Page 54 of Mad Rivals
We each sip our drinks, a little lost in thought for a minute or two as we stare at the pier.
“Is this okay?” I ask.
She nods. “Yeah. It’s not so scary up here, and you’re right. The view is worth it. But can I ask you a question?”
I brace myself for it because I just never know what to expect from her, and I tilt my head to tell her to go ahead.
“Why’d you invite me over here?”
I glance over at her, and she’s looking at the pier, not me. The lights of the Ferris wheel sparkle in the distance, lighting her eyes as I think through how to respond to that question.
“I wasn’t ready to say goodbye,” I admit quietly.
I hear the vulnerability in my own voice. I’m not used to this shit. I don’t invite women back to my place after fucking them in the bathroom. It’s not my style. I got what I wanted, so I should be done. Hands washed. Game over.
I don’t know what makes her different. She wasn’t just some girl I fucked in a bathroom. She’s a business associate, a competitor, and she’s captivated me in a way no other woman ever has.
Do I want to get inside her pussy again? Of course I do. I’m only human.
But if that doesn’t happen, if we stand out here where she’s close enough that I can smell her coconut as she sips her wine, that’s fine by me.
Andthatis the crux of what makes her different. I just haven’t put my finger on why that is.
CHAPTER 22: Kennedy Van Buren
This Place is Sexy
It’s strange being here, standing beside this person I’m not supposed to like, feeling like there’s something more than a healthy work rivalry between us as he’s sweet enough to hold my hand to help me out onto his balcony.
I quiet the fear with my usual grounding technique—the 5-4-3-2-1. It’s second nature to find each thing and takes under five seconds in my mind now. Five things I canseeare the pier, the table on the balcony, my wineglass in my hand, the balcony wall built to keep us safe even though it’s more glass, and, of course, Madden. Four things I cantouchare my wineglass, the fabric of my dress, the doorway, and, of course, Madden. It’s quiet, but I canhearthe sound of an airplane in the distance, my own heart racing, and Madden’s voice. I cansmellmy wine and Madden, and one thing I cantaste? Madden, naturally. Which is why I have the sudden urge to kiss him.
Like kissing him will be the elixir I need to be safe out here.
He’s been a little quiet since I arrived, and I’m surprised. I thought being at home would put him more in his element, something I was interested to see. But to tell me he wasn’t ready to say goodbye…I’m not sure what he means by that, and I’m positive I’m too scared to ask.
I chug down my glass of wine, which is likely not my brightest move since I showed up riding on the wrong side of sober as it was.
I set my glass on the little table he has between two chairs perched out here, and I walk over toward him, surprising us both, I think. Shocking myself, to be honest.
I set my hands on his chest, and I move my body up against his. If I hadn’t had that wine, I’m certain I never would’ve gotten up the nerve to do this—both because we’re out on a balcony seventy-five stories up in the air and because I’m seducing Madden Bradley. “Well, I’m here now. What are you going to do about it?”
He stares down at me, his nostrils flaring as he starts to breathe a little heavier at my proximity. Whatishe going to do?
I’m dying to know. I move my face so my lips are mere inches from his. He only needs to bend down to close the gap, and I’m suddenly blind with lust for him.
He’s still holding his beer, which he moves to set on the table beside us, and then he moves back into place, resting each of his hands over mine where they lay on his chest. He slides one of his hands around my neck, and he leans down at the same time. His nose brushes beside mine the way he did that first night we kissed outside the bar.
It’s sexy. It’s nearly a tentative move from this disciplined, confident man. It’s unexpected, and it gives me a second to breathe. I suppose it gives me a second to run, too, but running isn’t on tonight’s agenda.
Unless he gives me a reason to.
“I didn’t take my time with you at the gala. It was rushed. I had to get it out of my system. Getyouout of my system,” he murmurs, pulling back just slightly, though still too close for these confessions. He brushes my lips with his, and I close my eyes and lean into him. “It didn’t work. One time just made me want more.” He brushes my lips again, and his hand that’s still covering mine on his chest moves down toward my waist.He wraps that arm around me and hauls me into him, and then he kisses me.
Hereallykisses me.
His mouth opens to mine, and our tongues dance as his hold on me tightens. He flattens the hand he has on my back and starts to move it, exploring my curves as his mouth holds me captive. He reaches down to squeeze my ass, which only has the effect of pulling my body closer to his.
I move my hands from his chest and around to his back. His body is firm and solid everywhere, and I hope this time I’m lucky enough to see his naked form as he hovers over me.
