Page 76 of Takedown

“Fine. Take the damn bed. I’ll sleep out here.” I hop off the couch and run to the bedroom before the words are fully out of his mouth. He doesn’t follow, and I miss having his big body to cuddle with. Most nights, I end up lying right on top of him before falling asleep. As hard as his body is, he’s so comfortable to sleep on.

It’s still relatively early, barely ten o’clock, and instead of being wrapped around my husband, I’m alone on the massive bed. I don’t know how long it takes me to fall asleep, but I know I watch television until my eyes become heavy.

When I wake up hours later, my legs are spread open and I feel something between them. Warm lips and a hot tongue on my clit. I reach down and feel thick, soft hair beneath my fingertips. He spreads my legs wider and kisses the inside of my thighs. Hot, wet, opened mouthed kisses. He bites the sensitive flesh softly and I let out a moan. Two fingers slide inside my wet pussy, and I bite my lip at the sensation.

“Adam,” I moan.

“That’s right, love. Say your husband’s name.” I couldn’t say his name again even if I wanted to. His tongue swirls around my entrance right before he bites softly on my clit, and I groan loudly. It doesn’t take long for me to come on his mouth. I can feel my juices oozing out. His wet lips finally leave my pussy and kiss the inside of each thigh.

My heart is racing while I come down to earth. Adam’s still between my legs, but when he starts to climb on top of me, I put a foot on his chest, stopping him. I purposely spread my legs wider, and he moans at the sight. He rubs the back of his knuckles along my pussy lips and pushes my leg off his chest. I can see how hard his dick is. It hits my thigh, and it’s like a piece of steel.

“Uh-uh. I don’t think so. Couch.” He falls back on his naked ass and looks at me as if I’m speaking a foreign language.

“You’re going to leave me like this?” He points at his hard cock, and I admit, it’s huge and looking straight at me. It wouldn’t take him long to explode, either inside of me or in my mouth. I do my best not to look like I’m ready to pounce in the next five seconds. I start to bite my lip, but I stop and stare at the ceiling instead. “After you just came on my mouth?”

“Thanks for that. I’ll really be able to sleep now. And remember your rule, Adam. The only thing that makes that dick come is me.” I lean back on my elbows and look into his face. There’s a sheen of sweat on his forehead despite the cool temperatures. “These hands.” I raise both hands to make my point. “This mouth and tongue.” I slowly run my tongue over my lower lip, and he groans. “This pussy.” I open my legs just wide enough for him to see. “And this ass.” I lay on my side and run a hand down my hip and to the curve of my ass. “None of which you’re getting tonight.” I cover myself with the comforter, shielding my naked body from his greedy eyes. He stands, and his dick sticks straight out, just as hard as it was when he was trying to climb on top of me.

“You’re a jerk, do you know that, Mel?” He stomps to the broken-down door, and I can’t help but admire his tight ass. I use all my willpower not to beg him to come back to bed so I can grab that ass. He punches the wall by the door, shocking me so much, I let out a gasp.

“I’d rather be a jerk than a liar!” I yell after him.

“You’re the biggest damn liar I’ve ever met. You lie to yourself and everyone else.”

“Yeah! I’m the one who lied about having fifty million dollars! That’s all me, right? I’m the Bradford heir?” I hear another thud against the wall. He either punched it or kicked it. “Go ahead and break your hand! I’m sure the ER nurse will love to stick a big, fat needle in it!”

“The name’s Flynn, sweetheart. Same as yours!” he yells. “And fuck the Bradfords!”

41

He didn’t bother to turn off the light. I was in a sound sleep when he barged into the bedroom, turned on the light, and made a commotion of rummaging through the closet. Since the door is off the hinges, he decided to punch the wall again. That punch took me by surprise, and I stuck my head out from under the covers only to see his naked backside walking out.

I exhale and lie on my back. I hear the shower come on and I run a hand over my messy head of hair. I didn’t even bother wrapping it last night. I was too angry. I’m so not used to fighting with my husband that I’ve been completely off kilter since I walked into this apartment and found Ethan Bradford standing in the kitchen.

And then to find out my husband is sitting on millions and is connected to one of the wealthiest families in the country. The entire fucking time I was listing all our expenses on spreadsheets and twisting myself like a pretzel to keep this wedding under a certain amount, he was keeping this secret. Each night when we would bare our souls to each other, he kept this from me.

Now, he’s trying to turn the tables on me and make me the liar in the situation. I scoff at the thought. He makes it sound as if I wanted to have a drunken wedding in Las Vegas.

Is he wrong, though, Melanie? For months I’ve done my best to suppress the memory and not acknowledge it, but the truth is, I remember everything, and I always have. Every single detail leading up to our vows.

A few months earlier

“Let’s order another round!” I announce to Ananda, Dennis, and Ananda’s sister Leah. Leah reaches over and gives me a high five. I flag down the waiter and ask for another pitcher of whatever it was that we had. He gives me a friendly nod and walks away.

Dennis kisses the base of Ananda’s neck, and she giggles. She holds up her hand and her wedding ring sparkles in the light. Leah picks up her glass and makes a toast to the happy couple.

“I’m so happy for my little sister and Dennis,” she says, slurring her words. According to Ananda, Leah hardly gets a chance to go out. She married at twenty, and now at forty she’s recently divorced and co-parents two teenagers with her ex-husband. “Most men suck. Mine cheated on me with my co-worker, but I’m sure Dennis is different,” she hiccups.

Ananda rolls her eyes at her sister. “Leah,” she warns.

“But this isn’t about me.”

“Or your hatred for men,” Ananda mumbles.

“You made a beautiful bride, little sister,” she says. The waiter brings back our drinks, and Leah pours herself a tall glass.

“Speaking of men,” I say to Ananda and Dennis. “Check him out over there.” I take a sip of my fresh drink and turn and gaze at the fine man sitting at the bar. He raises his glass to me in a salute. I smile at him, the alcohol making me feel brave enough to flirt.

“You know Adam’s on his way down, right?” Dennis asks.

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