: Chapter 8

Something happened while I was gone. I don’t know what, and I should definitely ask, but when Raven looks at me with desire in her eyes, my trademark logic and judgment take a backseat to lust.

Leading Raven through the crowded ballroom, I can’t ignore the burning little ember of her hand in mine. She doesn’t ask where we’re going, trusting that I know where we can be alone. And I do.

I’ve been waiting all fucking night for this, and the feel of her hand in mine only fuels me to get her to a private room faster. On the elevator, I nearly jam the button for the tenth floor. She doesn’t say a word, but her chest rises and falls with heated anticipation, and I have to grit my teeth to stop from taking her right here.

The chime dings our arrival on the requested floor and the elevator doors open. The sound of her heels on the tile as we walk down the deserted hallway sends sparks through me, and by the time we get to an empty conference room, I’m as hard as a rock and in desperate need of this woman. Her green eyes darken as she steps past me and allows me to quietly close the door behind us. It doesn’t lock, but no one followed us here and I’m certain there will be enough privacy for what we need right now. So long as she’s quiet.

The conference room is dominated by a long table that’s at just the right height for what we have in mind, and there’s a small amount of ambient light from the moon shining through the blinds and the tiny, dim LEDs around the perimeter of the room that make the fire in her eyes plain to see.

My pulse quickens, and I’m eager, far too eager to finally have her how I’ve wanted from the moment I first saw her. She has bewitched me with not only her beauty, but her poise and intelligence.

I close the distance between us, and she meets me halfway, confidently pushing my jacket back. My needy girl. I let it fall from my shoulders, tossing it to the table behind me in favor of touching her.

Without a word, she leans in. Her kiss is breathtaking, her lips warm and inviting, and the pressure of her soft, yielding curves beneath my palms stokes the fire inside me to a blazing inferno.

A gentle moan passes over her lips into the heated air between us, and I want to do anything to elicit that sound again and again. I chase it to her mouth, then along her jawline to the sensitive spot beneath her ear. She tilts her head, allowing me further access, but I slip my fingers to her chin, angling her even more. I want all of her, want to claim every inch and mark her with my touch. She braces herself with her palms on my chest, letting me overwhelm us both with growing need.

I return to her mouth, kissing her deeply. She tastes of champagne, and it only adds to the intoxicating hold she has on me. I want more, now.

Not breaking our kiss, I lead her to the table until she’s caught between myself and the hardwood. With one hand gripping her hip to keep her where I want her, the other reaches up her neck to the nape of her hair, gathering a fistful and tugging gently.

As her back bows and I work my way down her neck and across her collarbone with open mouthed kisses, she moans yet again, this time with my name slipping through her lips, which are already swollen from our passion.

She’s gorgeous and eager and everything I need right now. Best of all, she gives it back just as much. She’s not shy, knowing what she wants.

As we kiss, Raven’s hands move down my back, tugging my shirt out of my pants and deftly working at the buttons as I push her dress up higher, my fingers finding first, the silken softness of her stockings, and then, the warm, smooth skin of her thigh above them. I nip at her neck at the same time I grip her ass firmly beneath her dress, and she gasps for me.

I can feel myself losing control, my body taking over as the passion between us rises into an all-consuming fire. Finally, I pull back, my chest heaving as Raven looks at me. The moment is heavy with intensity.

I know what I want.

And looking into Raven’s emerald eyes, I know what she wants.

“Say it.” It’s my one demand.

“Fuck me, Dylan,” she whispers hotly, her breasts already trembling with shaky breath. “Please.”

I don’t know what changed for her. I’m not sure I care. I never claimed to be a good man, and while I’m utterly gone for Raven in this moment, deep in my psyche, there’s a tiny hint of triumph that my plan is coming to fruition so perfectly.

Fuck Evan Faulkner.

Reaching for my neck, I loosen my tie before finishing the work of undoing the buttons on my shirt as Raven reaches behind her. She pulls the zipper on her dress down, the sound filling the room, and then the fabric falls at her ankles.

“Fuck me,” I utter reverently.

I knew that she would be remarkable, but as my gaze roams her body in the dim light… she’s perfect. Her curves are cradled in sexy satin lingerie, her full breasts lifted temptingly in her strapless bra, the flare of her hip highlighted by the hug of her garter belt, and the V at her core barely covered in panties that make my cock strain against the fabric of my pants.

“You knew what you were doing when you chose this,” I comment in a murmur as I let my fingers slip along the edge of her bra, barely teasing at her skin. A blush sweeps across her chest and flushes up her cheeks as she only nods in response.

Without another word, I pull my shirt off before lifting Raven onto the long table, her legs parting to make space for me to stand between her thighs. She more than meets me, her touch sending tingles through my skin as I stroke her body, memorizing every curve as we continue to kiss. Cupping her ass, I squeeze hard, and she moans, liking the rough caress. I pull her against me sharply, pressing my hardened cock in my pants against her satin covered mound, and her soft, whimpering moan tells me that this is just the beginning of what promises to be a much-needed release for us both.

