Page 8 of Relinquish

I shudder and twist my head toward his. He dips down, and his teeth scrape across my bottom lip, making my clit twitch. As if someone else has possessed my body, my hands leave the smooth surface of the wall and settle on his chest.

The rapid and erratic beating of his heart mirrors mine. Heat radiates off his body, scorching me. God, I shouldn’t want this. But fuck if I’m shoving him away. I can remember later that I don’t like controlling men.

He drags me into his arms, claiming my mouth. I moan, and his tongue lunges past the seam of my lips. His body is hard angles and taut with irritation. Seconds later, the harshness of his embrace melts away until I can’t tell the difference between where I end and he begins.

***

Cade

I run my hands down Lola’s spine toward the swell of her backside. It’s as soft and ripe as I’d fantasized. God, she drives me crazy. Her soft belly cradles my erection, and she shudders against me.

What am I doing? This is a mistake. I only sleep with women who submit. I don’t get turned on by women who fight back. Or get involved with women I work with. This is stupid. Reckless. Two things I never do.

Stop. Get control of yourself. Walk away. Fucking run. Unfortunately, my mouth doesn’t understand the commands my brain is sending. There’s no stopping my lips as they trail along her jawline, tasting her exquisite skin.

When Truman said Lola wanted to do fieldwork, I’d snapped. She’s in over her head, and I can’t believe he’s putting her life in danger. I’d slammed out of his office with one thought, to convince her she’s making a mistake. I trace my tongue over the pulse point of her neck.

And this is your plan?

My head throbs as if someone hit me upside the temple with a 2x4. Stop before someone figures out the elevator is stuck between floors and calls maintenance. The only thing worse than forcing myself on her is having a witness. Her hands thread through my hair, tugging on the strands, and my cock jerks. God, I’ve never wanted anything more than I do her. No matter how stupid it is.

I yank the tail of her shirt out of the waistline of her skirt. When my fingers caress her sides, I suck down on the flesh of her neck. She feels like molten lava under my tongue. I crave….

Fuck. I can’t do this.

Control. You’re never out of control. I straighten, and my chest heaves as I try to catch my breath. The silkiness of her skin calls to me like a siren’s song, which is nothing compared to the puffiness of her lips or the lust in her eyes.

“I’m sorry. That was out of line. I was trying to show you how easy it is for someone to get the upper hand, and I let things get out of control.” Control is right. I lost mine and ended up making a colossal ass out of myself.

The razer edge of her palm strikes down at the base of my neck, causing my arm to drop to my side.

Before I can comprehend what she’s doing, she stomps on the top of my foot. “This is what I would do if some quote, unquote, gentlemen pushed me into a corner.” Her eyes blaze with a mixture of anger and desire.

I swallow before I repeat the whole scene again. I’ve never wanted to rip someone’s clothes off and fuck them blind like I do her. I never lose control. She’s dangerous, but not how I anticipated.

Her knee brushes my balls, and I stiffen. That’s one way to lose an erection. The woman has skills. I could get out of the situation in seconds, but not without causing her injury. Or finding out that she could kick my ass. No wonder she had Jeremy down in the street.

I step back, and she drops her foot to the ground while straightening her skirt. “I have a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and I’m trained in Kyushu Jutsu. While I appreciate your concern, I can take care of myself.” She stomps to the elevator panel and slams her hand on the ‘Stop’ button.

“I shouldn’t have tried to intimidate you.” I raise my hands up with my palms outward. “I’m not going to deny you have talent, but this is a bad idea. People with money and political clout are dangerous.”

“You think I don’t know that? I’ve been around these people my entire life. They’ll do whatever it takes to keep on top, whether it’s lying, cheating, stealing, or worse. Having that kind of power and using it for unlawful activity must be stopped.” The elevator door slides open. “This conversation is done. From now on, I would recommend you keep your hands and your opinions to yourself.”

I run my hand through my hair as I watch her sashay down the hallway, looking as regal as ever. She’s only half right. I can’t be near her. Whenever I’m around her, all rational thought flies out the window.

Chapter Six

Lola

As I wait for my order, my mouth waters. Deep-fried anything smells delicious. And Callahan’s Bar is an expert at fried food, gyrating bodies, and good-looking men. Whether it’s football players from the professional team or bikers, they’re here and making women want to drop their panties.

While I wait for the grilled chicken tortilla roll-up to arrive, I salivate over the greasy mozzarella sticks, breaded mushrooms, and buffalo wings that the men at the next table are wolfing down. Why do women have to watch every calorie?

Rachel Truman, my boss’s niece, twirls around on the barstool. “I’m so glad you decided to move out here. Didn’t I tell you there were some sexy men here in the Midwest? You needed to get away from those stuffy snobs out there on the East Coast.”

“I was due for a change of scenery, that’s for sure.” Flashes of Cade and I making out in the elevator flood my memory, and I snap the door closed on the vision. It was reckless and something I’ll never do again. No matter how much I want to.

“Especially that last guy you were dating. If you aren’t careful, your father will have you married off to a man who hasn’t worked a day in his life.” Rachel frowns.

---