Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 78076 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78076 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
But as time went on, I drained to empty quicker and quicker. I needed that hit sooner. Needed that man’s sweat on my skin, needed the high that only he could give. When the craving became too deep, I sent him a text. Have plans tonight?
His message was instantaneous. Depends on if you’re free.
I am.
Then I have no plans.
Every time I read his messages, I heard his voice in my head. That made me want him more. His confidence. His no-bullshit, no-nonsense attitude. He was the kind of man I liked, with simple desires and straightforward words.
I’ll swing by your apartment.
My desire suddenly disappeared. I don’t ever want you here. Made that clear.
Now his message wasn’t instantaneous. Took him a while to respond. I don’t like it when you head home alone in the middle of the night.
I’m a big girl, Bartholomew.
He didn’t say anything.
I’ll meet you at our usual place.
When I entered the hotel room, he was already there, his boots next to the armchair where he sat. His jacket was tossed over one of the couches, and he sat there as he enjoyed his tumbler of scotch alone, looking out at the city lights.
I hung my coat on the rack along with my purse then joined him in the living room.
He rose to his feet and headed for me. It seemed like he drew close to speak to me, but his hand slid into my hair and his kiss was on my lips. It all happened fast, and instead of a slow kiss that started at my neck and jawline, he went straight for the kill. His hand was on my ass, and then he lifted me, bringing my legs around his waist as he carried me to the bed.
He tugged off my clothes then fucked me savagely. His hand gripped my neck, squeezing it just enough to make my heart race but not enough to cut off my air supply. With his cheek to mine, he said, “Fuck, sweetheart. Did this pussy get tighter?”
My arms clung to his hard body, my nails digging a little deeper into his flesh. “I think your dick just got bigger…”
His face moved back to mine, his maniacal eyes glued to my face. He took me harder, squeezing my neck tighter than he did before, pounding me so deep into the bed he nearly broke the frame.
Then we came together, a cosmic explosion of two galaxies. Heat from the sun seared us both. Swept away in the euphoria, we moaned in pleasure, grabbing on to each other like we might fly apart if we didn’t hold on.
Then it passed, both of us panting, eyes still locked on each other.
“About time you missed me,” he said.
Five days had come and gone, and I hadn’t heard from him once. The longer my screen remained black, the more disappointed I became. But now I knew it was just a power move. “You were waiting for me?”
“This is a two-way street,” he said. “Just remember that.”
We developed a routine.
After several rounds of fucking, we showered together then ordered room service. We couldn’t dine out together in public, so we shared a meal at our dining table in the Royal Suite. Tonight, he ordered chicken, and I had a Caesar salad with salmon on top.
The meal was spent mostly in silence, the two of us exchanging looks across the table.
“My turn,” I said after I took a drink of my wine.
Bartholomew relaxed in the chair, his arms going to the wooden armrests. “I love it when you’re on top.” He grabbed his glass of wine and flashed me a subtle look of amusement.
He knew exactly what my intention was—and that wasn’t it. “When was your last serious relationship?”
He continued his stare, still somewhat amused.
“Two-way street, right?”
A small smile moved on to his handsome face. “Ten years ago.”
I could tell he was older than me, but I wasn’t sure by how much. Maybe early thirties? So the last time he had a serious woman in his life, he was barely a man. A part of me expected him to say there had never been anyone special. “Were you married?”
“I wanted to be.”
I was not expecting that answer. And I couldn’t hide my reaction, the way my eyes widened a bit. I assumed Bartholomew was one of those guys who couldn’t feel anything more than lust. “What happened?”
He tilted his head slightly. “You really want to know?”
If he answered my question, I’d be obligated to answer his. I didn’t want to share this information with him, not with anyone, but I was so interested in his story that I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. “Yes.”
He stared for a moment. “Alright.” He sank into the chair, his elbow propped and his curled fingers underneath his chin. “Her name was Nina. Met at a bar. Was supposed to be a one-time thing, but…that didn’t happen. This was long before my time as a drug kingpin, so I was a regular guy, just trying to make it. I’d been using and she didn’t know, so I got clean before she could figure it out.”