Playing Dirty: Windy City Kink, Book 3 (17 page)

“There you go,” he crooned roughly. “So damn hot.”

Her breasts rose and fell with her quick breaths, and she turned in his arms to press those breasts against him, face in his neck. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tight, her body still quivering. “Wow,” she finally whispered. “Now you.”

She started to lower herself, but he picked her up. “Nuh-uh. Gonna fuck you. Hold on tight, baby.” He took a step and pinned her against the marble wall, legs around his waist.

“Did you bring a condom?”

He thunked his head against the marble.
Ow! Fuck!
He sighed and lowered her feet to the floor. “Be right back.”

Fucking hell. He was dripping water all over the place, but luckily didn’t have to go far, since he still had condoms in his shaving kit sitting right there on the bathroom counter. He was back in the shower seconds later, all safe and protected.

He reached for Paige and caught her little grin. “What’s so funny?” he growled, lifting her by the ass again.

“For a guy who likes to plan, I’d think you’d plan your prophylactic use.”

“It’s you.” Her legs wrapped around his waist—
fuck, hot!
—and he shoved her against the wall again, then reached for his throbbing dick. “You make me so fucking hot I lose my mind.”

“Mmm. I like that.”

“Fuck me, so do I.” He pushed up inside her tight channel. “So…do…I.”

She gasped, arms around his neck. “This is…crazy.”

“Yeah.” He bent his knees and thrust up again.

“You’re going to drop me.”

He snorted. “Nope.” His jaw tightened at the feel of moving inside her. Even with the damn latex it felt unbelievable. Pleasure swirled through his bloodstream. Heat built in his groin. Electricity started to sizzle, tingling up and down his spine.

When Paige let out a low wail and her fingernails bit into his shoulders, he lost it. She’d come again, holy hell, and that made him go over the edge, fucking up into her tight, hot pussy as it rippled around him until he exploded, red-hot sparks spreading through his body.

They pressed against each other, straining for more pleasure, gasping for air, breathing in steam. “I really hate to admit this,” Raff muttered long moments later, “but I think you’ve worn me out.”

She huffed a little laugh against his neck. “Finally.”

Chapter Seventeen

They spent the rest of Sunday in San Diego walking on the beach then driving to the Gaslamp Quarter where they had lunch and wandered through some little shops. Raff bought Paige a wind chime made of seashells that she’d admired. Then they went back to the cottage to pack up and drive to the airport. The same pilot and copilot flew them back to Chicago. He and Paige didn’t talk about either of their past lives.

Raff had never before told a woman the things he’d told Paige.

It gave him a weirdly unsettled feeling that she knew those things about him, and yet it didn’t seem to make a difference to her. In fact, after he’d told her those things, she seemed to like him more. This confused him. Something about her made him feel like she was the one person with whom he could share his dark side. He felt like she wanted it, needed it, even. Was strong enough to handle it.

But it also made him vow that he wasn’t going to tell her even more, because there
was
more, things he’d glossed over when they’d talked.

She’d opened up to him too, and now he understood her reticence and why she’d wanted nothing to do with him at first. He could deal with that. What he was having a hard time dealing with was the fact that her asshole ex-husband had abused her. It filled him with impotent rage, and he was going to be hitting the bag in the gym first thing in the morning.

He’d learned from Dutch many years ago the value of taking out your rage and helplessness on a punching bag rather than somebody’s face. Although, if Paige’s ex-hole were to make an appearance, he’d be eating his own teeth.

For all these reasons, Raff kept their conversation carefully light and superficial. Paige was happy to chat about all the things she wanted to do to get the space she’d just leased ready to move in, and he listened attentively. They kept it fun and easy all the way back to Chicago and then in the limo ride to her house.

Raff walked to the door with her, the limousine waiting at the curb, and stepped into the foyer behind her. She turned to him and he saw the faint tightness of her mouth and the ever-so-slight trembling of her hand as she swept her bangs aside. But she smiled.

“Thank you, Raff. That was an amazing weekend. I almost can’t believe it really happened.”

“Believe it, baby.” He stepped closer and set his hands on her hips. Now back in Chicago, she had her red coat on again, and, pretty as it was, it was too thick a barrier between his hands and her body. “And you’re welcome. It was amazing for me too.”

“I’m sure you do stuff like that all the time,” she said quietly, dropping her gaze.

“It was amazing because you were with me.” He tipped her chin up with his fingertips. “Look at me, Paige.”

She lifted her gaze and their eyes met.

“I’ll call you tomorrow, yeah?”

“Why?”

He frowned. “Uh…to talk?”

“One date,” she reminded him. “You said one date.”

“So that means we can’t talk on the phone?”

Her lips pressed together. “Raff. You know what I’m saying.”

“No, I fucking don’t.” Actually, he did, and he didn’t like it.

“I’m not going out with you again.”

“I haven’t asked you.”

