assureyouitisnothowwehandlethingsinGinghamLakes.Mrs.Tindallhasbeena
valuetooursmallcommunitysincethefifties,andherfamilylongbeforethen,andI
haveeveryintentionofsecuringthatlegacyformanyyearstocome.Whydon’tyou
makethingseasieronyourselfandremaininyourhigh-riseoffice,whichI’msure
affordsyouquitethedramaticviewofManhattan.Youseembettersuitedforthat
thanour‘provincial’town.

Ididn’tevenfightthesatisfiedsmilethatpulledatmylipsasIletmyeyesretraceher
latestemail.

God,thiswomanwasahandful.

Determinedandfeisty.

AchallengeIcouldn’twaittotakeon.

Forthelastfivemonths,we’dbeengoingbackandforthviaemail.Myinteractions

withthistough-as-nailsattorney,whowasworkingprobonoforatinycompanyinan
eventiniercityinAlabama,hadescalatedwitheachclickofsend.

MaybeitwasalittlesickthatI’dcometocravethisgame.

Catandmouse.

Roundandround.

Shewassharpandobviouslyloyal.I’dneverevenseenher.Butapparently,Ididn’t

haveto.Justsittingthereandreadingthefightinherwordsmademydickhard.

Therewasnothinglikeastrongwomanwhoknewwhatshewanted.

ThebestpartwasIwanteditmore.

Mylaptopscreenburnedthroughthedimlightofmyhigh-riseoffice,whichdid

indeedofferthemostspectacularviewofManhattan.Withasmirk,Ileanedforwardand
letmyfingersflyacrossthekeyboard.

Thatiswhereyou’remistaken,Ms.Redd.I’msureyou’rewellawareofour
company’sreputation.TheWolfenameistheverydefinitionofsuccess.It’sthe
cornerstoneonwhichourcompanyhasbeenbuilt,andIwillnotletthatnamebe
tarnished.Iwillhavethatbuilding,andintheend,myhotelwillstandinitsplace.
I’mtryingtobefair,butmakenomistake,ifyouforcemeintoacorner,Iwillcome
out,teethbared.I’vebeentoldthey’resharp.

AshockoflustcurledinmygutasIsenttheemail.WhydidIgetthefeelingIwouldlove
sinkingmyteethintothiswoman?

Ittookonlyafewmomentsbeforemyinboxpingedwithanewmessage.

Isthatathreat,Mr.Wolfe?Becauseifitis,Icanassureyou,mynailsareequallyas
long,andIneverhesitatetofightback.

Visionsassaultedme.Onesofhernailsclawingatmyshouldersandrakingdownmy
back.HerbodystrainingbeneathmineasIravagedher.

MybreathsturnedshallowasItypedoutaresponse.

Isthatapromiseoryourownthreat,Ms.Redd?I’mupforeither.

God.WhatthefuckdidIthinkIwasdoing?I’dalwaysbeenaboutthejob.Butthis
woman…thisfierywomanhadmesteppingoutofbounds.SayingthingsIknewIshould
neversay.

Herresponsewasalmostimmediate.

Don’tflatteryourself.You’reclearlycompensating,andIdefinitelydon’tneedthat
kindofdisappointment.Saveyourselfthetrip.Youwouldn’twanttoembarrass
yourselfwiththatkindoffailure.

“Oh,youwentthere,didyou?”Imurmuredbeneathmybreath.Ifuckinglovedthatshe
didn’tholdback.Myteethscrapedmylowerlip,mymouthwateringasIgaveintothe
chase.

Failureisnotapartofmyvocabulary,Ms.Redd.Ithinkwe’vealreadyestablished
that.Butdon’tworry,attheendofallofthis,youwillbethankingme.

Ipressedsendalittletooeagerly,becomingevenmoreexcitedwhenIclickedintoher
quickresponse.

Onlyinyourlofty,loftydreams,Mr.Wolfe.Iwillseetoitthosedreamsarecrushed.

Achucklerumbledfree,andIrubbedatmyjaw.ShehadnoideajusthowmuchpleasureI
wouldtakeincrushingher.

Thiscouldhavebeenaneasyacquisition.

We’dmadeamorethangenerousoffer,afterall.Insteadofacceptingitandmoving

on,theyletnostalgiatainttheirdecisionandrejectedthesmallfortune.

Somepeopledidn’tseemtounderstandwhenitwasbesttotakethepathofleast

resistance.

Butyouwouldn’tseemecomplaining.TheyhadnocluejusthowmuchIrelishedthe

battle.

Mycellbleepedandlitupwhereitrestedontheglassdesk,andIsubduedthe

irritationthatfoughttoworkitswayupmythroat.IcleareditasIrockedforwardand
acceptedthecall.

“Father,”IsaidbywayofhelloasIstoodandshruggedintomysuitjacketbefore

closingdownmylaptopandslidingitintoitsleathercase.

“Son.Tellmeyou’vetakencareoftheissue.”

“I’mworkingonit.”

“Workingonitisn’tgoodenough.Ineededthisfinishedyesterday.”

Igrittedmyteethinanattempttokeepfromspittingthewordsathim.“Itoldyou,I

wouldhandlethisonemyway.”

Hehuffed.“Haven’tyoufiguredoutyetthatyourwaydoesn’twork?”

Ajoltofbitterlaughtertrippedfrommytongue.“IthinkI’vecleanedupenoughof

yourmessesthatyouwouldhaverealizedbynowthatitdoes.”

Ifitwereuptomyfather,hewouldhavegoneinthereandbasicallystolenthat

buildingrightoutfromunderthatoldlady.Hismenhadnoqualmsaboutmakingathreat
ortwotogetwhathewanted,bendingpeopletohiswillbycowardlyshowsofforce.

Silencetraveledtheline,thetwoofusatodds,theconstantcontentionthathad

churnedbetweenussinceIwasalittleboysoclosetoreachingitsboilingpoint.

“Twoweeks,Broderick.Twoweeks,”hefinallysaid.Therewasnomissingthethreat.

“Iwon’tneedthem.”Myvoicelowered.“AndI’mwarningyou—donotinterferein

this.Iwilldothismyway.”

“We’llsee.”Thatwasthelastthinghesaidbeforethelinewentdead.

Fuck.Isqueezedthephoneinmyhand.IttookeveryounceofwillpowerIhadnotto

sendmyphonesailingthroughtheair.

BroderickWolfeSr.thoughthewastheepitomeofsuccess.

BelievedhiseffortswerewhatWolfeIndustrieswasbuiltupon.

Whenintruth,themanwasnothingbutunderhandeddealsandgreed.

ThosewerefootstepsIrefusedtowalkin.

IworkedrelentlesslyforwhatIwanted.

Chasedit.

HuntedituntilIhaditinmyclutches.

AndwhenIwon?ItwasbecauseIwasactuallythebestatwhatIdid.

Ibuttonedasinglebuttononmyjacketandshookoutthecuffs.Liftingmychin,I

grabbedmycaseandstrodeoutthedoor.

Ihadworktodo.

AndIwasgoingtoloveeverysecondofit.

LILLITH

“S

HELP

,ifheevenlooksatmewrong,Iwillsnap.Ithinkthere’salegitimate

chancesomeonewillhavetokeepmefromstranglinghim,Nikki.Gah…he’sso
infuriating.”Withmyphonepressedtomyear,Itippedmyfacetowardtheskyand
suckedinafewbreathsofcoldairasifitmightstandthechanceofcoolingsomeofthe
angerstillboilinginmyblood.

NeverhadIhatedamanasmuchasIhatedBroderickWolfe.Thatsnarky,arrogant

voicemademyskincrawl.Ofcourse,itwasavoiceI’dneveractuallyheard.Whatwas
mostfrustratingwasthefactthateveninitssilenceitskatedmyskinlikesexandsin.

Noquestion,thatwaswhatthismanwas.

Sin.

Wickedandimmoral.

Tenminutesago,I’dleftameetingwherewewereplanningexactlywhatstrategy

we’dtaketomorrowwhenthebigdogsfromWolfeIndustriesdescendedonourcity.

Ineededafewmomentstovent.

MybestfriendNicolelaughedthroughtheline.Atleastsomeonefoundsomehumor

inthesituation.“Oh,Iseriouslydoubtyou’regoingtoactuallystranglehim.Youmight
havespentthelastfivemonthsfantasizingaboutit,butIknowyou,LilyPad,andyouare
thepillarofself-restraint.Butifthestoriesaretrueandhe’sasgorgeousaseveryonesays
heis,youhavebeenfantasizingaboutallthewrongthings.”

Thewinterairwaschilly,andItightenedthebeltofmycoat,myblackpatentheels

clickingonthegray-brickedsidewalkthatranthequaintdowntownstreet.Istrode
beneaththetrees,theirbarrenbranchesstretchedovermyheadlikeashieldofprotection.
Raysofsunlightdartedthroughthespindlylimbs,creatingapatternofwarmthonthe
ground.

Gorgeousoldbuildingsroseuponeachsideofthestreet.Mostofthemwereone-to-

threestorieshigh,theupperfloorsapartmentsandthebottomfloorsfamily-runand
independentstores.

ManyhadbeentheresincelongbeforeIwasborn.

Soyes.

Icouldadmitmanywererundownandindireneedofrepair.

Butthatdidn’tmakethehistoriesheldwithintheirwallsanylessimportant.

Ourcityhadalwaysstoodforsomething—familyandcommunityandcomingtogether

whenthingsgotrough.

Therewereparadesonalmosteveryholiday,andourparksandlakeswere

meticulouslymaintained—asafeplacewherechildrencouldrunandplay—allthanksto
theresidentswhodevotedtheirtimeandeffortstomakesurethepublicareaswerecared
for.Andwhensomeonewasinneed?Thosesameresidentscametogetherwith
fundraisersandfooddrivestohelpeasetheburden.

ThatwassomethingIwoulddoeverythinginmypowertoprotect.

“Believeme,Nikki.Thereisabsolutelynofantasizingonmypartotherthan

imagininghiscompletedemise.Themanisanarrogantslimeball.Idon’tcareifhelooks
likeCharlieHunnam—I’mtalkingSOAhere—Idon’twantanythingtodowithhimother
thantorunhimoutoftownasquicklyasIcan.”

NikkigaspedasifitwerethemosthorrificstatementI’devermade.“Thatissome

serioushate,Lily.SOA?Areyousureyou’rereallygoingthere?”

Isighed,andatumbleofnervesrolledinmystomachasIapproachedthestorefrontat

theheartofitall.Mygazetracedtheplateglasswindowswiththestore’snameandlogo
printedinwhite.

Tindall’sThimbles.

“Youthinkthathateisundeserved?”

Nikkihesitated,andIcouldalmostseeherchewingfuriouslyatthetipofher

thumbnail,asifsheweren’tsurewhattosay.Hervoicedropped.“Istherereallyanything
wrongwithrevitalization?Thecitycouldusethejobs.”

Asighfilteredfree.“Ofcoursewecouldusethejobs.Butyouknowthisisdifferent.

They’reforcingthiswithoutconsiderationofthepeoplewhohavebeenhereallalong.
They’resteamrollingpeopleoutoftheirhomesandoutofbusinesswithoutasecond
thoughtotherthanthenumberofdollarsthatwilllinetheirpockets.It’snotasifthey
actuallycareaboutGinghamLakes.Youknowthesecondtheysignonthedottedline,
they’reoutofhere.”

“You’reprobablyright.”

“IfyouweretoreadtheemailsI’vesharedwiththem,especiallyhim,you’d

understand,Nikki.Thisisallaboutthemoney.Anybullshitthey’refeedingusabout
pumpingfreshbloodintothecommunityisjustthat—bullshit.”

Ateasemadeitswayintohertone.“AndweallknowthebullshitstopswithLillith

Redd.”

MemoriesofwhenIcouldn’tseethroughpeople’sbullshitbarreledthroughme,andI

pushedoutthewordsonawhisper.“God,Ihopeso.”IshookthemoffbeforeIgottoo

losttothem.“Allright,Ineedtogetinside.”

“Okay,butI’llseeyoutonightatseven,right?”

Shit.

I’dforgottenaboutthat.

“Ofcourse,”Imutterednoncommittedly.

IcouldalmostseeNikkiraisinghereyebrowatme.“Donotbailonme,LilyPad.You

needtounwind.Idon’tcarehowbusyyouareorwhatyouneedtopreparefor,youare
gettinganightout.Doyouunderstandme?”

Ipuffedoutabreath.“Fine.I’llbethere.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

“Okay,seeyouthen.Don’tmakemeshowupatyourofficetodragyourassout.”

Ashortlaughrumbledfree.“Iwouldn’tdreamofit.I’llseeyouthen.”

“Bye.”

Iendedthecallandslippedmycellintomybag.Suckinginabreath,Ireachedout

andpulledopenthedoor.Abelldingedfromabove,thelighttinkleusheringinathousand
morememories.

TheoverwhelmingreliefI’dfelteverytimeI’dsteppedthroughthisdoor.

Thewarmthandthecomfort.

ThehopewhentheonlythingI’dfeltwasfearanddefeat.

Movementpulledmyattentiontothefarcornerwhereanarchledtothebackroom

filledwithsewingmachinesandfabricsandtools.Ontheoppositesideofthesewing
machineswereracksfullofhanginggarmentbagswaitingtobepickedupbytheirbrand
newownersortobereunitedafterarepairortailor.

Addelaineallbutfloatedout,theoldwomanwillowyandthin.Hairlongandsilver.

Grayed,blueeyeskeen.

“Lillith,child,”shemurmuredthroughatender,wrinkledsmile.“It’ssowonderfulto

seeyou.”

Immediately,Iwenttoher,wrappedmyarmsaroundherfrailbody,andhuggedher

close.Shesmelledlikebabypowderandcotton,thewayshealwayshad.

“Addelaine,”Iwhispered.

Foralongmoment,IclungtoherbeforeIforcedmyselftountanglefromherfamiliar

warmth.Evenstill,Ireachedoutforoneofherweatheredhands.“Tellmehowyou’re
holdingup?Hasanyonebeenharassingyou?Haveyoureceivedanymoreletters?”

Softly,shesmiled.“Icouldn’tbebetter.”

Afrownpulledatmybrow.“Youdon’thavetopretendforme,Addelaine.Ican’t

imaginethetypeofstressthishasputyouunder.”

Shetouchedmycheek.“Hmm…child…whydoIgetthefeelingit’syouwhoisthe

onewhoisstressed?Itoldyoubefore,whateverwillbe,willbe.”

“Andwhatwillbeisyoustayingput,righthere,whereyoubelong.”Thewordswere

out,strengthbehindthem.Iwouldn’tallowmyselftofathomanotheroutcome.

Herchucklewasslowassheworkedherwaybackaroundthecounterandbeganto

siftthroughtheordersshewouldstartthatday.“Withyouonmyside?Ihavenodoubt
aboutthat.”

“Theycomeintomorrow.”Iglancedaroundthespace.“Thepeoplewhoaretryingto

stealthisbuildingfromyou.”

Iknewshewantedtohideit,butIsawtheresignedfearthatflashedthroughher

features.“It’sgoingtobeafight.”

“Afightwewillwin.”Itookanemphaticstepforward.“We’refightingforwhat’s

right.”

Hersmilewassad.“I’mtheonewhogotmyselfinthismess,Lillith.Howmanyyears

amIbehindonmytaxes?Andnowthemortgagehasgonelate?I’mtheonewhohasn’t
beenholdinguptomyendofthebargain.ItookoutthatsecondmortgagethinkingI’dbe
abletorepayit,andyouandIbothknowIjustcan’t.Sometimesit’sbettertoadmitit’s
timetoletthingsgo.”

IfIhadenoughliquidcash,Iwouldpayitoffmyself.Butbetweenthesecond

mortgageandbacktaxes,thetotalwasmuchmorethanI’dbeenabletogettogether.So,
I’dsettledontheonethingIcoulddo—fightthebattlethroughlegalchannels.

“Yourfamilyhasbeeninthisbuildingforeightyyears.Yougrewuphere,”Itoldher.

Meaningfully,shelookedacrossatme.“Andsodidyou.”

Igulpedaroundtheemotionthatthreatenedtoseizemyheart.“Yes.”Itookapleading

stepforward.“Yousavedme,Addelaine.YoutookmeinwhenIhadnowhereelsetogo.
AndIwon’tstandforsomeonetakingyourhomeawayfromyou,too.”

Ifumbledoverthecounterandtookholdofherhandagain.“Ipromiseyou,Iwilldo

whateverittakestoensurethatdoesn’thappen.”

Shesqueezedback,hereyesrakingmyclothing,mydresspantsandheels.Butmost

ofherattentionwasonthecoatIwore.Thethick,redmaterialsewntobecomesomething
solid.

Apatchworkofhealing.

IcouldstillfeelthepaininmyfingertipsasI’dstruggledtoworkaneedleintothe

coarse,heavymaterialwhenIwasfifteen.IcouldstillhearAddelaine’svoiceinmyearas
she’dcoaxedmethroughit.Tellingmeallgoalswereachievedthroughsomeamountof
pain.

Whenshe’dwhisperedaboutgrowthandstrengthandhadslowlybutsteadilyhelped

tomoldmeintothewomanI’dbecome.

Shepattedthebackofmyhand.“You’reagoodgirl,Lillith.Youwillalwaysbethe

granddaughterIneverhad.Whateverhappens,knowyouhavemademeproud.”

AndthatwasexactlywhyIwoulddoabsolutelyanythingtomakesureIdidn’tlether

down.

BRODERICK

“W

HAT

YOU

THINK

?”Jamesasked.Hewasmypartnerandmyclosestfriend,andtruly

theonlypersonintheworldwhoItrustedwhollyandwithoutquestion.

“Itlookssolidtome.”

“You’restillconfident?”

“OfcourseI’mstillconfident,”Ireturnedwithouthesitation.Iwassurehealready

knewtheanswer.Iwasalwaysconfident.

“Yourfatherisgoingtobepissed.”

Iscoffed.“Whenisn’thepissed?”

“Touché.”Jameslaughedquietly,andIcouldalmostseehimnodding.“Allrightthen.

