That grin split open and I saw his dazzling, straight white teeth. “Katelyn Gunn, are you jealous?”
“No, I’m pissed. You set me up.” The pounding in my ears was so loud I could barely hear myself speak.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that you take me to an ‘event’ where the city’s biggest quadrillionaires are going to be, along with the entire cast of the Victoria’s Secret runway, which I was informed you’ve slept with—”
“I never slept with Victoria’s Secret.”
“You know what I mean. Why, Adam? Do you want to hammer home the point that I don’t belong here?”
My knees began shaking. Panic was overtaking me and soon I’d have a full-on attack. I squeezed my eyes shut, my breathing becoming more hectic by the second.
“Look at me.” The moment Adam cupped my neck, it was as if someone had taken the screeching teakettle off the burner. Calm rushed through me. I latched on to it and concentrated on even breaths. Slowly I opened my eyes. He was crouching and face-to-face with me.
“What was that?”
“Nothing.”
“Bullshit, Katelyn. You looked on the brink of fainting.”
“I get panic attacks sometimes. I felt it coming on, but I’m okay now.” Did this man have any idea what he was doing to me? Not even Megan had ever been able to bring me back from the brink of an attack the way Adam just had.
“Listen to me carefully, Katelyn. You belong where I say you belong, and that is with me tonight. As far as my sexual history, yes, I’ve slept with women, some of whom are present, but I’m not sleeping with them now.”
“That’s not the point,” I whispered.
“Then what is?”
“Do you really not get it? How would you like it if I brought you to some hole-in-the-wall bar all my ex-boyfriends frequented?”
His nostrils flared. “Point taken. But I cannot brush off important events because of who may or may not be in attendance.”
I knew that. Adam was an important member of the community and what he did on his own time was none of my business.
“You’re right,” I sighed. Exhaustion hit every bone in my body like a wrecking ball.
Once again, I didn’t know what to do or how to feel, and it was wearing me out. All of my energy was consumed just trying to stay balanced. Trying to have a relationship of any kind with Adam wasn’t like walking on eggshells, it was like walking on eggs.
I was tired of trying to keep myself even, trying to fit into a life that wasn’t meant for me.
“Adam, you don’t owe me any explanations. I’m not your mother or your wife. We have no commitment to each other. I think it would be better if I went home. This whole setup isn’t for me.”
He pressed into me, the wall cold on my back and his rock-hard frame against my front.
“You are my lover, and I am yours. You are gravely mistaken if you think there is no commitment between us.” He kissed me hard.
I groaned, my hands gripping his shoulders to pull him closer.
“You do owe me explanations. I am new to the details of relationships, but be certain that you belong only to me.”
His tongue thrust deep. I lapped at him, sucking and biting until he growled.
“So, we’re exclusive?” I hated that I sounded like a begging little girl, but I needed to know.
“That was my assumption. If you’re having second thoughts, let me assure you that I will not allow you to have another man.”
“And what about you?”
“My eyes are set on what I want.”
His strong kiss left me dizzy. His mouth forcefully ravaged mine with every hard stroke of his tongue. I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him with all I had. I wanted him closer. I tried to lift my knee and coax him further against me, but the dress kept me from moving my legs much. Adam must have figured out what I was trying to do, because he gathered my dress in his fists, hiked it up, and lifted me. My now free legs locked around his hips.
Supporting me against the wall with one arm, he reached between us with the other and unfastened his pants. I felt his erection prod at my opening. This was going to be fast. Hard. No slow build, no nice words. Raw lust was driving me and all I wanted was to feel him inside of me. I needed that connection.
After shoving his pants low on his hips, Adam brought his hand back to his mouth and licked his fingertips, then reached down and rubbed the wetness over the tip of his cock.
“Need you now,” he groaned.
“Yes!” I dug my heel into the back of his thigh. He thrust hard into me.
My breath caught. I was wet, but not overly so. There was a slight bite of pain from the tight fit, but that edgy burn sparked a fire and it smoldered beneath my skin.
I felt him everywhere. So thick and long. He pounded in and out. There would be a bruise on my ass from hitting the wall over and over as Adam hammered inside me. I didn’t care. In fact, I wanted it. Wanted the pain, the mark that showed he was here. Because with it came so much pleasure.
My obsession for this man was dangerous. One look from him and the world fell away and I was his. However. Wherever.
I came instantly, violently. With a groan, he was right behind me. I breathed deeply the scent of his hair and skin. I knew we couldn’t linger, no matter how badly I wanted to.
He withdrew and I felt the warmth of his se**n trickle down my thighs. He took out his handkerchief, knelt before me, and wiped it away.
I knew my mouth must have never quite shut because I had trouble getting enough air. He didn’t say anything, merely adjusted my dress, took my hand, and led me back up to the party.
We arrived in the dining room just as everyone was being seated for dinner. Emma waved at us and Adam ushered me over. I sat in silence between him and his sister while the announcer gave the list of who had won what from the silent auction.
My muscles were humming and my skin flushed hot. I still felt him. The last remnants of his orgasm coated my core, keeping me constantly wet. His eyes fixed on me as the speaker announced another winner. Even as we clapped, Adam didn’t take his stare from me. Everything that had just happened, from the way he mastered my body to the deep blue fire burning in his eyes, was a reminder of the power he had over me.
Here we were, surrounded by people I didn’t know—people he had had a relationship with at some point, and I didn’t know how to deal with jealousy. Mostly because I had never felt it before.
As much as Adam calmed me, everything around him unnerved me. Not being prepared for him was one thing, but his lifestyle and all the emotions that went into it was another. When I didn’t trust myself to act logically, I usually left the situation that threatened my sanity. Space was a tool I used to regain my sense, but Adam was taking over and instead of running away, I was hurling myself at him.