CHAPTER NINE
Marly
Ireally shouldn’thave slammed that bourbon so quickly. I was in a haze and even though I wasn’t wasted necessarily, I was definitely teetering on the edge between tipsy and drunk.
“Where are you going?” Jude’s voice boomed from somewhere behind me. I just kept walking, not bothering to stop; not bothering to turn around. Even though I had zero clue where the hell I was or where I was going. I also had zero fucks to give for Jude. Yeah, that might be the bourbon talking.
His footsteps behind me were heavy and fast, and in a moment, I heard his breath at my side; could feel its warmth on my neck.
“Answer me.” He wasn’t shouting, but there was a danger to his voice that set my nerves on edge.
His hand wrapped around my elbow and even though I had expected it to be rough, Jude was gentle and his fingers danced in little circles over my tender skin, sending pleasure rippling across my flesh. “You can’t just walk out ahead of me like that. Not to your Dom.” He added quieter.
“But you’re not my Dom—you’re Holly’s.”
“Damn right. And for this weekendyou’reHolly.”
I moved to pull out of his grasp, only my limbs seemed heavier than normal. Like my body was trapped in molasses and as I shrugged his hands away, my head spun.
“Are you—are you drunk?” he whispered.
My face flamed and heat surged to my cheeks. God, could this be more embarrassing? I had one stupid drink and the effects were already fogging my mind. Maybe everyone was right; maybe I just wasn’t cut out for this kind of role. Hell, I doubted Layla Hutson would have blinked an eye at the public blow job in that room; she may have even jumped right in.
“Come on,” Jude said gently when I didn’t respond. Wrapping an arm around my waist, he guided me back to the private room and slid his keycard into the lock. “Sit,” he commanded, pointing to the bed in the center of the room.
“No,” I clenched my jaw, my fists mimicking the movement.
Bent over the fridge, Jude lifted slowly to a standing position, spinning to face me. An eyebrow lifted in my direction. “No?”
“That’s right,” My voice was thick with frustration and coated with bourbon. “No. Or have you forgotten the meaning of the word?” Holy hell… thishadto be the alcohol talking. Marlena Taylor just didn’tdothings like this. Ever. Then again… Holly did. And as Jude so calmly pointed out… I was Holly this weekend.
Excitement pulsed inside of me, the heavy thrum of a buzzing electricity. Would he spank me again?Please, please spank me.It wasn’t enough through the jeans. I wanted the skin of his palm cracking against my raw, stinging flesh.
His walk toward me was slow and he moved like fluid. “You knew the rules when you signed on for this. You agreed to them. While in my possession, you do as I say. That’s what you signed. That’s what your safe words are for. If you truly mean ‘no’… you know what words to use, right? Even drunk?”
His eyes flashed and I nodded, my eyes flicking to the turquoise planner, still on the bed where I left it. “Planner, sticker. Yeah, I got it.” I swallowed and steadied my wobbly knees by clenching my thighs. Below me, the floor spun. I moved forward, even closer to Jude than he had dared to come to me and the tips of my breasts brushed against his crisp shirt. “Holly would have said no… especially on the first night… the first command with Leo. Right? Is that not why we’re here?”
Light danced in Jude’s green eyes, making them appear even lighter than they actually were. There it is… he got it. Somewhere between my anger in the hallway to now, I’d started acting. Started playing. His lips curved into a wry smile. “Then,Holly… that ‘no’ deserves a punishment.”
The muscles between my legs spasmed with the sexy threat and a chill skated across my skin, leaving a trail of goose bumps in its wake. Surprise flickered in Jude’s expression as comprehension replaced his frustration. “Youdolike the punishments,” he whispered, as though he suspected all along. He trailed his fingers along my jawline, then cupped my face. “I thought you might.” His touch was firm, commanding, while still tender as his fingers stroked gently over my skin. I couldn’t help but wonder, if that simple touch to my jaw could send electricity jolting through my body… what else could those talented fingers do? He dragged his lips to my ear and his breath was hot. “You liked being spanked, Poppy? You want more, don’t you?”
I couldn’t answer and a whimper pushed past my trembling lips. Excitement skittered down my throat and landed low in my belly. I knew in all rational areas of my mind that I should step back; move away from this man. He had bad news written all over him. And yet, I wanted nothing more than to dive in head first to this world with Jude. I didn’t want to step away; I didn’t want this pleasurable sensation to end. My entire life, I planned everything to the minute. I knew how every moment of every day would go and I traveled through life with my nose in my planner. Jude was forcing me to look up. Look up and relinquish control. Anddamn,did it feel good. I was fighting it… it was in my nature to fight it. As unnatural as a mouse befriending a cat. But at the edge of my anxiety… my nervousness about giving up control, I felt a little glimmer of relief. And arousal. How long had it been since I felt desired? Since a man had looked at me the way Jude does?
I should step back. Step away. But instead, I moved a final step closer, pressing our bodies flush against each other. If I was doubting Jude’s interest in me, it was quickly secured as a steely erection pressed between my thighs. His words may have been an act, but his body? This reaction? That was no acting. A short breath caught in my throat and as he pulled back from my ear, my hair got caught against the stubble coming in from his morning shave, tethering us together.
His sharp nose brushed along the swell of my cheek as the smooth stroke of his thumb along my jaw sent little jolts of anticipation through me. Tipping my gaze up to his, I was rewarded with his smile and glistening eyes. His other hand glided down my neck as the back of his knuckles stopped just before the swell of my breast began. I arched my back, pressing into his touch. “Don’t stop,” I pleaded, closing my eyes and tipping my neck back, giving it to Jude like an offering. He ran the backs of his knuckles over the side of my breast. The ache deepened, my nipples growing tighter and breasts deliciously heavy. A gasp involuntarily broke through my parted mouth and I ground into his body, hips bucking toward him. A raw, insanely sexy sound rumbled from deep in his chest. With a shallow inhale, Jude’s lips parted and my eyes fluttered closed.
I knew better—God, did I ever know better than this. But I had never known it was possible to ache so deliciously from a simple touch. And when Jude tipped my chin, I didn’t resist. He hovered there, his lips centimeters from mine.That fucking delayed gratification. I’d had enough of that. I pushed onto my toes, moving my lips to his. He managed to pull back a second too late and my mouth brushed across his, just barely fluttering against his moist mouth.
I moaned a frustrated sound.
“You’re drunk,” he whispered, curving his pelvis back and away from me. My grip on his waist tightened, clawing at him, pulling with all my strength to get his cock flush against my arousal once more. Blood thundered through my veins like rapids, rushing along with my quickening pulse.
“Jude,” I cried, his name a strangled gasp parting my lips. I was drunk and it was the reason I had the courage to do this. To risk everything—my reputation, a potential Oscar-worthy role and my whole career for one night of pleasure.
Those hands scraped up my back, gripping my shoulders and then the heat, the throbbing, the ache tore away from me as a cool breeze disrupted our hypnotic warmth. I blinked, finding Jude on the other side of the room, a hand scraping down his weary eyes.
“You need rest,” his voice was freshly wounded, like an old gash that had been ripped open.
