19. Bristol

Chapter 19

Bristol

Watching Maddox read my texts from across the room in San Francisco was satisfying, especially when the last one elicited a physical reaction so strong that he had to walk away.

Since I'd made my peace with attempting a relationship with him eventually, I decided there wasn't much point in keeping our brief history from Alyssa. I was still sitting with Braxton on the plane rides, but as soon as we landed, I grabbed my only female friend on the road and spilled my guts. We video-chatted with Dakota in my hotel room and devised a plan: send naughty texts to Maddox and see if we could get him to bite.

In the back of my mind, I knew it was too soon for him to think I was ready, but it would be fun to rile him up.

And it worked. I mean, the man was so hung you could've seen that erection from space, let alone the other side of the dimly lit hotel bar. And he wasn't the only one turned on by our sexy exchange. The second I got to my room, I had a little one-on-one time with the detachable showerhead.

The game against the San Francisco Bridgers went well. They were a strong team, but the Speed players executed their matchups and minimized turnovers while capitalizing on any mistakes their opponent made. Everyone was riding high on the short flight late at night as we moved toward LA for a game against the California Cougars.

While the team was amped up after the win, hitting the town once we landed, I went straight to my hotel room. An idea hatched in my brain on the flight, but I needed a little help setting it in motion.

Hoping to catch Dakota before Braxton called her for whatever intimate time they shared while he was on the road, I propped my cell on the desk and hit the video call button beside her number.

It rang only twice before she answered, the glow of her computer screen illuminating her face in an otherwise pitch-black room.

She didn't bother to stop typing as she asked, "You guys make it to LA?"

"Yeah." I smiled at her preoccupied state. "Book coming along?"

"Yes, ma'am." The sound of the keys being pressed furiously filtered through the phone.

"I sure hope you give Braxton a little more eye contact when he calls you," I teased.

Laughing, she stopped typing and looked directly at me through the screen. "Oh, come on, Bristol. You know I give him a lot more than ‘eye contact'." She threw in a wink for emphasis. Leaning back in her chair, she gave me her full attention. "What's up?"

I chewed on a corner of my lower lip. "I was hoping you could call in a favor for me."

"What's the favor?"

"Do you think you could reach out to Lucy and see if she could get me a private shopping session at the Arabella Reign LA location?"

Lucy Remington was Natalie's former sister-in-law, but they were still very close. Not only was she a princess, but she was a world-famous fashion designer. Arabella Reign was her secret baby, an insanely popular high-end lingerie brand. Formerly only sold online, it had grown to be carried in select boutiques, then to the point of her being able to open dedicated storefronts in the world's largest cities.

A devilish gleam entered Dakota's eyes. "Oh, I'm sure Lucy would be happy to help. I'll text her as soon as we get off the line, and hopefully, she'll get back to me when she wakes up. Dawn is only a few hours off on the East Coast."

"You're amazing. Thank you."

The picture cut out on my screen, and Dakota declared, "That's Braxton calling. I gotta go. I'll let you know when I hear from Lucy."

"Have fun with your man. Love you!"

"Night!"

She hung up, and I allowed myself a moment to picture what I was going to do if Lucy agreed to my request.

Maddox wouldn't know what hit him.

A text awaited me from Dakota when I woke up the following morning.

Dakota: Lucy says she got the store to shut down between three and five this afternoon just for you. Get whatever you like. It's her treat. All she asks in return is that you tell her about it when we go to Connecticut in a couple of weeks since I gave her the bare bones of your current mission.

That was more than I could have ever asked for. Shutting the store down and turning away customers in a busy location was already going to cost her, but for her to offer me a free shopping spree? It was almost too much. I owed her big time.

Let her know how much I appreciate it!

Dakota: Will do!

I could barely think straight through the team's morning skate. Thankfully, Alyssa was willing to share her notes because my head was not in the game. While the team was on the ice, I texted Maddox, so he'd have a little surprise waiting for him when they were done.

Free this afternoon? If so, maybe you could meet me at 9652 Wilshire Blvd? I'll be there around three.

We were waiting to be debriefed after practice when his reply came through.

Maddox: Are you trying to lure me to a sex club, Miss Cooper?

Fuck, my thighs clenched at reading his use of my formal name, hearing the way he said it in my head.

How many sex clubs do you know of that are open at three in the afternoon?

Maddox: I wouldn' t put it past you to find one that is.

