no other way. I couldn’t unlove Maddox, and I didn’t want to. We weren’t something, but we weren’t nothing either.
I sucked in a breath and hung on to my courage, while sashaying inside. I dropped the two dresses on the bed, and my lips curled.
My legs trembled, but I locked my knees together. “I need your help.”
He simply grunted in response, his face flashing with uncontrolled frustration. I wondered if the thought of another man touching or making love to me was killing him and the fact that it was him who sent me into the arms of another man.
My stomach cramped, and I inhaled. Exhaled.
The room was growing hotter, and a sheen of sweat slid down between my breasts. I slowly pulled the robe off my shoulders and let it pool at my feet, standing in front of Maddox in my lace panties and bra.
His eyes widened before they narrowed on my bare skin.
I’d been half-naked in front of Maddox plenty of time before. This time, it was… different.
I grabbed the first dress and stepped into it, shaking my hips a bit, so I could pull the tight fabric over the curve of my ass.
Once the dress was in place, I turned to face the mirror, giving Maddox my back.
A single beat passed.
One breath.
Thud.
I caught his eyes through the reflection. “Is this sexy enough to tempt him into fucking me before we can even get to his bed?” I crooned.
I was playing with fire.
And I was about to get burned.
His gaze traveled down the length of my body. It was a red fitted, sleeveless dress, and the bodice cupped my breasts like a second skin with my tits practically spilling out. The dress was indecently short, and it was the best way to say – fuck me.
Maddox’s fingers clenched the glass in his hand so hard, I thought he’d break it.
I smirked. Am I breaking through your walls, Maddox?
His eyes grew darker, a vicious glint in his gaze. I smiled sweetly, trying to appear unfazed by his reaction, even though my heart was beating so fast it threatened to burst through my chest, and my knees were so weak, I wondered how I was still standing.
I licked my lips and blinked my eyes innocently. We were still watching each other through the mirror. “Can you zip me up?” I croaked. “I can’t reach the zipper.”
Another heartbeat.
A low exhale.
Thud.
Maddox stood up, tall and tensed, and the harsh look on his face had me whimpering silently. He stalked forward, eyeing me like a predator.
I was the prey, the willing captive.
Maddox pressed against my back, crowding into my space and pushing me closer into the mirror until the tip of my breasts were brushing against the coldness of it.
A silent gasp spilled from my lips, and his fingers skimmed over my bare back.
He inhaled and exhaled a shuddering breath.
If I died tonight, it’d be a sweet death.
We continued to watch each other through the mirror, our reflection staring back at us.
Not blinking.
Not breathing.
Maddox then slowly zipped me up, before his hands dropped to my hips, and he held me tight. Oh God, my heart catapulted in my chest.
“If he hurts you, I’m going to kill him,” he growled low in my ear. His words were thick with threat.
My teeth grazed my lips, and I bit down, waiting for him to stop me from leaving, to take back his foolish dare. His grip tightened on my hips.
Stop me. Take back your dare.
Thud, my heart hammered in my chest. Goddamn it, Maddox!
Beyond frustrated and angered by his lack of words, my control snapped, and I swiveled around. Maddox didn’t see it coming, and he stumbled back as I pushed him into the wall next to the mirror. He let out a grunt, and his eyes darkened in warning.
Dizzied by our close proximity, I swallowed past the lump in my throat. I cupped his jaw and pressed my body against his.
He didn’t pull away, didn’t breathe, didn’t say a word. A line had been crossed, and we both knew it.
My mouth was so dry, I could barely speak the words: “It’s my turn, isn’t it?”
Standing on my toes, I brought our heads closer, my lips lingering over his. “I dare you.”
Maddox tilted his head, and his fingers dug into my hips. “I dare you to kiss me,” I breathed.
My heart stuttered as I said the words. Point of no return, this was it.
His eyes widened; his breath hitched.
One heartbeat. Thud.
Two heartbeats. Thud. Thud.
Then, Maddox pounced.
I