Keepmepostedafterthemeetingtomorrow.Goodluckandletmeknowifyouneed
anything.”

“Iwill.”Afterendingthecall,Istuffedmycellinmyjean’spocketandslowlyambled

downthebustlingstreetofdowntown.Fairylightswerestrungbetweenthebuildings,
crisscrossingthebusyroadinthedowntownareathatrantheedgeofthelake.

Itwasanareathathadbeenreinvigoratedoverthelasttenyears.Lifepumpedback

intoitsveinsafterthemillandcanneryhadshutdownintheeighties.

Anewkindofenergythrummedthestreet.

Vigorousandbuzzing.

ThiswasexactlywhatIhopedtoachievewiththerevitalizationprojectjustthree

milesawayintheoldtownsquarethathadoncebeenthefocalpointofthiscity.Theone
mileradiuswasdowntroddenbutburstingwithpossibility.

AndIwasaguywhowasallaboutpossibility.

Pairitwithopportunity,andmyvisionswereunstoppable.

Earliertoday,I’ddriventhroughthearea,checkingouttheexteriorsofthebuildingwe

stillneededtoacquire.

ExcitementhadburnedlikeafuckingflameasI’dtakenintheuntappedpotential.

ThenI’dcheckedintomysuiteuptheblock,shedmysuit,andredressedbeforeI’d

headedoutintotheapproachingnight.Iwantedtotakeinthevibeofthelocalsoutcasting
asidetheirday-to-daycaresormaybegrumblingaboutthem.

Sitbackandwatch.Getareadonexactlywhatwewereworkingwith.

Icheckedmyphoneagain,alittledisappointedthatIhadn’tgottenareplyfromMs.

ReddafterI’dinvitedhertomeetmefordrinksandwhateverotheractivitiesthatmay
arise.

NotthatI’dexpectedhertoaccept.

I’djustbeenhopingshe’dtellmetogotohell.

Maybesparwithmesomemore.

Ampmeuptogotoetotoewithhertomorrowafternoon.

Mystomachtightenedinanticipation.Fuck.Icouldn’twaittobeinaroomwithher.

I’dforcedmyselfnottolookherupand,instead,letmyimaginationrunwild,envisioning
everythingfromaditzyElleWoodstoanolderhard-assedDianeLockhart.

Ijustcouldn’thelpmyself.Sueme.

JustasIwasapproachingtheintersection,myattentioncaughtonabusybarsittingon

thecorner.Itwastwostorieshighwithanupstairsterrace.Peopleleanedontherailingas
theychattedandlaughed,takingswigsoftheirbeersandsippingtheircocktails.

ItwasexactlywhatIwaslookingfor.

Roughinganeasyhandthroughmyhair,Ipulledopenthedoorandsteppedinside,

gazequicktoscanthearea.

Edisonlights,whichwerestrungfromthehighceilings,hungdowntoaddaglowto

theduskyspace.Thefloorswerereclaimedwood,andthewallswereoldbrick.Itall
addedacomfortingcharmtothemodernfurnitureanddecorationsthatgavethevibethis
wastheplaceeveryonewantedtobe.

ThatwastheambianceIwantedtoachieveforthewholetown.Asliceofexactlywhat

Iwantedtoaccomplishhere—amergingofoldandnew.

Itwasashamesomanypeoplewereafraidofchange.

Smallgroupssataroundhigh-toppedroundtables,andmorecrowdedthemarble-

toppedbar.Mutedlaughtertumbleddownfromthestaircasethatledtothesecondfloor
andmingledwiththemildchatterthatechoedonthewallsofthebottomfloor.

Iheadeddirectlyforthebaratthebackandslidontoafreestool.Iraisedahandto

grabthebartender’sattention.

Heliftedhisbeardedchinatme.“WhatcanIgetyou,man?”

Iscannedthetopshelf.

“KnobCreek.Neat.”

“Yousoundlikeamanwhoneedstounwind.Badday?”

Irubbedatmychin.“Notbadatall,actually.”

Hereachedatattooedarmtothetopshelf.Theguyhadatough,intimidatinglook

abouthim,eventhoughhewaswearingabutton-upwiththesleevesrolledtohis
forearms,dresspants,andsuspenders.

“Ah,”hesaidwithagrin.“Nowyousoundlikeamanwho’sreadytocelebrate.”

Hepouredatumblerathirdfullandsliditacrossthebartoptowardme.

Claspingtheglass,Itippedittowardhim.“Soon,myfriend,soon.Rightnow,I’mjust

preppingforthehunt.”

Withaliftofhisbrow,hesaid,“Asportsman.”

Therewasnomissingthesarcasmbehindit.

Asmirkpulledattheedgeofmymouth.“IguessyoucouldsayI’masportsmanof

sorts.”

Amusementhadhimshakinghishead,andhetappedthebartopwiththeknucklesof

onehand.“Justletmeknowifyouneedanythingelse.”

“Willdo.”

Heturnedhisattentiontothreewomenwho’dsidleduptothebar,andIheaveda

satisfiedbreathasIliftedtheglasstomylipsandtookasip.Iwasrollingitovermy
tongue,savoringtheflavor,whenasoundtouchedmyears.

Itwaslaughter.

Itwasthekindofloud,messylaughterthattypicallywouldhaveannoyedthehellout

ofme.Ihadlittlepatienceforfoolishnessornonsense.

Yet,therewassomethingintriguingaboutitthatsnaggedmyattention,pullingatsome

placeinsideIdidn’twhollyrecognize.TherewasabsolutelynothingIcoulddobutswivel
onmystool,needingtoseeexactlyfromwhereandfromwhomitwascoming.

Proppingmyelbowsonthebarwiththeglassstillclutchedinmyhand,Iletmygaze

hunttheroom.

Landingonitsmark.

Ittookawholelottostopmeinmytracks.

Evenmoretoimpressme.

Itwasn’tthatIwasanasshole.

Okay,fine.MaybeitwasexactlythefactthatIwasanasshole.

ButIlivedinNewYorkCityandhadaplaceinLosAngeles.Itraveledtheworldand

wooedandentertainedwhereverIwent.Halfthetime,womenthrewthemselvesatmein
somekindofvainattempttosweetenadeal.

Beautifulpeoplewerejustawayoflife.

So,howthefuckwasitpossiblethatthemostgorgeouswomanI’deverseenwas

sittingacrosstheroom?

Herfacewassomekindofmesmerizingmasterpiece.High,definedcheeksthat

tapereddowntoanarrowjawandchin,sharpanddistinct.

Unforgettable.

Butherlips.Fuck,thoselips.

Theywereredandfullanddelicious,sogoddamnedappealingthatIhadtheurgeto

walkacrosstheroomanddemandataste.

Herfullattentionwastrainedonthesinglewomansittingacrossfromher,whowas

clearlygoadingherintodebauchery.

Thesexkittenofawomanpressedbothherhandstothehigh-toptable,asifshewere

searchingforstrength.Lushlockscascadedaroundhershoulderslikeablackriver
shimmeringinthemoonlightassheshookherheadatwhateverherfriendhadsaid.

Myeartunedin,keenandfartoocurious.

Ididn’thavetimefordistractions.

ButhereIwas.

Distracted.

“Ihaveworktodotomorrow,”shesaidinavoicethatstruckmelikeastraightshotof

lust.Lowanddeepandseductive.“YouknowIcan’taffordtomessthisup.There’stoo
muchridingonit.”

Theotherwoman,whohadshort,messybrownhair,nudgedashotglassherdirection.

“Doit.Itoldyoutonightwasaboutunwinding.I’mnotlettingyouleavehereuntilyou’ve
forgottenallaboutthebullshityou’redealingwith.Thinkofitthisway…itwillhelpyou
relaxsoyoucangetsomegoodsleeptonightsoyou’rereadyandraringtogotomorrow.”

Aneedygroanrumbledinmychest.Icouldthinkofafewbetterwaystoleaveher

relaxed.

Satiatedandsatisfied.

Alloftheminvolvedmytongueandmyfingersandmostdefinitelymycock.

Thewomanwhowassomehowmakingmelosealittlebitofmyheadhesitated,

workingherlipwithherteethasshecontemplatedjusthowfarshewasgoingtoallow
herselftocutloose.

Then,asifshefeltmestaringather,hergazesuddenlyslantedmyway.

Isuckedinastunnedbreath.

Vividgreeneyesblinkedbackatme.

Emeraldandice.

Piercing.

Stunned.

Asifshewerejustasaffectedbyme.

GoodGod.

Thiswoman.

Iletmymouthtipupatthecorner,relishinginthewaythoseeyeswentwidein

surprisebeforetheysliddownmybody.Justasquickly,sheduckedherheadandturned
backtoherfriend,nodded,andtossedbacktheshotwithatremblinghand.

Herprettyfacepinched,thatmouthpuckeringassheshookalloverassheswallowed

it.

Iletloosealowchuckle,bringingmydrinkinforasipasIpushedtomyfeetand

headedinherdirection.

IwasamanwhowentafterwhatIwanted.

AndwhatIwantedrightthenwasher.Eventhoughsheseemedresistanttolookmy

way,Iknewshefeltit.

Knewshefeltme.

Thatinstinctualsixthsensethatraisedthehairsatthebackofyourneckandmade

yourheartleapintoaction,thunderinghardandlow,yourstomachquiveringin
awareness.

Runorfreeze.

Thisgirl?

Shefroze.

Icametoastopatthesideoftheirtable.“Isthisseattaken?”Itossedoutthemost

ridiculousclichéIcouldfindasIgesturedtotheemptystoolwithmyindexfingerofthe
handstillcurledaroundmyglass.

Anotherthing?

Peoplelovedclichés.

Theyreallydid.

Itdidn’tmatterhowmuchtheyrolledtheireyesandcomplainedaboutit.Theystill

flockedtowardthem.Youknow,thatwholepeopledon’tlikechangementality.Itapplied
toallthings.

Thebrown-hairedpixiebeamedupatmebeforeshewidenedhereyesatthewoman

currentlyknottingmygutswithaneedunlikeanythingI’dfeltinalong,longtime.

“Whyno,”thepixiesaidasshewavedahandatthestool.“Itjustsohappensitisnot.

IguessIwassavingitforyou.I’mNikki.”

Ipulledoutthestoolandslippedontothepaddedseat.“Ah,itseemsathankyouisin

order.”

Sheangledherhead.“ThisistheSouth.We’reallaboutthehospitality.”Hereyes

madeapassoverme.“Youdon’tlooklikeyou’refromaroundhere.”

Iheftedashoulder.“Justpassingthrough.”

Ifeltthemovementtotherightofme.Thedisturbanceintheairasthewomanwho’d

hookedmeshiftedinherseat.Herscentwrappedaroundmelikeribbons,thisrosy
sweetnessthatmademeitchtoturnmyheadandburymynoseinherneck.

Inhale.

Mygazemovedthatway,asmirkalreadyonmyfacewhenshetippedherchinsoshe

wasmeetingmyeye.

Atremblerippeddownmyspine.

Fuck.

Oneofthethingsthatmadememostsuccessful?Icouldalmostimmediatelygeta

readonpeople.

Iinstantlyknewwhowasshady,keepingsecretsandharboringulteriormotives,and

whocouldbetrusted,theircardslaidonthetablebecausetheyhadeverythingtoloseor
everythingtowin.

Sittingafootfrommewasastrongwoman.Convicted.Fuckinggorgeous,butI

alreadyknewthat.

Butthealcoholcoursinghersystemhadchippedawayafewofthebricksthatlined

herdefenses.Exposingabitofsomethingvulnerableinthedepthsofthoseemeraldeyes
thatsparkedasImethergaze.

“Hi,”Imurmured,solowIwassureitwasagrowl.

Iwatchedthethickbobofherthroat.

Fearandattraction.

“Hi,”shewhispered.

“ThisismyLilyPad,whowasindireneedofalittlefun,”Nikkisuddenlysaidasshe

leanedfartheracrossthetable.

Iforcedmyselftolookather.

Thegirladmittedlywasgorgeous,too,butinanentirelydifferentway,notevenclose

tobeingabletoholdmyattentionthesamewayasthisraven-hairedbeauty.

Butwiththewayshewasclearlytryingtohaveasilentconversationwithherfriend,I

knewshehadaslittleinterestinmeasIdidwithher.

Shewasdefinitelyplayingfairymatchmakerforherfriend.

Withaflourish,shetouchedherchest.“AndIamtheNikkiWalters.Wewelcomeyou

toGinghamLakes.Thebestest,smallest,coolestcityinalltheSouth.”

“It’snicetomeetyou,Nikki.”

IshotheraknowingwinkbeforeIslowlyedgedbacktolookatherfriend.

Themovementwasweighted,ignitingacrackleandasparkintheatmosphere.

Herlipsparted.

“I’mBrody.”

Sheseemedtohesitatebeforeshefinallyletasmileridgeherperfect,delectable

mouth.

God.

Iwantedtoeatherup.

“It’snicetomeetyou,Brody.I’mLily…onlythatcrazythingoverthere”—shelifted

herhand,palmoutasshepusheditinherfriend’sdirection—“getsawaywithcallingme
LilyPad.Anditseemsshehasmeatadisadvantagetonight.”

“Disadvantage?”Iasked,playingitcoy.

Sherolledthosefuckingstunningeyes,andatinygiggleslippedfromherlips.“I’m

notnormallythisloose.”

Thesecondsherealizedwhatshesaid,sheslammedahandoverhermouth.“Ohmy

God,”shecriedagainstit.“Ididnotjustsaythat.”Hereyessqueezedtightassheshook
herhead.

Totallymortified.

Andtotallyadorable.

Maybethatwastheissue.Thewayshewasdressed,sheexudedpowerandstrength,

whichI’dalwaysthoughtofasthesinglequalityrequiredtogetmehard.

Buttherewassomethingsoftabouther,too.Somethingintriguingandequally

charming,thisattributethathadmewantingtoshiftforwardsoIcouldgetabetterlook.

“God…yourshoulders…”Shecaughtmeoffguardbyblinkingatmewhenshe

suddenlyutteredthewords.

“What?”Iprodded,myvoicedeepeningasIerasedanotherinchofspacebetweenus.

“They’re…”Herheadbarelyshookasshestruggledtofindthewords.“Sobig,”she

breathed.

Achucklerumbledfreeasmybrowarched.“Youthinkit’smyshouldersthatarebig.”

Shesuddenlyreachedout,fingertipstracingmyknuckles,sendingaspiraloflust

shootingthroughmyveins.

“Likethesehands?”shemurmuredwiththeshiverthattookherwhole.

Ileanedforward,mymouthatherear.“Amongotherthings.”

“Ithinkthat’smycue,”Nikkisuddenlysaid.Herstoolskiddedonthefloorasshe

pusheditback,hoppedtoherfeet,andgrabbedhercocktail.“I’mactuallyoverhere
gettinghotandbotheredwatchingthetwoofyou.”Shewavedherdrinktowardthesame
bartenderwho’dpouredmine.“I’mgoingtoflirtwithOllieoverthereandseeifIcan
finallygetthatmantocrack.”

Lilygiggled.Again.Andagain,Ifuckinglikedit.

Whatthehellwaswrongwithme?

“Goodluckwiththat,”Lilysaid.

“Withthatman?GodknowsI’mgoingtoneedit,”Nikkisaidbeforeshespunand

skippedtowardthebar.

Webothwatchedhergo,sayingnothingasasilencebuiltinthespacebetweenus,

growingthickerwhenIreturnedmyhungrygazebacktoher.

“So,Lily…tellmeaboutyou.”

Shewrappedbothhandsaroundherhalf-emptycocktailsittinginthemidstofthree

emptyshotglasses.Shetookaslowsip.“Whatwouldyouliketoknow?”

“Everything.”ItwasoutbeforeIcouldthinkbetterofit.

Sheshookherhead.“Don’tlietome,Mr…”

“Brody,”Iinstantlysupplied.

“Brody,”shesettledon,asifmaybeittoosoundedasoddinhermouthasitdidin

mine.Buttherewassomethingaboutsittingtherethatmademenotwanttobethatguy
whowashereinhertowntoturnthingsupsidedown.

“Okaythen,Brody,nolies.Whatdoyoureallywanttoknowaboutme?”

Ireachedoutandwoundapieceofherhairaroundmyfinger,movinginclose,my

nosejusttouchinghers.“Youreallywanttheanswertothis?”

“Yes.”Itwasawispofawordthatfilledmysenses.

Intoxicating.

“WhatIreallywanttoknowisifyoutasteasgoodasyoulook.”

Asoftgasppulledintoherlungs,andsheedgedback,watchingmewiththoseeyes.

“WhydoIgetthefeelingthat,giventhechance,youwouldswallowmewhole?”

Mymouthbrushedtheverycornerofhers,thewordsalowpromisewheretheygrated

frommytongue.“Believeme,baby,Imightdevouryou,butyou’llenjoyeverysecondof
it.”

Herheadrockedbackafraction,herlipsparted,herbreathsshallow.“I…”She

blinked,asifsheweresearchingforherself.“I…thinkIneedtogo.”

“Ithinkyoushouldstay.”Shescootedbackherstoolandstood.Sheswayedasifshe

werestruckwithawaveofdizziness,herhandsdartingouttogripthetabletokeepher
standing.

“Lily…whydon’tyouletmetakeyouhome.I’llmakesureyouwon’tregretit.”

Shehuffedatinylaugh.“That’sfunny…becauseyouhaveregretwrittenalloveryou.”

Sheleanedforward,andwithathroatymurmur,hernextwordssankintomelikea

hook.“Youstickaround,Brody,comefindme.BecauseImightbeloose,butI’mnot
easy.”

Mymouthwatered,andIgulpedaroundthehunger,watchingslack-jawedasshe

grabbedherredcoatandpurseandwoundtowardherfriendatthebar.

Shebarelycastmeaglancewhentheybothheadedforthedoor.

Myfingerstwitched.

Thehuntwason.

LILLITH

RINKS

?Youaretrulydelusional,aren’tyou,Mr.Wolfe?

