Page 78 of Beneath the Scars
I lean my head back against his shoulder to revel in Michael’s attention. His calloused palms scrape across my skin as he explores my body. I want more, and simultaneously never want to move from this spot.
“You’re an addiction, Adalaide Jackson,” Michael whispers in my ear. “You’ve consumed me, body and soul, and I will never love anyone else the way I love you.”
“Michael.” I breathe. Turning in his arms, I stare into dark eyes filled with love and longing. He melts into my touch when I cup his cheek, and I press up onto my toes to kiss him. “I love you with everything I have in me.”
Our kisses are languid, each one proving the words we’ve shared are true. They stoke the building heat in my core until I’m pressing my body against Michael’s to find some relief.
“Take me to our room?” I ask against his lips.
Michael nods, grabbing my hand and leading me down the hallway of private rooms. With the distance, my brain is suddenly focusing on my other bodily functions.
“Hey.” I slow my steps. “I need to use the restroom before we start.”
“Okay. Want me to wait for you?”
“No, just tell me what room we’re in.”
“Seven.”
“I’ll be right there.”
Michael kisses me hard. “I’ll get the room ready.”
“Good.”
I’m washingmy hands when the bathroom door opens. I grit my teeth to keep from wrinkling my nose at who walks in.
Ronnie’s powdery floral perfume enters before her. Her blonde hair has been pulled back into a severe bun. It’s so tight, her face has been lifted to a disconcerting level.
Having her around as a reminder of Michael’s past isn’t easy, even if it was a purely sexual relationship. It’s one thing to have a vague idea that he’s had sex with other people; it’s another to have that person standing in front of me with a calculating gleam in their eye. I don’t blame Michael, but I do wish he’d have had better judgment.
Ronnie squints at me, her arms folded across her ample cleavage. “What’s your name again?”
“Does it matter?”
Her affronted expression would make me laugh if I wasn’t trying to figure out what she wants from me.
“I’m just trying to understand what he sees in you.” Ronnie’s eyes scan me up and down, clearly finding me lacking in some way. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see she’s jealous. It has no bearing on my relationship with Michael. And the thing I’ve learned about women like her is that if you try to argue, they win whatever game they’re playing.
I shrug. “I’m probably just a good fuck. You see, I do this thing with my tongue that Michael goes crazy for every time.”
She sneers at me, unimpressed with my response. “You’re disgusting. I can’t believe he would lower himself to some little girl without the first clue about how to be a good sub.”
“I know. I’m lucky he’s giving me the time of day. In fact, he’s waiting for me now. I should probably go before I get in trouble.” I fake pout at her as if I’m truly worried about it.
I go to step around the spiteful woman when she shoves me backward. I stumble, trying to keep my balance on the stupid heels I decided to wear.
“No!” Ronnie screeches. “You don’t get him. I’ve been working for years to make him mine, and some little bitch isn’t going to come in and steal him from me.”
“Ha!” I cackle. “The thing you don’t realize is he’s been mine since we were teenagers. You never stood a chance with Michael. Give up now, otherwise this will just be embarrassing for you.” I go to push her out of the way when she swings.
Something smashes into my head a second later, sending me sprawling to the ground. Pain explodes behind my eye right before darkness takes me under.
Chapter 42
Michael
Ishamelessly check out Addie’s ass as she walks away from me until she’s out of view. Then I turn to scan the key card against the pad on our private room. It’s set up identically to the one we were in last time, with the small exception of the suspension system drilled into the ceiling.