I kiss down her neck, leaving open-mouth kisses down her silky soft skin until I reach the tops of her breasts. With a smirk, I catch the top fabric with my teeth and tug it down, freeing her breast down to her hardened nipple, which begs for my lips and teeth.

“Yes,” Raven hisses as I suck hard on her breast. Once again, her back arches, and I fucking love it. The bold purity of her responsiveness is addictive.

This might be a revenge fuck. For me, and for her. I’m under no illusion that it’s anything but that. But maybe even because it’s a one-time thing, I feel compelled to ensure that we both enjoy every damn minute of it.

I want to touch, taste, and feel every inch of her body all at once. I’ve got five senses, and every single one of them wants to be overwhelmed by the woman before me.

I let myself be guided by her hands, her voice, and in the way she squirms, presenting her body to me, begging for the release that I can bring her, but I take my time, drawing out her pleasure.

I’m rough with purpose, listening and paying attention to her every hitched breath and needy moan. When her soft cries go from pleasure to a gasp on the edge of pain, I pull back, soothing the abused nipple with gentle kisses and long licks, sucking and licking and bringing her to the edge of her release each and every time.

“Please,” she moans. “I need you.”

Finally, I guide her to lie back, her hair fanning out beneath her in a dark halo. I slip her panties down her legs and over the heels she’s still wearing. I run my palms up her thighs, spreading them wide and humming deeply as I feel her soft lips part for my fingertips.

“So fucking wet for me,” I groan and love how her bottom lip drops open on a sigh of relief as I strum her clit. She’s at my mercy and so fucking close.

I watch, almost amused as Raven writhes, her hips lifting to meet my touch. Her nipples are red and raw from my mouth, and I’m pretty sure there will be a mark on her right breast tomorrow. The idea of leaving that reminder of our passion excites me.

She says my name again, pleading with me for more, and that’s my undoing.

I give in to her, slipping my fingers over her clit faster and watching with anticipation as her head falls back and her thighs tremble. “Good girl,” I murmur, although I’m not sure she even hears me over her heavy breathing and soft cries of pleasure.

I pause a moment to reach into my pocket at the last moment. Pulling out the condom, I rush to undo my belt, drop my slacks, and free my cock. I rip open the packet and prepare myself quickly, not wanting to hold back any further.

Just as the high of her release seems to dim, I pull her to the edge of the table and slam inside her in a swift, brutal stroke.

I still inside her, buried to the hilt, and give her time to adjust. She’s fucking heaven.

Her pussy is soft, warm, wet, tight… everything I could imagine. Her body tightens as her back arches on the table, and I take the moment to pluck her nipple once more. She wraps her legs around my waist, pulling me deeper, and I have to grab her hips, my fingers digging into her flesh to hold myself back from selfishly taking her before she’s ready.

When her body relaxes, I give her exactly what she wants. What we both want.

I fuck her deeply until my hips smack into her upturned ass and the backs of her thighs, thrusting in and out of her rough and recklessly.

Raven gives it back to me, though, locking her ankles behind my back and pulling me in, crying out in deep, lustful moans as I fuck her mercilessly. Her body shakes with every stroke, and time loses all meaning.

All that exists is her black hair, spread out on the table, her flushed skin beneath my palms, and her full breasts which jostle with every stroke. My pulse roars in my ears as I use my grip on her waist to pull her onto my cock, pounding her harder and making her back arch up off the table until she comes on my cock, her mouth dropping open in a gorgeous ‘O’ that should be etched in artwork. It’s so perfect that I unconsciously memorize it for my own later enjoyment.

As soon as her wave passes, I thrust hard again, chasing my own climax. My strokes are brutal and dominating as she gives me strangled cries of pleasure. I should cover her mouth so no one hears us. It’d be the smart thing to do, but I’m barely in control as I ravage her body, feeling her throb and tighten around me, and a primal part of me wants everyone to hear her shouting my name.

Pulling out, I step back and turn her over on the table, not giving her a chance to put her feet on the ground before I slam my cock balls deep into her once again.

Unbidden, I fist a handful of her dark hair at the nape of her neck, pulling her tight to me. “Like this, darling?” I growl as I fuck her deep and hard. “This is what you want?”

“Yes! More! Harder!” she begs, and I give it to her, pumping in and out so forcefully that her ass quickly turns pink from my hips smacking against her flesh. In seconds, we’re both on the cusp, and with a groan buried deep in my chest, I plunge over the edge, coming deep and hard. Raven’s there with me, and together, we ride the crest together, falling apart in the intense wave of our release.

When it passes, I pull back reluctantly. Slowly, she pushes away from the table, and both of us look silently at the streaks of sweat and sex that mar the surface. We should probably wipe that evidence away, but I won’t. I rather like that they’re there, proof of what just happened.

The moment is over, but it was everything I wanted it to be and more.