IbangedmyfingersonthekeyboardalittlemoreaggressivelythannecessarybeforeI
directedthecursortosendandfiredoffthemessagewithanice,hardclick.

Shotsfired,asshole.

SomaybeIshouldn’tbereturningmessagesatoneinthemorningwhenIwasdrunk

andstillaswoonymessoverthegorgeousguybackatthebar.

Believeme,baby,Imightdevouryou,butyou’llenjoyeverysecondofit.

Chillsliftedasthememoryoftheman’swordsbackatthebarskatedacrossmyskin

liketemptationandsex.Mystomachtwistedinaneedyknotofwant,desirerushingfree
asIthoughtofthemagicthatmanwouldsurelybringwithhishandsandthatmouthand
theamongotherthings.

Thatsweetspotbetweenmythighssizzledandtingled.

Icoveredagigglewithmyhand,andahiccupfollowedit.

Okay.

Imostdefinitelydidnotneedtobemessagingtheassholeatoneo’clockinthe

morning.

ButIjustcouldn’thelpmyself.

NotwhenI’dclimbedintobedandpulledmylaptopontomylapaftertherelaxing

night,sothankfulthatforafewmomentsI’dbeenabletoshedthestressandtheworry
thathadhauntedmeforthelastfivemonths.

Nikkiwasright.

I’dneededthebreak.

Tounwindandletloose.

AndGod…ohGod,hadmeetingBrodybeenexactlywhatthedoctorprescribed.I’d

knownexactlywherewewereheaded,andithadtakenallIhadtoresist,tostandand

forcemyselffromthetable.

Afewflirtymomentsmore,andthetwoofuswouldhavebeenatangleoflimbsand

needyhands.

Whichinmybookwasnothingbutarecipeforheartacheandregret.

Butthatdidn’tmeanIhadn’tneededtheattention.ThatIhadn’tneededthebolstering.

SomeonetoremindmeIwasbeautifulandstrongandappealing.Everyoneneeded
encouragementbeforetheysetoutforwar.

So,Icouldn’tstopmyselfwhenI’dseenWolfehademailedme.Withtheaudacityto

askmeoutfordrinks,nonetheless.

Ihuffedandstartedtoclosedownthelidwhenmyinboxpinged.

“Ibetyoudon’tevenneedtosleep,doyou,Mr.Wolfe.Youaren’tevenhuman.”It

wasallamumbleundermybreathasIopenedhismessage,hatingthewaymyheartsped
anextranotch.

Delusional?Ithinknot,Ms.Redd.I’mmerelygivingyouonelastchancetocometo
yoursensesbeforeyoubecomeanembarrassment.Iamagentleman,afterall.

Anembarrassment?

Howdarehe?

Andagentleman?

Hardly.

Myfingersflewacrossthekeys.

Anembarrassment?Whome?Ithinkyou’veforgottenwhoyou’retalkingto.You
aregoingtobethemostembarrassed,embarrassed,embarrassedmantoeverwalk
theearth.Youjustthinkyou’resobigandbad,don’tyou?Wellguesswhat,I’mnot
afraidofyou.Notatall.Becauseguesswhat?You’reSTUPIDandarrogantand,just
becauseyou’resupposedtobesomegorgeousrichguyandeveryonekissesyourass,
itdoesn’tmeanyoualwaysaregoingtogetyourway.Thebuckstopshere,buddy.
So,youcanjustturnaroundandgobackfromwhereyoucame,becauseyouwon’t
beblowingdownanyhousesaroundhere.Assholeslikeyouarenothingbuthotair.

Itackedonanice,“Ha,”whenIhitsend.

Withavictoriousgrin,Iquicklyrereadmywords.

Dreadcurledinmystomach.

OhGod.

Shit.

No.

WhatdidIdo?WhatdidIdo?

Panicked,IlookedaroundmybedroomasifImightfindthemessagestillfloatingin

cyberspace.TheonlythingIwantedrightthenwasthechancetoputastakeinit.

Killitdead.

Isoundedlikeablubberingfool.

Igroanedinmiserywhenmyinboxpinged.Whydidhestillhavetobeawake?

Oh,Ms.Redd,I’mafraidit’syouwhoisagainconfused.Youseemtobelostinthe
wrongfairytale.IntheoriginalstoryofWolfeandRedd,Iwin.Anddidyoujust
implyI’mgorgeous?Hmm…perhapsyoudohaveafewthingsright,afterall.

Grrr.Iwantedtoscream.

LikeIsaid.Arrogant.

Apparently,Ijustcouldn’tresist.Ineededanintervention.ButthereIwas,allbymyself
withnoonetoreininthedisasterIwasgallopingstraightfor.

Almostimmediately,myinboxpinged.

Ithinkyou’reconfusingarrogancewithconfidence.I’llbepackingplentyofitwhen
Imeetyoutomorrow.AndIpromiseyou,attheendofit,Iwon’tbetheonewhois
embarrassed.Getyourrest,Ms.Redd.You’regoingtoneedit.

Ibangedmyheadbackonmypillow.

Shit.Shit.Shit.

WhatdidIdo?

“HowdoIlook?”

Ismoothedoutmycrisp,whiteblouseandstraightenedmypristineblackpencilskirt

thatlandedjustbelowmyknees.Theuberprofessionaloutfitwassetoffwithmyhairup
inanintricatebutflowytwistsoIcouldshowofftheemeraldanddiamondnecklaceI’d
boughtwhenI’dpassedthebar.

Itwasmypowerpiece.

ItandthepairofsuperhighblackpumpsthatmademefeelasifIheldthekeystomy

ownlittlekingdom.

Thatdidn’tmeanIwasn’tshakinginmyboots.

“Youlookfabulous,asalways,”myassistant,Tina,saidasshepluckedastrayhair

frommyshoulder.“Nervous,though.Youdolooknervous.”

Iscowledather.“Thanksforthevoteofconfidence.”

“Hey,Ididn’tsayyouweren’tgoingtoslaythismeeting.AllI’msayingisyoulooka

littlenervous.Youaren’tevengettingpaidforthisone.Idon’tgetwhatthebigdealis.”

Maybethatwashalftheproblem.Noonereallyunderstoodwhatthebigdealwas.

Businessescameandwentallthetime.

“Thisisimportanttome,”Itoldher.

“Obviously.”

Iglancedatmywatch.“Twominutes.”

“Ifhe’saspromptasyou.”

Isuckedinasteelingbreath.“Somethingtellsmehe’severybitaspromptasIam.”

“I’dbettergetouttherethen.Wouldn’twanttokeeptheBigBadWolfewaiting,now

wouldI?”

“Nothelping,”Itoldher.

“Justgettingyourbloodpumpin’.”

Exasperationwidenedmyeyes,butTinajustgrinnedbeforesheflouncedfrommy

office,leavingmewithmynervesandtheworryspinningthroughmymind.

Needingsomethingtobusymyself,ImovedtowhereIhadAddelaine’sfileopenedon

mydesk.Nervously,IshiftedthroughthepaperswhileIwasstillstanding,recitingthe
presentationandofferI’dmemorizedundermybreath.

“You’vegotthis,”IwhisperednearlysilentlyrightbeforemyheadjerkedupwhenI

heardthedoorclickopen.

Myeyeswentwideasmymouthdroppedopen,andIsworemydamnedheartcameto

afullstop,stuttered,andthentumbledbeforeittookoffatbreakneckspeed.

Angerbristledjustunderthesurfaceofmyskinasstunneddisbeliefshookmyhead.

Insaunteredthemostattractivemantoevertakeupmyspace.Therewasn’tany

hesitationinhisstepwhenhisheadcockedtotheside,andhesentmethemost
presumptuous,cheekysmirkashiseyesdraggedovermefromheadtotoe.

Arrogant.

Cocky.

Confident.

Myhandstrembled.

“You.”

BRODERICK

HAVE

tobeshittingme.

Alowrumbleofdisbelievinglaughterfilledmychest,andIbititdown,refusingto

showMs.Reddjusthowdumbfoundedshehadme.SomaybeIstumbledaminorstepat
findingherstandingintheoffice.TotallyflooredMs.Reddandthefuckinggorgeous
womanwho’dkeptmydickhardalllastnightwereoneandthesame.

Figured.

Therehadalreadybeensomethingaboutherthathadmeintrigued.Somethingthathad

mewiredandexcitedatfinallycomingfacetofacewiththewomanwho’dworkedtocut
meoffateveryturn,thwartingplansandthrowinguproadblocks.

Andsomehow…I’dlikedit.

Ittookmywalkingintoherofficeformetofullyunderstandwhy.

“You…Brody…BroderickWolfe,”shesputteredthroughherownshockasthat

unmistakableattractionfromlastnightlitupliketheLasVegasStripbetweenus,powered
bythecircuitofcontentionthathadalreadybeenwell-established.

Istraightenedmytie.“Ah,Ms.Redd,it’ssoverynicetoseeyouagain.”

Sheheavedoutanincredulousbreath,hertinyhandsfistedinlittleballsof

indignation.“Didyou…didyouseekmeoutlastnight?DidyoualreadyknowwhoIwas?
Wereyoufollowingme?”

Itwasallafierydemandthatburnedinalltherightplaces.

God.

IlikedthiswomanaboutjustasmuchasIhatedher.

Ishotheramockingsmirk.“Whome?”

Herjawtightened.

Damn,shewaseasytorile.

Herattentionfelltoherdesk,asifsheweregatheringherself,beforeshereturnedthat

emeraldgazetome,herchinlifted.“I’llhaveyouarrestedforstalking.”

IalmostlaughedasImovedfartheracrosstheroom.“Don’tyouthinkyou’regettinga

littlecarriedaway,Ms.Redd?Ifinditpresumptuousofyoutoassumeitwasmewho
searchedforyoutogaintheupperhand.YouweretheonewhoknewI’daskedyoufor
drinks.Perhapsyouweretheonestalkingme.”

Aghast,herprettylipspartedinagustoffury,andherfistsclenchedtighter.“How

dareyouimplyIwoulddoanythingoutsideofthelaw.I’llhaveyouknow,Mr.Wolfe,I
takemypositionandallitentailsveryseriously.”

“AsdoI.”

“Idoubtthat.”Hertonewasasarcasticblade.

Mychucklewaslow,lacedwithmoreamusementthanitshouldhave.“Thenperhaps

youshouldhavedonemorehomework,andyou’dknowfullwellhowseriouslyItakemy
positionandtheethicalbusinesspoliciesandpracticesIdemand.”

Adisbelievinghuffjettedfrombetweenthatgoddamned,lust-incitingmouththatI

wantednothingmorethantodevour.

“You’regoingtostandthereandpretendasifWolfeIndustriesdoesn’thavea

reputationforshadydeals?BroderickWolfeSr.isinfamousforinfringementsand
wrongdoings.It’stheplatformonwhichyourcompanywasestablished.”

Thesecondshesaidit,angerrushedintoerasethelust,andtherigid,powerful

exteriorIalwaysworedroppedforthebarestmomentasIgratedthewords.“Thisismy
deal…notmyfather’s,andI’dappreciateyounotcomparingmetohim.”

“It’sallinthename,Mr.Wolfe.”

Ragebloomedinmyblood,andIstrodeforwardandpressedmyhandstothetopof

thedesk.Ileanedoveritinherdirectionjustassheleanedmine.Thetwoofusnoseto
nose.Breathtobreath.

Myhearthammeredharderintheconfinesofmychest,andsomethingmoresevere

thantheangertwistedthroughmynervesasIinhaledhersweet,rosyscent.

Herbreathsbecameshallow,hereyesgrowingwide,andIsworeIcouldsmellher.

Herneed.Herwant.

Theneedtoconsumeherslickedacrossmyskinlikeaslow,demandingburn.

“I.Am.Not.My.Father.”Itwasagrowl.HewasthelastthingIwantedhertoseeme

as.

“No?”shechallenged.

“No.”

Sheliftedherchin,herfacesoclosetominemymouthwaswateringagain.“Then

proveitbynotscrewingoverMrs.Tindall.”

Mytonelowered.“Believeme,Ms.Redd,Iwillfinalizethisdeal.AndwhenIdo,

therewillbeabsolutelynothingshadyaboutit.I’vebeenmorethangenerous…morethan
fairtoyourclient.It’syouwhoismakingunreasonabledemands.”

Ileanedforward,mymouthatthetenderlobeofherear.“LilyPad.”Thelastslipped

frommytonguelikeaslow,promisedthreat.

Edgingbackafraction,Ireachedoutandranmyfingertipalongthesharp,defined

curveofherjaw,myeyeskeenonthemovementasIdid.Hermouthdroppedopenjustas
Ibegantomurmurdeeply,“Markmywords…Iwillhavethatbuilding,andthenIwill
haveyou.”Iedgedevencloser.“OrmaybeI’llhaveyoufirst.”

Ashivertumbledthroughherdeliciousbody.

Bloodstillburningwithanirresistiblehunger,Iforcedmyselfawayfromher,

adjustingthecuffsofmyjacketasItampeddowntheneedthatragedinmybody,mydick
hardandmydeterminationatitsheight.

“Whatdoyousaywegetstartedhere,Ms.Redd?Itseemswehaveworktodo.”

IrockedbackinthechairwhereIsatintheofficeareaofmypenthousesuitethat
overlookedthetwinklinglightsthatglitteredandgleamedontheblackenedwatersofthe
riverthatranthroughthemiddleofthecity,fedbythetwolakesatthebaseofthe
mountainthatsatasadarkenedsilhouetteonthenearhorizon.

OfcourseIwasstayinginthenicesthotelinthecitywhichaffordedanawe-inspiring

viewofthearea.

Thatwasatleastuntilminestoodtallandproudinwhatwouldbethereclaimedcity

square.

Biggerandbetterthaneverbefore.

Resolvesettledintomybones,andIleanedforwardtowhereIhadmylaptopsitting

openattheendofthelongconferencetable.Iletmyfingertipsmoveacrossthekeys.

Confidently.

Precisely.

Withoutquestionorhesitation.

Ms.Redd,

MyofferisthebestMs.Tindallwillreceive.Shecanselltomeformorethan

doublethevalueofthebuilding,orIwillsimplybidemytimeuntilIcanbuyitfrom
thebankoncethepropertyhasbeenrepossessed.

I’mnotentirelysurewhatyourendintentionsarehere,butitseemsyou’re

denyingtheinevitable,whetherI’minvolvedintheequationornot.

Butmakenomistake.Iamapartofthisequation.

Ineverhavebeen,norwillIeverbe,aquitter,andI’mmorethaneagerto

enlightenyouonthatfact.I’vebeentoldI’magreatteacher.

IalwaysgetwhatIwant.Always.You’ddobestnottoforgetit.Actually,Ithink

there’slittleworryinyouforgettingwhoIam.WhenI’mfinishedwithyou,theonly

thingyou’llseewhenyoucloseyoureyesisme.

Ipressedsendwhileathrillbuiltupinsideofme.God,Iwantedthatbuildingifforno
otherreasonthantoprovetomyfathermyapproachwasbetterthanhis.ButIwas
beginningtowonderifImightwantMs.Reddmore.

LILLITH

“N

CHANCE

,Nikki.ThereisnowayI’mgoingbacktothatbar.”

Nikkispunaroundandstartedwalkingbackwardsoshecouldfacemeaswestrolled

alongthesidewalk.“Andwhyonearthnot?”

ThenewerbuildingsonMacaberStreettoweredoneithersideofus,anddeepgray

cloudsgrewwiththethreatofastormwheretheyglowedagainstthetwilight.

ThatwasexactlywhatIfelt.

Astormcoming.

Unsettled.

Unsure.

Mybrowliftedbeneathmybangs.“Um…youdorealizeIbasicallytoldthatbastard

lastnight,ifhewantedme,hewouldhavetocomehuntmedown?IfIshowupthere,he
willactuallythinkhehasthechanceofcatchingme.Ugh,”Igroaned.“Ican’tbelieveI
didn’trealizeitwashim.Imean…howmanygorgeousstrangerssuddenlyshowupin
GinghamLakes?Imusthavesuckerwrittenallovermyface.”

Shefrownedatme.“Helookedharmless,LilyPad.Don’tbeatyourselfup.Therewas

nowayyouwouldhaveknown.Hewaswearingjeansforcryingoutloud.”

Ifitwerepossible,mybrowliftedevenhigher.

Shegiggled.“Okay,hesodidn’tlookharmless.Hebasicallylookedlikehewasready

totearyoutopiecesinthebestofways.Ithinkyou’redueforalittleshredding.”

Iswattedather,myvoiceloweredsotheelderlycouplewalkingbywouldn’tbe

subjectedtoourconversation.“Shredding?Whatiswrongwithyou?You’resodisgusting.
Howareweevenfriends?”Imuttered.

“Becauseyouloveme.”Shesangthewordsasshereachedoutandgrabbedmy

forearm.“Comeon,Lil-Lil.When’sthelasttimeyougotlaid?”Itwasalmostawhine.
Apparentlymylackofsexlifecausedherphysicalpain.

“Youknowtheanswertothat.”

SolongagoIcouldbarelyremember.Ormaybeitwasbecausethesexwashardly

memorable.Eitherway,itwascompletelypathetic.

Shegroanedasshespunbackaround,cametomyside,andhookedherarmaround

mine.“See.Thatrightthereisashame.Lookatyou.You’regorgeousandsuccessfuland
probablythenicest,mostgenuinepersonIknow,andyouletUFFfuckupyourmindand
yourheart.Thatissonotcool.”

Myeyesnarrowedinconfusion.“UFF?”

“Um…UnfortunateFuckerFrederick?”Byherexpression,IwassureshethoughtI’d

lostmymindthatIdidn’tknowexactlywhatshewastalkingabout.

“UnfortunateFuckerFrederick?”

Shereleasedaninsufferablesigh.“Comeon,LilyPad.Thatdudedidn’tknowupfrom

down,ifyouknowwhatImean.Now,thatshitisunfortunate.”

“OhmyGod,whydidIevertellyouthatstory?”