Guess you'll just have to show up and find out , then. *Shrugging woman emoji*

His green eyes were blazing during his brief remarks to the press, and I shifted restlessly the entire time, trying to ease the ache his intense gaze stirred within me. This plan could totally backfire. Prancing around in lingerie was meant to get him to cave, but I knew if I let him put his hands on me, talk dirty in my ear, I would be the one begging instead of him.

Here goes nothing.

I had a plan. And it was a good plan, one I felt confident in until I heard Maddox's voice through the intercom talking to the saleswoman as he stood on the street, unsure if he had the correct location.

My hands shook as I assessed my appearance in the floor-length mirror of the private dressing area at the back of the store. Even the glass of champagne offered to me upon arrival wasn't enough to ease the nerves.

Maddox had seen me naked, more than once. But standing scantily clad in sexy lingerie, I knew I was poking the bear—teasing a man who'd made it clear he wanted me, not only for my body but for my soul.

What are you worried about? You're trying to push him past the breaking point, remember?

Filling my lungs with a deep breath, I let it out slowly. What was the worst that could happen? He didn't fall at my feet? The tension between us finally broke, and he acted on it? I was prepared for both scenarios.

"Bristol? Are you back here?" Maddox's skeptical voice grew nearer .

Striking a seductive pose, crossing my heel-clad feet and leaning with one hand against the wall, I purred, "Back here, baby."

The red curtain separating the dressing alcove from the shopping area was pushed aside, and Maddox appeared, but he froze when he saw me. His burning green gaze started at my feet; I could feel the heat of it traveling up my thighs, pausing where my pussy was barely concealed by lace before skimming over my heaving breasts and landing on my face.

I gave him what I hoped was a sexy smirk. "I've been waiting for you."

"Jesus Christ," he muttered, running a hand down his handsome face.

"Are you going to stand there all day or come inside? I have so many outfits to try on and need a man's opinion." I spun around, letting him see that the back of the one-piece I wore featured a thong.

His guttural groan was music to my ears, and I relished that small victory. Plucking two items off the rack inside the room set up for me, I returned to where he stood, now just inside the curtain, the erection tenting his pants making my belly flip. It was almost as if I could still feel his size, the power with which he yielded the appendage between his thighs. Fuck, if I didn't want anything more than to experience it again.

Raising the hangers holding scraps of fabric that passed for lingerie in my hands, I asked, "What do you think? Red or black?" I bit my lip. "Maybe both? They are Speed colors, after all."

A strangled noise rose from his throat as he reached for me, but I shimmied away, shaking my head. "Not so fast, big guy." I nodded to the velvet upholstered couch in the center of the room. "Sit."

Like a good boy, he fell into the seat, no doubt conditioned from an early age to follow orders. I bit back a smile at how eager he was to please.

Sauntering to the area designated for changing, I delighted in sound of his heavy breathing. I hadn't felt this confident in forever, but I was slowly coming back to myself. I wasn't sure if the space from Nix spurred the transformation or if it was the man behind me. Either way, I was glad to be back.

Reaching the curtain meant for privacy, I tossed the hangers on the settee inside before spinning around to face Maddox. Gripping a fistful of the fabric in each hand, I leaned forward enough that my breasts threatened to spill out. His hungry gaze, combined with the white-knuckle grip on the cushions near his thighs, told me he was barely holding on.

I'd spent a little time before his arrival with the saleswoman, choosing items to try on. If he was this close to breaking already, I knew just the piece to send him over the edge.

"No peeking," I teased in a sultry voice before pulling the curtains together and obscuring me from his view.

The room was bursting with nearly everything in the store. Lucy was incredibly talented but kept this part of her career secret. I could only imagine why. She lived a high-profile life and wanted to protect the image of her family. But I could respect her need to dive into this area of fashion. Who didn't love to be naughty every once in a while?

Peeling the one-piece from my body, I reached for the one I knew would drive Maddox wild. Men loved the idea of lingerie, sure, but the end game was getting women naked. This next item featured easy access, so you didn't need to remove the garment to have a good time.

Once I was certain I had all the straps in the right place and did a quick check in the mirror, messing up my hair to give the appearance of being freshly fucked. Then I took a deep breath, ready to face the man waiting for me.

"Ready or not, here I come," I purred seductively.

Instead of throwing the curtains wide for a big reveal, I teased him a little through the space where they met. First, I slid a bare thigh out, my fingertips trailing from my knee to my hip. The rumble that sounded from his chest had my heart skipping a beat. There was only so far I could push him before he broke. But fuck, if I wasn't ready for him to punish me.