Her eyes went wide then color washed into her cheeks. “True.”

He bent and touched his lips to hers. He was playing dirty and he found he didn’t really like it anymore. “Okay then. I’ll call you tomorrow. G’night, Paige. Gonna miss you in my bed tonight.”

He heard her indrawn breath, stepped away and took in her pink cheeks and parted lips, then opened the door to leave.

“Good night, Raff.”

He turned and smiled at her, then walked out.

He wasn’t giving up. Not now, after all he knew about her, after having been with her all weekend, after having spanked her lush little ass—and after her having loved having that ass spanked.

Christ. He was not lying when he said he’d miss her in his bed.

He watched the lights of traffic and city buildings pass by from inside the dark limo as he rode home alone. He wasn’t giving up on her. Now that he knew what she was dealing with, an abusive dickwad in her past, he was even more determined to have her, to hold her, to protect her. She was being stubborn but she had to know now that they had something great together.

He’d left her with that little shot that had thrown her off-balance. Fine. If she didn’t want to go out on a date, they wouldn’t. They were way past dating, anyway.

In the morning, he rose early and dressed in a pair of athletic shorts and a loose T-shirt. He walked into the gym he’d had built in his penthouse condo. The building had a spa and fitness facility, but he liked the convenience of his own space. He wasn’t into working out with a lot of fancy equipment. He didn’t have a boxing ring, although that would be pretty cool. But sparring required a partner, which he didn’t always have. When he sparred it was at the Venture Rec Center with Dutch or one of the kids there.

He did have a punching bag and gloves, though, and he proceeded to take out his frustration and anger on the bag until his arms burned and sweat dripped from his face. After, he used the free weights then did crunches on the incline bench until his muscles screamed.

This was followed by showering, dressing in a suit and tie, and eating a bagel at his kitchen counter while he scrolled emails on his phone, checked the day’s schedule and a few business websites. Then he was off to the office with a shit-ton of work to do that he normally would have done on the weekend. Plus a few last-minute additions to his to-do list.

Getting to the office was easy when his penthouse condo was in the same building as their offices. A speedy elevator ride took him from the eighty-first floor to his fifty-first-floor office.

One of the things on his to-do list was to check in with Brad Jaworski about where things were with Paige’s unit. Then he got Mark in and gave him a list of things to do. Next was a call to Paul.

After he was done with that call, he pulled out a stack of business cards and flipped through them. He’d met Jack Grenville a couple of times. He seemed like a good guy. They’d had a great conversation one night at a young entrepreneurs meeting that Raff had never followed up on. There was his card—Anzen Security. He worked with tech shit that Raff knew next to nothing about. Data security. Probably something they needed more of. What the hell.

He picked up the phone and called Jack. He soon had a lunch set up with Jack on Wednesday. Too far away for his liking, but he couldn’t change his lunch plans for tomorrow with Ben Sagal and today he was also busy.

He spent the rest of the morning immersed in work, returning emails and phone calls, and meeting with his Community Relations Director, Petrina Castellano.

Near noon, he pushed back from his desk and grabbed his coat. Outside his office he paused at Mark’s cubicle. “Lunch is set?” he asked.

“Yep.”

“Thanks, Mark.”

“No problem, boss.”

“I’ll be back for my two o’clock meeting.”

“Okay. See you later.”

Raff rode the elevator down to the parking garage where his Bentley was. He stopped at the Star-Lite Deli to pick up the order Mark had called in. It was waiting for him and he grabbed the paper sack with a smile of thanks, knowing the bill had been added to his account there. They often used the deli to cater working lunches.

Then he was back in the Bentley and soon pulling up on the street outside Paige’s little warehouse space.

Once again, he frowned at the neighborhood. Thank Christ she was getting out of there.

He rapped on the door and as before, Trenise answered. “Hi, Mr. Lauden,” she said, stepping back. “How are you?”

“I’m great, how about you, Trenise?”

She made a face. “Could be better.” Then she smiled. “But you don’t want to hear all my problems. Come on in. Is Paige expecting you?”

“Nope.” He grinned and held up the bag. “I brought you ladies lunch.”

Trenise’s eyes widened. “Really?”

“You bet.” He walked farther in and spotted Paige at the far end of a long table covered with garments. She lifted her head and went very still when she saw him.

She, as always, looked adorable in a pair of skinny jeans, a white T-shirt and tiny blue cardigan buttoned over it. A blue scarf looped around her neck emphasized her creamy complexion, with a hint of tan from their weekend, and her pale-blonde hair. The snug clothes made her look small and fragile. His protective instincts kicked in. “Lock that door again,” he ordered Trenise over his shoulder.

“Uh…we always keep it locked,” she said, and he heard the click of the deadbolt.

“What are you doing here, Raff?” Paige rounded the end of the table and started toward him.

“Brought you lunch.” He again held up the bag.

