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  My phone vibrates in my purse next to me. I’ve grown accustomed to the limo picking me up and taking me to Cole’s for our visits. They last few months have be strange but comfortable. I do my job as well as the job for Cole. No one has said a thing but I don’t miss the strange stares from my co-workers either. Those could be due to the fact that Jamie has shown up at my job on more than one occasion. I’m not complaining. I actually find it nice to sit and enjoy conversation with him. As opposed to Cole’s chats, Jamie’s are always laid back and calm. We talk about anything and everything under the sun but there is something about the whole relationship we have that is bothering me. To an extent I feel like Jamie is using me. He hasn’t brought up a word about Cole or what I’m doing with him although I know that he knows. Our time together is comfortable but that does little ease my mind. Sliding my phone out, I see the text from Jamie.

  Jamie: How do you feel about indoor pools?

  Me: Well, they are warm in the winter

  Jamie: Very true. How do you feel about hanging out in one for the weekend?

  Me: It sounds intriguing but I’m not sure

  Jamie: Think about it. Get back to me later

  With a smile curling my lips, the car slows down and stops. I adjust my dress when Don opens the door. He offers me his hand, which I take and climb out.

  “Thank you, Don,” I say politely. He gives me a smile and a nod before I walk toward the front door. As my heels click on the concrete, I walk up the steps and straight inside. I don’t bother with the novelty of knocking anymore. There is no reason. I nod and smile at the maids as I make my way through the house and toward Cole’s office.

  “Good evening, Brady,” I say when I see him standing with his head down, his phone in hand. He slowly raises his head, his eyes locking with mine.

  “Tala. How was your day?” He asks politely. The tension between Brady and I has always been thick. I often get the idea that he doesn’t want me around and I can’t say that I blame him.

  “Long. I’ve been considering selling my house. Know any good realtors in the area?” I ask. As much as I love my house, I hate the distance it is from work. The more time that I spend coming and going, I find myself preferring to be closer to the heart of it all.

  “I think you may need to ask Cole about that,” Brady says just as the man himself opens the door to his office.

  “Ask Cole what?” His blue eyes dance with light. Cole and I have become more comfortable around each other. The thoughts of him naked and on top of me cross my mind more than I’d like to admit. The way he makes me feel when I’m near him, the electricity that filters between the two of us is undeniable.

  “Tala is thinking about selling her house,” Brady says. Cole’s eyes light up making my heart leap in my chest.

  “Well, that is doable. Come in here and let’s talk. There’s actually something that I was wanting to discuss with you.” The smile that crosses his face melts my insides. I walk past Brady and into Cole’s office. The air feels different. Something else is happening. I can feel it. Cole closes the door behind me but I’m hesitant to take a seat. When I don’t move, I can feel him behind me. His hands come to rest on my shoulders and I find myself sighing and pressing into his touch. If I’m being completely honest, I’ve missed his touch.

  “I’ve missed you, Tala. I’ve been thinking about things a lot lately,” He says, his fingers sinking into my flesh. An involuntary moan escapes me. Cole leans down, his breath dancing over my skin. I suck in a breath as his lips come to rest on my neck.

  “What are we doing, Cole?” I ask breathlessly. He hasn’t touched me like this in months. I’ve thought about it. I’ve dreamed about it but I haven’t let myself act on it. I know it’s wrong but the chemistry between the two of us is there and I can’t keep denying it.

  “Right now, in this moment? I’m kissing you.” Cole’s words slip over my skin like silk. I want to let him in. I want to take what I feel and move it to the next level but how can I? I know what this life holds and I know who he is. Cole slides his hands down my sides, gripping my hips. Spinning me to face him, I gasp. His eyes burn through me. My soul is crying out to hold onto him. I want him, I can’t deny that. Our eyes stay locked as Cole leans down, brushing his lips across mine. Heat pools inside of me.

  “Cole, I don’t know if this is okay.” My breathless moan shouldn’t have come out the way it did but this is what Cole does to me. The fingers on his left-hand dig into my flesh while the right comes up to grip my chin.

