Page 67 of Wild and Bright

“Research?” I ask absently.

“Yes.” She sets two hands primly on her lap, straightening her posture. “I’ve known for a long time that I should be making content for you guys. I have better marketing instincts than whoever you have now. Your fans love what an asshole you are. Why hasn’t your social media manager capitalized on these interviews? I would have been on that shit immediately. My guess is whoever you have now is part of some huge company, and they have a big enough clientele to know that celebrities like you—who already have a blue checkmark on all their platforms—don’t have a clue what it takes to be successful on social media. So they flatter you into thinking your music will sell itself, which is bullshit. The only people listening to your music on YouTube are people who already like twangy banjo music. I know how to reach a larger audience.” She leans back into the couch and crosses her arms over her chest. “I should be working for you guys.”

When she raises both brows in challenge, I’m pulled out of my daze. It’s my cue to tell her she’s right.

But goddamn it, her timing makes me want to throw something. I’m ready to give her so much more than a job. I’m ready to give her all of myself even though it terrifies me. Why does she have to remind me that she’s mostly here because of my money? If I hadn’t swooped in and offered her an obscene amount of it, she’d be with Hunter at this moment, doing who knows what?

Unable to stand the thought, I grab her by the waist and lift her onto my lap. Her eyes grow wide, her lips parting in surprise. Not wanting to give her a chance to speak, I grab the back of her neck and yank her mouth against mine. I kiss her frantically because I can’t help myself, even as I recognize that seeking reassurance in this way isn’t healthy. I shouldn’t be looking for signs that she loves me as much as I love her. If I’m going to make this a real relationship, I need to accept the risk that she could destroy me.

Like she did before.

When I pull away, she’s breathless, her chest rising and falling rapidly. She stares into my eyes, narrowing her own in skepticism. “Was that your way of shutting me up? Are you trying to tell me there’s no way in hell you’ll hire me for anything but—” she glances pointedly down at my hips, “—this.”

“No.” I place both hands at the sides of her head, my gaze boring into hers. “That was my way of telling you I’d rather talk about this another time. That I’ve missed you so much in the last forty-eight hours…” I press my forehead against hers and shut my eyes, hating how this vulnerability makes me want to sink into her and never come out again. “I need you right now.”

When I’m brave enough to open my eyes and look up at her face, I finally see what I’ve been searching for all evening. Her eyes are wide and full of tenderness. “I need you, too.”

Her words light a fire in me. I reach for the hem of her tank top and try to pull it upward. I fumble around for a moment before I notice my hands are shaking. I look at her sternly and pat her on the ass. “Take off your clothes. Now.”

She grins, wrinkling her nose. “Yes, Sir. Are you going to spank me if I make you wait too long?”

“I’m not playing. I can’t be gentle right now. If you don’t take off all your clothes in ten seconds, I’ll rip them off.” I narrow my eyes. “That’s a promise.”

She giggles as she slips from my lap and stands in front of me, pulling her tank top slowly over her head. “I love it when you’re like this, boss.” Her eyelids grow heavy as she peels down her yoga pants, revealing her long, beautiful legs. “Or should I call you Daddy?”

I reach out and slap her hard on her bare ass, the sound as crisp as a firecracker in my insulated studio. She squeals, but I’ve learned not to question it. I understand now that she likes it.

“Not Daddy,” I say. “Not boss. Call me Camden.”

“Camden?” Her nose wrinkles. “The ‘den’ feels so weird.”

She hisses when I grab her by the waist and yank her between my legs. I take one of her nipples into my mouth and clamp my teeth down softly. As I pull away, I blow on the glistening skin. “Camden,” I repeat. “Say it.”

“Camden.” Her voice is breathy. “Can you call me Daddy, then?” She lifts her legs onto the couch and straddles my lap, her lips forming a cheeky smile. “Please, Camden?”

“No.” The word is sharp. I pull her neck to my mouth and take a bite. She shrieks and tries to pull away, so I squeeze her waist. When I tug at her skin with my teeth, she whimpers. “I don’t want to play right now,” I say against her neck. “Say my name, and I’ll say yours.”

“Okay,” she whispers, and I can hear in her voice that she finally understands my mood. “Camden.”

“Lauren.” I whisper the word, and it feels like a plea.

Go easy on me, Lauren. Don’t put me through what you did five years ago.

I press my lips against hers, slipping my tongue into her warm mouth. She matches my fervor, wildly rubbing her tongue against mine as she digs sharp fingernails into my scalp. Her frenzied pace reminds me that, in her mind, we’re on a limited timeline. She’s supposed to be out of my house in four months. I have no permanent claim on her.

The thought makes me want to burst out of my skin. Unable to wait a moment longer, I unbuckle my jeans and slip them down just far enough to free my cock. I grab her, pressing my thumbs against her sharp hipbones as I raise her into the air. I guide my cock inside her. She so wet already, I’m able to press her all the way down in one plunge.

“Camden,” she says, and I’m so consumed by the beautiful whisper of my full name on her lips, the first swivel of her hips makes my eyes roll back into my head.

“Tell me you love me.” The words leave my mouth as if they have a will of their own.

When her whole body grows still, my head jerks up. I search her face for reluctance, but I find only surprise. Her eyes are wide and maybe a little fearful. I can’t blame her for doubting me. Why wouldn’t she be confused after all those times I’ve pushed her away?

I wish I could be sorry. I wish I weren’t so selfish, but goddamn it, I’m scared. And I need reassurance before I leap over the edge with her. My eyes grow hard, my thumbs pressing into her skin. “Tell me, Lauren.”

She swallows. “You know I love you.”

The words crash over my body like a wave, and as they echo in my head, I feel like I’ve been swept out to sea. I’ve been waiting my whole life for her to say those words.

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