Myskincrawledjustthinkingaboutmylastboyfriend—Frederick.Gross.I’dbroken

upwithhislying,cheating,stealingassmorethanayearago.Iknewbetterthantotrust
theguy,oranyguy,forthatmatter.I’djustgottenso….lonely.Butlonelywasahundred
timesbetterthanvulnerableandweak.

Nikkiwasright.Thewholeexperiencewasunfortunate.

Luckily,I’dlearnedmylesson.

Nikkifeignedahorrifiedgasp.“Becausethat’swhatbestfriendsarefor,whichmeans

youowemeallthestories.Plus,IwarnedyouthesecondIsawthatguyhewasnogood
anduptonogood,didn’tI?”

“Yet,you’retryingtodragmebacktothatbar?”

“Uh…yeah.Youdidseethemaninquestion?Sometimesweluckout,andrealityis

evenbetterthantherumors.AndBroderickWolfeisdefinitelyalltherumorsandmore.
Much,muchmore.Andbesides,that’sourbar.”

“He’stheenemy.”

“Whowantstododirty,dirtythingstoyou.”

Mystomachfluttered,andmyheartbeatfaster.“Youdon’tknowthat.”

“Psh.”Shewavedherfreehandandsteeredusleftsowecutacrossthestreet,

ramblingthewholeway,“YouknowIhavethissixthsense,andtherearethingsIjust
know.AndjustlikeIknewFrederickwouldbealllimpyandgimpy,IknowBroderickor
Brodyorwhateveryouwanttocallhimwillblowyourmind.”

Mybellylurched,thoughtsofhispromisefromearliertodayspinningthroughmy

mind,plantingseedsoftemptationIcouldnevergiveinto.

“Evenifhewasthebestloveronthefaceoftheplanet,youknowthere’snochance

I’mlettingthatmantouchme.He’stryingtotakeAddelaine’sbuilding,forGod’ssake.”

Evenwantinghimfeltlikeabetrayal.

“Whatifhe’snotasbadasyouthinkheis?”

“Oh,believeme,Nikki.BroderickWolfeisthevillaininthisstory.”

ShetookanothersharprightuntilwewerestandinginfrontoftheverybarwhereI’d

unwittinglymetMr.Wolfelastnight.

Sheslantedmeawide,victoriousgrin.“Thenmaybeyouneedtoshowhimexactly

whotheheroineisinthisstory.”

NervousenergyskitteredthroughmyveinswhenIglancedatthesignageabovethe

bar.“Heprobablywon’tevenbehere.”

God.WhydidIfeeldisappointedatthethought?

Nikkipulledopenthedoor.“There’sonlyonewaytofindout.”

Hewasthere.

Ofcourse,hewasthere.

OhmyGod,hewasthere.

Thiswassuchabadidea.

Buttherewasnobackingdownwhenheswiveledinthestoolandlockedeyeswith

me.

Aslow,predatorysmilespreadacrosshisgorgeousface.

Allteeth.

Tonight,hewaswearingthesamedarkgraysuithe’dworntomyoffice,buthe’dlost

thejacketandtie.Thecuffsofhispinkbutton-upwererolledtohiselbowsandthetop
twobuttonswereundone.

Oneanklewashitchedcasuallyacrosshisoppositeknee,atumblerfullofamber

liquidswishinginthecrystalasherockedbacksocasuallyinthestool.

Buttherewassomethingsodominatinginhisblaséposture.

Mykneesweakenedandmyinsidesshook.

“Comeon,let’sgetadrink,”Nikkiurgedasshestartedtowardtheoppositeendofthe

bar.

AndtherewasabsolutelynothingIcoulddobutliftmychinasIstartedafterher,my

stridestrongandpurposedasIslowlyuntiedthebeltofmyfavoriteredjacket.

Hedidn’tevenpretendasifheweren’twatchingme.

Didn’ttrytoconcealthefactthathewatchedmyeverymove.

Savoredthem.

Memorizedthem.

Huntingwithoutmovinganinch,hispresencesobigitwasenough.

BecauseIalreadyfeltcaptured.

Entangledinhisgaze.

“Ollie!”Nikkisquealed.

God,thegirlhaditbad.

Olliesmiledhisunreadablesmileashetossedtwonapkinsdownonthebar.Theman

wasanenigma.Gorgeousinatough,unattainableway.Quiet.Mysterious.Andsomehow,
soutterlysoftbeneaththebruteandtattoosandbeard.“Yourregulars?Orareyouhereto
doitupbigthewayyoudidlastnight?”

Agroanslippedfree.“Don’teverletmedrinkthatmuchagain,Ollie,orI’mnever

comingback.Myregularisperfect.”

Hechuckled.“Well,wecan’thavethatnow,canwe?”

“Um,no,wedefinitelycan’thavethat,”Nikkiaddedabittooenthusiastically.

Ollieturnedawayandbeganmakingourdrinks.IchancedpeekingoveratMr.Wolfe,

who’dswiveledafractionsohewasentirelyfacingmydirection.

Noshame.

Hemadeagesture,sayingsomethingsilentlytoOllie.Olliereturnedwhatever

interactiontheysharedwithanodofhishead.

Twominuteslater,OlliewaspassingNikkiherbrightpinkcosmoandmeaglassof

chardonnay.“Complimentsofthegentlemanattheendofthebar.”

Ohnohedidn’t.

IscowledinMr.Wolfe’sdirection,anglingmyheadandpursingmylipsasIpushed

thestemmedglassawayasifitweretainted.“No,thankyou,Ollie.I’dprefertopayfor
myowndrink.Ifyou’dreturnthistohim.”

ConfusionpassedthroughOllie’sexpressionbeforeheshrugged.“Suityourself.”

Heheadedthatway,passingtheglasstoMr.Wolfe,whohadneverturnedawayand

hadwitnessedthewholeexchange.Ishouldn’thavebeensurprisedwhenthearrogantman
wasalreadypushingtohisfeetthesecondhehadtherejectedwineglassinhishand.

Turningaway,ItriedtopretendIwasindeepconversationwithNikki,searchingfor

anysubjecttolaunchinto.“Um…soit’ssupposedtorain,yeah?”

Butitwasnouse.

Therewasnorunning.

Ashiverflashedacrossmyskin.Hotandcoldasitracedandsped,tinglinginallthe

placesIcouldn’taffordtorecognizethisman.Itriedtoholdmybreath,triednotto
breatheinthefaintscentofaspicymandarinandsweetnutmeg.

Hiscolognedizzying.

Ormaybeitwasjusthim.

Ifelttheominouspresenceeclipsemefrombehind.Becausesuddenlyhewasright

there,hisbreathonmycheekandneckandear.“Ibelievethisbelongstoyou,Ms.Redd.”

Hereachedaroundandsettheglassdowninfrontofme.

Istruggledtoreininthemixofemotionsthatstampededwithinme,thisconfusing

dichotomyofhateandthecrushingdemandofmybody.

Remember.

Rememberwhyyou’redoingthis.

Findingsolidground,Iforcedmyselftolookovermyshoulderandmeethiseye.“I

can’tbebought,Mr.Wolfe.Ihavenointerestinyouoryourdrinkunlessitwillsendyou
runningoutoftown.So,whydon’tyougobacktoyourseat,ormorepreferably,backto
NewYork.”Thewordsgratedfrommytongue.God,thismanbroughtouttheworstin
me.Mademecrazyandangryandconfused.

Thatpenetratinggazeglintedanddancedtoadark,darkbeat,thehintofasmile

twitchingathismouth.

Hewaslaughingatme.

Ofcoursehewas.

“It’sadrink,Ms.Redd.Apeaceoffering.Notagoddamnedbombandcertainlynota

bribe.Iwassimplybeingnice.”

Guilttriedtomixwiththeconfusionheincited.Iforcedadubiouslaugh.“Nice?”

Heangledtothesideandleanedhiselbowonthebarsohecouldmeetmyeyes.He

wassoclosehestolemybreath.Mysanity.“Icouldbe…ifthat’swhatyouwantedmeto
be.Ifyouwant,I’llpromisenottobite.”Heangledcloser,thewordsalow,guttural
whisper.“ButI’mprettysureyouwantmeto.”

Ijerkedback,mybreathstooshallowandmyheartawildthrum.Iblinkedthroughthe

daze.“Youhavealotofnerve,Mr.Wolfe,waltzinginherethinkingyoucanjusttake
anythingyouwant.”

Asmirkclimbedtohisridiculouslygorgeousface.“Sincewhenisitabadthingtogo

afterwhatyouwant?”

God,Ihadtogetoutoftherebeforehemixedmeupanymore.Igrabbedtheglasshe

offeredandtosseditback,drainingtheentirethinginonegulpbeforeIslammeditback
down.

Ifanything,thebastardlookedsatisfied.

MyattentionturnedtoNikki,whowassittingtherebitingherlipasifshewere

watchingsomekindofridiculousteendrama.

“I’mgoingtousetherestroomandthenheadhome,”Itoldher.

Concernwashedherfeatures.“Areyousure?”

“I’mfine.Ipromise.”

Shehesitated,wary,beforeshenoddedandwavedherdrinkintheair.“I’mjustgoing

tofinishthis.”Therewasnomissingthelonginginhervoice,theundercurrentofwhyshe
wasreallythere.

“I’lltalktoyoutomorrow.”

Ispunonmyheels,tookasinglestep,andthenstalled,backinguptomeetMr.

Wolfe’sface,puttingeveryounceofstrengthIhadintothewarning.“Thepetitionfor
historiclandmarkwillbefiledtomorrow.Iwillwinthisfight.”

ThenIstrodeawaywithasmuchpoiseasIcouldmusterbeforeIroundedintothehall

andthennearlybrokeintoasprintwhenIknewIwasoutofeyeshot.Ipushedopenthe
restroomdoor,pantingasItriedtoregainmycomposure.

Thiswassonotlikeme.

NeedyandwantingthingsIcouldneverhave.

Mywillpowerweak.

WhyhadIalwaysgravitatedtothepeoplewhowouldhurtme?

Addelainehadbeentheexception,whichwaswhyIcouldn’tletherdown.

Findingmypurpose,Imovedtothesink,washedmyhands,anddabbedatowel

beneathmyeyesasIstudiedmyselfinthemirror.Mypupilsdilated.Mycheeksflushed.

God.

Thiswassostupid.

ButthatfoolishnessseemedtomatternonewhenIswungopenthedoorandstepped

outintothedarkenedhall.Halfwaydown,myfeetstoppedshortwhenIranstraightinto
thebigbodytoweringoverme.

“Whoa,there,Lil’Redd.”Hiswordswereassoftassilk.

Agasprockedfree,andmychestconstricted,mythrummingheartgoingwhoosh,

whoosh,whooshasItookafumbledstepback.Hefollowed,anglingaroundandbacking
meintothewall.

“Ms.Redd,”hewhispered,hisglorious,ravagingfaceinshadows,thoseunmistakable

eyesburningwithfireandsomethingdeep.SomethingIcouldn’tquiterecognize.He
reachedoutandwoundalockofmyhairaroundhisbighand.“Lil’Redd.Whothefuck
doyouthinkyouare?”

Heinchedcloser,fingersflutteringalongtheedgingofmycoat,asifhewere

mesmerizedbythecolor.Itignitedtheairinafurorofseverity,hisbreathsminglingwith
mine,somethingalive.“Whodoyouthinkyouare,drivingmeoutofmydamnedmind?
Formonths,I’vebeenfantasizingaboutyou,wonderingwhyeverytimeIopenedoneof
yourmessages,mycockgrewhard.Desperateforatasteoftheunseen.”

Hismouthwasattheshellofmyear,elicitingchills.“AndnowIknow.”

OhGod.Whatwashedoingtome?AndwhydidIlikeitsomuch?

“Ican’tdothis,”Imumbled,attemptingtopushhimaway.Hecapturedmyhandsin

his,broughtthemtohismouth,andkissedacrosstheknuckles.

Shiversslippeddownmyspine,andohmyGod,Iwasgoingtoloseallcontrol.

Heleanedincloser,hismouthawhisperatmyjaw.“Youwantmetochaseyou,Lil’

Redd?Run.”

Hesuddenlysteppedback,theexpressiononhisfacesosevereIhadtheinstinctual

feelingthatheneededmetorunbeforehesnapped.

Isuckedinashockedbreath,turnedonmyheels,andpropelledmyselfforwardand

away.

Fled.

Iranoutthedoorandintothenight.

Rainpouredfromtheragingheavens,streetlampsshonedownthroughthehaze.It

createdakaleidoscopeoflightthatglimmeredallaroundme.Ileanedover,suckingin
breathafterbreath,knowingIneededtoescape.

Run.

ButIdidn’tgetfar.

Becausehewassuddenlythere,hispresenceunmistakablewhereheappearedbehind

me.

Slowly,Iturnedaround.

Hestoodthere,lookinglikesin.

Drenchedbytherain.

Itonlyemphasizedhisbeauty.

Hisstrength.

Istoodfrozenwhilethatattractionblazedbetweenus.Zappinganddemanding.

Pullingandpullingandpulling.

IresistedallIcould,thetensiongrowingtight.Ittookalloffivesecondsbeforeitwas

mewhosnapped.

Irushedhisdirection.

Hatingthepullandlovingitallthesame.

Imoanedwhenhetwistedhishandsinmysoakedhairandspunme,pullingusinto

thealleybeforehehadmeagainstthewallandhismouthonmine.

Overpowering.

Overwhelming.

Sofuckingwrong.

Sodamnedright.

Histonguelickedout,tanglingwithmine.

Hisbodyhard.

Every.Inch.

“OhGod…you’reso…big.”

Herockedagainstme.“Somuchbettertofuckyouwith.”

Igrippedhisshirt.“Therewillbenofucking.”

“No?”hechallengedashesnakedahandbeneathmyjacketandpushedmyskirtup

highenoughthathewasabletohitchmylegaroundhiswaist.

Heangledmeperfectly.

Hishardcockagainstmylace-coveredclit.

Pleasurepulsed.Igaspedforabreath.

“Doyoulikethat,Ms.Redd?DoyoulikethewayyouknowI’mgonnafeel?”

“Yes.”Itwasawhimperwhenherockedagain.

Hismouthmovedalongmythroat,nippingatmychin,mylips.Nibblingandbiting.I

sworethemanwaseatingmealive.Thehandonmythighroamedhigher,scrapingmy
skin.

Hisfingersslippedbeneaththelaceofmypantiesasthestormragedonaroundus.He

edgedbackjustaslightningflashed,hischiseledfaceviciousintheimpact,dark,dark
hairdrippingacrosshisforeheadandhiseyes…hiseyesblackwithlust.

“ItoldyouthatwhenyouclosedyoureyesI’dbetheonlythingyou’dsee.”Hedrove

threefingersinsideofme.

Amoanburstfrommythroat,andIrockedbackagainstthehardbrickwall.“Oh.”

Hefuckedtheminandout,hiscockpressedintomythighasareminderofwhohe

was,hisfingerssteadilydrivingmetoaplaceIcouldn’tgo.

Hisvoicewasgritasheutteredthewordsferociouslyatmyear.“Yourpussyis

perfection.Icanfeelit,Lillith.Howperfectitis.Howtightandsweet.Ican’twaituntilI
makeyoumine.Markmywords.Iwillmakeyoumine.”

Iwantedtofightandstruggleandpushhimaway.

Instead,mykneesbuckledwhenherubbedhisthumbinademandingcirclearound

myclit.

Iclungtohisshoulders,nolongerabletostand.

Hisfingersdrovedeeper,histhumbmagicashecircledandrubbedandcoaxed.

Pleasurebuilt.

Steadily.

Magnificently.

Destructively.

Itsplit.

IsworeIcouldfeeltheearthtremblearoundmeasblissrocketedthroughmybeing.

Sogood.

Icouldn’tsee.

Couldn’tthink.

Couldn’tstand.

IsoaredwhileIremainedprisonertotherain.Prisonertotheman.

Slowly,heeasedhisfingersoutofmeandtookastepbackwhileIstoodthere

shaking.ShakingandshakingasIcamedown.

Way,waydownwhererealizationandramificationssetin.

Horrortookholdofmyspirit.

WhatdidIdo?

OhmyGod,whatdidIdo?

“You.”Itwasaquiet,trembledaccusation.

Hesuckedhisfingersintohismouth.“Iwarnedyoutorun.Andyourandirectlyto

me.”

BeforeIcouldstopit,myhandcockedback,andIslappedhimacrosstheface.ThenI

turnedandstormedthroughthedrivingrain.

Ijustcouldn’ttellifIwasangrierwithhimormyself.

BRODERICK

GRIN

CLIMBED

tomyfaceasIwatchedherasshestrodeoutofthealley,thetailofthat

redcoatwhippinginthewindasfreezingcoldraincontinuedtobeatdownfromabove.

“That’sright,Lil’Redd.Run.BecauseI’mreallygoingtoenjoythechase,”I

murmuredsoquietlyintothehowlingwind,forcingmyselftoremainstandingasshe
rageddownthesidewalkwithherchinheldhigh.

Hotwavesoflustrippledthroughmymusclesthatstrainedwiththeeffortofrestraint.

Iwantedtochaseherdown.Pushheralittlefurther.

Therewassomethingaboutthiswomanthathadmehangingonbyathread.

Iwantedtogetdeepinsideher.

I’dmadethatmuchclear.

Buttherewassomethingmore.Somethingdangerousaboutthewaysheforcedmeto

slowdownandlisten.Takenote.Theintrigueandrespectshecommandedwiththeclear
passionthatburnedthroughherspiritwasneversoclearthanwhenwe’dsatthroughthe
meetingthisafternoon.

She’dstoodtheresosureanddefiant,threateningtofilethepropertywiththeNational

RegisterofHistoricPlacestostallourpurchaseofthebuilding.Statingitwasahistorical
landmarkandcitingallthereasonsweshouldleaveitstanding.

Asis.

Clearly,shewasnofool,andsheknewaswellasIdidtherewaslittleshecoulddoto

hinderorhaltourplans.Instead,she’dappealedtoourbetternatureswiththethinlyveiled
promiseoflegalrecourse.

Sheknewshehadlittlegrounds.Still,everywordhadbeendeliveredwithstrength

andanundercurrentofherbasefaithinhumanity.