There was no denying I wanted him. It was a good thing everything I planned to model for him was already paid for and coming home with me, or I'd end up in debt with the amount of lingerie that would be ruined by my arousal.

Showtime.

Taking a steady breath that did nothing to calm my racing heart, I stepped into the waiting area.

Those green eyes that had captivated me since the night we met were nearly black, his pupils eating away at the emerald irises. A lesser woman might've been frightened by the feral, predatory look on his face, but not me. I was desperate to have his hands on me again, his cock stretching me to the limit as he pounded into me. It was all I could think about; it was taking up all the available space in my brain.

"Fuck, Bristol." His voice was strained. "You look fucking incredible."

I chewed a corner of my lower lip as I fought a smirk, taunting, "Good enough to eat?"

Those beautiful eyes slid closed as his head tilted back with a groan. "I know what you're doing."

"And what's that?" I eased closer, hoping to gain the element of surprise.

"You're trying to tempt me into touching you, going back on my word to wait until you're ready." His throat bobbed as he swallowed. "So fucking tempting."

"Baby, I'm right here. All you have to do is reach out and grab me. Stop fighting what we both want."

Using his lack of sight to my advantage, I propped one heeled foot onto the seat beside his thigh, widening my stance with my other foot firmly planted on the ground. When he opened his eyes, a sexy little surprise would be waiting for him—one that no red-blooded man would be able to resist.

Releasing a sigh, he lifted his head, but whatever words were poised on the tip of his tongue died the moment he saw my bare pussy on display.

Crotchless lingerie for the win.

A smug smile crept onto my lips, and I teased, "Cat got your tongue?" Clicking mine, I mused, "Would be a damn shame since I'd kill to have it buried between my thighs. The thought of it is keeping me awake at night." My voice grew breathy as I begged, "Please, Maddox. Just a little taste."

Lightning quick, he stood, and I stumbled backward as his chest brushed mine. A hand circling my upper arm kept me steady.

This was it. I'd finally done it. Gotten him to take action. My thighs clenched as my clit throbbed, knowing he was about to put me out of my misery.

What I wasn't expecting was for him to march me halfway across the room, stopping once we reached a wall of mirrors. Holding my shoulders, he made me face forward as he stepped up behind me, his large frame dwarfing mine, even in heels.

I leaned against his chest as my body trembled, my knees threatening to give out. The anticipation was overwhelming, and I craved a release only Maddox could provide. Getting off on my own wasn't scratching the itch. I needed him and only him.

His burning gaze met mine in the mirror as he brought a hand to my hip, his head dipping beside my ear. "Do you see how good we look together?"

"Yes," I breathed out, tempted to close my eyes but unwilling to miss a minute of the erotic sight playing out before me in the reflective glass.

Maddox's other hand trailed a path up my arm, the featherlight touch setting a fire beneath my skin, and I moaned, my head lolling back against his shoulder. Finally, settling that massive palm over my exposed sternum, he pulled me further into his embrace until our bodies were completely flush.

His erection pressed into the small of my back, and I tried to rub against him, to drive him as insane with lust as he made me, but he kept his hold firm, not allowing any movement.

Voice husky and low, he rasped, "Can you feel what you do to me?" I could only whimper in response. "My cock can sense his home is near. He wants to come out and play."

"Please." I wanted nothing more than for him to fuck me in this dressing room. I was so ready.

"Hmm," he hummed in my ear.

The vibrations of his chest pressed to my back had me clutching onto his forearm, banded across my chest. I needed an anchor.

That arm shifted beneath my touch, his eyes never leaving mine as his hand encircled my throat, putting pressure on the arteries he found right under my jaw. The slight restriction of blood flow only heightened my arousal.

"Is this what you wanted when you texted the other night? For me to choke you?"

My lips parted, but I couldn't manage to speak.

His teeth tugged on my earlobe before musing, "What was the other part of the message? Something about doing it while I pounded into you, spanking your ass raw? You know just what I like to hear, don't you, love? You'd do almost anything to be my ‘good little girl.' Isn't that right?"

I involuntarily swallowed against his palm, and a sexy smirk lit up his face.

"That's what I thought." He tsked. "But you underestimated me, sweetheart. I'm not going to bend you over and fuck you raw. Not today, anyway." When I whined, he tightened his grip on my throat. "But I will grant your request for me to taste your sweet pussy."

