Page 44 of Fool's Gold

I catch a flash of myself in the reflection from the window, the street lights outside providing a snapshot of us. A frozen tableau of a perfect peachy ass lifted in the air, her wetness dripping down her legs and my fingers glistening, poised to fill her again.My expression is unreadable.

“You’re not going to do anything about it.” Empire wiggles her ass, drawing my attention back to her. “You’re all talk and no game. You act like you’re this horrible man who uses people, but you never actually do it. You’re only good for talk.”

She knows exactly how to press my buttons. We stare at each other.

“You’re not fucking wrong.”

Feelings aren’t something I’m used to acknowledging, and right now, it would be so easy to forget them. Forget everything and take what I want from her. We’re alone in the back of the car for a reason.

I can slam into her like this—a quick angle change is all it would take. Take her from behind and let lust dominate my actions. I can use her the way she wants to be used and press her face into the leather, watching the way the orgasm screws her face while I come inside her wet hot cunt.

Instead, I bend down, biting her ass hard enough to leave an imprint of teeth. Empire moans as I lick the area and tease the top of her panties without ever moving forward a second time. The smell of her desire intoxicates me.

The car slows, and the red carpet filters into view, nearly blocked by the press of so many bodies in one spot. Shuddering, trying to get myself under control, I pull Empire back into her seat, straightening her dress and cleaning her up. A small tear worked its way free from her eyes.

“The next time I tell you to do something, you do it,” I warn, snarling in her ear.

It’s work to ignore the flash of defiance in her eyes and all the ways I’d love to fuck it out of her.

“You’re going to wear the dress, smile for the cameras, and act like you don’t have a goddamn care in the world. Now grab a mint and get yourself together.”

There’s no waiting for her to respond. Once she’s gotten herself under control, it’s time for the show to begin, and I escort her out toward the party like I’m not on the edge of losing my shit and fucking her stupid.

FIFTEEN

Marcus ran his hands over the curve of my ass like he wanted to memorize every inch of skin. And when he spanked me? I arched into him like a cat begging to be touched.

The clap echoed in the back of the car and through my body, and I wanted more. I want to be bruised. His teeth prints throb with my pulse, but after the spanking, an aura of calm settled over me until even the bright lights and flashing cameras didn’t faze me.

I step through the crowd on his arm and smile for the paparazzi.

The bit dissolved the haze of alcohol in my system. I’m blissfully aware of everything and horny as hell, ready to explode.

I want more of the delicious pain, of feeling him use his strength on me. Marcus doesn’t pull punches. Not when he speaks and not when he’s spanking me. Funny enough, I can’t stand when he talks down to me, but when he uses his strength for pleasure, I want more of it. I want to feel his lust sizzling through my system and reminding me there are enjoyable aspects to pain.

I’m still at the mercy of his hold.

I knew he’d be pissed the fuck off with my dress change. God, the look on his face…the way he glowered at being thwarted sent a thrill through my bloodstream.

Drinking hadn’t been the best idea, but the buzz from the liquor was as welcome as the pain. I bite my lip as he parades me through the crowd, enjoying this rare moment of resistance, of wildness.

Calm, I realize, in a way I haven’t been in a long time.

I might buck against the shackles he’s thrown on me, but I like it when he pulls back.

This is the only time I enjoy the push-pull dynamic. And I wonder if it will last past tonight.

“Miss Stone! Empire!” The press calls my name as they move closer like a wave on the shore, determined to crash down and break. To elicit some kind of change. “Tell us more about the film you’ve been working on and your experience with shooting your first major motion picture.”

The questions fly from every angle, and Marcus takes over to answer for me. I’m content to let him hold me tight and feel the rumble of his laughter and his amusement at being in control. This is his element.

I’m not sure it’s ever really been mine. I thought it might have been once.

Now I’m not sure anymore.

Once we make it down the red carpet, the interior of the building is relatively subdued compared to the chaos outside. The only press allowed inside are those with passes, and they possess a level of class the others lack.

This is the second event I’ve gone to with Marcus since my parents died. The second one where I’ve had to stand up straight and pretend like everything is all right. Maybe that’s why I got into Dad’s liquor while the stylists did their best on me.

---