Somehow,it’dmademecraveherallthemore.

Itwassheerstrengththathadforcedmefromheroffice.

Bidingmytime.

Alltooeagertoshowupatthebarthisevening,knowingshewoulddothesame,the

luretoomuchforhertoresist.

Shakingmyselfoff,Iturnedtheoppositedirectionandheadedtomyhotel,the

luscioustasteofherstillonmytongue,mycockhardasstoneasIrodetheelevatortothe
topfloor.Enteringmysuite,Iwentstraightformylaptopstillopenontheconference
table.

Youaredelicious.Iknewyou’dbe.Ican’twaitforthefullmeal.

Ittookalloffivesecondsforamessagetoshowinmyinbox—justlikeIknewonewould.

I’dratherstarve.

Ichuckledbeneathmybreath.God,therewasnothingIlikedmorethanafeistywoman.
AndIwasbeginningtothinkIlikedthisonebest.

“Yourfatherispushingtoclosethisdealbywhatevermeansitneedstobedone.Sofar,
hehasn’tsentanyonedownthere,butyouknowwhatwillhappenifhedoes.”

AngerratchetedupinmychestasIstaredoutthewindowfromthebackseatofthe

Lincoln,myattentionhookedontheoldbuildingthathadseenfarbetterdays.“Itoldhim
thiswasmydealandtostayoutofit.I’mtiredofhimmakingamessofthings.Thereare
protocolsthatneedtobefollowed.”

Jamessighed.“He’snotexactlyamanwholistenstoreason.What’stheendgoal

here?”

Iswallowedhard.“Thesameasitalwaysis.”

“ThenI’lltrytoholdhimoff.”

Inodded,eventhoughIknewhecouldn’tseeit.“Thankyouforgivingmetheheads

up.”

“YouknowIalwayshaveyourback.”

“Ido.”

“Keepmeposted.”

“Okay,”IsaidasIkilledthecall,givingmyselfafewmomentstostudymy

surroundings.Finally,Isuckedinabreath,pushedopenthedoortothecar,stood,and
straightenedmyjacketasIheadedstraightforthedoor.

Ididn’thesitate.

IjustswungitopenandstrodeinsideasifIownedtheplace.

ItwasonlyamatteroftimebeforeIdid.

Myentrancedidn’tseemtofazetheelderlywomanwhostoodhunchbackbehindthe

counter.Shejusttiltedherheadafractiontorevealherknowing,graygaze.

Ah.Nodoubt,thiswasawomanwhohadseenmanythings.Madewisethroughthe

woundsoflife.

“AddelaineTindall,”Isaid,myvoicelowbutsomehowsoft.

Shegaveaslightnod.“Mr.Wolfe.”

“Itakeitnointroductionsarenecessary?”

Adeep,shortlaughechoedfromherassheshookherheadandwentbackto

organizingthepapersshehadstrewnacrossthecounter.“Thatfancysuityou’rewearing
isreallywhatgivesitaway.ConsideringI’mtheonlyoneinthesepartswhocouldmake
somethingsofine,Iknowyoumustbefromoutoftown.”

Ibegantowanderthesmallstorefrontonthebottomfloor,takingintheoldpictures

onthewalls.Thevastmajorityofthemfeaturedbeamingbridesintheircustomwedding
gowns.Otherswerefamilyportraitsthatservedasthankyousandendorsements.Proofof
thetalentthatresidedwithinthesewalls.

“Besides,menwholooklikeyoudon’ttypicallywalkthroughthatdoor,Mr.Wolfe.”

Ibarelyglancedbackather.“AndwhatdoIlooklike,Mrs.Tindall?”

“Youlooklikeabrokenheart.”

Ihummedinquestion.“DoIreallylookthatdangerous?”

Thesmallsoundshemadewassomehowbothdisbelievingandaffectionate.Catching

meoffguard,itmademepauseandshiftsoIcouldreadherexpression.

“Wasn’ttalkingaboutyoubreakin’thehearts,youngman.Iwasreferringtoyour

own.”

IstartedtocorrectherridiculousassumptionbutbeforeIcould,shewinked.

Asmilethreatened,butIbitbackmyamusement.Howwasthiswomanmakingjokes

whenIwastheonedraggingherrightuptotheline?

Iturnedbacktowanderingthestore,studyingthepictures,myeyesgoingwideand

myfeetfalteringwhenmysightlandedonaclusterofpicturesarrangedonthewallnear
thecounter.

Imageafterimageofaraven-hairedgirl.

Young.

Beautifulthen.

Butdifferent.

Broken.

Timid.

Nottheboldwomanwho’dcapturedmythoughtsandstokedmydesire.

“She’ssomething,isn’tshe?”Addelainesaidfromrightbehindme,startlingme.

Alumpsuddenlyfeltprominentinmythroat.Iforcedtheheavywordsaroundit.“I

didn’trealizeshe’dworkedhere.”

Mrs.Tindalltsked.“Menlikeyouoftendon’ttakethetimetorealizealotofthings.

Lookcloser.You’llseeshedidn’tjustworkhere.Shefoundherselfhere.I’dreckonthis
placewasmorelikeahome.Asafehaven,ifyouwill.”

Realizationsettledintomybones.“Whichiswhyshewantstosaveyourstore?”

Sheshruggedathinshoulder.“WomenlikeLillithfightforwhattheybelieveisright.

Forwhattheybelieveisfair.”Sheeyedmewithoutfear.“So,whydon’tyoutellmewhat
you’redoinghere,Mr.Wolfe.”

Ifullyturnedaround.“Icameheretofindoutwhatitisyouthinkisright.”

LILLITH

POUNDED

ononesideofthedoubledoors.Afrenzyoffuryspedthroughmyveins.Itwas

theonlythingthatmademestupidenoughtoshowuphere.Ofcoursehewouldbe
stayingatthenicesthotelintowninthebestsuite.OnecallandIknewexactlywhereto
findhim.

Ipoundedharder.

Finally,thedoortothepenthousesuiteflewopen.Mybreathcaught,andIswallowed

aroundtheawethatsuddenlythickenedmythroatasastartlingjoltofattractionflashedin
theair.

God,howcouldIfindthismansoattractive?

Hewassogorgeous.Soappealingandbigandbad.

Ihatedhim,didn’tI?

Itookadeepbreathandfoundmyresolve.Yes,Ihatedeverysingleperfectlysculpted

inchofhim.Ifistedthereasonformyhateinmyhandandchargedpassedhimthrough
thedoor.Ispunaroundandshovedthepaperworkhisdirection.“Whatisthis?”

Hewidenedhiseyesasheletthedoorfallclosed.“Please,Ms.Redd,docomeinside.”

“Iaskedyouwhatthisis.”Myvoicewasgravelasmygazeflasheddownhisbody.

Desireburningmefromtheinsideout.

Itriedtostopthem,Idid,butIwasassaultedbythememoriesofthealleywayfrom

lastnight

Hisfingers.

Hismouth.

Heatsweptacrossmyflesh.

Ilookedaway,asifIweresuddenlyinterestedintakingintheluxuryofhissuite.The

areawasdim,onlyasprayoflightthattumbledinfromtheattachedbedroomtomyright
cutacrossthefloor.Alivingareawasatthefrontandalongconferencetablewassetup
inthebacknearthefloor-to-ceilingwindows.Itofferedanawe-inspiringviewofthecityI
loved.

Thereasonformyvisit.

Iturnedmyattentionbacktohimandrefusedmyselfthepleasureoftakinginhis

gloriousfaceorhisirresistiblebody.Itwasclosetoimpossibletodo,consideringhisshirt
wasunbuttoned,showingoffahintofthetoned,oliveskinofhischestandabdomen.

OhGod.Thiswassoverybad.

IstruggledtokeepmymouthfromtremblingwhenIspatthewordsagain.“Whatis

this?”

Helookedatmeasifhecouldn’tbelieveIcouldbesodense.“Acontractofsale.”

“Iknowit’sacontractofsale.WhatIwanttoknowishowyoualreadyhaveitand

whyAddelaineTindallsignedit.”

Hestoodameretenfeetfromme,thelinesofhisfaceplayingintheshadows.

Heslowlystalkedforward.“Iwarnedyou,IalwaysgetwhatIwant.”

“Notthistime,youdon’t.ItoldyouIwouldseetoitthatbuildingremainedintact.I

knowhersignaturewascoerced,andIintendtoproveit.”

Inaflash,hewasinmyface,hisstancefierceandbristlingashebackedmedeeper

intothespace.“Iwouldsuggestyougetyourfactsstraightbeforeyoubargeinhere
makingaccusations.”

Myteethgrated.“Shewouldneversignthisofherownfreewill.Iknowher.”

HepriedmyfingersfromthepapersIfistedandtossedthemontothetableIhadn’t

evenrealizedhehadmebackedagainst.“Ms.Redd,maybeyouthinkyouhaveitall
figuredout,ormaybeyouknowabsolutelynothingatall.”

“Iknowyou’reanasshole.”Itwasawhisperagainsthislips.Hislipsthatwere

suddenlycrushingmine.

Itwasatyranny.Thewayhismouthmovedovermineandhishandfistedinmyhair,

jerkingmyheadbackashecommandedthekiss.

Aggressively.

Precisely.

Airshotfrommylungswhenhehoistedmeontothetable,amassivehandglidingup

mybacksideashepushedupmyskirt.Hegreedilygrippedmyass.“Ibetthisasswillfeel
justasgoodasthatsweetcunt.”

“Fuckyou.”IhissedthewordsasItorehisshirtfreefromthewide,foreboding

strengthofhisshoulders,exposingtherawbeautyofthisoverpoweringman.

Desirespiraled,pulsed,andached.

Hewedgedhishipsbetweenmythighsasthedemandofhiskissintensified.

Devouring.

Provoking.

Hishandswereatthebeltofmyjacket,tuggingattheloop,settingitfree.“Reddrives

mewild.Didyouknowthat,Lillith?Didyouknowfindingyoustandinginmydoorway
initwasnothinglessthanaprovocation.Abullsettocharge.”

“Ihateyou,”Ibarelymanaged.

“Areyousureaboutthat?”hecrooned.“Maybeyou’rewrongaboutallofthat,too.I

thinkyouwantmejustasbadlyasIwantyou.”

Amoanrolledfrommytonguewhenheyankedmycoatdownmyarmsandpeeledit

frommybody.Themovementforcedmeback.Hismouthwasinstantlyonmyneck,
lickingandbiting,buildingafrenzyofneedinmybelly.

Myfingernailsdugintohisshouldersasherockedagainstmycenter.

Needlituplikeatorchbehindmyeyes,andmyfullfocusturnedtothebuttonand

zipperofhispants,tuggingthemloose.

“WhatamIdoing?”Itwasalladeliriousjumbleofwordsashegrippedmybreastsin

bothofhisenormoushandsbeforeslidingthemagainstmybellyandrushingthemup
beneaththesatinymaterialofmyblouse,stokingflamesacrossmyskin.

Hetorethefabricovermyhead.

“You’regettingreadytofindoutjustwhatit’sliketohaveamanyou’llneverforget.”

Hereleasedtheclaspofmybra.Thecoolairthatblewacrossmynipplesbeadedthem

intotight,hardpeaks.Heleaneddown,flattenedhistongueacrossoneinthesamesecond
hewastwistingoutofhispantsandhisunderwear.

Myfingersdroveintohishair.Tinysparksofpleasureshockedthroughmybody.

Tighteningmybellyandthrobbingbetweenmythighs.Teethscrapedmychin.Myneck.
“Asshole,”Iwhimpered.

“Bitch,”hegratedbeforemyskirtandunderwearweregone,casualtiesofthisman

wholaideveryreservationtowastewitheveryhungrytouch.

God,howbadlyIneededthis.

AndhowbadlyIhatedIdid.

IgulpedwhenIrealizedwebothwerebare,myeyeswideasItookhiminwherehe

toweredoverme.

Everythingabouthimwascompelling.

Formidable.

Unstoppable.

Irresistible.

Everysculptedinchofhisbodywasperfection.

Buthiseyes…hisdark,darkeyesweredemandingsomethingIcouldn’tread.

“Youwon’twinthis,”IsomehowmanagedasIstaredupathim,mychinrigid.

Hegrippeditbetweenhisthumbandforefinger,hiswordsabreathagainstmylips.“I

alreadyhave.”

Thatwasrightinthesamesecondafrenzyofmovementignitedbetweenus.Theman

coveredhiscockwithacondomintheflashofasecondbeforehefistedhimselfatthe
base,hisdickjustpartingmyslit.

Myheadspun,dizzywithdesireandahintofpainashespreadme.

“Oh…oh…”Ipantedforcoherency.“You’re…toobig.”

Hegrippedmythigh,andhisteethclenchedasheworkedhimselfinside.“Bigis

better,baby.Ithoughtwealreadyestablishedthat.”

“I’mmorea‘howyouuseit’kindofgirl.”Wherethatcamefrom,Ihadnoidea.But

withhim,Icouldn’tstop.ThehostilitythatragedagainstthisattractionIdidn’t
understand.Anattractiontoogreat.Somethingbeyondreason.

Becausethiswasinsanity.

Hegrippedmyknees,spreadingmewide.Widerandwider.Myhandsbarelyclungto

theedgeofthetableasherocked,thrustingdeeperwitheachpass.Deeperanddeeper.

Theclutchofmywallstakinghim.Needinghim.

Hegroanedagutturalsoundwhenhefinallyseatedhimselffully.Itwassomething

animalistic.Primal.“Iknewit.Iknewyourpussywouldbeperfection.Sheer,utter
perfection.”

Hisfucksgrewharder,ademandingconcoctionthatescalatedwitheachdeadlystroke.

Hishandsslidfrommykneestoundertheinsideofmythighs,liftingmesohecouldgeta
betterangle.

“Tightandsweet.ItoldyouI’dmakeyoumine.Itoldyou.You’remine,Lil’Redd.

Fuckingmine.”

Hisfingertipsevokedsomekindofmadnesswhereheranthemalongthecreaseof

wherewewerejoined,brushingallthewaybacktothepuckerofmyass,beforehis
thumbcameinsistentagainstmyclit.

MyheadflailedasIfoughtthemountingpleasure.Mynailsrakedacrosshis

magnificentchestanddownhisstomach.

“Stopfightingit.Stopfightingme.Trustme,”hegrowled.

“Idon’ttrustyouatall.”Iragedagainstthedriveofhisbodythatnearlysentmeover

theedgewitheachdeep,decadentstroke.

Abuzzbloomedinthedeepestwellofmybody.

Physical.

Spiritual.

Inolongerknew.

Buildingandbuilding.Tinglesshimmeredanddanced.Growinginintensity.

“Trustme,”hedemandedashepresseddownonthebaseofmybellywithapalm,his

thumbmagicwhereitstrokedmeintobliss.

Shattering,all-consumingbliss.Atorrentthatflowedandliftedandspun.

Icriedout,grippinghisshouldersashethrustharderandfasteranddeeperuntilhe

roared,histeethflashinginthenightbeforetheysankintothefleshofmyshoulder.

Itsentanothershotofpleasuretomyclit.

Aftershocks.

Quakeafterquake.

Myfoundationshattered.

Hethreadedhisfingersinmyhair,pantingatmycheek.“Trustme.IpromiseyouI

won’thurther.”

LILLITH

HROAT

DRY

,Igapedoutmydoorwayinshockatthemanstandingthere,notsureifI

wantedtoslamthedoorshutorgorunningthroughit.

“Whatareyoudoinghere?”Imanagedwithapullofmybrow,mythoughtsjust

catchinguptomyheartthatwasracingaheadofme.“HowdidyouevenknowwhereI
live?”

Brodericktsked.“Comenow,Ms.Redd.It’sasmallcitywherethedirtdoesn’trunall

thatdeep.Ittooknothingmorethanaskingaboutyouattherestaurantinmyhoteltogain
thatinformation.Anddon’ttellmeyouweren’tmissingme.”Hewasdressedinworn
jeansandacasualbutton-uplikehehadbeenthefirstnightI’dmethim.Onlythistime,
themorninglightcasthiminakindofwarmthIdidn’tthinkI’deverassociatedwithhim
before,hiseyessofterthanthey’deverbeen.

Thatdidn’tmeantherewasn’tasmirktwitchingatthecornerofhisgorgeousmouth,

somethingpowerfulandthreateningbeneaththeinformaldisguise.

Heatflashedacrossmyskinasmythoughtsroaredbacktolastnight,andIsuckedmy

bottomlipbetweenmyteethasIlookedatthegroundforabeatwhileIgatheredmy
courageandthoughts.

Istillcouldn’tbelievewhatI’ddone.HowI’dletmyselfgo.AndhowmuchI’dliked

it.

Iforcedmyselftolookbackathim.“So,nowyoureallyarestalkingme.Anddoesthe

factyoushowedupheremeanyouweremissingme?”

NowIwasteasinghim.

I’dlostallcontrol.

Agrindancedacrosshisfulllips.“Maybe.”

Hetookastepforward,hisvoicesuddenlyalowrumblethatshiveredacrossmyskin.

“Youwerequiteunforgettablelastnight.Ihavetoadmitthatafteryouleft,mybedhad
neverfeltsocold.”

“Youdon’tneedtoplayme.Youalreadygotwhatyouwanted.”

Hewoundafingerinmyhair,hisheadcockedtotheside,thosedarkeyesablaze.

“That’swhereyou’rewrong.I’veonlystarted.”

Iswallowedaroundtheattraction,tryingtofindfootingbeneathhisstrikingseverity.

Hesteppedback,givingmespace.“Comewithme.Iwanttoshowyousomething.”

Hesitationwarredwiththewantthattumbledthroughmybelly.“Ihaveworktodo.I

needtogettotheoffice.”

“Ithinkthiswillbewellworthyourtime.”

Doubthoveredintheairbetweenusbeforehereachedoutandtuggedatmyhandas

hetookanotherstepbackward.“Comeon,Lil’Redd.There’snoneedtobeafraid.”

Ascowlclimbedtomybrow,thoughsomehowateaseslidoutwiththewords.