I sagged in relief. I was willing to compromise if he put that skilled tongue to use. It was better than nothing.

Maddox slid the hand holding my hip over my stomach as his foot kicked my legs wide. Using two fingers, he spread me open, making sure I could see my pussy in the mirror.

"That's the prettiest pussy I've ever seen in my life, Bristol. And I'm just fine waiting because I know it already belongs to me."

When my eyes drifted closed, he barked, "Eyes open!"

I jumped in his hold at the harsh tone he used.

"I want you to watch as I fuck you with my hand. I want you to witness what I already know to be the most beautiful sight on Earth—you coming on my command. Only then can you appreciate my level of restraint. Because it's fucking addicting. And seeing it in my dreams doesn't compare to the real thing."

I'd started this; now, I had to finish it. Even if I was about to pass out, my head swimming with the lack of oxygen and overwhelming lust.

"Now, if there are no complaints, I'd like to see about getting that taste to tide me over."

Our eyes remained locked as he dipped his fingers through my slit, brushing over my clit. My gaze dropped to his hand, watching as he ventured further between my thighs. There was a sharp hiss in my ear as he brought his hand back out, letting the wetness coating his fingers glisten in the harsh lighting of the room.

"Fucking drenched for me, aren't you, love?"

A sigh escaped my parted lips when he brought those fingers to his mouth, sucking them clean. The satisfied hum he let out left no doubt that he enjoyed the taste of me. Until now, I couldn't help but wonder in the back of my mind if his insistence on going down on me was only aimed to impress, but the expression of pure ecstasy on his face when he smacked his lips put that subject to rest.

Maybe karma was finally coming around to reward me for putting up with guys who had treated me like shit when their dicks weren't buried inside me.

Who was I to question hitting the jackpot with a man who cared not only about my emotional well-being but my physical pleasure?

Seems too good to be true, don't you think?

"Hey, where did you go?" Maddox's voice softened.

My eyes shifted from his face to mine in the mirror, where twin lines had formed between my brows.

When I cleared my throat to respond, telling him I was fine and not to stop, his hand fell away, and I knew instantly that getting lost in my thoughts had broken the spell he'd been under.

A chill met my back when Maddox stepped away, putting space between us.

Noooooooooooo.

My heart sank as he said, "I'm sorry."

Spinning around, I closed the gap, throwing my arms around his neck in desperation. "Please, don't say that."

A heavy sigh had his chest kissing mine, but his gaze was full of tenderness. "I want all of you, Bristol. And right now, you can't give me that. I understand. I'm not going anywhere. I'll wait as long as it takes until you can truly be mine."

My vision blurred, and I stepped back, turning away so I wouldn't be further humiliated by having him see me cry. It cut deep that he didn't want me now, that he thought I was broken in some way, and it didn't matter that he was right. If he cared about me like he said he did, wouldn't he want to help put me back together instead of letting me figure it out on my own?

There was the sound of rustling fabric and a whoosh of air at my back, almost as if he reached for me but decided against making body contact at the last second.

"Go get dressed. Bring that little number back out with you, and I'll buy it for you. I want you to save it for when I finally claim your body again."

Without a word, I closed myself inside the curtained dressing room, sinking onto the settee and silently sobbing as the hot sting of rejection took hold. I'd been so sure this plan would work that I hadn't considered that I would be leaving this store unsatisfied or, worse, sad that my past was ruining my chance of a decent future.

When was Nix going to stop ruining my life?

Wiping the tears away, I took a few calming breaths, hoping my skin would return to its normal pale color instead of its current blotchy red state. When it became clear that wouldn't happen any time soon, I dressed in the street clothes I'd worn to the shop and left behind the black lingerie. Instead, I grabbed a pair of long-sleeved silk pajamas and pushed through the curtain.

One look at my face, and Maddox's transformed into one of anguish. Good, let him see what this push and pull was doing to me. He didn't get to pretend to be a white knight and expect me to be grateful when he pushed me away, regardless of his motives.

"Bristol . . ." My name hung in the air, but I shoved past him into the showroom.

Silently, he trailed behind me until I reached the counter where the saleswoman, Melissa, stood waiting with a smile. "Find everything all right?" She smartly elected not to bring attention to the fact that I was a hot mess after spending God knows how long alone with a hot man in the dressing room of a lingerie store.

"Yes, thank you." My voice was thick from my private crying session.

