Page 57 of Mad Rivals
But if she does, the few moments of bliss, even if she’s pretending, would be worth it.
I can’t figure outwhyI feel this way. I never have before. I still hardly know the woman, yet the way she fits here makes it seem like she’s always been a part of it. I’m not sure if I’m talking about my heart or my home. Maybe both.
All I know is that this is different. I feel something where I’ve always felt a void. And to me…that’s worth exploring.
She stands slowly from her chair. She pushes the chair in, and she turns to face me. She’s moving tentatively. Slowly. As if she moves too quickly, she might spook me.
Too goddamn late. I’m fucking spooked.
I don’t know what the hell I’m doing as I stand stock-still and wait to see how she’s going to react to my words.
She steps toward me, and she rests one of her hands on my cheek. I lean into her comforting touch, closing my eyes as I feel her warmth all around me.
She moves her hand and wraps her arms around my waist, and she rests her head on my chest as she hugs me.
I can’t remember the last time someone hugged me like this. Maybe never. Sure, I hug teammates in celebration after a great play or family when we greet each other, but those are different.
This one is full of comfort and care, gentle warmth, and strong coconuts.
I slip my arms around her and hold tightly to her. I don’t let my vulnerable side out. Ever. I’m strong and solid. I’m the oldest Bradley brother, a natural-born leader because of my birth order. I’m untouchable.
But Kennedy Van Buren has managed to touch me in unprecedented and totally unexpected ways. She can take me down with just one lift of her brow, one steely look, one tip of her lips into a smile, one soft swipe through her drenched cunt.
And it’s only just the beginning.
I blow out a shuddering breath as it feels like my world centers again with her in my arms, and that’s when I know I’m fucked. I’m in a boatload of trouble when it comes to her.
She pulls back out of my arms to tilt her chin up, and she lifts to her tiptoes to press a soft kiss to my lips. I grab onto the back of her head, holding her there in place as I let go of the fears of falling. I give in to it. I can’t fight something this strong, and I won’t. We’ll figure out the rest later.
I open my mouth to hers, and this kiss is intense. It’s fast and messy, teeth clashing and tongues battling. She softens a little, her body melting into me, and a quiet moan that’s my total undoing escapes her.
I’m still kissing her as I start guiding her backward toward my bedroom. I want her in my bed. I want her tangled in my sheets. I want to go to sleep tomorrow night smelling coconuts and sex and thinking of her.
It’s slow progress this way, so I rip my mouth from hers and sweep her up into my arms. She doesn’t protest, doesn’t yell or scream to put her down. Instead, she links her arms around my neck and leans forward to kiss me there, and Jesus Christ, why is her mouth on my neck so goddamn hot? My dick hardens painfully as if it’s not already semi-hard every second I spend around her.
We get to my room, and I carry her to the bed, where I toss her and immediately climb over her. I settle in between her legs, and thank God for that gorgeous slit in her dress because she widens her legs and wraps them around my body, feet still shoved in the heels that’ve managed to drive me insane with lust all night.
Fuck, she’s something else.
I pump my pelvis against hers so she can feel how fucking hard she makes me, and my mouth moves back to hers. She wraps her arms around me, too, so I’m cocooned in her warmth, and I never want to leave. I could kiss this woman forever, and that’s certainly another new experience for me. Usually kissing is nothing more than some vehicle to drive us to the good part, but with her, all the parts are the good parts.
Still, I need more. I need all of her, and I want to take my time in a way we didn’t get to a few hours ago at the gala.
I pull back from the kiss, and she unlocks her legs from around me as I move down the bed. I reach under that dangerous slit and slide her panties down her legs, and I flip her over and unzip her dress. She slips the straps down each of her delicate shoulders, and I slowly ease the dress down her body until she’s lying on my bed naked but for those heels.
I climb off the bed and gaze at the picture of perfection on my bed for a beat. Jesus. She’s gorgeous.
I grab a condom from the nightstand drawer where I keep them, and I pull off my tie first. I toss it next to the condom on the bed, and then I unbutton my shirt, starting with the cufflinks. She watches with rapt attention as I slip the shirt off and set iton the ottoman next to the couch. I pull off my undershirt and set it on top, and I glance over at her. Her eyes are on my abs, and the way she’s looking at me like she wants to lick my entire body makes me grateful for the hours of hard work and discipline I put in to shape this body. Her appreciation feels like a validation I didn’t know I craved.
Well, there’s more to appreciate.
I slip out of my shoes then unbuckle my belt and drop my pants. I step out of them and peel off my socks, and she’s watching my every move like a hawk. Or a tiger.Mytiger.
My cock swells as I study the look of need in her eyes, and my eyes travel hotly down her body from her perfect tits to her stomach to the curve of her hips and finally down to her pussy. I lick my lips as my mouth starts to water. I only had a taste before. I need a meal now.
I kneel between her legs as I get ready to dive in mouth first to her pussy, and she lets out a huff of protest.
“You’re going to stop there?” she demands.