“Really…IthinkIalreadybeartheproofthatyoubite.”

Helaughed.Straightbellylaughed.Confusiontwistedthroughmyspirit,aninklingof

somethingIdidn’tquiteunderstand—somethingsweetandhopeful—beforehetuggedme
closer,hismouthatmytemple.“DoyouknowhowmuchIlikeyou,LilyPad?”

Iblinkedintohisshirt,wonderinghowitwaspossiblethatIwasstartingtolikehim,

too.“Youdon’tevenknowme.”

“Oh,IthinkIknowyouwellenough,don’tyou?”Hepulledbacktoshootmeawink

beforehewasthreadinghisfingersthroughmineandleadingmetothecarparkedatthe
curbinfrontofmyhouse.“Come.”

AndIhadnoideaifitwasdistrustorexcitementthatflappedinmybellywhenIlet

himleadmetohiscar.

Tenminuteslater,BroderickmadealeftinhisrentedAudi.Therealizationofwhere

weweregoinginjectedadoseofanxietyintomysystem,andIleanedforwardinmyseat,
myvoiceriddledwithdoubt.“Whyareyoubringingmehere?”

Mygazetraveledthelineofoldbuildingsthatsatlikeabeacon.Aharbor.Mysafe

haven.

Heslowedwhenhecametotheshabbythree-storybuildingthathousedTindall’s

Thimbles.Easingupnexttothecurb,heputthecarinparkbutlefttheengineidling.

Heshiftedinhisseattofaceme.“BecauseIwantyoutounderstandmygoals.My

vision.IwantyoutoknowwhyAddelaineTindallsignedthosepapers.”

Uneasestirredthroughmysenses.Alongwithashotofhope.Imethisgaze.Fullyand

withoutrestraint.“Tellme.”

Iwatchedthethickbobofhisthroat,hisvoicehoarse.“Iamnotthebadguy,Lillith.

Evilmightrunthroughmyveins,mybloodmyfather’s,butIhavefoughthisbrandof
corruptmoralsmyentirelife.I’mnotheretoruinpeople’slives.I’mheretomakethem
better.Andifstampingmyfather’snameonaprojectmakesmethebadguy,too,thenso
beit.Ilovewinning,Lillith.Iwon’tlie.Butmywinsareonmyownmerit,andtheyare
always,alwaysfair.”

Ishookmyhead.Iwantedtobelievehim,butallmyreservationswarnedmeto

rememberexactlywhoIwasdealingwith.“Butyoupushedthispurchasewithoutconcern

forMrs.Tindall.Justliketherestofthebuildingsyourcompanyacquired.”

Ascowlmarredhisface.“Howcouldyousaywithoutconcern?Everyfinancialoffer

I’vemadehasfarsurpassedthecurrentvalueofanyoftheseholdings.”

Frustrationbubbledinsideofme.“Butthat’sit,rightthere.Thereisnodollarvalue

thatcancompensateformemories.Forheritage.”

HisgazeslidtotheplateglassofAddelaine’sstore.“Isthatwhatyou’retryingto

protect,Lillith?Yourmemories?Isallofthisaboutyou?”

Somehow,thewordsthatfellfromhismouthwereassoftastheyweresharp.

Asiftherewasachancehemightunderstandandhewasaccusingmeofanagendaat

thesametime.

Oldwoundsflared.Iattemptedtostuffthemdownwheretheybelonged.Apparently,I

didn’tsucceedbecausemyvoicecrackedasIpressedmypalmovermyheart.“I’m
fightingforthewomanwhogavemeeverything.I’mfightingforherlegacy.I’mfighting
forherfamilyandherfriendsandallthepeoplewhohavestorieslikehers.”

Hisarmsuddenlyshotout,hishandfistinginmyhair,histoneemphatic.“Whatif

financialcompensationistheonlythingIhavetoofferthem?Whatifit’stheonlythingI
candotosavewhatthey’vecreated?TheonlywayIcanhelppreservewhatthey’vemade
ofthemselves?”

Myheartthrummedintheconfinesofmychest,myeyesdartingacrosshisface,

desperatetoreadthetruthinhisexpression.“Whatareyousaying?”

Hegrimaced.“I’msayingmyfatherhasalreadymadehisdecision.Thisstreetwill

beartheWolfename.Ourhotelwillstandhere,inthisspot,onewayoranother.Hisway
ormyway.AndIpromiseyou,mywayisbest.”

Awarenesssettledoverme,likearocksinkingtothepitofmystomach.

Histhumbbrushedovermycheek.“AddelainesignedthatcontractbecausewhenI

wenttoseeher,Iaskedherwhatshewanted.Iaskedherwhatshebelievedwasfairinthis
situation.Shefeltthepurchaseofferwasmorethanfair,andadditionally,sheaskedforsix
monthstofindanewlocationbeforethesaleclosed.Iagreed,andshesigned.SheandI?
Wemadeadeal.Therewasnocoercion.”

Regrettwistedthroughmyconsciousness.

HadIpeggedhimwrongallalong?

“Thenwhyisn’tthatsixmonthpromiseinthecontract?”

“Becausemyfatherispushingforacloseddeal.Igivethattohim,andhemovesonto

hisnextacquisition.It’saneasydistraction.”

Iwantedtobelieveit.Inhim.

Awrygrinpulledathismouthashisgazetraveledtothestorefront.“She’san

incrediblewoman.Smart.Butshe’salsoflexible.”Hemovedhisotherhandtomyface,
framingbothsideswhenhelookedbackatme.“Andthat’swhatI’maskingyoutobe.
Flexible.”

Therewasnomissingtheinnuendobehindit.

God,hehadmetiedupinknots.BecausethereIwaswithbutterfliesinmystomach

andablushonmyface.ThemanmademevulnerableinawayIhadn’tallowedmyselfto
beinsomanyyears.

BroderickWolfebroughtoutthebestandtheworstinme.

“Whatdoyouwantfromme?”Ifinallywhispered.

Hishandstightened.“First…Iwantyoutosayyoutrustmeandtodropthatsilly

applicationtomakethebuildingahistoricmonument.YouandIbothknowitwon’t
stick.”

Fireglintedinhisdark,darkgaze.“Then,IwanttotakeyoubacktomysuitesoIcan

fuckyouagain,andthenfromthere,youandIcanseewherethisgoes.”

“Wherethisgoes?”Itcameoffasincredulous.

“Yeah,Ms.Redd.We’llseewhereitgoes.IlovedthetasteIgotlastnight.Something

tellsmeIwon’tevergetenough.”

Myspiritlurched.Reachingtowardsomethingthatshouldbeimpossible.BecauseI

wassupposedtohatehim.

Hesmiledthatmagneticsmile.

AndIrealizedthatwaswhatterrifiedmethemostabouthim.

Ididn’thatehimatall.

“Andyou’llgiveMrs.Tindallsixmonths?”

“Sixmonths.”

“Promisemethisisn’tsomekindoftrick.”ApleaslippedintomytonebecauseI’d

openedmyselftohiminawaythatgavehimthecompleteupperhand,everyadvantagein
hiscorner.

God,thelastthingIneededwastobeluredintoatrapbythismesmerizingman.Let

myguarddownsohecouldrushinforthekill.

“Trustme,”hesaidagain.

“I’mnotsureIknowhow.”

“Thenletmeprovetoyouthatyoucan.”Hisfingertipstraileddownthehollowofmy

throat,adarkpromisecoatingthewords,“Doyoutrustmewiththisbody?”

“Yes.”Ashiverraceddownmyspine,settlinglow,ignitingathrobbetweenmythighs.

Brodericksatback,thatarrogancesettinglikestoneoneverylineofhismagnificent

face.“Good.Thenlet’sfindoutwherethisgoes.”

BRODERICK

“D

YOU

TRUST

?”Iwhisperedclosetoherearwhereshewasbentoverthesideofmy

bed,herhandspressedtothemattress.

Shivering,shenodded,locksofravenhaircascadingaroundhershoulders.Herback

wasbareandjustasgorgeousastherestofher,andIslowlytrailedmyfingertipsdown
thelengthofherspine,allthewaydowntotheonlythingshewore.

Ared,lacythong.

Thatandapairofredhigh,highheels.

Lusttightenedmyballsandhardenedmydick.

Yes.

“Ilovered,”ImurmuredasIdippedmyfingertipsbetweenhercheeksandglided

themoverthefabric.“Sofuckingmuch.”

Shewhined,herassjuttingout,askingformore.

“Didyouweartheseforme?”Thequestionrumbledfromdeepinmythroat.“Didyou

knowIwouldcomeforyou?Findyou?Takeyou?”

Awhimperslippedfromhermouth.

“Tellme,”Idemanded.

“Yes.”Itwasabreath.“Please.”

Hungerricochetedthroughmybody.

Somethingprimal.

Fuelingtheobsessionshe’dincitedinmesincethefirsttimemyeyeshadscanned

acrossherimpassionedwords.

Butstandingthere,adifferentkindofemotionrushedme.Somethingbigger.

Somethingmore.

IswallowedarounditasIdroppedtomykneesbehindher,forcingherlegsapartand

situatingmyselfbetweenthem.Mypalmscuppedhercheeks,spreadingher.“Yourassis
asperfectasyourpussy,Lillith.Didyouknowthat?Didyouknoweveryinchofyou

drivesmewild?”

Ipressedmynosetothefabricofherunderwear,whichdidnothingtocoverher,and

inhaleddeeply.“Yousmelldelicious.”

No.Notlikeflowersorsugarorchocolate.

Shesmelledlikeawoman.Shesmelledlikesex.Shesmelledlikeme.

Agrowlpulledfrommylungs,andIlickedthewet,glisteningfleshthatpeekedout

fromthefabricbeforeInudgedthelaceasidesoIcouldgodeeper.Fuckingmytongue
intohertightheatandrunningmyfingersalongthecreaseofherass.

Shemoaned.“Broderick.”

Ibittheinsideofherthigh.

Sheyelped.

“I’mgoingtodevouryou,Lillith.Everyinch.”

Herlegsshook.“Yes,”shewhispered.

IedgedbackafractionsoIcouldpullherthongfromherwaistanddragitdownher

legs,sittingbackonmyheelssoIcouldappreciatetheviewasIunwoundthemfromher
feet.

Thelightswereoffinmyroom,andonlysheerdrapesshadedthewindowsfromthe

winterday.

Itcastherasasilhouette.

Sleekandsexy.

“Youaresodamnedbeautiful,”ImurmuredwhenIgrippedherbytheoutsideofthe

legs.Iedgedforward,tongueglidingintoherfolds.

“Brody.”Hersayingmynamethatwayhadmeclosetocomingunhinged,andI

angledsoIcouldlaveattentiononherclit.Iflickedandcircledwhileshewrithedand
moaned.“Please…more…don’tstop.”

Myhandsexplored.Greedily.Skatinghersoftskin,herlegs,herroundbottom,and

thesmallofherback.

God,shewasamiracle.

Appealinginawaythathadhitmelikeaflashflood.Unawareandunprepared.

Isweptmyfingertipsthroughthedesirethatcoatedher,teasingbeforeIplungedthem

inside.

“Likethis?”Idemanded.

Idrovethemdeep,makingherjerkwiththesuddenpleasure.

“Yes,”shebeggedthencriedoutinfrustrationwhenIpulledthemfreebeforeshewas

squirmingandpantingandflailingagainwhenIbrushedthemupthesensitivefleshatthe
backofherpussyandtothetightpuckerofherass.

“Trustme,”Iwhisperedagainstherskin,kissingalongherinnerthighasIcontinued

totouchher.Teaseher.Taunther.“Tellmeyoutrustme.”

Shewarred,herwordsawispofconcession.“I…Itrustyou.”

Ihadtosuckinabreathtosteadymyself.

BecauseIcouldfeelsomethingwantingtogive.

Somethingrigidandhardwantingtogosoft.

Shewhimperedandgave,herlegsshakingasshestruggledtorelaxasIslowlyeased

twofingersinside.“You’remine,Ms.Redd.Doyouhearme?ItoldyouI’dmakeyou
mine.”

HerlowmoanechoedfromthewallsasIslowlydrovemyfingersdeeper,herknees

weakeningassheclawedatthebed.

“I…Ican’t…please.”

“Pleasewhat?”

“Ineedyou,”shepleaded.

SwiftlyIstoodandpulledmyfingersfreebeforeIsankthefingersofbothhandsinto

herasscheeks,mycockcatchingonherpussyasInudgedinaninch.“Isthiswhatyou
need?”

Desireblazed.

“Yes.Please…don’tteaseme.I’myours.”

I’myours.

Iwasconsumedbytheconfessionofherwords,andIdrovemycockdeepinsideher

body.Herwallsspasmedwiththeintrusion,clutchingmydickinneedydesperation.

“Fuck…youfeelamazing,Ms.Redd.Sofuckinggood.Tellmehowgoodmycock

feels.Thisiswhyyouwon’tevergetawayfromme.”

Thewordsspilledoutwithoutthoughtorreason.

TheonlythingIknewwastheirtruth.

Iwouldneverletthiswomangetawayfromme.

Iwouldhunther.Findher.Keepher.

“I…ohmy…fuck.”Itwasallanincoherentjumbleofwordsfromhergorgeousmouth

asshestruggledtokeepstandingasIbegantofuckher—hardandfast.

Unbridled.

Wild.

Claiming.

Herfleshstretchedaroundme,grippingmeinitssatinywelcome.

Offeringitall.

So,Itookit.

Witheachfiercethrust,shecriedout,herfingersdiggingintothecomforterofthebed.

Iranmythumbaroundherslickness,gatheringitasIdraggeditupwardandpushingit
intoherhole.Myotherfingerswoundaroundtoherfront,grabbinghertit,herthroat,
beforeIforcedtwofingersintohermouth.

Shesuckedmewithherhot,wettonguewhileherhot,wetbodyclutchedandbegged

andmoaned.

Completelyunhinged.

AsunhingedasIwas.

MyheadspunandherbodybowedandIwassuddenlyovercome.

StaggeredinawayIwasn’tsureIcouldaffordtobe.

AsurprisegaspflewfromherwhenIpulledout,pickedherup,andtossedheronto

herbackonthebed.

Andthereshewas.Allspreadout,ravenhairandmilkyskinandredhighheels.

Iwasquicktocrawloverher,cagingherforaheatedmoment,staringdownather

gorgeousfaceasIfeltsomethingshatterinsideme.

Idrovebackintoher,pleasurespikingasIfilledher.

Andshewatchedmewiththoseemeraldeyes.Herlipsparted.Herheartclear.

“Redd,”Iwhispered,“whathaveyoudonetome?”

“It’syouwho’stakenme.”Herwordswereawispyadmission.

IedgedbacksoIcouldrunmyknuckleoverherclit.

Thatsingletouchwasallittook.

Shearchedfromthebedassheslammedintoecstasy.Herheadrockedbackandthose

perfecttitsjuttedtowardmyface.

MymouthgrazedarosynippleasIeasedmyhandawaybeforebothmyhandswere

oneithersideofherheadasIconqueredherwitheacherraticthrust.

Pleasurerusheddownmyspine.Tighteningmyballs.Constrictingtoapinpoint.

Explodingandblowingthroughmybodyonafierycircuit.

Everynerve.

Everycell.

Ipouredintoher,mybodybowingandmyheaddippingdowntothesoftfleshofher

shoulder.

Myteethsankin.

Makingmymark.

Sated,Icollapsedontohersweat-drenchedbodybeforeIpushedupontomyelbow

andbrushedmyfingersthroughherhair.“IthinkIlikewherethisisgoing.”

Lillithgiggled.“IthinkIdo,too.”

Shesobered,touchedmyface,vulnerabilityslippingintohertone.“Ishouldn’tfallfor

you.”

Iedgeddownandnippedatherbottomlip.“Yes,youshould.”

LILLITH

“T

HAT

WAS

AMAZING

,”thedeepvoicegrumbledfrombesideme,hisruggedpantsrising

intotheairasnighttookholdofthehotelroom.

Istruggledtofindmyownbreath.Mybodyblissfullyspent.

Butitwasmyheartpulsingfullofanoverwhelmingsatisfactionandjoythatshivered

throughmysenses.Thefeelingspressedandpulsedandthrummed,demandingtomake
themselvesknown.

Affection.

Fondness.

Care.

Strippedofmyanger,theywererightthere,tauntingmewiththefactI’dratherbein

hisarmsthananywhereelse.

IknewthosefeelingsputmeingreaterdangerwiththismanthanI’deverbeen.

Irolledontomysideandproppeduponmyelbow.“Whatishappeninghere?”I

whispered.

Brodericklayonhisbackinthemiddleofthemassivebedwe’dspenttheentireday

utilizingtoitsfullestpotential.

Icouldn’tresisttracingafingertipdownthesheerstrengthofhisbarechestandover

hisrippedabdomen.AsifIhadn’tspentthelasteighthoursexploringeveryinchofhim
whilehe’dconsumedeveryinchofme.

Noplaceinmehadbeenleftunattended.He’dtakenmehardandfastandrough,

againandagain.Untilthelasttimewhenhistouchhadturnedtenderandslowashe’d
stareddownatmethroughthedescendingnight.

Hegrinned.“Ithoughtwewereseeingwherethisgoes.”

“Butnowthatyouhavethingssettledhere,you’llbegoingbacktoNewYork.”

“WillIbe?”

Quickly,IshiftedupfarthersoIcouldgetabetterlookathim.“What?”

Heraisedahandandthreadedhisfingersthroughmyhair.“Maybeyouwereentirely

wrongaboutmyviewbackinManhattan,Lillith.MaybeIhavethebestviewrighthere.”

Tinglesspreadlikesparkingmatchestomyspirit.

Stunned,Iblinkeddownathim.“Youwanttostayhere…becauseofme?”Italmost

cameacrossasanaccusation.

“YouthinkIwouldn’t?”

Myheadshook.“Youdon’tevenknowme.”

Hissmilewaseasy.“Youkeepsayingthat.”

Heseemedcompletelyunperturbedbymysuddenquestioning,whilemywholeworld

feltasifit’dspunoffitsaxis.