I laid the navy blue button-up set on the counter, and she gushed, "Oh, I just love this one. It's a beautiful color to complement your eyes."

I dipped my head, not in the mood for small talk. We had spoken earlier, and she knew that everything left behind in the dressing room was to be sent to my hotel later that evening.

Maddox stepped up to my side, a black credit card dangling from his fingertips. "Put it on my card."

Melissa's eyes shifted to me, and I gave a slight shake of my head. She plastered on a bright smile and waved him off. "It's already been taken care of."

He turned to face me, but I kept my eyes trained straight ahead. "Why won't you let me buy this for you? I said I was sorry. Let me do this small thing."

I swallowed before replying, "Someone else beat you to it."

Finally, daring to peek at him, I saw the disbelief etched on his face before anger flared behind those green eyes, and a muscle in his jaw twitched. "Care to explain who is buying you a two-hundred-dollar set of silk pajamas?"

Shrugging, I had no qualms about riling him up after what transpired in the dressing room. "Someone who cares about me more than you do."

Plastering on a fake smile, he held up a finger to Melissa, muttering, "Just a minute," before dragging me far enough away that we wouldn't be overheard.

My earlier sadness switched to anger at his possessiveness, and I crossed my arms, ready for battle. "Is there a problem?" I goaded .

Maddox ran a hand through his thick, dark hair. "Is this my punishment for giving you time to heal? Why won't you listen when I tell you it's for your own good."

I rolled my eyes, laying the sass on thick. "You might be significantly older than me—"

"Significantly is a stretch," he protested.

"But I don't appreciate being treated like a child. I already have a dad."

He crowded my space, forcing me to crane my neck to maintain eye contact. His voice lowered to one resembling a growl. "I had my hands on your bare pussy mere minutes ago. I think we can rule out any type of fatherly thoughts."

Scoffing, I stepped back. "I'm capable of knowing what I want. I don't need you to tell me."

He cocked an eyebrow. "And what is it that you want, Bristol? Other than for me to fuck you into next week?"

Damn. I cursed the flash of heat that pooled between my thighs at the mental image his dirty words conjured.

We're mad at him now, not turned on! Get the message!

Yeah, yeah. There's a fine line between love and hate, girlfriend. If he told you he changed his mind and wanted to fuck you, you'd have no hesitation in spreading your legs.

That thought sparked inspiration.

I stomped to the back of the store, where there was a special secluded section featuring a variety of sex toys. Lucy had brokered a partnership with an adult novelty company called Desire Selects. It was genius, really. Yes, women might be buying lingerie to impress or excite a partner, but many couples implemented toy use in the bedroom. Cashing in on that combo was a brilliant business move .

Too pissed off to care that whatever I selected would be seen through the X-ray machines at security when we flew first to San Diego and then back to Indianapolis, I grabbed a flesh-colored realistic-looking dildo, the biggest size they had. Not stopping there, I picked out a clit suctioning toy next. After an evil smirk back at Maddox, my final selection was a jewel-tipped butt plug.

Let him stew on that while he's jerking off alone in his hotel room later.

Walking confidently back to the counter, I handed over the items. "These as well, Melissa. Thank you."

Nodding, she tried not to smile, likely having overheard our conversation—I had gotten a little loud. Handing me a bag overflowing with tissue paper carrying the Arabella Reign logo, I thanked her before exiting the store. Beverly Hills bustled around us, and I pulled my phone out of my purse, intending to call a car.

"Let me." Maddox stepped up beside me.

"No, thanks." I typed the hotel's address into the app.

He let out a heavy breath. "We're going to the same place."

"I need space. Isn't that what you wanted? For me to be alone?"

"That's not what I said . . ."

"Careful what you wish for," I shot back.

Good job proving you're not a child . . .

My car approached, and the driver rolled down the passenger side window, calling out, "Bristol?"

"Yep, that's me." I stepped toward the vehicle waiting at the curb.

Before I could reach the handle of the backseat, Maddox opened the door for me. Even if I was mid-tantrum, my manners were hard to overrule. "Thank you," I grumbled, sliding into the car.

Leaning inside, he placed his lips beside my ear, and his following words sent a shiver down my spine .

"Make sure to think of me tonight when you're alone in your room because I'll be picturing all the dirty things you're doing to yourself while I'm stroking my cock three doors down."

He placed a chaste kiss on my cheek before sealing me inside and giving a mock salute as we drove away.

Holy mother of God.