“Then study by the pool.” He takes a heavy breath, his chest rising and falling. “I just need you close to me, Vida.”
I match his serious tone. “I need that, too.”
After long seconds of scrutinizing me, he nods, apparently satisfied that we’re on the same page. Which we are. “Good girl.”
Those two words make my sex clench, my eyelids weighing down. “Tripp…”
“Turnabout is fair play,” he mutters, leaning down to kiss my neck, dragging his wet open mouth all the way to my ear. “There’s the motivation you need to get that tight ass up to my room without delay so I can fuck you silly.” The hand around my throat rakes down to my breasts, fondling me through my cropped T-shirt. “I’m going to bang you until you can barely walk. And then I’m going to dress you up and take you to dinner. That’s the only way I’ll bring you around other men. If you’re walking funny from takingmycock.”
“What other men?” I manage breathily. “There’s only you.”
Gratification makes his eyes bright. “That’s right.”
For a breath of time, I try to put myself in Tripp’s shoes to determine how he feels. How his jealousy obviously bites him so hard and won’t let go. In doing so, I imagine whatIwould do if the situation were reversed—and I’m stabbed in the middle by a spreading sharpness. So sharp it makes me release a sob, and Tripp’s eyes widen with alarm.
“Angel, what is it? Are you hurt?”
I’m so devoid of oxygen, I can barely form words. “What if women look at you? What if theycomeon toyou? It must happen all the time.”
Understanding dawns, followed by bafflement. “You’rejealous?” He searches for the right words. “I’m so lost for you, I’m already trying to get youpregnant, Vida. I don’t recall a single other girl I’ve ever met. My memory was wiped clean as soon as I looked up from the bathroom sink and saw you standing there. I wasn’t sure I had a heart until you made it beat.” He moves suddenly and swiftly, turning and pinning me down to the seat, imploring me with eyes so turbulent and intense, I can’t draw air. “I won’t be able to stand it if you doubt me. Tell me what to do.”
“I don’t know,” I say, still feeling winded from the sudden stab of possessiveness.
Is this how Tripp feels all the time?
It’s a wonder we haven’t gone to the emergency room.
My labored breaths are putting him in distress.
“Vida.” His body comes down hard on top of mine, pushing my legs apart and moving between them, his forehead landing on mine. “I ordered you a chastity belt, angel. I was going to put it on you the first day of classes. Otherwise, I know some smarmy professor is going to make a play for my fiancée.” He drops his hips into the cradle of my thighs and grinds, makingme moan. “Do you want to cage this? Do you want to lock it up, angel?” He groans, a vibration going through his muscular body. “I would fuckinglovethat. Knowing you feel as insane as I do about us.”
My chest expands with something new. Something bigger than obsession. I fear it’s going to tear me wide open one day, but for now I breathe through it.Breathe, breathe.
“Lock it up,” I whisper against his lips.
The car makes a quick stop then, jostling his thick ridge up against my pussy, and we both jolt, our mashed-together bodies shaking with unexpected orgasms.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” Tripp pants, humping me through his climax, my thighs trembling with sexual satisfaction around his hips, my back arched of its own accord.
“Mine,” I whisper, licking his jaw.
Bliss transforms his features. “Yes.”
We both notice at the same time that the chauffeur is standing outside the car, waiting for Tripp’s signaling knock to open the door. Sitting up, we collect ourselves as much as possible, considering the intensity of what just passed between us.
Whatcontinuesto pass between us.
Exiting the car, he pulls me into an embrace, his breath warm and minty against my ear.
“Give your notice, Vida, and come back to me.”
“Always.”
Minutes later,my legs are still wobbly as I step into the elevator, hitting the button that will bring me downstairs to the management offices.
Before the door can close, a hand catches the sliding metal, halting it in its path.
It’s a man’s hand.
