chapter 14

I leaned in, brushed my mouth along the side of her neck, teeth grazing skin. “Amanda, you own me. You always have.”

She hummed in approval, fingers threading through my damp hair. “Good. Because you’ll get bored of her eventually. You always do. And when the shine wears off, you’ll come running back to Mummy like you always do.”

I pulled back just enough to meet her eyes. “ Hmmm of course.” But what I feel for Payton… I’ve never felt it before. Not for Amanda. Not for anyone. I needed to touch her. Taste her. Fuck her until I figure out why she’s under my skin like this. I have to know.

Amanda searched my face for a long moment. Then she smiled—slow, indulgent, a little wicked.

“ I just need her beneath me.” I said trying to convince her I was all hers.

“Then go get her, baby. Just don’t forget who taught you how to take what you want.”

I kissed her once—hard, claiming—then rolled off the bed.

Time to make a plan.

Payton Anderson had no idea what was coming.

But she would soon.

Saturday morning. I’d just gotten back from the gym, muscles still warm and buzzing from the burn. Sweat clung to my skin as I pushed through the front door, the cool air of the house hitting me like a reward. Straight to the kitchen—I yanked open the fridge, grabbed a bottle of ice-cold water, and drained half of it in one long pull. God, that hit the spot. Then the protein shake. thick, chalky, perfect. I downed it standing at the counter, already feeling the post-workout high settle in.

Shower next. I stripped in the bathroom, stepped under the rainfall head, and let the hot water pound against my shoulders until every knot loosened. Steam filled the room, fogging the glass. I stayed longer than I needed to, mind drifting—always drifting lately—to her. Payton. Those green eyes. That fragile mouth. The plan Amanda had laid out was already in motion, and today was step one.

I was still toweling off when the extension in the bedroom started ringing. Sharp, insistent. I wrapped the towel low around my hips and padded over to the nightstand, water dripping down my chest.

“Hello?”

“Sir,” came the gate guard’s voice, clipped and professional. “There’s someone here to see you.”

“Who?”

“She says her name is Elizabeth.”

A slow grin tugged at my mouth. Right on schedule.

“Send her in.”

I hung up, tossed the towel aside, and pulled on a fitted black T-shirt that clung to my still-damp skin and a pair of gray athletic shorts.

I walked into the living room, and there she was—perched on the edge of the leather sofa like she owned the place. Legs crossed, short dress riding high on her thighs, dark hair spilling over one shoulder. The second she saw me, her eyes lit up with that familiar, hungry gleam. The same look she’d given me years ago when she’d drop to her knees without being asked.

“Good morning, Teddy,” she purred, standing slowly. She extended her hand like we were at some formal event.

I took it, brought it to my lips, and brushed a kiss across her knuckles—light, teasing.

“Good morning, Elizabeth. Sit.”

We both settled onto the sofa, close enough that her knee brushed mine.

“Amanda must have told you why you’re here,” I said, leaning back, arms spread along the backrest.

She smiled, slow and knowing. “She did. And you must know why I said yes.”

I tilted my head. “Enlighten me. Money?”

She shifted closer, close enough I could smell her perfume—something sweet and expensive. “That… and so you can fuck me again.” Before I could respond, she swung one leg over my lap and straddled me, hands sliding up my chest. “Like old times.”

I caught her wrists gently but firmly, holding them between us. “You know the rules. This stays between us. No matter what happens. No matter who asks.”

“Teddy,” she whispered, leaning in until her lips hovered over mine, “I know exactly how it works.”

Then she kissed me—hard, greedy, tongue pushing past my lips like she’d been starving for it.

I let her for a moment, tasting the eagerness, the desperation. My hands slid to her hips, gripping just tight enough to remind her who was in control.

This was the opening move.

Elizabeth would keep Richard occupied—distracted, guilty, tangled up in whatever web she spun. And while she played her part, I’d move in on Payton.

One step closer.

I broke the kiss, pulled back just enough to meet her eyes. “Then let’s not waste time.”

Her smile turned wicked. “That’s my Teddy.”

I stood, lifting her with me like she weighed nothing, and carried her toward the bedroom.

Two months later…

I found out Payton was already working at a company named Lionstone. My source told me she was happier than ever, and I needed to see it for myself—or maybe I just needed to see her again.

Work has been brutal lately. I craved her presence to revive me; the pictures weren't enough anymore. I'd called Elizabeth for updates, but she only told me to be patient—that Richard was a tough nut to crack. Still, no matter what, she'd make sure to hold up her end of the bargain.

That Friday afternoon, I sat in my car outside her office in New York, hoping for even a glimpse of that pretty face. I'd just flown back in, exhausted, jet-lagged, and all I wanted was someone like Payton waiting at home—hot, open, ready for me. But she wasn't mine.

A few minutes later, I spotted her stepping out of the building, coffee in hand. She settled into a street chair nearby, savoring every sip. She yawned wide, then glanced toward my car—parked a little distance away. God, she was beautiful. Her skin glowed in the daylight like it was made for the sun. Curiosity flickered across her face as she stared my way, then suddenly fear.

She stood abruptly and hurried back inside, steps quickening.

Every instinct screamed

at me to chase after her, to talk to her, but I held back. Now wasn't the time. I had to stick to the plan. At the right moment, I'd make her mine.

Back at my estate, the silence was worse than ever. No music. Just me, hard and restless,For the first time, I felt truly lonely. Normally I'd shower, head to the club, and take whoever caught my eye. Easy. But I couldn't. All I wanted was Payton. I wanted her so badly I could hardly contain it—I got hard just thinking of her name.

I took the glass of whiskey from the nightstand beside my bed and drank in one motion.

This was the first time I'd felt this way about any woman besides Amanda.

Wait.

With Amanda, I felt owned. Controlled. But with Payton... I felt alive. Free. Ready to take any step necessary.

I slid my hand down my night pants. As I touched the hardness of my cock, my eyes closed and I began to stroke myself, thinking about her—someone I barely knew, yet the thought of her only made me more excited.

I thought about her pretty face earlier, how sexy and professional she looked—exactly how I like my women to be: innocent, yet commanding. How I wished I had met her sooner. She would be all mine. All of her—her lips, her breasts, her pussy—every fucking part of her.

“Fuck,” I groaned, just imagining Payton in charge, stroking and sucking me hard enough to make me come.

I’m going crazy from this hunger for her. Just one encounter, and she has taken full hold of me. The worst part? She doesn’t even know I exist.

But soon.

Payton, you will beg for my cock for making me wait this long.

I will make you beg for it.

“Ahhh… fuck, Payton!”

Her name tasted like violence when I came.

And still, it wasn’t enough.

I needed more

I needed her here with me.