Beg For Me: Chapter 19

Carter’s lasagna blows my socks off. We eat at the kitchen island instead of in his formal dining room, shoulder to shoulder, talking nonstop.

He doesn’t let me help him clean up. Insisting I relax with my wine, he takes care of everything while I watch him, trying to stay in the moment and not get lost deep in thought.

The more time we spend together, the more I like him. And the more I worry about where this might end up.

Probably with my heart broken into a million pieces.

Things that seem too good to be true inevitably are.

When he’s finished putting everything away and wiping down the counters, he opens another bottle of wine. We go out to the backyard where the sun is setting, casting the trees and grass in a golden glow. He lights the gas fireplace with a flick of a switch, and we sit on the sofa opposite it, our bare feet propped up on a low, rustic wood table.

Staring into the flames, he murmurs, “Thank you for being here.”

“I’m glad I came. But you don’t always have to thank me.”

“Yes, I do. I want you to know how much it means to me.”

I glance at him. In profile, he’s a study in masculine beauty, that rugged jaw and straight nose and sculpted lips that were made for kissing.

“Did you ever model?”

Startled by the question, he chuckles and drags a hand through his hair. “My father would’ve disowned me. Why, do you think I could?”

“God, yes. You’re a total Zoolander.”

He closes his eyes and laughs softly. “Thanks?”

I take his hand, twining my fingers through his. “It’s a compliment.”

“Except for the part about how dumb he was in that movie.”

“You know I’m not saying I think you’re dumb. I actually think you’re one of those people that others don’t take seriously because they’re too pretty. It’s hard to look past your dazzling face to see all the genius behind it.”

After a pause when I realize he’s not saying anything, I glance at him again. He’s staring at me in silent contemplation, his brows drawn together. His blue eyes are troubled.

“What is it?”

“You think I’m a genius?”

Because he seems so affected, I try to inject a little humor into the situation. “Well, you like me, so you’re obviously very bright.”

He doesn’t smile.

“I’m sorry. I’m only teasing you.”

“No, it’s just…you always have something flattering to say.” He turns his head and gazes into the fire. “I wasn’t expecting for you to be impressed with me.”

I give his fingers a reassuring squeeze. “If you weren’t impressive, I wouldn’t be. But you are, so I am.”

He glances over at me and smiles shyly. “It was the Japanese that did the trick, isn’t it?”

“Among other things. I mean, your lasagna alone could make a girl lose her mind, but you’re also well-read, quick-witted, and funny as hell.” I smile. “And let’s not forget about that magnificent dick of yours.”

He looks bashfully down at our mingled fingers. “You’re spoiling me.”

“You deserve it.”

“Now I know why you were suspicious when I was paying you too many compliments. I feel like the minute I fall asleep, you’ll ransack the house, looking for trade secrets.”

I deadpan, “You got me. I’m only here on the orders of my board.”

“What do you think Hartman would say if he knew what we just did?”

I think about my boss discovering that I’m dating a McCord, his hated business rivals. “He wouldn’t say anything because his head would’ve exploded the moment he found out.”

“From what I’ve heard about him, he’s a ginormous prick. And not the good kind.”

I chuckle. “I’d comment on that, except for the NDA I signed when I was hired.”

“You should take that guy’s job. You’d be a way better CEO than he is.”

The thought makes me shudder. “I have no interest in a public-facing position. I’m much too private for that.”

“Callum is obsessively private, to the point you’d think he works for the CIA. But he’s a great CEO. The two things aren’t mutually exclusive.”

“I suppose not. But McCord Media isn’t a publicly-traded company. At TriCast, we have to answer to our stockholders above all else. And those people are bloodthirsty.”

“You could handle it. You’re a lioness.”

“Thank you for that vote of confidence, but I’m happy where I am. For the time being.”

He looks interested. “You thinking of making a move?”

“I’m always thinking of making a move. If there’s a better-paying job with better benefits and more opportunity out there, I’ll take it.”

“TriCast isn’t paying you well?”

I quirk my lips and stare at him. “Why do I get the feeling you already know how much they’re paying me?”

“Because I do. I took a look at your SEC filings. You should ask for a raise, by the way.”

“I just did. And I think it’s only fair that I know what you make since you know what I make.”

He adopts an innocent expression. “But our company isn’t publicly traded.”

When I narrow my eyes at him, he laughs and relents. Then he names a number so large, I think he’s joking.

“Don’t make that screwy face. It isn’t that much money.”

“Sure, to a billionaire, it’s peanuts. To the rest of us common folk, it’s what we politely call a shit ton.”

