Chapter 7

Sloane

I wake up the next morning in Easton's enormous bed, the soft sheets feel like a cloud against my bare skin. Lying still for a moment, I take stock of my surroundings; not completely sure I didn't dream everything. Things could have been so much worse, and instead, they turned out wonderfully. Sure, there weren't any flowers or whispered words of love, but he'd still made it as close to romantic as possible.

He had saved me, and he didn't have to be so patient and gentle claiming his prize. He really didn't have to make it so darn fantastic; I was already craving him again. But the dream has to end soon, and I slowly roll over and stretch.

Easton sits at a desk in the corner of the luxurious bedroom with a steaming cup of coffee at his elbow. His brow furrows as he reads on his tablet. Sunlight streams in from the window and catches all the golden strands in his tousled, dark brown hair. His bathrobe falls open, revealing the pecs I dug my fingernails into last night, and his washboard abs I want to strum like a guitar.

I feel like a different person from the shaking mess that was counting my regrets as they pushed me onto the stage last night. The only regret I have now is that he'll want me to leave soon. They assured me that my share of the winning bid would be in my bank account right away, so I can afford the taxi ride back to the motel. I should cough or something, so he knows I'm awake, but I just want to keep looking at him for a little bit longer.

"I know you drink coffee," he says. His smile melts my heart at the same time it makes it race. "I just don't know how you like it."

If I accept a cup of coffee, I won't be able to sit down beside him to drink it. I'll only crawl onto his lap and beg for more of what he lavished on me last night.

"It's probably about time for me to get going," I say, swinging my bare legs over the side of the bed. I came here in that ridiculous negligee that's been abandoned in the other room and I suddenly do not know what I'll wear to get to the motel. He frowns and I want to ease his conscience. "I know you have to fire me. I completely understand."

He hurries to the bed and sits beside me, his frown growing deeper. I look down at my lap and pull the sheet tighter around me.

"Sloane, you're not fired, but you're not going back to work at the office where I won't be able to touch you. And you're not going home yet, either." He slides his hand around my waist and pulls me close to his muscular chest. "You're mine. Not just last night, but until further notice."

My breath catches, and I look up to see him staring down at me intently. My first thought is for Gran, back at the roach motel. We've only paid to stay there through tonight; I have to get her out of there, or at least get some money to her.

Easton tips up my chin and lowers his head, his kiss erasing all my worries, at least for the moment. He's a bit magical like that. The second his hand is on my skin and his lips are on mine, nothing else exists. I reach for him, running my fingers through his silky hair, then gasping when he tugs the sheet away to glide his fingers down my throat. His feather-light caress makes me cling to him tighter and my nipples tighten as goosebumps erupt on my uncovered skin.

He pulls away, gently tweaking each nipple while smiling down at my body. "Pure perfection," he murmurs, making me shiver at his low growl and the sweet words.

Easing me back onto the bed, he kisses his way down my neck, rubbing away the goosebumps as he goes. As I squeeze my legs together and wriggle around on the bed in anticipation of where his mouth will soon be, I realize with a start that he spent most of last night making me crazy with the most intense pleasure I've ever felt. Probably can ever hope to feel.

I grip his hair to stop his traveling kisses and he looks up at me with a mock scowl. "Don't tell me you don't want me licking your pussy, little girl. Because I know just how my tongue makes you scream."

His teasing fingers and intense gaze make me almost lose control, which is what he wants. What he loves. But I want to please him. I want to be in control. At least for a little bit. I keep a firm hold on his hair and slink my way down to the pulsing bulge beneath his robe.

One little tug on the tie at his waist and his thick cock bursts free. "Let me have a turn," I plead. Just wrapping my hand around that silky steel makes me wet. Giving him a little shove, I tip him onto his back and lean down, hovering my lips above the dripping head of his cock.

"What do you taste like?" I ask, eyeing him.

He groans as his cock pulses, bouncing against my lower lip. "Find out," he urges. "Suck me as long as you like, but be careful because I might come down your pretty little throat."

I breathe out hard against him, making him grab a handful of the sheets. "I might enjoy swallowing you," I say.

He grabs my hair and pushes my mouth closer to his cock. "Be careful, little girl, or you won't get your playtime. I'm about to flip you over and ram inside you so hard your head will spin."

My tongue flicks out and I lick away the bead of moisture, sighing at the salty taste and the moan he gives. I want to be good at this and move slowly, pulling him deep into my mouth before dragging my teeth across the tender flesh. His hands tighten on the sheets and his hips rise. Now he knows what he does to me when he spreads my legs and buries his face between them to thrust his tongue deep into my pussy.

Soon I'm moaning too as I suck harder and faster. Deep disappointment washes over me when he yanks me away. His eyes screwed tightly shut.

"Straddle me," he orders.

Okay, even better. Spreading my legs, I quickly straddle him. He grabs my hips, bringing me down until we're pressed tightly together and his thick cock is all the way inside me. Stretching my pussy and forcing my legs further apart.

"You're so big," I gasp as he thrusts faster. He swears, slowing his movements. "No," I say. "I like it. I love the way you fill me."

He continues his slow, sinuous movements, wrapping his fingers in my hair to pull me down for a kiss. My breasts brush against his chest and I cry out. His tongue sweeping between my lips, his crisp chest hairs tickling my nipples, the soft sheets under my knees as I ride him. I break the kiss to rest my forehead on his shoulder, breathing in the mixture of his expensive cologne and our night of sweaty passion.

