Naked Love Page 18

  When she tugged on his arm, he followed her inside, closing the door behind him. He kissed her then, not being able to hold himself back and deny his need for her, for her lips, her taste, just her. When her hands cupped his cheeks, she pulled back and frowned.

  “What?” he asked, his voice breathed.

  “Why did you shave?”

  He kissed her again, biting her lower lip. “Because every time I looked in the mirror and saw my beard, I thought of you. How you loved petting it, how you said it made you want to ride my face. I remembered the way you came on my tongue when my beard scraped up against your inner thighs, and I knew I couldn’t look at my beard any longer without thinking of you.”

  She fanned herself. “Well, then. I guess we’ll have to see how well you can go to town with no beard.”

  He laughed and kissed her harder. “We’ll see. If I don’t live up to my bearded days, I can always grow it back.”

  “Because you’re a giver.”

  “Hell yeah, I am.”

  She led him to the bedroom, and he kissed her, missing her taste. They were gentle at first, slowly stripping each other out of their clothes as they got to know each other’s bodies once again. It wasn’t as if it had been ages since they had one another, but it had been long enough that Mace wanted to memorize every inch of her again. He’d missed her, damn it, and would never forgive himself for doing what he’d done.

  Addi kissed his temple before flicking him. “Stop.”

  He froze. “What? Did I hurt you?”

  She rolled her eyes. They were standing there naked in her room, and she was rolling her eyes at him. This was the Addi he knew and missed. “No, of course not. But you’re thinking about what you did and how bad you feel and you’re killing the mood. So why don’t you go lay on the bed and think of good things—not England, but maybe how sexy I am, please—and I’ll have my way with you.”

  He kissed her hard before moving to lay down on her bed. “Well, since you asked so nicely, but come over here and let me kiss you. I missed you.”

  Her eyes warmed, and she quickly did as he’d asked. “I missed you, too.”

  They kissed and licked each other, their hands roaming over each other’s bodies. He cupped her breasts, then slid his hand between her legs to find her warm and ready. She slid her hand over his cock, squeezed, then leisurely stroked him as they got to know one another again. And what started out as sweet and slow soon turned into hot and fast.

  He was on top of her, sliding into her wet heat as their gazes met. Her mouth parted, and he rocked in and out of her, her pussy clamping down on him as he withdrew as if all parts of her needed him close. As he felt the same way, it all just turned him on even more.

  She lifted her hips, meeting him as they came together, and she sighed. “I need you to move faster,” she whispered. “I need you.”

  So he moved, increasing the pace until they were panting for one another, the sounds in the room those of sex and need and everything that was part of what he and Addi were. She arched for him, coming hard around his cock, and he followed, filling her up until his body shook and he knew he’d need time to recover before he had her again.

  Because he would have her again. Again and again and for as long as she’d have him. Because she was his as he was hers, and he would never forget that. Not again.

  “I love you,” he whispered. “So damn much.”

  Tears shone in her eyes, and she cupped his face. “Love you, too, old man.”

  Then he kissed her again and found that his recovery time was far shorter than he’d thought. His Addi seemed to have that effect on him.

  And he would never forget it.

  17

  Adrienne threw her head back and arched into Mace as he moved inside her. She was on all fours, her hands gripping the sheets as he thrust in and out of her. He’d already made her come twice at the edge of the bed with his mouth, then once again with him on top of her, then he’d moved so he could play with her ass and rub any soreness away by slowly massaging her even as he fucked her.

  Her hair slid down her back, and Mace gripped it, wrapping it around his fist. He was so big, so strong, that he stretched her with each thrust, and she couldn’t help but move with him because she knew she gave as good as she got.

  When he tugged her back by her hair, she let him move her so her back was to his front and he was fucking her as they knelt together on the bed. He had one hand in her hair, and the other played with her breasts as she reached around her to press him against her even tighter.

  “Come, Addi. I’m going to blow, and I need you to clamp down on me. You’re so fucking good at that.”

  She laughed but turned her head so she could kiss him. “Oh, yeah? How close are you?”

  “Touch your fucking clit, Addi. Or I’ll do it for you. And I know you’re already too sensitive there. Do you want to be the one who gives yourself an orgasm on my cock? Or do you want me to torture you with it and drag it out longer so your already tight little nub aches even more?”

  She honestly wasn’t sure of her answer since both sounded really hot, but because she loved the way he reacted when he watched her play with herself, she slid her hand down over her stomach and just barely brushed her clit. He’d been right, she was so sensitive after so many orgasms in a fifteen-hour period that it almost hurt, but she came right away as if she’d pressed some mythical and magical button that sent her into bliss.

  She shouted his name, and he did the same with hers as he filled her up, his cock twitching inside her as he emptied himself. And she’d never found him sexier.

  “That’s one way to say good morning,” Mace teased as they lay facing each other once they’d fallen from their knees.

  “The best way. We’ll have to make it a routine,” she said, her body all heavy and happy.

  He leaned forward and captured her lips. “We can do that, Addie mine. We can do that.”

