Page 35 of The Tempo of Truth
“Lift just a little.”My voice was even raspier than hers.I grabbed her hips and helped her get into a position underneath me so that I could shove my dick inside her waiting entrance.We’d taken foreplay to the extreme.I doubted I would last more than a handful of minutes once I had her heat wrapped around me.
Winnie shifted, her body bowing against mine.I pinched her nipple until she swore at me and tilted my head so I could use my teeth on the sensitive lobe of her ear.I’d learned her ears and her neck were incredibly sensitive.She was very responsive in general.It was on my to-do list to make her come without touching her pussy.I was positive I could get her off just by paying attention to her erogenous zones.I’d never been with anyone I wanted to make plans to experience this sort of pleasure long into the future with.
All I knew was it would be one of my life’s greatest regrets if I walked away from Winnie before imprinting myself on every inch of her and learning her inside and out.I felt like an addict.I wanted the way she made me think and the relief she brought with her injected directly into my veins because she made it so easy to forget.
I sank fully into her moist heat and used my teeth on the curve where her jaw met her neck.I knew I couldn’t leave evidence where others might see because she didn’t want to undermine her shaky authority at work.But I really wanted to.I wanted her to put on her CEO costume and walk into the Halliday offices with bright red marks up and down the side of her neck.I wanted her photographed with my brand all over her, so people would stop questioning what type of relationship we had.I wanted to make it clear Lowe didn’t appear out of thin air.I was greedy to claim her, even if I still had no idea how I was supposed to keep her.
Winnie gasped and started to move with me.I used the arm that wasn’t holding my weight to hook across her heaving chest so that I could keep her face in place with a hand on her jaw.My chest was plastered to her back, and there was barely any space between the two of us.It was like we were merged into one being whose sole purpose was to push each other to the brink of pleasure.The room was filled with the sounds of heavy breathing and my hips bouncing against her curvy backside.My cock was so hard it almost hurt.I pumped in and out of Winnie’s softest spot in a way that was nearly frenzied.I felt an intense desire coil at the base of my spine, and all my nerves started to tingle.I growled against Winnie’s ear and held on tight as our bodies slipped and slid together across the luxurious bedding.
“You feel so fucking good.You definitely need to ask the boss for a raise.”I gasped the joke into her ear and felt her shiver against me.Her hips started to push back to my erratic thrusts, and I could tell she was close to coming apart in my hands.
She turned her head, hungry lips seeking mine.The kiss was rushed and hard enough to leave a bruise because our movements were so frantic.I felt Winnie’s body clench and a swell of heat and moisture engulfed my throbbing erection.Her head flopped forward in my hand, and she convulsed and went limp in my hold.
“The boss is well aware of my performance.He knows if I deserve a raise or not.”Her quiet response was somewhat lost as I swore and hammered into her without any restraint.All my limbs were tingling, and my dick felt like it was about to explode.I hadn’t had sex raw, with no protection, since that night in Portugal—no wonder I could hardly contain myself long enough to get her off.Everything felt more intense and sensitive because there was no barrier between me and her.
I never brought up birth control or protective measures with her.I was happy to keep my cock wrapped up, considering the last time I didn’t, I’d knocked her up.It felt like the least I could do.But when Winnie asked if she could trust me enough to go back on some form of birth control, I said absolutely before considering I wasn’t exactly a reliable guy.It would be more responsible to keep fucking with precaution, but the thought of being inside of her bare led me to make promises I wasn’t sure I could keep.
When I was inside her, so close to coming apart and sensing the sort of orgasm that would make me forget all my sins, I had no regrets.In the bright light of day, when I had to face my faults and the disparity between my life and hers, I was much more apprehensive about swearing I was safe and that she could trust me.
The red mark from where I smacked her ass was still lingering on her pale skin.I squeezed the spot with my palm as she sprawled underneath me, letting me do whatever I wanted to reach the finish line.I leaned my forehead against the back of her head and inhaled the rich, floral scent that clung to her hair.I grunted like an animal in heat until I finally released all the passion that had been steadily building.My cock kicked inside of her, and I was drained within seconds.
I collapsed on top of her in a boneless heap, muttering, “You’re hired,” in a voice that was so husky it didn’t sound like mine.
Winnie laughed as I nuzzled against the side of her face.I could close my eyes and go to sleep right then and there.Whenever we had sex, it felt like I was exhausting more than my body.My heart and soul also got a killer workout, leaving me wrung dry and barely functioning.