“I should’ve fibbed.”

“No, I’m glad I know. By the way, you’re paying for dinner from now on.”

He laughs. “Ah, her ladyship got over her pride pretty quickly, didn’t she?”

“Hey, I still clip coupons when I shop for groceries. I’ve got a kid I need to put through college.”

I can’t tell if that disturbed expression he’s wearing is because of the mention of coupons or my kid, until he says, “Is your ex not giving you anything?”

“Child support, yes. I’m just frugal.”

“He doesn’t pay you alimony?”

“I wouldn’t take it. Why do you look so surprised?”

“You were married for twenty years. You have a child together. He should be taking care of you.”

I look down at my wine, dark as dried blood. “There are a lot of strings attached when Nick gives someone money. He’d feel very entitled to my time, my space, my everything. I’ve seen how he is with the musicians he signs. I didn’t want him feeling proprietary over me in any way after the divorce.”

Carter winds his arm around my shoulders and pulls me closer to his side. He takes a thoughtful sip of wine, then pronounces flatly, “I’m really starting to dislike that guy.”

“You make it sound like you’re plotting where you’re going to hide his body.”

“Oh, it wouldn’t be me. I have staff for that.”

“Very funny.”

He sends me a sidelong glance, smiles, then takes another sip of wine.

We stare into the fire for a while, until he says suddenly, “Degradation.”

“Pardon?”

“Do you think you’d be into that? Me calling you names during sex.”

“I don’t know. Give me an example.”

“Like if I said you were my dirty little cum slut while you had my dick in your mouth.”

I consider it, then start to laugh. “Honestly, that could go either way. I might love it, or you might end up with a black eye. Would you like it?”

“That’s a hard no for me.”

“You like it better when I praise you.” We share a glance and a smile. “But you do enjoy being bossed around.”

He shrugs. “I like it from you. It feels natural.” His gaze turns smoldering. “I think we’ll both like it when the tables are turned too. The stable boy has all kinds of plans for her ladyship’s pretty wet cunt.”

Those words are so carnal, they make my pulse zigzag and my stomach drop.

Watching my face, Carter says, “Dirty talk’s on your Bingo card, hmm?”

“Evidently.” I fan my face, laughing. “Wow.”

He leans over and whispers into my ear, “I want to eat that sweet wet cunt of yours until you’re begging me to give you my stiff cock. Then I’m gonna hold you down and fuck you hard while I suck on those lush tits.”

My nipples tighten. My insides clench. Goose bumps form up and down both my arms. Marveling at them, I lift an arm and show him.

He chuckles. “Winner, winner, chicken dinner. Cheers to dirty talk.”

We clink our wineglasses together.

“And to you holding me down. I like that idea too.”

“Yeah?”

“Oh yeah. Big yeah. I may have done an involuntary Kegel.”

He growls, “God, I can’t wait to feel your pussy clench around my dick when I’m fucking you.”

“Okay, wow.”

“What?”

“My ears are burning, and I’m starting to sweat. You’re killing me here. And maybe I’ll be the one fucking you.”

He nuzzles my neck, then sucks gently on my earlobe. His breath hot against my skin, he whispers, “Yeah? You gonna wear a strap-on and fuck my ass, baby?”

If I were wearing a heart monitor, it would say I’m having a heart attack. The poor thing beats so fast and hard, it’s painful. The thought of violating him like that is both revolting and exciting. I can’t imagine myself ever doing something like that, and yet…

I can.

Vividly.

Fortunately, I don’t have to answer the question, because Carter takes my mouth and kisses me hungrily.

Aroused and breathless, I arch into him, wishing I didn’t have the wineglass in my hand because I want to run my greedy little hands all over his body.

“What about toys?” he asks, breaking away for a moment to nuzzle my neck again. “Vibrators? Dildos? Cock rings? Harnesses? Anal beads? Nipple jewelry? ”

“Dear God, I’m dating a sex encyclopedia.”

“Oh come on, I know you at least have a vibrator. You told me so. How big is it? What color is it? Does it have a name?”

“A name?”

“Yeah. A girl I used to date named her vibrator Mr. Big.”

“That’s what my ex used to call his dick. I never told him he was vastly overreaching.”

We gaze at each other for a moment, then we start laughing. I drop my head back and laugh with my eyes closed until tears stream from the corners of my eyes and my stomach aches.

Carter takes my wineglass from my hand and sets it on the wood table, along with his. He turns back to me, takes my face in his hands, and plants a big kiss on my mouth.

