, yet I still feel like this is fake. It’s some hypothetical fantasy that’s not actually going to happen, like the books I read that I never intend to live out. Is that why I decided to indulge in a shot or two? To get the hell out of my head and have a good time.

Finding my way through the crowd, I get stopped before I make it to the staff-only door.

“Who are you looking for?”

I glance up at the face that the guttural tone came from. His chest is bare besides a short gold chair around his neck. “Hunter. God, I thought you were someone else.”

“It’s not likely that you’ll get picked up by a man in here, love. Not to mention, you’re the boss’s woman. You’re royalty.” He pinches the rim of his hat, spinning it backward. “Nobody fucks with you.” His eyes run down my henley button-down tank top that’s tucked in my black pleather pants.

Hm. “Wouldn’t it be fun to break the rules?” I tease.

He chuckles with a deep vibration. “If you didn’t scream good girl…” He leans in, lowering his voice. “You’re still Ryke’s girl and I’d like to keep my job.”

“It pays well doesn’t it.”

Two shots and I’m as cocky as these men. I need to get out of here. Why would that be a hint of a smart idea? Oh, sure Max. Let’s try to get Ryke or Rave, whoever — let’s try to make him jealous. I do need counseling.

“Rave went to the back. Try to make it there in one piece.” He grins and chews at his lower lip, purposely brushing his shoulder against mine on his way back into the crowd.

A long exhale takes my mix of frustration and stupidity away. Shaking out my shoulders, I walk through the hallway, past the bathroom and breakroom till I reach the small office at the very end. Rave leans against the desk, sitting on the edge of the surface. I follow his sculpted biceps, down his arms to the bulging veins in his hands, and land back on his carbon fiber, bloody mess of a mask. His posture is relaxed, his ankles crossed and somehow all of this is attractive. It’s downright…tantalizing.

“I’ve been waiting for you.” He walks toward me, in my apprehension to leave the doorway. “I don’t like to be kept waiting.” His frame towers over me, a shadow of death.

“Well, um,” I clear my throat. “I’m here.”

His finger takes the hollow under my chin, drawing upward.

“Get on your knees.”

“Right here?” I attempt to look behind me at the open door inches away, but he cups my jaw, pulling me back. The slow tilt of his head makes my heart beat faster. Fast enough that it’s only a matter of breaths till it falls to my stomach.

“Did I stutter?”

I shake my head, turning into a puddle of weak-minded goo. Is it really hot in here or is it me? My pits dampen as I shrink back, drawing my abdomen tight. My shoulders sink slightly forward, my eyes submerged in his disguise.

He steps around me, closing the door.

“Now. Peach.” I do as he asks, or demands, slowly dropping to my stupidly quivering knees. “There you go.” Rave traces my jaw with two fingers, from my ear to my chin. “You look so fucking good it pisses me off.” He squats before me. “Everyone wants you. They can’t have you. You’re mine.” Standing, he lets go of me. “Be a good little slut for me and you’ll be rewarded profoundly.”

“And if I don’t?”

“Sometimes angels deserve to die.”

I shrink back, taken away and completely turned on. My heart beats between my legs. I have the underlying urge to obey him. I want to obey him.

“Are you going to behave or do I have to make you learn?”

“I’m going to behave,” I breathe out.

“Tell me…you’ll be my pretty little toy. You’ll do as I say…when I say.”

“Mhm,” I nod. “I’m yours.”

Scanning his naked chest split by ink, it’s ironically like his personality. Rave, tattooed and demanding. Ryke, simple and understanding. I stop at the button of his jeans where his finger plays, unfastening it before dragging down his zipper. Rave barely pushes them to his thighs when he withdraws his cock, sliding his hand over the smooth skin.

He lets go, holding out his hand. “Spit.” I follow his instructions while my stomach floats with nerves. “That’s my little slut. So fucking eager.”

I don’t know why I like him treating me like this, calling me that name. Degradation is the last thing I’d have considered being into and losing all control…obeying him like his little pet? He made it clear before we came to work tonight…and I said yes. I said it over and over. Now, I’m in shock…and uncontrollably aroused.

“Does it turn you on, watching me stroke it?” His deep laugh rumbles underneath his mask.

“Don’t stop,” I murmur.

“Tsk tsk. You dirty slut, thinking you can tell me what to do. From here on, you can say three words. Yes, no… and Rave.”

“Yes, Rave.” The neediness and the desire to please him and badly I want him to touch me, I’ll play into his kink.

“Follow my instructions.” He continues stroking his cock, down his shaft and twisting halfway up. “First, you’re going to take off your clothes. Every single piece,” he orders with a horse tone. “Then, you’re going to bend over my desk with your hands behind your back. Time starts now. Don’t keep me waiting.”

Where is my heart beating now? In my throat? Definitely in my throat.

I stand up, unbutton, and tug, shredding my clothes as fast as I can with falling over. He stands there like I’m wasting his precious time.

Doing as he says, I bend over the desk. My cheek presses to the glossy wood, one hand behind my back and then the other.

“Oh, you’re such a desperate little slut. Anything for me, right?”

The heaviness of my breaths lift and fall, my breasts pressed to the surface.

He kicks my legs wide and I push to my tiptoes, almost losing balance. He reaches between my legs, dragging his finger down once.

“So fucking eager and wet,” he groans. “I can’t wait to feel you wrapped around me when I push—” Ahh. I tremble as his finger dips inside of me. “—into this pretty pussy, just like this.”

He pumps slowly in and out before towering over my body. His solid erection presses to my ass and his weight above me makes my breathing shorter, holding in oxygen as long as I can before I try to draw in another breath. His hand takes my throat, sliding in from the side. I don’t lift my cheek, fingers forcefully gripping my jaw. His two fingers drag across my chin till the tips find my bottom lip.