Iwasarealist.

Aplanner.

Cautioustotheninthdegree.

Ididn’tcarelesslyfallinlove.Tome,lovewasadecisionthatwasmadeonlyby

choice,givenaftereveryconsequencehadbeentakenintoconsideration.

Otherwise,youwereleftstung.Bitten.Broken.

Ialsodidn’tfallrecklesslyintosomeone’sbed.

Yet,thereIwas.

“Ikeepsayingthatbecauseit’strue.”

“Whatareyousoafraidof?”heaskedasherangentlefingersthroughmyhair,a

frowndentingbetweenhiseyes.

Ihadthesuddenurgetoslipfromhisbedandcovermyself,hide,theimpulsestronger

thanit’dbeeninalong,longtime.

Hisbrowfurrowed,themansointentasherantheknucklesofonehanddownmy

cheekandundermyjaw.Tingleslifted.Warmthandcomfortandastrokeofthatfire.
“Whohurtyou,Lillith?”

“Thepeoplewhoweresupposedtolovememost.”

Ihadnoideawhathadcomeoverme,becausetheurgetotellhimwassuddenlyso

muchgreaterthantheneedtorun.ThepainI’dkepthiddenforsolongbeggingtobe
released.Hewatchedme,silentlycoaxingmetocontinue.

IswallowedaroundthelumpinmythroatbeforeIforcedouttheconfession.“Iwas

fifteen…”

Iblinkedthroughthememory,myvoicegoingsoftasIgotlostinit.“Itwasjustlike

anyotherday.Iwenttoschool.Mymommahadbeenmorescattered…flustered.
Depressedmaybe,Idon’tknow.”

Mytonguefeltasifitmightfreezeup,butthewordskeptfloodingoutwhen

Brodericktightenedhisholdinmyhair.“Iletmyselfintothehouseafterschoolthatday,

andtheyjust…weregone.Sheandherboyfriend.Ikeptcallingforher,thinkingitwas
somekindofjoke.Irantoherroomandallthedrawerswereopen.Empty.She’dleftme
thisletter…tellingmeshewassorryandthateverythingwouldbeokay.ThatIwasabig
girl.”

Somethingthatlookedlikeangertookholdofhisexpressionbeforeawarenesssettled

intoitsplace.Slowly,henoddedinunderstanding.“AndAddelainetookyouin.”

“Yeah.Iansweredacallforahelpwantedad,naïveenoughtothinkI’dmakeenough

moneytokeeppayingrentonthehouse.ButAddelaineandthatstore…theybecamemy
home.IlivedwithheruntilIgraduatedfromcollege.”

Hesmiled.“Iknewshewasanamazingwoman.”

“Sheis.”

“Likeyou,”hemurmured,brushinghislipsacrossmine.

Butterfliestumbled.Myheartfull.Therigidpiecessplinteringbeneaththeweightof

hiscare.AndsuddenlyIwaswantingthingsIhadn’tdreamedofwantinginsolong.
MaybeNikkiwasright.Ineededalittleshredding.Butitwasmydistrustandskepticism
thatthismanwasshavingaway.

Silencehoveredintheair.“Ishouldprobablygo.”

“Ohno,Ms.Redd.Youaren’tgoinganywhere.”

Mybrowsliftedasmymouthpulledintoasmile.“Isthatso?”

Hegrinned.“Ithoughtwealreadyestablishedyoudon’tneedtobeafraid.”

Myfingertipsrakedacrossthestrengthofhischest,andIpeekedupathim.“ButIam.

I’mafraidofthis.It’sinsanethatI’mhere.You’rethelastpersonIshouldfallfor.”

Hisbighandcuppedthesideofmyface.“Don’tyouknowallgreatlovestoriesnever

shouldhavebeen?That’swhatmakesthemgreat.”

“Isthatwhatyouthinkthisis…thestarttoagreatlovestory?”

“Doyouwantittobe?”Therewasateasebehindhiswords,butasoftness,too.

Heatflashedacrossmyskin,warmingmeinsideandout.“That’s…crazy.Justlast

night,Ihatedyou.”

ButthereIwas,smilingdownathimlikealovestruckfoolwhileIsaiditwith

somethingpowerfulandwonderfulthreateningtoburst,theweightinsideofmesomuch
lightersinceI’dadmittedtohimtherootofsomanyofmyfears.

Alowchucklerumbledfromhischest.“Youdidn’thateme,Lillith.Youwereafraidof

mebecauseImadeyoufeelthingsyoudidn’twanttoletyourselffeel.Youwantedme,
andyouhatedthatIhadthateffectonyou.”

Hishandcincheddowntighter.Heyankedmyfacedownclosetohis.“Youhatedthat

youcouldn’tsayno.”

Itwasatease.

Itwasthetruth.

Thatattractionflashed.

Awildfire.

Broderickguidedmeoverhim,hiscockalreadyhardashealignedhimselfwithme.“I

toldyouthatIalwaysgetwhatIwant.AndwhatIwantisyou,andthat’snotevergoing
tochange.”

WhatIcouldn’tcomprehendwashowthismanwho’dbeenmyenemyforfivemonths

hadmademewanthiminlessthanthreedays.

BecausetherewasnothingIcoulddowhenIsliddownontohislengthbutgivehim

allofme.

Mybody.Myheart.Mytrust.

Disoriented,Iblinkedintotheshadowsofthedarkenedroom.Slowly,Icameto
awareness.Broderick’sbig,warmbodywasnexttominewherehewaslostinthe
contentmentofsleep,hisbreathsdeepandslow.

Isankbackintothecomfortofhim,nestlingcloserasIletmyeyesdriftclosed.

Secondslater,theypoppedbackopenwhenIrealizedwhathadoriginallypulledmefrom
sleep.

Hisphonelituponthenightstandonhissideofthebedandvibratedagainsttheglass.

Tellingmyselftoignoreit,Iforcedmyselftoclosemyeyesandgobacktosleep,only

fortheoffendingnoisetorecur.

Leaveit,Isilentlytoldmyself.ButIcouldn’tescapethetingleofworrythatbuzzedat

thebackofmybrain.

Apprehensiontwistedthroughmynerves.Proddingandpinchingandwarning.

Isuckedinabreath,tryingtoconvincemyselfIwasonlythiswaybecausethis

relationshipwasnewandit’dstartedonbadterms.I’djustcometorecognizethesideof
themanthatwasgoodandhonest.

We’dbeenawhirlwind.

Caughtup.ShottothehighesthighbeforeI’devenrealizedI’dbeensweptoffmy

feet.

ThatwaswhyIfeltunsettled.

Ithadtobe.

Iheardthevibrationofhisphoneagain.

Woulditbesowrongtopeek?Maybeitwasanemergency.Itwasthemiddleofthe

night,afterall.

Isatup,holdingadecadentsheettomybarechest,feelinglikesuchanassholefor

doingthisbutunabletostopasIpeeredthroughthedarknesstothenightstand.Ihesitated
andthenfinallygavein.

Ireachedoverhimandglidedashakingfingeroverthescreentofindtheseriesof

textsthatscreamedbackfromBroderick’sphone.

AllofthemfromRexGunner,theownerofthemostsuccessfulconstructioncompany

inGinghamLakes.AmanIknewwell.AmanItrustedandadmired.

AheavylumpgrewinmythroatasIskimmedthroughhiswords.

IfyouthinkI’mgoingtobulldozethosebuildingstwoweeksfromtomorrow,you

areinsane.

DoyouthinkIdon’tknowit’simpossibletogetpermitsthatquickly?Someone

gotpaidofftomakethathappen.

ItoldyouIworkontheupandup.

Guttoldmesomethingwasoffthesecondyouwalkedintomyoffice.

Dealisoff.

Dreadslickedmyskininahotsheenofsweatandnausearolledinmystomach.

Ipressedmyhandtomychesttotrytostoptheacheblossomingthereastearssprang

tomyeyes.

Ishouldhaveknown.Ishouldhaveknown.

Youfool.Youstupidfool.Heplayedyou.Heplayedyoujustliketheyalldo.

Kneesweak,Islippedoffthebed,tryingtostand.MoistureblurredbysightasI

fumbledwithmyclothing,tryingtobeasquietaspossibleasIslippedoutofthebedroom
andintothemainareaofthesuite.

Idressedinthedark,piecingmyexteriorbacktogetherwhileeverythinginside

shattered.

IgrabbedmypursefromwhereI’dleftitontheentrywaytable,fumbledwiththe

knob,andslippedoutintothehall.Mybreathswereshallow,mymindracingwithhowI
couldpossiblyfixthis.Panictookholdofmyspirit,andmyfeetmovedfasterandfaster
asImademywaydownthehallandtotheelevator.

Ididn’tevenhavemycar.

ButIdidn’tcare.

Iwoulddowhateverittooktofixmymistake.

Ijerkedtoastopinfrontofthemodesthouseontheoutskirtsoftown.Alightblazedfrom
theporch,RexGunnervisiblethroughthesheercurtainsasheambledaroundhiskitchen,
obviouslyaprisonertohisownwoes.

Ormaybetonightourworrieswereoneinthesame.

I’dtakenacabthetwomilesbacktomyhouse,grabbedmycar,anddrovestraight

here.

Ifiguredifanyonehadthedown-lowonthedetails,itwasRexGunner.Hehad

connectionsinthistown.

I’dalsoknownhimmywholelifeandtrustedhimimplicitly.Itwasnosecrethe

hadn’tbeenthesamesincehiswifehadlefttwoyearsago,buttheonethingthathadn’t
changedwashiscompany’scharacter.Hesawtoitthatitstayedthatway.Andjudgingby
thetextsIsaw,thathadn’tchanged.

Iclickedopenthedoortomycarandstumbledout,stillreelingfrommyfoolishness,

barelyabletostandbeneaththecrackinmyheart.I’dallowedmyselftobeplayed.
Hunteddownlikepreyandrippedtoshreds.

AndGod,thosewoundsburnedandhurtandached.

BecausewhenIopenedup,Iopenedalltheway.

Reservationsincinerated.

Andthatvilemonsterhadgonestraightforthekill.

IrushedupthewalkwayandquietlyknockedatRex’sdoorsoIwouldn’twakehis

daughter.Ittookonlyasecondformetohearheavyfootstepsthuddingontheotherside,
thetwistofthelock,andthesqueakofhisdoor.

Rexjerkedbackwhenhesawme,blinkingthroughhisshock.“Lily.Whatareyou

doinghere?”Hewidenedthedoor.“Comeinsidewhereit’swarm.”

“Thankyou,”Imanaged,notrealizingIwasfreezing,myboneschilled,myskin

brittleasIrubbedmyhandstogether.

“What’sgoingon?”

RexGunnerwaseverybitaspowerfulasBroderickWolfe.ButwhereBroderickwent

straightforwhathewanted,disregardinganyonewhogotinhisway,Rexkepthimself
barricadedbythehardscowlonhisblatantlybeautifulface,lifehardeninghimtosharp
edgesandbitterness.

“I…wereyouworkingwithWolfeIndustriesontheFairviewStreetproject?”

Awarenessdawnedonhisexpression.“‘Was’isthekeyword.”

“IsawthetextsyousenttoBroderick,”Iadmitted,liftingmychin,knowingfullwell

whatIwasrevealing.HowelsewouldIhaveseentheminthemiddleofthenight?ButI’d
sufferanyhumiliationtogaintheproofIneededtosetmymistakeright.

Helookedtohisfeet,beforeforcinghimselftolookbackatme.“Yougetyourselfin

sometrouble,Lillith?”

“Onlymyheart.”

Withhishandsonhiships,hegavemeatightnod,fullyunderstanding.

“IneedtoknowwhatyouknowsoIcanstopthis.AddelaineTindallwaspromisedsix

monthstorelocateandonehundredandtwenty-fivethousanddollarstocompensateher
forthetransition.”

Hehuffedinanger.“IwastoldthesameuntilIgotwordAddelainesignedacontract

agreeingtoaquicksale.Premisesaretobevacatedbythethirtiethanddemolitionbegins

onthefirst.RGConstructionwassupposedtohavethebid,butIpulleditassoonasIgot
word.Noquestiontheyhavethecitybigdogsintheirpocketbecausethingsjustdon’t
movethatfast.Someonegotpaidoff,andassoonasthosetypesofdealingsstartgoin’
down,I’mout.”

Angerandhurtbillowedinmychest.“Ican’tbelievehe’ddothis.”

Rexeyedme.“Can’tyou?”

Ipressedmyhandtomymouth,tryingtoquietthecrythatslippedupmythroat

withoutmypermission.

“Lillith,”Rexmurmuredinsympathy.

Ishookmyheadathim.“Just…tellmeeverythingyouknow.”

BRODERICK

UNLIGHT

POURED

throughthesheerdrapesthatcoveredthewindows.IgroanedasI

stretchedwhereIlayflatonmystomach,mymusclesflexingasmycockstirredbackto
life,mybodybristlingwiththisdesireIhadahunchwasn’tevergoingtolessen.

JustlikeItoldLillith.

OnceItastedher,Iwasn’tevergoingtogetmyfill.

Asatisfiedgrinstretchedacrossmymouth,andIslidmyhandalongthemattress.

Seekingher.Alreadyravenous.Readyforanotherbite.TheonlysoftnessIfoundwasthe
coolbottomsheet.

IjerkedmyheadupfromthepillowtolookatthespotwhereI’dwatchedherfall

asleep.Thetopsheetwasgone.

Sowasshe.

Anxietytwistedinmygut.“Lillith,”Icalled,voiceturnedinthedirectionofthe

attachedensuitebathroom.

Silenceraineddown,ominousinthestill,quietmorning.

Dreadseepedintomyskinandsettledinmybones.Mygazeswepttheroom.

Herclothing,whichwe’dleftstrewnacrossthefloor,wasnolongerthere.

Myteethgritted.Whatthefuck?

Ithoughtwewerepassedthis.

Ireachedformyphonetocallher,grippingitinmyhandasIswipedmythumbacross

theglass.

ThealarmIfeltratchetedupathousandnotcheswhenIsawthemessagesthathad

alreadybeenread.Mychesttightenedinrageatwhattheyimplied.Atthesuspicionsthey
confirmed.

Motherfucker.

Lillithhadseenthesetexts.

God.Icouldn’tevenimaginewhatshewasthinking.

Panicspiraledthroughmybody.Mymindraced.FlippingthrougheverydetailJames

hadfedme.

IflickedintorecentcallslistedonmyphoneuntilIfoundthenameIwaslookingfor.

Heansweredonthesecondring.

“Iwarnedyou,”Iseethed.

Mockinglaughterfilteredinfromtheotherendoftheline,hisdisappointmentthick.I

shouldn’thavebeensurprised.Afterall,thatwastheonlythingI’deverbeen.

“AndIwarnedyou.Youhadtwoweekstogetheroutofthere,notsixmonths,and

yousureashelldidn’thavetheauthoritytopayherwhatyoupromised.SoIhadmymen
fixit.”

Angerrippledthroughmystrainingmuscles.“Ipromiseyou,Iwon’tletyougetaway

withthis,”Isaid,crushingmyphonetomymouthwhereIspatthewords.

Helaughed.“It’salreadydone.”

LILLITH

HEAD

JERKED

upwhenthebellabovethedoorchimed,flamingtheindignantangerthat

burnedthroughmybodyandtrembledallthewaytomycore.

“Don’tyoudarewalkthroughthatdoor.”ThewordsshookandgratedasIforcedthem

throughgrittedteeth.BroderickWolfefrozehalfwaythroughthedoorofTindall’s
Thimbles.Hewasbacktowearinghissuitthatmadehimappeareverybitthevillainhe
was.

Darkanddominant.

Lastnight,RexGunnerhadgivenmeenoughinformationsoIknewwheretobegin

digging.TheproofI’dfoundinthefewhoursI’dspentcombingthroughfilesonmy
computerwasinsubstantial,buthopefullyitwasenoughthatthecomplaintIfiledtoorder
aholdonthesaleuntiltheclaimscouldbeinvestigatedwouldstick.

AllnightandmorningI’dfocusedsolelyonthistask.Refusingtogiveintothe

naggingthoughtsofhim.Thoughtsofhistouchandhiskissandthepromiseofsomething
more.RefusingtoletmyselfdwellonthefactthatI’dbeennothingmorethanagame.

Apawnusedtobringdownthefinalobstaclestandinginhisway.

Thesickestpartofitallwasthatobstaclewasme.

He’dpittedmeagainstmyself.

Hetookthefinalstepinside,andInarrowedmyeyesathim.IguessIshouldn’thave

beensurprised,shouldhaveI?

Histhroatbobbedheavily.“Lillith…Icanexplain.”

Nervousnessseemedtolinehisdemeanorforthefirsttime,butIknewbetterthanto

fallforhistactics.Themanmanagedtoswitchfromonedisguisetoanotherflawlessly.

Thatdidn’tmeanIcouldn’tseehisrazor-sharpteeth.

“Idon’twanttohearanythingyouhavetosay.”Iliftedtheshortstackofpapers.“I

haveeverythingIneedtoknowrighthere.Iknowyourcompanybribedthecounty
commissioner.Iknowyourcompanysignedoffonpushingthepermitsthrough.AndI
knowyourcompanyhadnointentionofhonoringthedealyoumadewithAddelaine.”

Herubbedabighandoverhisjaw,whichtodaywasunshavenandcoarsewiththick,

darkhair.

Abeast.

Abeautiful,terrible,lying,betrayingbeast.

Hateflared,thatemotionmixedwiththecuttinggrief.

“Myfather—”

Bitinglaughterbrokethroughtheair.“Idon’tgiveadamnaboutyourfather,

Broderick.Igiveadamnaboutwhatyoupromised.WhatIcareaboutisthefactyou’re
nothingbutadisgustingmanipulator.Aliardrivenbygreed.”

Isuckedinasharpbreathwhenhesuddenlyflewacrossthefloor.Hewasinmyface,

nostrilsflaringashestaredmedown.Yet,whenIexpectedtofindangerinhiseyes,I
foundnothingbutdesperation.Hisnextwordsahoarseplea.“Youtoldmeyoutrustedme.
Idemandalittleofitnow.”

