Crude Heir (Billionaire Heirs #3)

Chapter 16

Nicole

Rain lashes against the windows, darkening the sky as the latest report request downloads on my laptop. I sigh, the storm matching my mood after failing to make any headway.

Derrick walks away, disappearing into the bedroom. I get as far as putting the data into a pivot table before the power blinks then goes out. Another sigh escapes me. The dark clouds have turned late afternoon into night.

“Nicole,” Derrick’s voice carries from the other room.

Thunder rumbles through, hard enough to shake the windowpanes. I drag in a long breath, letting the cool air fill my lungs. It’ll be okay.

“Be right there,” I call back, sounding a little unsteady. I click the save button, watching the process complete before I make my way in his direction. There’s no way I’m going to risk losing everything again.

Now that I’ve run out of excuses, I hesitantly make my way across the hall. I peek into the bedroom, still faintly illuminated through the large window, finding it empty. Where is he?

I glance toward the bathroom, noticing the door is ajar. Pulling my lower lip over my teeth, I take a cautious step in that direction. What’s he up to? I curl my fingers into my palm. “You okay?”

“Yep,” he replies from inside. He pulls the door open, shining the light from the flashlight. “Bring the mask and come here.”

The shock of the statement has my body clenching in places I don’t want to think about. I’m on autopilot as I turn, going around the bed to pick up the mask from the end table.

Legs more than a little unsteady, I approach the bathroom, a sliver of dread trying to creep up my back. Derrick comes out of the bathroom to stand in front of me. He pushes a stray curl behind my ear. “Put the mask on.”

With him in front of me, towering over me, I’m compelled to follow instructions. I bring the mask up, pulling it over my head. I have a moment to catch a hint of a smile on his face before I set the mask in place.

Where am I? His voice echoes through my mind.

Derrick takes my hand, urging me forward, into the bathroom. I take a deep breath. It’ll be okay. He squeezes my fingers. It’ll be okay.

“Be careful with the doorway,” he warns.

I cling to Derrick’s hand, letting him lead me into the darkness.

My brain keeps reminding me I’m going into the smallest room in the apartment. The one without a window. The one that left me too terrified to move. Part of me just wants to turn and walk away, but that would hurt whatever this is between us.

There’s plenty of air.

My breaths come faster. My imagination transports me back to the moment the world went dark.

Derrick’s thumb brushes across my wrist. “I’m right here,” he says, his voice a soothing balm I didn’t know I needed. It’s almost as if he could tell where my mind was drifting. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“Thank you,” I murmur.

“Stop here.” He closes the door.

My racing heart settles at the reassurance in his tone. “I’m going to take the mask off.” His fingers gently brush my temples as he removes the mask, careful not to catch my hair as he lifts the barrier away. Meanwhile, I’ve got fistfuls of his shirt clenched in my grasp.

He’s right here. I’m not alone. My brain understands that, but my anxiety is taking a little longer to get the message.

“Open your eyes.” His tone is low and calm. I steel myself for the close, suffocating space, the utter blackness that fills this room.

I slowly raise my eyelids and I’m met with a dull glow all around us. I glance past his expectant look to the wall behind him. A star shows up against the wall, its slight glow chasing away the darkness. My breath rushes out as I follow the line of smaller stars to the ceiling. Dozens of them cover the top of the walls and the ceiling. I could be outside on a clear night.

Derrick searches my face. “Will this help?”

A smile tugs at my lips—a short-lived smile because tears prick my eyes. I bring up a hand, covering my mouth with trembling fingers to prevent a sob from escaping. Tears well up, spilling over, as I’m overwhelmed with what this man has done for me. The thoughtful gesture leaves me speechless.

“Nicole.” His voice is tinged with concern. “Don’t cry.” He brings up a thumb, brushing away the wetness under my lashes.

Gratitude, surprise, and something else I can’t bring myself to identify close in on me. I pull my hand away from my face to cup his. “You did this for me?” My words wavering.

“Of course.” His hands come to my hips, the warmth of his palms a shield against my fears. “I don’t want you to be scared of getting caught in here.”

“Thank you.”

He lowers his head, claiming my lips in a long, soulful kiss that melts my insides. Even though I’m standing in a place that terrified me, I never want this moment to end.