Oh my god.

Goosebumps cover my arms and run across my legs, while my insides heat.

He tugs at the supple skin, plays at it, and pushes his fingers in my mouth. I open my knees wide, my bare toes pressing against the floor so hard that my calves start to burn.

“That’s it, my pretty little toy.” He backs away, chuckling. “Fucking sluts. They’ll do anything I say.”

What? Plural? Wait, this is the show. The character. Shit, don’t lose the momentum. Lose it? Who am I kidding? I couldn’t stop if I wanted to.

His hand slams against my left ass cheek. I jolt forward, trying not to hold my breath. He rubs it gently and soon as I regain control, he slaps me a second time and pinches my skin within his grip. The head of his dick presses to my pussy. I suck in my breath again, pushing my ass up.

“Entertain me. I wanna hear you.” He slowly thrusts and my hands fall to the desk, leaving my back. “Hands back.” He grabs my wrists, each of his hands clasped around them, using my arms like reigns, tugging me back with every tiny thrust that allows him further inside. “Fuuck,” he moans, relentlessly. The sound of my arousal only seems to make him fuck me harder. He’s not hitting the spot that feels amazing, yet it drives me wild listening to him. I’m the reason he’s moaning and groaning and oh, yes. “Ry—” I gasp.

Rave lets go of my arms, slamming my hands down in front of me. He grabs my hips, lifting them and sliding them back down. “Keep going for me.” I follow the same rhythm, copying his movement. “Yeah, like that. Dirty baby girl, you know what I want.”

I keep balance, spreading my arms in front of me, and rocking back into him while his hands explore my body.

“Bounce on that cock for me.”

Ohh. Mm. Right…right there. Controlling placement and tempo is working to my benefit.

His wide palm covers my pelvis as he slides a finger to my clit. “Bounce. Fucking don’t stop.” He lets go of me and slaps my ass. The sting of his open hand undoubtedly left a mark. “Fuck, yes. Make me cum. Come on, come on, be my little slut. Give me what I want. You dirty girl, I know you want to obey me. You want to make me cum inside that tight little pussy.”

His mouth is filthy and fitting. Every nasty word he says to me, I want more. Drawing forward, I slide back slowly, attempting to get a rise out of him. I look back with devilish eyes.

“Tsk, tsk. Don’t make me fill that sweet mouth of yours.” He slams my hips back and slaps my ass. “You’re mine to do with what I please. Tonight, that’s make you my little cum dumpster.”

Oh my god! He didn’t! He called me…oh god, he’s so fucking hot.

I pull forward and slow down, circling my hips.

He grabs my hair in his fist, jerking me back. “If you keep trying to use me, you’re going to regret it.” His chest rises against my back, his sweat coating my body. “I’m not here for your pleasure. You understand?” An unsaid battle of power exists in our closeness. A firm hand presses between my shoulder blades, locking me in place. He tilts his head, staring at my smooshed face though his suddenly alarming mask. “Do you understand?” I struggle against his grib, eventually nodding. And then breaks. I break.

“That’s my slut.” His fingers comb through my hair, a moment of softness. And as quickly as it appeared, it’s gone. He pushes my chest to the desk, leaning onto me. The hard plastic of his mask digs into the base of my neck. “You’re going to make me cum and I’m going to let you.”

He grabs my hips, thrusting through heavy breaths.

“That’s right. A pretty little thing like you knows how to behave. That’s it. That’s it.” His breath cuts out, suddenly reappearing in exhaustion against my back. The warm liquid catches my thigh as his dick pulses inside me. “You get to live, angel. Now come for me.”

He presses his thumb to my clit, pushing deeper into me as if he could possibly stretch me more. I’d rather he use it elsewhere.

“I know you want it. I’m letting you have it. Fucking take it. Take it from me.”

His fingers lace around my thigh, lifting it wide, up onto the desk. Rave drags low, even motions, taking me farther. I’m at the edge, teetering between if I should let my body give in or hold onto this riff of anticipation. My body twitches, jerking beneath me and I fight it, holding it back, making him work for me. “Not so eager now? I can stop?”

“Noo.” The single moan sets off a string of cries as my body betrays me.

“It feels so fucking good, doesn’t it, baby? Grip that pussy tight around my dick and milk it for all it’s worth. Don’t fall off the ride. Fucking hold it.”

The orgasm cripples my body, tearing through my entire core. The intense pleasure is one I haven’t felt in a while.

“Enough. Breathe.”

My breaths begin to slow.

“Next time don’t fight it.”

“Fuck you,” I spit, finally telling him off for calling me all of those names.

“Oh, no cuddles?” He chuckles and pulls out. I look back at him, following him with my eyes. He walks to the trash can, and rolls a condom off, tossing it before he tucks his dick away. I swear it felt like he didn’t have that on. The warmth dripping down my leg…that was my own? “I have a party to get back to. Get dressed. I expect to see you in three minutes at the bar.”

I can’t lift my head, yet stand and he’s going to leave me like this?

“Who am I going to see?” I mumble.

“Rave is done playing for the night, peach.”

He left me. He really just left? Fuck Rave. He’s a goddamn asshole. That was… so hot, yet it felt wrong. I muster the energy to kneel to the floor. I crawl to my clothes and shut the door he left hanging open.

Thanks for leaving it open while my spread legs are still splayed over your desk. I hold my clothes in my lap, unwilling to get off the floor. It felt dirty, and I liked it. Would Cole have treated like that if I asked?

Why is Cole in my head? Not now. It doesn’t matter what he would do.