  “Tala. We’re adults. We can do whatever we want. Whatever we do is far more than okay. When I want something, I take it. You know this about me already and I fucking want you. I’ve given you space and time. I’ve let you think about it but now I’m not giving you the choice. I’m taking you,” He says, before his lips claim mine. His kiss is rough and deep. His tongue delves into my mouth and I like it. I want it and accept it. I press into his chest, needing to feel the heat of him. Cole’s hands move to slide my dress up my legs. My body is vibrating with a need that only he can fill. With my dress hiked up around my hips, Cole drops to his knees. I gasp in surprise.

  “Hold that dress up, Tala.” I grip my dress in my hands as he grins at me. His fingers hook into the sides of my panties, dragging them down my legs. I step out of them before Cole groans.

  “You know you are the only one that can bring me to my knees.” His admission nearly knocks the breath out of my lungs. His fingers slide between my thighs, parting my legs. I watch him intently as he leans in, inhaling my scent. My insides clench as my hands fist the fabric of my dress in my hands.

  “Fuck, Tala. Tell me you want me? Tell me that I don’t have to fight for you,” he says breathing against my skin. Against my better judgement I glare at him. His eyes meet mine and I’m lost in him. In his power. In his authority. In the way he makes me feel.

  “Gusto kita.” I want you. The words tumble off my tongue as Cole leans in. His fingers spread me wide, his warm wet tongue slips over my flesh. My hands tighten around my dress. My body tingles with delight. Cole licks and sucks until my knees get weak. Then and only then does he shove a finger inside of me. Thrust after thrust, he tortures me with his fingers until my body quakes.

  “Tell me what you want, Tala. Tell me you want my cock inside of you,” He growls.

  “I need you, Cole,” I pant. Cole removes his fingers from my body quickly, shoving to his feet. He watches me as he slides his jacket down his arms and tosses it to the floor. My body is so turned on that I can barely stand here any longer. I pull my dress over my head and toss it to the floor. Cole’s eyes move over my body, further setting it on fire. I slide my hand down my stomach and in between my legs. Slipping my finger over my clit, Cole groans.

  “What are you trying to do to me?” His words fall from his lips before I step toward him.

  Chapter 16

  Cole

  She drives me insane. The way she’s touching herself has my body tense as fuck. I need to be inside of her. I need to touch her, have her touch me. Tala pulls her hand from between her legs, reaching for my shirt. She doesn’t unbutton them one by one. Instead she grabs the top and rips my shirt open. Buttons fly in every direction, clinking to the floor. Her eyes are on fire with desire and lust and I want nothing more than to give it to her. I reach over my shoulder and pull my undershirt over my head, discarding it on the floor with the rest of my clothes. As soon as Tala has my pants undone and shoved down my legs, I move. I lift her quickly and press her back against the wall. I grind against her, letting her feel what she stirs in me. My lips caress her soft skin as her hands tangle in my hair.

  “Fuck me, Cole,” She cries. Who the hell am I to not give her what she wants? I reach between us and pull my cock free of my boxers. Without any further cries, I shove into her.

  “Cole. Fuck!” She screams my name and God do I love to hear that. It’s been far too long since I’ve heard her screaming my name. The feeling of her wrapped around me
without any barriers is blowing my mind. Thrusting into her, I groan. Shudders race over my skin. Tala’s nails dig into my flesh as her body bounces against the wall. Her perfectly hard nipples scrub against my chest. There is nothing in this world that feels better than this. Everything about Tala turns me on. I bend my knees and roll my hips. The heat the sizzles between the two of us only ignites my need for her. We both feel it, we’ve both denied it but not anymore. I can’t take not having her near me, being inside of her. Owning her.

  “Hold on to me,” I tell her as I walk us toward the couch. I need deeper. I need more. Laying Tala on the couch, I keep my cock deep inside of her but it’s not enough. Reaching down, I grab her leg and throw it over my shoulder, pounding into her. Tala throws her head back, her eyes clenched shut. The sight hardens me further.

  “Look at me,” I growl causing her to open her eyes. She snaps them open and I’m lost in the chocolate silk that stares back at me. If I could live inside of her forever I would.