All too soon, he’s pulling away. “Come on.” He opens the door. “I just wanted you to know you didn’t have to worry about coming in here.”

I follow him through the bedroom then out to the hall. When he turns to the dining area, I pull him in the opposite direction.

* * *

Derrick

I assumed she’d want to get back to work, making the most of what battery life she has left. Instead, she’s heading to the living area. Curious, I let her lead me around the chair.

“Take a seat,” she says, keeping her gaze lowered. I settle into the chair then she sinks to the floor in front of me. “Closer.”

She carefully sets a knee outside my thigh then does the same on the other side. The edge of the white T-shirt she borrowed rides her thighs as she straddles my legs.

Stretching back, I bring her along, leaving her to circle my neck.

“I’m the one who—”

I touch my lips to her jaw, cutting her off. My anticipation turns to greed, wanting more of this powerful feeling. I set my hands to her breasts, closing in on her nipples through the thin cotton. “You what?”

A whimper escapes her, coming to a breathless end.

Restless, I caress the generous mounds, enjoying every curve that’s overflowing in my hands. I taste her skin as I make my way along her neck. But the sample only leaves me wanting more.

Moving down her body, I follow her curves, intent on learning the feel of her skin as her breathing echoes around me. Her breasts are pressed to my chest as I run my palms around her hips without interruption.

Reaching the end, I start my trek up, stopping to urge her hips closer as I pass. She inches up enough to brush against my raging hard-on. The cotton rides up, bunching at my wrists. Nikki leans away, grabbing the shirt and pulling it over her head. I draw her close, sucking a nipple into my mouth.

I’m running my tongue along the stiff peak as one of her hands goes into my hair. The other goes down my chest, over my stomach, and into my shorts to find my cock.

Eager fingers curl around the front, pressing me against the silky hair at her pussy. This time, it’s my turn to moan, enjoying the feel of her hand riding the hard length of sensitive skin.

I increase the pressure of my mouth on her nipple, using my fingers to tug at the other, mimicking the caress.

She’s restless, the muscles at her inner thighs tensing and relaxing against me. One-handed, I shove at my shorts, needing to get them out of the way. She lifts off me, pulling her nipple from my mouth while helping with the waistband on the other side of me.

Grasping her hips, I urge her forward, letting her slit settle over my bare cock. “That’s right,” I manage despite the heat rushing through me.

She’s quick to pick up on what I want, sliding over my length. Her breath hitches every time the ridge hits her clit.

I’m struck by the sheer beauty of her as she increases the pace. Her teeth are on her bottom lip, torturing the flesh then losing her stride. She’s gone too far, and when she slides back, the head of my cock slips up at the notch in her body. She stops, her body tense, her gaze stuck on mine as her pussy tightens around the sensitive tip.

The echo in my head says to stop, but my hips push forward on their own. I press her hips down and squeeze my cock into the tightest pussy I’ve ever had. Anticipation coils inside me and a second later, she whimpers as I fill her.

She braces a hand on my shoulder, lips parted as her breath rushes in and out. Her inner muscles are adjusting around me, and I clench my jaw, fighting to keep the incredible pressure from taking me.

The instinct to move—to fuck, nearly overwhelms me. I put two fingers between us, moving over her swollen folds, helping her along. Her body shudders with each stroke around her clit. I’m mesmerized by the sway of her breasts, needing more of her.

I start to work against her body, rocking slowly, gaining a few more inches. Cupping the back of her neck, I bring her forward, kissing her for the first time. I slide my cock nearly all the way out of her channel before burying myself inside her again.

A groan echoes in her throat as I press our bodies together, setting my fingers on either side of her clit. “Stay like this,” I murmur next to her lips.

She nods. “I’ll try.”

“You will,” I demand, capturing her gaze, holding it as I set the rhythm I want. I hold my place between her legs while tasting her skin and coming up to play with her nipple, keeping her on edge.

“Such a good girl.” At this point, she’s held out longer than I thought she would. With a determined brush over her clit, I slam my hips against her, running my tongue up her throat, chasing the cry coming from her lips.

Her inner muscles ripple, draining my cock. Bringing her chest to mine, I settle back in the chair, knowing she utterly destroyed me.