  And because he was her Mace, her best friend, she believed him.

  “So, you and Mace?” her father asked, looking down at his coffee.

  “Me and Mace.” Adrienne leaned back in her chair, studying her parents as both either looked at her or back down at their coffees after she had told them that, from now on, she and Mace were an item. They were seeing each other, called each other boyfriend and girlfriend, and were talking about the future. There was no mention of marriage or other things like that because they were still in the beginning stages of dating and being in love with one another. There would be time for talk of the future later because she knew they would have one. She’d already told her sisters that she and Mace were officially together. They weren’t exactly ecstatic about the fact that he had hurt her, but after she mentioned the whole groveling thing, they had warmed up.

  Her parents, on the other hand…she wasn’t quite sure how they would react. But she didn’t want to hide anything anymore. She had to be open and upfront. Maybe not about what exactly went on behind closed doors, but at least the idea of a commitment and all that jazz. She forced herself not to blush, thinking about exactly what she and Mace did behind said closed doors and then tried not to squirm on her seat since she was still a little tender, but she wasn’t quite sure she had succeeded when her mother gave her an eerily knowing look.

  And that was enough of that.

  “Of course, you are, honey. I’ve known for a while now.” Her mom just grinned, and her dad started to laugh.

  “What?” Adrienne asked, setting down her cup. “You already knew? Here I was, ready to stand in front of the Inquisition, and you already knew.”

  “Of course, we knew, sweetheart,” her dad said with a smile. “We’re your parents. We know everything. Didn’t you learn that when you were a kid?” He winked, and Adrienne put her head in her hands and let out a groan. Thankfully, her parents didn’t actually perform the Inquisition, and she was able to enjoy the rest of her coffee before she said goodbye and headed to the shop. She was starting early since
she wanted to get a few paperwork things done, but the others wouldn’t be in until later.

  Of course, her day wouldn’t continue to be good because as soon as she parked, she saw the new tags on the front of her building. Someone had put more graffiti all over it, this time using random shapes and letters that didn’t form actual words. She wasn’t beaten, wasn’t sad this time. No tears and no stomach clenches.

  No, this time, she was just fucking pissed.

  Whoever thought they could run her out of the building was sorely mistaken. MIT would just clean up and keep going. Their business wasn’t going to fail because of some asshole. Her people were beyond talented, and everyone who didn’t think so could fuck right off. She called the cops and her insurance agent from her car—again—not bothering to stand out in the cold to do so, then texted Mace that he should probably get in and help her clean up. Ryan was out of town, and today was Shep’s morning with Livvy since Shea was heading into tax season and needed time to prep.

  She took a deep breath and rolled her shoulders back. Shep and Mace had said the action was her putting on her armor so she could kick ass, and right then, they were right. Because fuck the guy who had first come into the shop to belittle their success, and fuck anyone who thought they could take them down.

  They obviously didn’t know the Montgomerys.

  She was out of her car and on her way to the front of the shop when Thea and a man she didn’t recognize came out of the doors of Colorado Icing, her sister’s bakery. Thea had another splotch of flour in her hair—something that made her adorable even if her sister hated looking a mess at work—and a frown on her face.

  “Again?” she said, shaking her head. “Did you call the cops, or should we? Damn it. I’m so annoyed for you.”

  “I’m pretty annoyed myself.” She looked at the man. “Hi, I’m Adrienne, Thea’s sister and the owner of this shop over here.” She pointed her thumb over her shoulder, trying not to let the sight of all the paint and mess hurt her heart more than it already did. She would not back down.

  “Oh, this is Dimitri, Adrienne,” Thea said, waving her hands. “I thought you’d already met. I’m sorry.”

  Dimitri was the newly ex-husband of Thea’s friend Molly and was also friends with Thea. And, yeah, she had met him before, but it had only been a couple of times and, apparently, she hadn’t remembered how hot he was. He was all bearded and mysterious and now that she remembered, had some serious ink that she had admired.

  “Oh, yeah, I’m so sorry. Hi, Dimitri. I’m apparently not all there today.”

  He smiled, inclining his head. “Hi. And, yeah, I remember you, too, though it’s been a couple of years. Thea was just filling me in on everything that’s been happening with the shop. I know there’s probably nothing I can do for you, but do you want me to walk inside with you and check out if there’s any other damage?”

  She was shaking her head even as he asked. “The door looks fine, so I think it’s just like last time with the paint on the front. I’m going to go in and check, though, but I’ll be okay. She held up her keys that were between her fingers. “I learned how to walk like this a long time ago.”

  “Well, let us know if you need us,” Dimitri said while Thea came forward and gave her a tight hug.

  “Seriously. If you want a donut or a crawler or something, just come on over. I want whoever did this caught.”

  “I know you do. Me, too. I hope it’s not hurting your business.” Adrienne had gotten to know each of the owners in the area since they’d started constriction over a year ago, but her first priority was always Thea with Abby and her tea shop now following a close second.

  “Business is fine,” Thea said as she slid her hand through the flour in her hair. “Be safe, and come over later for hot cocoa or something. I miss seeing your face.” She hugged her again before whispering, “And I want more Mace details, please.”