“Thank you for the opportunity.I’m looking forward to proving myself in the future.”Winnie made a strangled sound when I pulled out of her.I kneeled behind her on the bed, watching the remains of our heated connection leak out of her tender opening.The sight satisfied the same primal part of me that wanted to send her to the office with evidence that she’d been aggressively fucked.I had no idea where that sleeping beast had been lurking inside of me, but now that it was awake, it was hungry.
I pushed myself off the bed and waited a minute before moving because my knees were weak.I was going to grab her a washcloth and whatever else she needed to clean up, but she stopped me and said she needed to take another shower.She pointed at the oil that made her breasts shiny and slick.The sight was almost enough to make my dick hard again.
Almost.
I followed her into the shower for emotional support, then I helped her change the sheets.We were both exhausted, and I was ready to turn off the lights and go to bed, but Winnie wanted to check on Lowe.He’d been doing better about staying in his own bed.Probably because I was taking his place in his mom’s bed more often than not, and he didn’t seem as anxious about the start of school.Or he’d gotten better about hiding it.
I was almost asleep when Winnie slipped under the covers.I mumbled goodnight, but she didn’t respond.I knew she wasn’t asleep yet, so I turned over and found her staring at the dark ceiling, clearly lost in thought.
“What’s wrong?”I thought maybe I pushed her too far tonight and was ready to apologize for not respecting her boundaries when she turned her head and gave me a bemused look.
“Do you know that I’ve never had to interview for a job?Not even when I worked in a small wine bar in Spain.The owner was a friend of my Aunt Channing’s.When I went to Japan for my internship, I walked in like I owned the place.There was no trial period or grunt work.I went straight to the executive offices.Every job I’ve ever had was handed to me, whether I was qualified or not.”She sighed and turned to face me, resting her cheek on her hand and watching me in the dark.“No wonder I can’t convince the board of directors that I know what I’m doing.”
I copied her pose, reaching out to smooth her damp hair off her forehead.“Royalty doesn’t have to prove they belong on the throne.That’s not how things work when the entire kingdom is yours to rule, even before you’re born.”I brushed the curve of her cheek with my knuckle.“It’s not your fault you were born into a family that has endless advantages.”
She sighed and closed her eyes.“Royalty has to fight for the throne and prove they’re fit to lead the kingdom.”
I tapped the end of her nose with my pointer finger and asked, “Isn’t that what you’re doing every day when you go into the office and battle against those who oppose change?If you ask me, no one is better for the job.It’s pretty clear everyone in your family knew you were meant for the role; otherwise, they wouldn’t have invested so much time and effort in prepping you to be Win’s successor.A million could interview for your position, and none of them would pass the preliminary round because they didn’t survive Colette Halliday.”I brushed my thumb across her lips and felt her smile.
“And I passed my very first interview with you tonight, so I guess I’m not too much of a lost cause.”
I shifted closer so I could hold her in a loose embrace.“Keep up the good work, and you’ll be employee of the month.”
I’d even hang her picture on the wall to remind her just how much I appreciated her efforts.
Winnie
I looked up at the sound of someone knocking on my office door.I’d been buried in contracts waiting for final approval for the entire day.I was supposed to leave for a site visit with Alistair in twenty minutes, but he texted to let me know he was running late.Going out and looking at the properties we were going to buy and overseeing the steps of a development were the highlights of this job.I always loved seeing the beautiful architecture and innovative design that were hallmarks of Halliday Inc.under Alistair’s guidance.When Win was in charge, the business focused more on the buying and selling of the land on which future projects were going to be built.Now, I juggled both parts of our rapidly expanding business, but my first career love would always be more in line with Alistair’s vision.If I wasn’t the CEO, I’d open my interior design studio and focus on making things beautiful instead of profitable.
Jeremiah entered the office, an annoyed frown tugging his eyebrows downward.“I’m sorry to interrupt you, but Oliver Byrd is here unannounced.He’s demanding to see you.I told him you were getting ready to head offsite.He’s insistent.Do you want me to have security remove him?”
I tapped the end of the pen in my hand against my chin.“You can bring him to my office.Let him know I’ve only got ten minutes before I need to leave.”My assistant still looked perturbed.To reassure him, I asked him to make sure Helio or one of his guys was nearby in case I needed them.