The sight of her is etched into my memory forever. Fucking gorgeous. Her hair is tousled from my hands and from writhing on the table, her lips are plump from my kisses with no trace of her lipstick remaining, and her skin is flushed. And I was right, her nipple is still reddened and stiff, a memory for her as well.

She murmurs a sound I can’t place as she covers herself and then looks away to find her dress.

It’s at my feet, so I grab it for her. I don’t miss that she doesn’t look me in the eyes as she takes it from me.

Awkwardness spreads between us, and I wish we were in my office… or penthouse. Anywhere but here.

I step away to the credenza at the side of the room, disposing of the condom in the trash there before pulling my slacks back up. I pick up a few napkins for us to clean up, and when I turn back around, she’s silently righted her bra and is holding her panties. I take those from her with a dark look, slipping them into my pocket, and hand her the napkins.

Still catching my breath, I debate on what to tell her as she avoids my gaze. How fucking good she was. How beautiful she looks. But then it dawns on me, from the forlorn expression on her face, that her thoughts are either of regret or of Evan.

It was a revenge fuck, after all. We both knew that, so I’m not hurt by her second thoughts. But I wasn’t expecting it to be… as amazing as it was. Clearing my throat, I swallow thickly and wait for her to be ready enough to leave.

Finally, her eyes meet mine, and she blushes as a smirk turns her lips up.

It soothes me in a way that’s unexpected. There’s a moment, a flicker of time, where the easiness of earlier returns, and I’m thankful it’s still there beneath the awkwardness.

She plucks a tissue from the table and wets it on the tip of her tongue before wiping my lips and cheek. “Red’s not your color.” Her hushed tone does something to me. The sweetness in the gesture. Fuck, I want her again.

“I do prefer the color on you,” I admit. “It matches your blush.” I capture her hand and kiss her fingertips. I don’t know why. Our ‘arrangement’ has been concluded. But I don’t want to let go. Her hand stills, and for a moment, both of us freeze.

“We should go,” she whispers, her gaze flicking to the door behind me, and I nod.

This was supposed to be a business arrangement. It was supposed to be a fun physical activity, a ‘revenge fuck’ for Raven and me to both get back at Evan for the wrongdoing he committed against us. But as we leave the conference room behind us, I keep her hand in mine as I lead the way down the hall to the elevator.

I’m about to push the call button when the elevator dings and the doors open before us. Bronson Faulkner emerges with a couple of his cronies, clearly ready for a nightcap. He’s the younger of the Faulkner brothers and more importantly, he’s Evan’s father.

“So I—” Bronson says before the entire group stops, staring. In the silence, Bronson’s eyes go to me, then to the clearly still-disheveled Raven, and to our hands, which are clasped together.

I stare back boldly, daring him to say a single word. Bronson finally gives me a short nod that I return before he leads his buddies away, leaving Raven and me in the empty hallway. “Holy… fuck,” Raven whispers, her face going pale. “Was that…?”

“Yes,” I reply, letting go of her hand to push her into the elevator.

That certainly wasn’t a good look. I don’t care for myself. I can handle any consequences Bronson or Evan dish out. But Raven? I calculate the number of contacts she made tonight who simply won’t return her call once word gets around that I fucked her in the conference room at the charity event. A relationship of sorts is one thing, public sex inside Faulkner’s own kingdom quite another.

And word will definitely spread. Evan will make sure of that because it paints both Raven and me in a poor light, and he would take delight in that for sure.

My body turns tense, and I hope she doesn’t know. For her sake, I give her a semblance of a smile and kiss her knuckles once more.

Downstairs, the event has wrapped up and people are milling about the hotel lobby, waiting for their chauffeurs and cars to come to the front, and Raven excuses herself to the restroom. While I wait for her, Ollie, of all people, emerges from down the hallway, looking surprised to see me.

“Dylan,” Ollie says, extending a hand again. “Where’s your guest, Raven, was it?”

“Touching up her makeup,” I reply. “The restroom is always crowded as everyone heads out.”

“How true,” Ollie agrees.

“Care for a drink with us?” I offer him, hoping to keep Raven a bit longer tonight and possibly undo any damage caused.

“No, no… I think I’ve had enough for one night, and my driver’s waiting for me,” Ollie says, pointing toward the door.

“Next time, then.”

Ollie claps me on the shoulder, making his exit, and I turn to search the hall where the restroom is for Raven. But I don’t see her. How long is that line?

Finally, my phone pings.

Decided to take a cab home. Safer that way. Thank you for tonight.

I stare at the message, more hurt than I should be. She took a cab and left?

Frustration and disappointment course through me as I go to the valet, who calls for my car to come around. “Did you see a young lady in red come by here?”

“Yes sir,” the valet says. “She grabbed a taxi just a few minutes ago.”

Fuck.

Vince arrives, and I climb into my backseat, telling him, “Home, please.”

Thankfully, he doesn’t ask any questions even though I catch him watching in the rearview with the questions obviously there. As we pull away into late night traffic, I stare at her text, not understanding how this woman is making me feel like this. Like I just fucked up and lost her.