Page 29 of A Kiss at Midnight

I step into the tub before she can answer, and pull her onto my lap, my body thanking me when her skin comes into contact with mine. She gasps as I clasp my mouth around her nipple and suck hard.

“Well, I happen to love the games,” I tell her before switching sides, making a low moan tumble from her throat. “And I’m taking you now.” I grab her, and pull her down, giving a rumble of pleasure as I fill her tight heat.

“Damn, you feel good,” I groan as I begin lifting her up and down.

I don’t let her speak as I keep up the primitive rhythm. I grab the back of her neck and my lips claim hers. The sweet taste of her mouth and the feel of her inner walls gripping me tightly are quickly making me lose any vestige of control.

Finally, with a growl, I force my hips up almost violently while pulling her down, and then I explode inside her. Her cries echo off the bathroom walls as she simultaneously finds her pleasure.

I hold her for several moments, and then reluctantly let her go. She looks confused as I climb from the tub. I’m being an asshole. I’m well aware of it, but I can’t seem to stop. I don’t like that she was able to call me home without actually calling me. I couldn’t stay away no matter how much I tried... because she’s an obsession I can’t quit.

“I’m going back to work.”

“Okay,” she says, not seeming fazed by my words. This angers me. It makes me want to march right back to the tub and demand some real emotion from her — makes me want her to beg me to stay. What in the hell is wrong with me?

I force myself to walk away from the bathroom without another word. My emotions are turbulent as I dress and then leave my bedroom. I’m grateful she waits to emerge until I’m finished. This woman caused me to leave work in the middle of the day and has made me want and do things I’ve never wanted before.

Maybe Ishouldend this agreement — job paid in full. That would be much safer for my sanity. But even as I ride down to the parking garage, I know that isn’t going to happen.

I’m not nearly finished with Jewel Weston. A few more days with her will surely do the trick... right? Then I will use her on my arm without needing her. Ignoring the pang this idea causes, I focus on anything but her. Instead of driving back to my office, I head to the work site of a large apartment complex our company is building.

What I need right now is a hammer and nails so I can pound out my frustration on inanimate objects. I sure as hell hope I don’t run into either of my brothers, because there’s no way I can explain my black mood or the chaos now ruling my thoughts. I need to be alone... and I need to gain control over my life. It will happen... one nail at a time.

Chapter Review

Chapter Eighteen

Jewel

Blake leaves andI feelamixture of relief and sadness. This is stupid. I’m well aware I’m naïve when it comes to the ways of the world. I’m even unaware when it comes to human nature. This doesn’t make me stupid; I just haven’t been corrupted yet. This might all change soon. I’m waking up quickly.

I need to get through this arrangement with Blake without making waves. Apparently, my instincts when it comes to my own survival are off. Consequences happen when I poke the bear... and I seem to enjoy doing it over and over again.

Then again, I know my own worth, and being this submissive woman Blake seems to want me to be will break me if I don’t stand up for myself. I don’t want to change, don’t want to break. If I don’t hold on to my pride, I won’t make a good caregiver for my brother... and he’s the reason I’m doing this.

I sigh, pushing these thoughts away. No matter how many times I go over this, the answers won’t come to me. I need to get ahold of myself, and in the end it will work out. I go downstairs, not wanting to be in his luxury apartment anymore. As I open the front door, I stop in my tracks when I see a large man holding a key, ready to insert it in the lock.

“You must be Jewel,” the man says, and I back up a step. My eyes narrow as I take a good look at his face. Iknowthis face. I’ve seen it a dozen times as I pass the picture on Blake’s wall. It’s one of his brothers I haven’t met in the office yet. Though Blake is tall, his brother has a few inches on him. I’m not sure which brother this is.

“Tyler Astor,” he says, holding out his hand when I stand in the doorway for too long, leaving an awkward silence between us.

Finding my voice, I accept the hand that’s hanging in midair, waiting for my decision. “Jewel Weston.”

“So, you’re the girl scrambling my brother’s brain this week,” he says with laughter after releasing my hand.

“I wouldn’t say I’mscramblinghis brain. He’s a tough egg to crack,” I say, being careful. ThisisBlake’s brother, after all.

“Ah, Jewel, you’re most certainly scrambling his brain,” Tyler tells me before pulling me out the door and firmly shutting it behind us. “Where are you off to?”

“I’m not sure; I needed to get outside.”

“Good. We’ll have lunch. I’m starving,” he says, placing my arm around his. I’m not sure this is such a good idea.

“I was only planning on a quick stroll,” I tell him. Blake might not like me hanging out with his brother, especially when our relationship isn’t real. What has he told his brothers? Do they believe we’re in a real relationship? Or do they think I’m a slut who’s gone after their brother for greedy reasons? If I knew what Tyler’s been told, I wouldn’t be so uncomfortable.

“Nonsense. Everyone needs to eat, and I refuse to do it alone. You can fill me in on what you’re doing to drive my brother crazy... so I can do the same.” He doesn’t give me an out. Are all of the Astor men this bossy? With their looks, money, and confidence, they have reasons to be.

Outside, Tyler’s still holding on to me and pulling me along. Once again, my options are limited — I have the choice of following him or falling on my face if I stop and he doesn’t.

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