“It’s a one-hour flight, and she sent me a first-class ticket.”
“Trust me, the jet is still much more comfortable.”
I twist my lips. “Braden, I never gave up my control outside the bedroom.”
“I’m not interfering with your control.”
I stand, the spark of anger flowing through me hotly. “You commandeered my meeting last night, and now you canceled my flight for my meeting next week. That is definitely interfering with my control.”
“Do you want this new career move to be a success?” he asks.
“Of course I do.”
“I’m about as savvy a businessman as you’ll find. Most people would kill for my advice.”
“I want your advice. I truly do. I appreciate how successful you are, and I admit you know a hell of a lot more about business than I ever will. But horning in on my business meeting is not offering advice. Neither is canceling a plane ticket.”
He stands as well, towering over me. He seems taller for some reason, and his eyes have darkened to that smoky blue I’m so familiar with. It’s how he looks right before he kisses me.
And I want that kiss. He didn’t kiss me last night.
I take a step backward.
He takes a step forward.
“What would it take, Skye, for you to give me control over everything in your life?”
A proposal of marriage and a big-ass engagement ring, for starters.
I don’t say this, of course, because I don’t actually mean it. I’ll never give control to Braden over my whole life. I gave him control in the bedroom, and I don’t regret it. He showed me some amazing and intense experiences. But my career is my own.
Which you wouldn’t have if not for him.
I force the subconscious words out of my head, but they do make me wonder. Not whether they’re true. I already know they are. But they make me wonder if Braden has been orchestrating this new career of mine from the very beginning.
He requested to follow me on Instagram, and I honored his request. He tagged me in a photo the first night we went out. Everything mushroomed from there.
Did he foresee all of it? His past with Addie probably gave him reason to know how she would react.
Of course, he also gave me some good advice when I was ambivalent about influencing. He told me I could use my platform to show people my photographs. To take pictures that moved them.
Was all of this in his plan the whole time?
I open my mouth to ask—
But he silences me with a kiss.
Chapter Fourteen
My lips are already parted, and he darts his tongue in. I respond. All thoughts of Braden exercising control over my budding new career fly away on a warm breeze.
Because this kiss… This is the kiss I yearned for last night but didn’t get.
Already I’m getting wet for him, my nipples are hardening, and my body is awake with heat.
I clasp my arms around his neck, relishing his muscles. I let my fingers drift up to his face, scraping the tips of his stubble. He grabs my ass and pulls me to him so his hard bulge pushes against my lower belly.
He breaks the kiss with a loud smack. He speaks only with his eyes, gazing hard into mine. Then he turns me around, forcing me against the kitchen island, quickly pushes my sweats and underwear over my hips, and, in what seems like no time at all, shoves his cock into me.
I moan against the invasion, so tight with my legs together.
“I like control, Skye,” he whispers in my ear as he pumps into me harder and harder. “Haven’t I given you pleasure in the bedroom?”
“Yes,” I moan, my voice almost a sob.
“Would it be so bad to yield to me in other areas?” His breath is hot against my neck and ear.
He pumps into me, fucking me hard and fast. My clit is banging against the countertop, and I’m on my way to orgasm. Yes, on my way, climbing the mountain. I see the peak in the distance getting closer, closer, closer…
“Answer me, Skye,” he says against my neck.
Answer me.
How easy to say yes, to let this amazing man control everything. He knows business, and he can easily take me to the top.
Yes. Yes. Yes.
But the words don’t make it to my lips. Instead, I force my hips backward, letting out a wistful whimper as I lose the friction on my clit.
I give up an orgasm.
But it’s a statement. An answer to his question.
I will not yield control of the rest of my life to anyone.
Not even Braden Black.
I’m not even sure if that’s what he truly wants.
…
Later, at home, I sit down at my laptop to check on my posts. Braden didn’t say much after I didn’t answer his question vocally. He gave me a swift kiss on the cheek and told me he needed to get to a conference call in his home office, so Christopher drove me home. I know Braden, though. He will continue to push, so I need to be strong.