We understand each other. While I didn’t necessarily agree with burning down businesses or busting kneecaps, I admire the way White Horse functions. The town lives under a dictatorship, but so do most places. In Cincinnati, the wealthy and politically connected control the city and leave the citizens to fend for themselves.
In the nearby Common Bend and Hickory Creek Township, obvious crime organizations control everything from elections to business licenses. Hayes’s more subtle in many ways. Fairer maybe too, but he never bends. His world is black and white. What he supports is on the side of righteousness even if it involves putting troublemakers in their graves. What interferes with his little utopia is evil and needs stomping.
I’m not na?ve. I’ve seen how wealth controls power, and power controls the lowly citizens. Hayes built his empire through fear but also hard work and intelligence. He’s a benevolent dictator and a man I can’t get out of my system.
TWENTY TWO - CANDY
Hayes opens the Holiday Inn hotel room door and waits for me to enter. I enter a standard room with a king-sized bed, dresser, and desk. Nothing special about it, but this is where I’ll finally see if Hayes’s sexiness is all in my head.
During the drive, he states, “I’m not using a condom. If you get pregnant, I’ll get my heir.”
“What about the other worries condoms help with?” I ask, feeling suddenly very nervous.
“Not a concern.” When I open my mouth, he interrupts in a hard, arrogant voice. “I use them with other women. Never with you.”
The thought of him with other women irritates me. The thought of him viewing me as just another conquest irritates me. The thought of how much I want Hayes and how little he might want me irritates me. I’m a ball of pissed off bitch as I stand next to the bed.
Hayes says nothing about my frown or how I haven’t set down my purse. He must know I’m grumpy. He should ask what the fuck is my problem. He doesn’t because he doesn’t want to know.
Hayes stands over me, and I really take in his height. He’ll squish me during sex. I bet he’s a selfish lover. I’ll probably pull a muscle. I should just ask to leave.
His lips meet mine, and I lose my fucking mind. The heat from his tongue sends shockwaves through my entire body, and I drop my purse. Kicking it away, I grip his shirt and deepen the already hungry kiss.
I swear to myself my reaction isn’t personal. I’ve simply gone too long without any passion in my life. Hayes understands the rules. We’re only having fun. Sex doesn’t need to mean anything. Fucking can just be fucking, and I very much want this man to fuck me.
I don’t remember yanking off my clothes. I might have even torn my shirt to remove it faster. Hayes isn’t as overcome with lust. He pulls off his shirt leisurely like we’re on vacation, and he has all the time in the world.
My hands immediately go to his chest. I ache to explore the hard muscles and thick, black hairs. Hayes lifts my chin and kisses me again.
I forget about my hands and his chest. My brain shuts down as the throbbing spot between my legs runs the show.
Hayes’s lips remain locked on mine while he leans me back on the bed. My hands grip his shoulders. My hips wiggle wildly as my legs try to ensnare him. Hayes takes my thighs and presses them down, pinning them to the bed. I grunt in his mouth, and he nips at my tongue.
Pushing him away, I frown darkly. “What the hell?”
Hayes opens his mouth to say something. I even sense he wants to tell me to shut the fuck up. He doesn’t speak, though. Instead, his fingers stroke between my legs.
“Better,” I mumble.
Watching him through half closed eyes, I shiver as his long, thick index finger slides along my slit. He switches fingers and uses the wet one to tease my hard nipples.
Hayes tests and teases the flesh between my legs. I swear he’s like a kid with a new toy. What does this button do? How about this lever? Hayes wants to figure out my body, but I can’t understand his hesitancy. My body is like every woman’s. The buttons and levers do the same stuff.
I watch him until his gaze meets mine. He lifts an eyebrow at my unasked question.
“I’ve been waiting to get you naked for weeks. Don’t rush me, woman.”
His voice is soft, but his meaning remains clear. He’s in the driver’s seat. I’m simply along for the ride.
I consider giving him a hard time about his attitude, but his curious fingers are teasing me in just the right way. However, if I were in charge, I’d no doubt have orgasmed by now. Then I could rest lifelessly while he did his experimenting. Hayes is a slow ass driver on this ride.
To prevent myself from angering the big bully, I cover my mouth, close my eyes, and give myself a pep talk. Just enjoy the ride. Don’t think. Just feel. It wasn’t as if I’m shocked Hayes is controlling. This is his M.O. for everything. So I need to let him play and stop being in such a rush.
Ooh, that right there feels exquisite.
Hayes’s lips find mine again, and I’m startled by the heat behind them. None of the hesitancy I feel from his teasing fingers. He’s a man on fire and I smile at his need.