  “You want to come, Tala? You want me to make you come?” I ask, slowing my movements. Tala groans and whines but when she reaches up and tugs at my neck, I almost lose control. I let her leg slide off my shoulder and wrap it around my hip. Tala takes that moment to pull my lips to hers. Teeth and tongue collide as the passion that radiates between us explodes into a hunger. The ravenous way we kiss each other speaks louder than any words. The harder I thrust into her, the closer I get to falling. I break our kiss, pulling back to look at her. I need to see her eyes when I fill her. I’ve never taken a woman bare the way I am Tala. I’ve always used protection but the feel of her is overwhelming. Tala’s eyes burn with fire as she watches me. A tingle races down my spine, capturing me in a vice like grip. Coming roughly, I fill her just as she clenches around me.

  “Shit, Tala!” I roar as my cock jerks and leaps inside of her. Tala clenches then explodes. Her pussy milking me for everything I have to give and I let her take it. I let her take that part of me no matter how wrong it is. I rest my head in the crock of her neck, catching my breath and inhaling her scent at the same time. I want to record every part of her to my memory. I never want to forget a thing about her. Pressing light kisses to her neck, she sighs and relaxes under me. Her body is well spent from her orgasm.

  “So much for talking business,” She says through a laugh. I laugh that I haven’t heard in a very long time. In fact, I don’t remember ever hearing her laugh. I want more of it. I need it like the fucking air that I breathe.

  “There’s always time for business. Just not right now. We have all night for that,” I tell her kissing her softly once more. I move to pull out of her but Tala wraps her arms around me, pulling me closer. Yet again surprising me. I give into her. She may be the only woman in the world that yields this kind of power over me. I’ve never been with a woman that I let dictate things. Tala is different. If she wants me to stay inside of her, I will. If she asked me to drop to my knees and worship her, I would. All she would have to do is ask and that’s something that scares me.

  “Just a few more minutes,” She whispers, pulling my face back into her neck. I keep myself positioned so that she isn’t taking all my weight but I stay pressed against her, giving her exactly what she wants.

  “I should clean you up and feed you,” I run my nose down her neck loving the way she shudders under me.

  “I could eat but this is far better.” Her words burn into my chest. The more I’m with her the more I know I need her in my life. Slowly pulling out of her, I move to grab my pants and pull them back on. Walking around my desk I grab my jacket before walking over to Tala. She smiles up at me, those dark brown enchantress eyes calling out to me for more. I’d gladly give it.

  “Come.” I hold my hand out to her. She grabs it, sits up and I pull her to her feet. I slip her arms into my jacket covering her just enough to get her to my room. That’s all that I’m concerned with at the moment. Tala pulls the jacket closed, covering her body. As petite as she is, it’s nearly a dress on her. I chuckle at the sight. Tala just smiles and eyes me. As we walk out the door of my office, I tell my maid to send food up to my room. I don’t want to take her out. I don’t want anyone else having an ounce of her time. I want her all to myself and that’s how I plan on keeping it.

  Chapter 17

  Tala

  His body is warm pressed against mine. We ate, we showered, we fucked a few more times. There’s a voice in the back of my mind that’s telling me this is wrong, so very wrong but with every caress of his fingers over my skin, it feels so right.

  “Why do you want to sell your house?” Cole asks, his fingers leaving a trail of fire up and down my spine. I find myself lost in his touch.

  “It’s too far from work. I’m barely there anymore. I’m back and forth between here and work. It makes sense for me to find something closer,” I tell him my voice hitching slightly. His fingers could put me in a trance. They’re magical.

  “Move in with me.”

  “What?” I turn my head to look up at him. There’s no way I can move in with him.

  “You heard me. I want you here. I want you close to me and eventually I want you to quit your job at the bank,” He says surely. Shaking my head slowly, I pull out of his grasp. He doesn’t move to reach for me as I climb to the edge of the bed.

  “You can’t run from me, Tala.” Sucking in a breath, I climb off the bed and head to his closet. Pulling a shirt free, I slide my arms in and walk back into the room. Cole’s eyes roam my body, his cock hardening beneath the sheet. He licks his lips as I pace around.