Irefusedtheinstincttosoften,andinsteadIscoffedasItippedmyheadbacksoI

couldmeethispenetratinggaze.“Youdemandit?Youdon’tgettodemandanythingof
me.Youdon’townme,andyoucan’thaveme.Ipromisedyoubeforeyoucameherethat
Iwouldstopyou…butnow?NowIpromiseIwilldestroyyou.Iwon’tstopuntilthere’s
absolutelynothingleftofWolfeIndustries.Itrustedyou,andyouliedtome.Usedme.
AndIfellforit.”

TheworstpartwasthatI’dfallenforhim.

Bileroseinmythroat.“Youdisgustme,andIdon’teverwanttoseeyouagainunless

it’sincourtandI’mtakingeverythingimportanttoyouaway.”

Hesankback,shouldersstraighteningassomethinglikehurtflashedacrosshisface.It

wasgonebeforeIcoulddecipherit,hisjawgoingrigid.“Youreallythinksolittleofme?”

Thewordsdrippedlikevenomastheyslidfrommytongue.“Ithinkevenless.”

WhathurtsobadlywasIdidn’twantto.I’dwantedtothinkthebestofhim.Wanted

himtobethemanhe’dshownmehewasyesterday.

Hislipspursed,andhenoddedtwice,asifheneededtoacceptwhatI’dsaid.Thenhe

turnedonhisheels,strodetowardthedoor,andpulleditopen.Hepausedhalfwayout,
lookingatmefromoverhisshoulder,hisexpressionlikeastraightkicktothegut.

Pain.

“That’stoobad,Lillith,becauseitonlytookthreedaysforyoutomeanthemostto

me.”

Thenhetossedthedooropenwideanddisappearedoutintotheglintingsunthatshone

throughthefrigidwinterair.

IstoodtheregaspingforairasIwatchedhimgo,tryingtoholdontoreason.Tomy

sensesandresolutionsandtherealityofwhohewas,allthewhilemyspiritburningand
aching,myinsidestwistingintwo.

HowhadIlethimhurtmesobadly?

Offtotheside,movementcaughtmyattention,andIturnedtofindAddelaine

wringingherhandswhereshestoodinthearchwaytothesewingroomintheback.
“Child,”shewhisperedlikealovingreprimand.

Angrily,IswipedatthetearsthatstartedtofallwhenIsawherstandingthere.“He’sa

badman,Addelaine.Abig,badman.”

Sheshuffledforward,herheadanglingtothesideasshedid.“Youdidn’ttellme.”

Ilookedtothepapersinfrontofme,pretendingasifIcouldactuallymakeoutthe

wordsprintedonthepagethroughtheblearinessthatsuddenlycloudedmyeyes.“There
wasnothingtotell,”IsaidasoffhandedlyasIcouldmuster.

Shecluckedindisapproval.“Lily,child.Comenow.DoyouthinkIdon’tknowyou

betterthanthat?Thatrighttherehadnothingtodowiththisoldbuildingandeverythingto
dowiththeexpressionyou’rewearingrightnow.”

Ijerkedmyattentionbacktoher.“Imadeamistake,Addelaine.Afoolish,rash,

horriblemistake,andbecauseofit,Iletyoudown.ButIpromiseyou,Iwon’tfailyou.”

Addelainepeeredupatmewithherweatheredface,andmybreathcaughtsomewhere

inmylungs,myheartatangleofpainanddevotion.

Thiswomanmeanteverythingtome,andI’dletsomeonethreatenthat.

“Maybeit’sasignthatweneedtoletthisgo.You’vebeenfightin’agoodfight,but

maybeit’snottherightfight.Maybewinnin’thisonejustisn’tmeanttobe.”

“Howcanyousaythat?Youbelonghere.Thisisyourhome,”Ipleaded,pushingthe

papersthatheldthecomplaintacrossthecountertowardherinabidforhertosignthem.

Herattentiondancedaroundherstorelikealovingcaress.Sheturnedbacktomewith

asoftsmile.“Yes,it’sbeenmyhome.”Shetappedafingerathertemple.“ButIholdthe
memoriesrighthere.Andmoreimportantly”—shetappedherfingertipsoverherheart
—“Iholdthemhere.Andevenifitscaresus,sometimeschangeisokay.”

Sheangledherheadtothesideasshereachedoutandsetherhandontopofmine.

“It’stimeyouaskedyourselfwhyyou’refightingsohardforthis.You’renolongerthat
girlwhowalkedthroughmydoorlookin’foraplacetohide.Thatgirlneededwallsto
keephersafe.Areyougoingtocontinuetomakeheraprisonertothem?”

Tearscloudedmyeyes.Iblinked,settingthemfree.“Youknowthatgirlwassomeone

Ineverwantedtobe.”

Shetenderlycuppedmyface,andeventhoughIwasmuchtallerthanshewas,

somehowIfeltasifIwasalittlegirlasIstaredupathermotherlyface.

“Yet,thatgirlisstillapartofyou,andshe’salwaysgonnabe.She’simportant.She

taughtyouthelessonsyouneededtoknow.Shebecamethesmart,successful,caring
womanyouaretoday.Butshe’salsoholdin’youback.Refusingtoletyoutrust,even
whenthetruthisrightinfrontofyou.”

Afrowntwistedmybrow,andIblinkedrapidly.“Whatdoyoumean?”

Ashotofairpuffedfromhernose.“Youreallythinkthatmanwalkedinherewearing

hisheartonhissleevebecausehewantedtogloataboutwinnin’?Ifhedidwhatyouthink
hedid,thenhealreadywon.Thatmancameinherewearingremorse,plainasday.”

Myheadshook,wantingtobelievehersobadlyitvibratedinmyspirit.ButwhenI

trusted,itonlyledtopain.“He’sbeenfoolin’us,Addelaine.”

Mywordsslippedintothecasualtongueofmychildhood,thehoursI’dspentinthis

placesewingatherside,listeningtohertalk,strengthgrowingeachdayassheinstilled
hopeandbeliefinme.

“He’snothin’butawolfinsheep’sclothing.”

Shealmostsmiled.“Child,thatmandoesn’tlooknothin’likeasheep.Thinkhe’swolf

throughandthrough.ButIthinkhejustmightbeyourwolf.”

“How…howcouldIeverbelievehimaftereverything?”Itossedthepapersacrossthe

counter,thestackofthemslidingandseparating.“AfterIfoundallofthis?”

Addelainesighedbeforeshebegantoshufflethroughthestackofpapers,pullingout

thetwodifferentcontractsshe’dsignedthatwerehiddenbeneaththestackofevidenceI’d
printed.

Shepointedatthetwosignatures.“Lookatthis,child.Lookclosely.”

Confusionknittedmybrowwhileheartbreaktrembledmylip.

Shejabbedherindexfingerbetweenthetwoofthem.“Thosesignaturesaren’tcloseto

bein’thesame.”

Shelookedupatmewithaflashoffearinhergrayedeyes.“Andthemenwhocame

inhere…theywere…mean.Cruelandwithoutcompassion.Irecognizeditthesecondthey
steppedthroughmydoor.JustthesameasIrecognizedthecompassioninhimwhenhe
firstcamehere,too.”

IblinkedasIstudiedthesignaturesthatwereclearlydifferenteventhoughtheyboth

boreBrody’sname.BroderickWolfeIII.AfactIhadmissedinmyquesttofindhim
guilty.Inmymissiontoprovehisbetrayal,I’doverlookedtheobvious.

Guiltbuiltupinsideme.

Sheliftedherchin.“Youfeelsomethingforhim?”

Thatfeelingbubbledagain.TheaffectionandwarmthI’dfeltinhisarms.The

possibilitythathadbecomesomethingtangible.Itriedtoresistit.Refuteit.Butitdidn’t
matter.Myowntruthcameflyingout.“Yes.Ifeelsomuch,Addelaine.MorethanI
should.Itshouldn’tbepossible,butIdo.”

Shesmiled.“Thenyouneedtoaskhimwhyyoushouldtrusthimyourself.Givehima

chancetoexplainandseewheretheheartleads.It’stimeforyoutoletitrun.You’vebeen
holdingithostageforalong,longtime.Seewhathappenswhenyoudecidetotrust.”

Thetearscameunchecked,andIpressedmyfingersbeneathmyeyesandwipedthe

moistureasIstruggledforabreath.

“OhGod…IthinkImessedup.”

InsuchadifferentwaythanI’dbeenaccusingmyselfofallday.Becausethethought

ofhurtinghimrippedmeintwo.

“Whatdoyouwant?”sheaskedwithaknowingsmilethreateningonhermouth.

Realizationsettledoverme.Somethingpowerful.Overcomingandoverwhelming.

Unmistakable.

“Him.Iwanthim.”

Hersmilebloomedintoafull-blowngrin.“Thengo.”Addelaineliftedmyredcoat.

“Go,child,beforeit’stoolate.”

IsattherestunnedasIcametoacceptancebeforeIshotintoaction.Skiddingaround

thecounter,Idartedforher,takingthejacketanddroppingakisstoherwrinkledcheek.
“Thankyou,Addelaine.Foreverything.Ihopeyouknowyoumeaneverythingtome.”

Sheclutchedmyhand.“Samewayasyoumeaneverythingtome.You’reagoodgirl.

Alwayshavebeen.Nowit’stimeforyoutogogetwhatyoudeserve.”

Noddingfuriously,Ishovedmyarmsintomycoat,wrappedthebeltaroundmywaist,

andtieditasIflewoutside.Coldairslappedmeintheface,theskyanicysortofblue.I
didn’tevenslow.Ijustrusheddownthesidewalk,windingthroughpeoplewhowereon
theirlunchbreaks,myheelsclickingontheconcreteasIstumbledalongasfastasIcould.

Myheartthundered.

Heavyinmychest.

Apound,pound,poundasIletmyselffullyfeelforthefirsttimesinceIwasfifteen.

Withoutreservation.Withoutquestion.

Trust.

Itwasterrifying.

Butfreeinginthemostmiraculousofways.

Imovedfaster,rushingacrossthestreetandheadinginthedirectionofhishotel,

prayinghewouldbethere.

ThatIwasn’ttoolate.

Thathe’dgivemetheconsiderationI’drefusedhimminutesbefore.Thathe’dstop.

Listen.Letmeapologize.Afranticneedbuiltup,propellingmeforward.

Faster.

Needier.

FilledwithahopeunlikeanythingI’deverfeltbefore.

IgaspedwhenIcollidedwithabigbodyrushingmydirection.

Astunning,powerful,strongbody.Thosebighandswentstraighttomyface,gripping

metight,hiseyessointenseandmesmerizing.

Iclutchedhisjacketlapels.“Broderick…ohmyGod…I’msosorry.I…”Iforced

myselftomeethissteelyintensity.“ItoldyoubacktherethatIfellforit,whenintruth,I
fellforyou.Thatterrifiesme,andthesecondsomethingseemedtogowrong,I
immediatelythoughttheworstofyou.AndIdon’twanttobethatpersonanymore.Idon’t
wanttobecynicalandfilledwithdoubt,alwayssearchingfortheworstinpeople.
Please…forgiveme.”

Histhickthroatbobbed.“Doyoutrustme,Lil’Redd?”

Iswallowedhard,clutchinghisjackettighterasIofferedthewords.“ItoldyouIdon’t

trusteasily.I’mtheonealwayswaitingfortheothershoetodrop.Justwaitingon
someonetoletmedown,becausenomatterhowgoodthingsmightbe,they’reboundto
gobad.Butit’stimeIrealizedI’mnotthatsamegirlwhostoodabandonedinthatempty
house.I’mnother.I’vefoundlove.Afamily.Idon’thavetobeheranymore.”

Hishandscincheddownoneithersideofmyface.“ImadebothyouandAddelainea

promise,andIintendtokeepit.Myfathersentinhismentoforcethisdealthroughand
makeitlooklikeAddelaineagreed,threateningherintogoingalongwithit,andforging
mysignaturetomakemelooklikeIwastheonewhowasresponsible.It’snotthefirst
timethishashappened,butIpromiseyouitwillbethelast.Tellmeyoutrustme.That
youbelieveIwasn’tresponsible.”

MychintrembledwhenInodded.“Ido.Completely.”

Itwasthetruth.

Standingtherewithhim,I’dnevertrustedanyonemoreinallmylife.

Notwithmyheart.Notwithmybody.NotwithmyAddelaineandeverythingshe

represented.

Hewrappedmeinhiswarmth,pressingabunchofkissestomyforehead,tomy

temple,tomylips,whilemyspiritsoared.Forthefirsttime,freed.

Heleanedbacktomeetmystare,hisexpressionfirmandunyielding.“ItoldyouI

alwaysgetwhatIwant,Ms.Redd.Iwasalreadycomingbackforyou.BecauseI’mnot
leavingthistownwithoutyou.”

Igazedupathim,mysoulcompletelybared.“Thenwhydon’tyoustay?”

Achucklespilledfromhismouth,andhehuggedmetighter.“IthinkIlikewherethis

isgoing.”

Ibreathedhimin.Atease.Wholly.Completely.“IthinkIdo,too.”

Hebrushedbackastraylockofhairthatwhippedinthecoldgustsofwindthen

threadedhisfingersthroughmine.Heliftedourentwinedhandsandgrazedhislipsacross
myknuckles.“Let’sgo,Ms.Redd.It’stimetosetthingsstraight.”Hesqueezedmyhand.
“Together.”

EPILOGUE

Broderick

“Doyouthinkshe’sgoingtolikeit?”HerhopefulwhispertickledmyearsasmyLillith
staredoutthewindowofPepper’s,adingyolddinerthatjustsohappenedtohavethebest
pieintheentiretownwithadirectviewofwhereAddelaine’sbuildingoncestood.

Herravenhaircascadedoverhershoulder.Herdelicious,deliciousshoulder.Fuck,I

lovedherskin.Ilovedherbody.

AndGod,howmuchIlovedthewoman.

Findingsomeonelikeherhadn’tbeeninthecards.

Butwewereneverincontrolofthehandwe’dbeendealt.

I’dbeendealtastraightflush.

Luckyme.

Icouldn’tstopthegrumbleofpossessivenessthatfilledmychestwhenIlookedatmy

fiancé,whowaswearingthatexpressionofcarefultendernessthatwasatthetruerootof
whoshewas.

Ireachedacrossthetableandtookherhand,brushingmythumbalongthebackofthe

silkyflesh,wonderinghowthatsimpleactionmanagedtostirthehungerinsideme.“How
couldshenotlikeit?She’sgoingtohaveprimospace.”

Tindall’sThimbleswouldbelocatedonthefirstfloorofthebrandnewhotelgoingup

acrossthestreet.

Sheturnedtolookatmewithatinysmile.“Youwouldn’thaveitanyotherway.”

“Ofcoursenot.Youloveher.”

Herteethclampeddownonherbottomlip.

Sodamnedenticing.Iwantednothingmoretobetheonedeliveringthatbite.

“Andyouloveme,”shemurmured.

“Morethananything.”

Itoyedwiththehugediamondthatglintedfromherringfinger,theringI’dgivenher

justtwoweeksago.Thedaywe’dbrokengroundonthenewhotel.

Thiswomanhadbeeninstrumentalinseeingtoitthatmyfatherwasstopped.His

corruptpracticessilencedintheevidenceLillithhadworkednonstoptoprove.

Myfatherhadresignedfromthecompany,andI’dtakenhisplaceasCEO.

ButIsureashellwasn’twalkinginhisshoes.

“Didyoueverthinkwhenyoucameherethatyou’dstay?”shewhispered.

Ileanedherdirection,inhalingherdistinctscent,wordsagrowl.“Notuntilthefirst

timeItastedyou.”

Sheshiftedinherseat,andaheatedflushskimmedherflesh.

Affected.

Needy.

Ready.

JustthewayIwantedher.

“Areyouwet?”Imurmuredcasually.

Shenotsocasuallynoddedherhead,atremblerakingthroughherbody.

Afterpullingmymoneyclipfromtheinsidepocketofmysuitjacket,Itossedastack

ofbillsontothetable.

ThenIsatbackwiththechallenge.

Sheclutchedthetable,aharshbreathpartingherlips.

“Run,Ms.Redd.BecauseI’mgoingtochaseyou.AndwhereIcatchyou?That’s

whereI’mgoingtofuckyou.”

Sheinhaledasharpbreathbeforesheslidoutofthebooth,herkneesclearlyweakas

shemadeherwaythroughtherestaurant.Todaysheworearedsummerdress,whichshe
knewthatcoloralwaysdrovemeoutofmymind,andapairofsexyblackheels.Herhair
ablackavalanchedownherback.

Shepulledopenthedoor,onlylookingbackatmetogivemeasmirkfromherred,red

lips.

Thenshesteppedoutintothedayanddisappeareddownthesidewalk.

Istoodfromtheboothandstraightenedmytie.

Thehuntwason.

Andwithher?Itwasnevergoingtoend.

TheEnd

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HollywoodChronicles,acollaborationwithUSATodayBestsellingAuthor,RebeccaShea–comingsoon

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

A.L.JacksonistheNewYorkTimes&USATodayBestsellingauthorofcontemporaryromance.Shewritesemotional,
sexy,heart-filledstoriesaboutboyswhousuallyliketobealittlebitbad.

Ifshe’snotwriting,youcanfindherhangingoutbythepoolwithherfamily,sippingcocktailswithherfriends,orof
coursewithhernoseburiedinabook.

WatchforFOLLOWMEBACK,thesecondnovelinthebestsellingFightForMeseries,comingearly2018.

BesurenottomissnewreleasesandsalesfromA.L.Jackson-Signuptoreceivehernewsletter

http://smarturl.it/NewsFromALJackson

ortext“aljackson”to24587toreceiveshortbutsweetupdatesonallthe

importantnews.

@aljacksonauthor

aljacksonauthor

www.aljacksonauthor.com

Document Outline

Epilogue
Hunt Me Down
Also by A.L. Jackson
Copyright
Broderick
Lillith
About the Author

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