“Well, your grace, this has been a whole lot of fun. But it’s time for dessert.” His eyes darken. His smile is wicked. “And you’re it.”

He stands, pulls me to my feet, then bends over and grabs me by the waist. Before I understand what’s happening, I’m upside down over his shoulder and he’s walking back toward the house.

“Carter! Put me down!”

“No can do, your ladyship. I’m bringing you upstairs to bed. I’ve got plans for this fine highborn ass of yours.”

He slaps my behind smartly, making me yelp in surprise. Then he puts his hand under my skirt and fondles my thighs while he carries me through the living room and up the stairs to the second story. I catch upside-down glimpses of rooms as we pass by them, hoping I’m not spraining any of Carter’s muscles with my weight.

But he manages it beautifully, swaggering down the hallway as if he’s carrying the buck he just shot in the forest back to his mountain cabin to be prepped for supper.

The description is appropriate, as I have no doubt I’m about to be devoured.

We enter the main bedroom. He takes me over to the four-poster bed and sets me right side up, steadying me when I wobble. I have only a moment to glance around and admire the décor before he pushes me onto my back on the bed and kneels over me, his knees at my hips. He takes my wrists in his hands and presses them over my head so I’m captive.

Staring down into my eyes, he says softly, “You said the other night you didn’t want to have sex yet. I took that to mean penetration was off the table, but we could have fun in all the other ways. Does that still stand?” His voice drops to a throaty growl. “Or do you want me to fuck you, baby, nice and dirty like you need it?”

My heart racing, I stare up at him with wide eyes, surprised how much I like him calling me baby and also incredibly turned on.

“When you say dirty…”

“Rough.”

My breath catches. Carter watches me with the eyes of a predator, his lips curving up at the corners.

“Not so rough you’ll hurt me, though.”

“There’s a fine line. You might want me to hurt you. You might beg me to.”

“No. I’m not into pain.”

“You enjoyed dispensing it, though, didn’t you?”

I have to admit I definitely did, though I don’t say it aloud. What I did to him downstairs excited me as much as it excited him. Just thinking about it now is getting me wet again.

Holding both my wrists in one hand and keeping eye contact, he reaches down and squeezes my breast through my shirt and bra. It’s not a gentle squeeze, but it’s not unbearable either. He pinches his fingers together and pulls roughly on my nipple until it’s taut and aching for his mouth.

Because he’s watching my expression so closely, he can tell.

“And you like that too, don’t you?”

“Yes, I do. But—”

He kisses me, crushing our mouths together and driving his tongue between my lips as he continues to squeeze my breast and pinch my nipple.

He’s not being gentle at all. I shouldn’t enjoy it, but I do. A strange sort of feeling is overtaking me, one I’m not familiar with.

If I didn’t know better, I’d say it’s euphoria.

He breaks the kiss to bite my neck. He shoves his big hand between my legs and pulls aside my panties. Then he thrusts a finger deep inside me.

“Your pussy’s already drenched, baby. How soaked will you get when I hold you down by the neck and pound into you from behind? How loud will you moan when I force you to take every inch of my dick in any hole I want? How much will you love it when I use you for my own pleasure, like you used me?”

When I say I almost pass out from excitement, I’m not exaggerating.

I squirm underneath him, rocking my hips against his hand, panting like I’ve run a quarter-mile sprint.

“Tell me what you want.”

“Your mouth,” I say, gasping. “Your fingers and your mouth.”

“That’s my sweet little slut. Good girl.”

Feeling crazed, I laugh, but it turns to a groan when Carter positions himself between my thighs, pulls my panties down, and shoves his face between my legs. He latches onto my clitoris and sucks until I’m moaning brokenly, digging my heels into the mattress to get better leverage as I rock frantically against his mouth.

He thrusts two fingers inside me and works them in and out until I’m arched off the bed, my eyes closed and my body on fire, my hands dug deep into his hair.

“God—I need to come!”

“Come before I say you can, you worthless whore, and I’ll punish you.”

Breathing hard, I fall still, then raise my head and look at him. “Good news. We just found my limit to the degradation.”

“Whore’s off the table?”

“Off the table for good. So’s worthless.”

“But slut is okay?”

“As long as you preface it with something flattering like sweet or pretty. I guess I like my humiliation with a cherry on top.”

Chin wet and lips glistening, Carter grins up at me from between my spread thighs. “You’re the most perfect woman I’ve ever met.”

“Shut up and make me come, stable boy.”

He presses his mouth back to my throbbing sex and obliges.