“Is that from Star-Lite?” Trenise asked. “I love their food. And I’m starving.”

“Hope you like what I brought. Where should I put this?”

Paige was staring at him, arms crossed, one hip cocked. She lifted an eyebrow. He grinned at her and moved up into her personal space. He bent his head and murmured in her ear, “You know you can’t resist me.”

Her cheeks went pink and her eyes flashed.

“Lunch?” He looked around and saw another table against one of the exposed-brick walls of the old building. “How about over here.” It looked like a place they might sit to have coffee or meetings, with four chairs around it. He strode over and set the bag down, then started pulling food out.

“Got my favorite sandwich for me,” he continued, setting wrapped food on the table. “Wasn’t sure what you both like from there, so played it safe and got you pastrami on rye. There’s also a salad in case you’re vegetarian.”

“That’s awesome,” Trenise said, coming to help him by taking the napkins and setting one at each chair. “I love pastrami.”

“Didn’t bring drinks,” he added.

“We’ve got bottled water and some pop in our fridge,” Trenise offered. “Would you like a Coke or water?”

“Coke’d be great.”

“Paige? Water?”

“Yeah. Thanks.” Paige heaved a sigh and walked over to the table. She pulled out a chair and plopped herself into it, then reached for a sandwich. “I
am
hungry,” she muttered.

Raff grinned again. “Good. Got lots here.”

He pulled out more food, a couple of bags of kettle chips, onion rings that filled the room with a delicious greasy scent, dill pickles and finally a package of big, soft coconut-oatmeal cookies.

“This is enough food to feed a family of ten,” Paige said.

He grabbed a chair too and unwrapped his own sandwich, smiling. He became aware of the music playing in the background. There was always music playing there, apparently. Right now Florence and the Machine were singing “Dog Days Are Over”.

“What is that?” Paige asked, nodding at his sandwich.

“Beef brisket with mushrooms and melted cheese. Russian rye bread.”

“It looks good,” Trenise said, setting a bottle of pop on the table near him. She took a chair too. “I’ve never tried that one.”

“They have great food.”

They started eating, Raff making conversation about the weather and an expected snowstorm, asking questions about what they were doing and what they needed to get done before they moved. Trenise chatted away, Paige was quieter, but gradually she started talking too, casting him glances from time to time.

An hour later, he reluctantly rose from his chair. “Gotta get back to the office,” he said. “And I know you have a lot to do. Thanks for a nice lunch, ladies.”

“Thank
you
,” Trenise said with a laugh. “You’re the one who brought the lunch.”

“Thanks for your pleasant company,” he said. “Two beautiful ladies. Enjoy the rest of your afternoon. Paige…walk me out.”

It was a gentle command, but nonetheless a command, and she accompanied him across the room to the door.

“I’m glad you’re leaving this neighborhood,” he said quietly. “It’s kinda sketch.”

“It’s fine.”

He snorted. “Drug dealers and who knows what else? Sure.”

“It’s fine.”

He slid a hand around the back of her neck, finding soft, warm skin. He pulled her in. “What are you doing tonight?”

“Nothing.” Then she bit her lip.

“Okay. What time do you get home?”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Why?”

“Just asking.”

“I know what you’re doing.”

His lips twitched. “Yeah? What time?”

“It depends. Sometimes I work late. I don’t know.”

“Okay.” He pulled her closer with his hand on her neck and bent his head to kiss her, a quick, soft kiss. “See you later.”

He opened the door and stepped out into the cold. “Lock the door,” he ordered over his shoulder as he strode toward his car. Hopefully his beautiful car had survived an hour on the street in this neighborhood.

As he opened his car door, he looked back at Paige’s door and saw her still standing there, watching him. He lifted a hand and climbed into his car. That had gone pretty well.

Paige watched Raff get into his outrageously expensive and gorgeous car, outrageously gorgeous himself in his custom-tailored suit, silk tie and elegant long coat. He wore the polished clothing with an edgy air of rakish confidence, beneath the clothes something wild and rough.

He was so right. She couldn’t resist him.

She sighed as she locked the door. Trenise was cleaning up the remnants of their lunch, stuffing the wrappers into the now-empty bag.

“Wow,” she said. “He is smokin’ hot, girl.”

“Yeah.”

“He’s really into you.”

Paige rolled her eyes.

“I gather you saw him on the weekend?”

Paige frowned. She hadn’t told Trenise about the weekend.

“When you were talking about painting the new place, he said you’d mentioned that yesterday.”

Paige could see the curiosity on Trenise’s face. “Yes,” she said with another sigh, “I saw him on the weekend.”

“Sweet!” Trenise practically bounced up and down. “That is so cool! Did you go out for dinner?”

“Um…yes. Yes we did.”

“Nice. Where’d he take you? Somewhere amazing and super expensive, I imagine.”

“Yes,” Paige said with an emphatic nod. “Yes indeed.”