  “How can you even ask me that? I can’t move in here, Cole. I have a life.” Trying to plead my case isn’t going over so well. I don’t have a leg to stand on. I don’t have a life. I don’t have anything but Patty. As if reading my mind, he says, “You have a cat, Tala. She can come too. You can work from here just as well as I can.” This is too much too fast. I like being around Cole. I like that we have a strong connection but I don’t know that I can live with him. What about Jamie? What about my life outside of this arrangement we have?

  “I want my freedom, Cole. Or what’s left of it anyway! You have taken so much and now you want that too?” I ask him. My nerves are firing off. I need to control myself but I also need to get this out.

  “Your freedom? When have I taken your freedom?” His anger is slowly slipping to the surface. Pushing his buttons is a bad idea. I know what Cole is capable of.

  “Are you kidding me right now? Did you forget that I’m working for you because I was forced?” I snap. Cole shifts, sitting up and moving to the edge of the bed.

  “Forced you to work, Tala. What about fucking me? Was that a requirement I had?” He asks casually but I can see the muscles in his jaw twitch.

  “Are you really going to use that?” I ask. His eyes burn right through me. I’m pushing him and I know it but I can’t stop. “Fine. It won’t happen again and I sure as hell won’t be moving in here.” I turn on my heel to walk away when I feel him behind. He must have moved quickly. His cock presses into my back, his lips skimming my shoulder. My traitorous body responds like every time. I find myself leaning back into him, craving his warmth and safety.

  “Don’t you ever walk away from me again.” His fingers clamp onto my waist roughly. His fingers dig into my flesh but I can’t move. “I can tell you, Tala, that it will happen again. Over and over. I want you. I’ve told you that. Now, you will move in with me. You will be here every day in my goddamn bed. I will fuck you whenever the mood strikes and you will scream my name. Am I making myself clear?” He groans into my ear as his drifts down. When he slips his fingers between my slick thighs, I moan. My head drops back onto his chest as his fingers work their magic on me.

  “Say it, Tala. Tell me that you are mine and that you are going to be in my bed every night,” He says huskily into my ear. Cole bites my earlobe, my body jerks in his grasp. His free hand moves from my hip to tug and pull at my hardened nipple. In the moment, I think I�
�d give him anything he asked me for. I would throw myself at his feet just to feel that connection we share.

  “Cole.” His name comes out on a whisper. Cole grinds against me.

  “Say you are mine, Tala.” Shaking my head, I don’t want to give in to him. I’m stronger than this. “Oh, baby. You make me harder when you deny me.” I’m a panting mess as Cole rubs my clit relentlessly. My legs lock, my body convulsing. I rock my hips trying to get that last fraction of friction that I need when Cole stops.

  “Please, Cole. Don’t do this to me,” I cry. Cole chuckles, sucking the flesh on my shoulder into his warm wet mouth.

  “All you have to do is say yes, Tala. Give me what I want and I’ll give you want you want.” His words speak volumes but giving myself to Cole shouldn’t seem as easy as it does. Cole slips his finger back over my clit. I gasp as he kisses me senseless.

  “Tell me, Tala.”

  “Yes, Cole. Yes.” The words tumble out of my mouth before I can stop them but the impending orgasm is worth every word. Cole growls as he increases the pressure and moves faster. My body reacts, buckling beneath me.

  “Oh, God!” I cry as he holds me tightly. His finger slows but he doesn’t stop until he has milked everything out of me. His feathery kisses keep coming as I slowly calm in his arms.

  “That was easy, wasn’t it? Now I can make you feel like this every day of your life.” I have to admit that I like the sound of that.

  “And my freedom?”

  “You have it, baby. Haven’t you realized that I would do anything you asked me to?”

  Chapter 18

  Cole

  I sit with my head in my hands, a headache impending. Sitting my desk at the warehouse trying to get a handle on some reports that came in is taking its toll on me. My phone rings on my desk. Sitting up straighter, I answer.

  “Hello?”