"Sit back up," he tells me. "I need to play with your perfect tits and watch your face when I make you come."

His commanding voice alone is almost enough to send me over the edge, but I like my position on top of him too much to let it be over so soon. I lean back and draw his hands to my breasts, sighing as he teases and tweaks my nipples. With a wicked smile, he slides one hand down my stomach and finds my swollen clit with his fingertips. I jump and squeeze my thighs tight against his hips.

"Not yet," I say, my head dropping back as that delicious feeling swells with every stroke of his fingers.

"I'm sorry, baby. Your tight little pussy is too much for me," he says. "Your body is so fucking sexy."

I clap my hands on his shoulders, my hair falling forward as he drives into me, letting him take me away. My moans grow louder, my heart pounding in time with his thrusts.

"Come for me, little girl. Do it now."

I scream as pleasure rocks me and he keeps pushing me even further until I'm not sure of anything except the way he's making me feel. His roar follows only a second later as he grips my hips and holds me tight while he shoots his seed inside me. I finally drop to his chest, barely able to breathe.

"Easton," I gasp, slowly floating back down.

He strokes my back and rolls me onto my side, facing me with a smug smile. "You're fucking fantastic," he says, kissing me.

I nod, trying to tell him I feel the same, but I'm too weak. We lie there tangled up together until there's a ding from his bedside table. His eyes fly open and he rolls over to grab his phone. He glares at the alarm as he turns it off.

"I have to go into the office for a little while," he says. "But you stay right here and make yourself comfortable until I get back."

With a quick kiss, he jumps up and hurries to the bathroom. I lie in the rumpled sheets and stare at the ceiling as I listen to the shower running. Only a few minutes later, he pops out in a dress shirt and pants, a navy silk tie open at his throat.

"I'll miss you," I say, feeling overwhelming sadness that this is drawing to an end.

He shakes his head. "Not for long. I'll be back before you know it."

As soon as he's gone, I find my phone in the living room, where our adventure started. His house is even more lavish and imposing than I realized last night, and I take a moment to commit everything to memory. The abstract oil paintings, the marble fireplace that is almost exactly the same color as the leather couches where he first took my virginity. I even pause to let my feet sink into the luxuriously thick rug as I check my bank account on my phone.

Breathing a sigh of relief to see the auction money is really there, I order a ride back into the city. Now I need to find something to wear. Easton's walk-in closet is full of designer suits, a collection of watches I'm sure cost more than I could hope to make in a year, and handmade Italian shoes.

I stop ogling all his things and find a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. The borrowed clothes swim on me, but I don't want to take anything worth too much, just in case I never see him again. I tie the shirt in a knot and roll the waistband of the sweats, then head down the long driveway to the road, just as my ride arrives.

I take one last glance at the castle-like mansion, hold back tears, and get into the backseat. I give the driver the address of the rundown motel. It's time to wake up and face reality. I'll forever be grateful that I once had a wonderful boss who saved me from what might have been a terrible experience, but the dream is over now.

We quickly collect Gran's things and move into a much nicer hotel in a safe neighborhood. She's furious, wanting to know where I was all night and why I didn't answer her calls. To avoid confessing, I apologize for worrying her and share that I got a new job that gave me an advance on my first paycheck.

"Tomorrow I'll start looking for a proper apartment again," I promise, then head out to get some of her favorite pastries.

As soon as I leave the elevator in the new hotel, I run straight into Easton, who is waiting in the lobby. I stop dead in my tracks, surreptitiously pinching myself because my life has become surreal in the last twenty-four hours. The sting on the inside of my elbow, along with his stern face, tells me I'm awake and he's really standing there.

He doesn't exactly look pissed, but he doesn't seem happy either. He takes my elbow and leads me to his car that's parked just outside, getting into the backseat and pulling me in beside him.

"How did you—"

He shakes his head, silencing me. "I have security cameras that caught the license plate of your getaway car. It only took a few quick calls to track you." He leans close, his stern lips quirking up in a crooked smile. "What don't you understand about being mine?"

He slides his hand behind my neck and pulls me in for a kiss that leaves me panting. I'm dying to let his magical touch brush away all my concerns, but reality looms over me like an angry bear. Looking at him is too hard and I turn away. He's everything I want and also everything I want to be. Successful, independent, at the top of his field. My initial troubles might be solved by the huge number in my bank account, but my future, the way I envisioned it, is gone. I have to find a way to start from scratch.

"Sloane," he says, more gently. He takes my chin so I have to look at him and his eyes search my face. Does he still feel sorry for the pathetic waif he rescued last night? "Tell me what's wrong."

Everything. But I can't say that. It won't be good enough for him. Inhaling, I take a shuddering breath and let it all out.

"I'm grateful for what you did," I start. "I gave up all my romantic notions of losing my virginity to someone I love and my hopes of having my dream career—"

He drops his hand and interrupts me. "Sloane, that's not—"

I interrupt him right back. "I know you're not going to blackball me or do anything like that, but how many men in that club are in high-powered positions in this city? Eventually, I'll end up running into one of them." Turning away, I grab the door handle. "You got what you paid for, Easton. I'm sorry if you have buyer's remorse now. I have a life I have to put back together for my grandma, and I can't pretend anymore."