MasukI pulled away with a gasp. My face turning red with both embarrassment and desire. My eyes darted around my surroundings. How did we get here? I somehow ended up with my back pressed against a decorative column in a dimly lit corner of the venue. That at least saved my dignity. I couldn’t believe I’d just done that. Then warm fingers hooked my chin, and I was met with a look that instantly reminded me exactly why I’d done that.
This mysterious stranger of mine didn’t seem to be done with me either. Grabbing my hand, he pulled me toward the nearest door and into the hallway. My whole body was still buzzing to a point I couldn’t question what I was doing. And I didn’t really care.
Finding a door that was unlocked, he pulled me inside a dark room. My back hit the wall and his lips were on mine before I could discern where we were. But just like that, it didn’t matter. My hands fisted his lapels as his fingers fisted in my hair. He was demanding and delicious and making my body respond in ways it never had before. Moisture pooled between my thighs as my nipples hardened against the silky corset top.
A rumbling groan vibrated through his chest as his hand slid beneath the high slit of my skirt. He swallowed my gasp as his fingers pressed along the fabric of my panties. I had just started to melt into his touch when it disappeared. A split second later, so did my underwear. A hot hand replacing them, eliciting a moan as it began to work my clit while moving along my slick folds.
Using a knee, he pushed my legs further apart, pulling my skirt further out of the way for better access. The position gave me room to reach between us. My breathing grew more ragged as I worked to undo his belt. He massaged my clit exquisitely, making my need to pleasure him even stronger. I moved a hand beneath his waistband. Just as I wrapped around his impressive girth, he plunged a finger inside me. I cried out in pleasure, my hand tightening around him. His hips bucked in approval of my exploration.
I matched his pace as he pushed a second finger into my entrance. I wanted to give as good as he was giving. And it was good. So damn good that soon enough I couldn’t focus on anything but the quickly approaching bliss. His tongue tracing my collarbone. His lips on my neck.
“Fuck, yes,” I cried as his knuckles curled against my g-spot. His thumb pressing my clit with the perfect pressure. A combined sensation that sent me over the edge. My legs shaking so strongly his grip on my hair was the only thing holding me up. The sting of which only intensified my orgasm.
His mouth claimed mine again. Kissing me eagerly. But I wasn’t done. I threw my leg over his hip, grinding against his incredibly hard length. He’d awoken something in me and I wanted more. I wanted to feel him fill me. My mystery man grunted his response. His arms tucking behind my knees in a smooth motion as he lifted me off the ground. My hands instinctively shot out for support, finding a shelf above my head. His cock teased along my wet folds. The head started to push at my entrance but he stopped. Our ragged breathing filling the room. Some sparse light highlighting his silhouette in the darkness. I was about to move when he spoke.
“I don’t have protection.”
“I’m on the pill,” I assured him.
He still hesitated. “You can tell me to stop.”
I lifted my hips toward him, taking the tip of him inside me. “Don’t.”
Hard and smooth, he pushed to the hilt. Stretching my walls divinely. Hitting every nerve.
“Fuck, you’re incredible,” he rasped, thrusting again. “And fucking tight.”
My head fell back with a moan as he started to set a steady pace, putting a perfect amount of power behind every thrust. Tugging at my top, he freed my breasts. His mouth took a taut nipple between his teeth. Sucking and tonguing in a skilled fashion that had me crying louder. Begging him not to stop as my walls tightened around him. His grunts became more desperate. His movements sped up until he was plowing into me hard and fast and rough.
“Oh, god, yes,” I screamed.
White light filled my vision as my entire body fell into convulsions. A curse echoed in my ears as warmth filled me. I didn’t know how much time passed before I started to breathe again. My fingers laced in his hair as he rested his head on my chest. His breathing as heavy as my own.
Eventually, he shifted, wrapping my legs around his waist as an arm snaked around mine, holding me upright as he reached for something. I flinched and blinked against the harsh fluorescent lights as he found the switch on the wall. He took a moment to look around until he found a roll of paper towels on a nearby shelf. Apparently, we had found our way into a supply closet. I would have laughed at the cliché if I wasn’t so focused on the man who was still comfortably seated inside me at the moment.
Reaching the towels, he used his teeth to pull a few off. Keeping his other hand firmly around my waist and my shoulders pressed against the wall. Tossing the roll aside, his attention fully returned to me. I pulled a rush of air through my teeth as he finally pulled out. Immediately using the paper towels to catch the results of our passion as he gently set me back on my feet.
The paper was rough against my overly sensitive skin but the gesture was so sweet and attentive I didn’t even care. I watched him toss them in the trash before helping me right my clothing. My mind started to process what had just happened. I struggled to believe I had just done that but mostly because I didn’t regret it. Never in my life would I have imagined I’d be so impulsive. So overwhelmed with desire. It made the whole experience so singularly perfect.