  Adrienne laughed and waved at Dimitri as the two of them went back to the bakery. Adrienne couldn’t help but watch as the two walked closely together, talking to one another as if they had done this morning trek countless times before. She wondered what all of that was about, but knew it was not only none of her business, but she also had to get into the shop before she froze. She’d wait for the cops there. The other shops wouldn’t be open for another hour at least, so it was pretty empty in the area, but she didn’t mind. Fewer people to deal with and see the front of her part of the building.

  Even as she walked inside, careful not to touch any paint and mess, she couldn’t help but wonder if she’d felt some sort of zing when it came to her sister and Dimitri. It was probably just because the two of them were beyond attractive and had chemistry that spoke of what was most likely friendship, but Adrienne could always wonder. Of course, if anything did happen, it would be a mess of epic proportions, considering how the two knew each other.

  She was just about to turn on the lights and take a look around when a hand covered her mouth. She froze for the barest instant, knowing she’d made a damn stupid mistake.

  “I told you to leave,” the man behind her spat. “You’re ruining our community. Why couldn’t you get that? If destroying your business won’t get you out, then I’ll have to destroy you.”

  He ripped at her hair, tugging her to the side and pushing her into the wall. She screamed and turned, punching out with her fist. She got him in the jaw, her key digging into his flesh. He shouted, blood pouring down his face and onto his pristine suit. It was the same man that had come into MIT the first day. The same man who had threatened them, only to seemingly disappear. But if he was here now, maybe he hadn’t been all that far away, after all.

  “Bitch!”

  Adrienne was fast, but he was faster. He grabbed her arm, practically wrenching it from its socket, and she sucked in a breath as pain shot through her system, forcing bile up her throat, coating her tongue.

  “Fuck. You.” She tore her arm away, a sharp pain ricocheting down her arm, but she ignored it. She had no idea what his problem was, but she knew if she didn’t get out of there soon, she wouldn’t be leaving MIT’s doors at all.

  “You were supposed to leave,” he shouted. “You were supposed to get scared off from the graffiti. The others were supposed to push you out, not want you near them. They weren’t supposed to rally around you. Then the cops were supposed to shut you down. So was sanitation. But you kept fucking your way to the top, didn’t you? Because that’s the only way you got through all those barriers. You slept your way to get what you wanted. Used those hips and tits and that ass of yours, and now you’re ruining our good name in this part of town.”

  Adrienne honestly couldn’t quite believe what she was hearing. This man wanted MIT gone because it set a poor example or some shit in his mind? Yet he had the audacity to call her those things? To accuse her of using her body?

  He was not only seriously deranged, he was also a dangerous asshole with apparently enough power to get at least some people to listen to him—or that’s what he thought he had.

  The man came at her again, and she ducked, using her shoulder to get him in the gut. Only she’d used the shoulder he’d hurt, and she retched, the pain almost too much. It wasn’t her dominant shoulder, thank God, but she knew she was in trouble if she didn’t get out of there.

  He came at her again, and she kicked him in the balls, using the pointed toe of her boot. The man went to one knee but still reached out for her. He had her cornered, but if she kicked out again, she might be able to run out of the building and call for help. She’d dropped her phone and keys after the first punch and could have rightly cursed herself for doing so.

  He lunged for her again, but the door opened behind them at that instant. Mace was there, fury on his face as he grabbed the stranger into a headlock. She kicked the man in the balls again for good measure, and through the anger in his gaze, she saw pride on Mace’s face.

  The man went limp in Mace’s arms, blood draining from his face from what had to b
e a tremendous amount of pain—she wouldn’t be surprised if he’d busted a ball or something. The asshole deserved it.

  Dimitri and Thea were through the doors right after, with Dimitri pushing Thea behind him. Adrienne was damn grateful for that, even though her sister didn’t look too happy about it.

  Adrienne’s adrenaline seemed to have waned completely by then, so she backed up to the wall and slid down, her eyes on Mace.

  “Hey. Thanks.”

  “Jesus Christ.”

  He was still holding down the man who had tried to destroy her dreams and had hurt her, but all she could think was that she was damn lucky she wasn’t alone.

  “I fought back.”

  Mace smiled then, just a small one, but enough that she relaxed marginally. “Yeah. You did.”

  “But thanks for saving me anyway,” she put in. He didn’t laugh, but she didn’t think he could right then.

  “I called the cops,” Thea said as she went to her. “They were already on their way for the vandalism, but they’re probably coming faster now. And they’ll probably need an ambulance.” She didn’t touch Adrienne but was near enough that it was comforting. Adrienne wasn’t sure she could handle being touched right then anyway. Her shoulder and head where he’d pulled at her hair hurt way too damn much.

  Dimitri moved to help Mace, and then Abby was inside the building soon after, sitting next to Adrienne. She smelled of tea, while Thea smelled of sugar and chocolate, and Adrienne couldn’t imagine a better place to be than in between them—other than Mace’s arms.