Everyone started to stand from the conference table. They shook hands and murmured their goodbyes to each other, but they were smart enough to stay well clear of me. I had no intention of pretending to be content with this decision. But Sawyer seemed fine with it. So, that saved them from any repercussions from me for the time being.Out of respect, Sawyer stood by her chair. Letting the rest of the board leave before her. Just as Rick came up next to me, I saw Bella approach her. I tensed.“Try not to take it personally, Sawyer,” Bella told her. “This really only applies to any role requiring a security clearance. I would hate to think you felt like you weren’t welcome within the company in any capacity.” She reached into her bag and pulled out some paper. “In fact, I’ve taken the liberty to put together a few applications for you. They’re for some entry-level positions. You know, something more appropriate to your experience.”My hands fisted. She was trying to humiliate Sawyer even
I started to panic as we got closer to the conference room. I was terrified they would know what we’d just done in his office. Sylas and I knew what happened only showed how strong our relationship was, but I knew the people in that conference room would take the wrong way entirely. How could they not?I shook off the thoughts. How could they know? It would be fine. Everything would be fine.I took the seat at the end of the table. Feeling every eye in the room on me. Sylas moved to stand against the wall. Giving the board members enough space to feel they could converse but still making sure they knew he was there and he would have a say.Holding my head high, I looked around at each of the familiar faces. For the most part, I had only met them the one time at dinner when Sylas announced he would accept the EPA contract. Rick was there, of course. He gave me a supportive smile and nod. But he was the only one that didn’t have me worried. Especially once I saw the smug look on Bella’s
Sylas was not happy about my suggestion but I felt like it was the best solution. This would give me the opportunity to defend myself. However, I was a bit surprised at how fast Eric jumped at the idea. And how quickly he managed to arrange the meeting.“They want to catch you off guard,” Sylas said bitterly, pacing his office that evening. “They don’t want to give you time to prepare a lie.”“Well, I had no intention of lying, so that doesn’t really matter,” I told him calmly.“I know you weren’t. That’s not the point,” he stated. “You shouldn’t have to do this in the first place.”“Why not?” I asked honestly. “You gave me a job, Sylas. Anyone else would have to interview, have a background check, and go through all the other avenues to make sure they were a good candidate. I know it’s your company, but they have a vested interest in it.”“And they should trust me to protect that interest,” he replied angrily. “They have for all these years before. Why question now?”He needed to rel
As I entered the office, I found Sylas at his desk, brooding over some papers in front of him. He looked tired. Run-down even. Enough that I paused for a second. I’d never seen him like this. Not even this morning when I knew he wasn’t looking forward to dealing with the aftermath, despite his assurances. My heart ached as I realized I hadn’t really done much to take care of him through this.In fact, I’d been a little distant, considering.When he was first released, we let ourselves get distracted by the heat and passion that was always there between us. Somewhere under the surface whenever we were close. But when we came back to the real world, something seemed off. I felt like he wasn’t being honest with me about the seriousness of the situation.Then he left to work last night, which had taken me completely by surprise. It felt like he was avoiding me. That, of course, stirred my insecurities. When the hour stretched into several, I’d started to think he was rethinking our engagem
Apparently, rumors spread as fast through Sylas’ company as they did at Wyvern Capital. For the most part, my time at the lab was professional and productive. Everyone was polite and cooperative. At least to my face. But I certainly caught some whispers and glances throughout the morning. And I couldn’t be sure if their behavior was out of any professional courtesy or because Dante and Andre were with me the entire time.I think I handled the situation well, but I still hated it. It reminded me of the reason why I would never have used Dimitri’s name to get a job with the company. I didn’t care that I was there to investigate the company. I still wanted to be respected for my work. And that was a job that didn’t mean much to me. This… this meant something. Whether I stayed with the company long-term or not, I wanted to be respected. It was hard to picture that as being possible when I was seen as Sylas’ illicit lover.The whole thing made me sick to my stomach.Still, I took Sylas’ ad
“Good morning, Andrea,” I greeted an hour later as I climbed into the back of the town car Andre had driven to pick me up. “How are you this fine morning?”Andre gave me a smile through the rearview mirror. “Good morning, Ms. Hopkins,” he replied. “I’m ready to start the day.”I was scheduled to meet Dante at the lab this morning, while Sylas would be at the office. I would be meeting with the research teams that would be taking on the EPA projects. So, I didn’t have to be at the main office until this afternoon. I hoped that meant we wouldn’t be confronted with any of the drama Sylas had warned me about but we would have to see.“It will potentially be an eventful one,” I told him. “I hope you’re prepared for that. And please, call me Sawyer.”“Sylas has fully informed me of the situation,” he said as he pulled onto the street. “You’re in good hands.”“Do you have a lot of experience with fighting the press?” I asked him.“Oh yes,” he replied. “I used to protect some of the younger D
“You know, no one could believe it when you showed up at the party this weekend, cousin,” Charles said as he followed me into Dimitri’s office Monday morning. “I believed it even less when Meech called and said you’d be coming in for a few days.”“And I’m assuming Dimitri also told you that I had f
I was about to ask what he was saying when I heard my mother’s laughter coming back inside. My cheeks flushed bright red as I scrambled to get away from him. I stumbled back around the corner and into the kitchen.“There you are, honey,” Mom said. “Come outside.”“Um…” I swallowed and cleared my th
My masked lover looked down at me contentedly. Possessively.“That was, by far, the last thing I expected to experience tonight,” he told me.I chuckled. “I certainly didn’t either.”He went to remove his mask but my hand shot up to stop him. For some reason it felt like it would ruin it.“Don’t,”
Here we go. Two hours. That’s all I had to get through was two hours tops. That shouldn’t be too hard. It is a masquerade ball after all. The vast majority of the people here wouldn’t have recognized me without the mask anyway. At least that can last a bit longer after tonight and I wouldn’t have a







