SWNOVELS Distance: Chapter 4
What the hell was I thinking? Not only did I grope the man, but I also winked, and called him Sir. My mind is reeling, embarrassment heating my cheeks, but my body doesn’t care. It’s still on fire from his touch.
I finally make it to the bar on unsteady feet. I drop my head into my arms, resting against the cool metal surface of it, in an attempt to lower my temperature.
His stare penetrates my ass the whole walk over there. I made sure to put an extra sway in my step for him. I’ve never behaved like that; a confident, sexy Sienna has risen from the ashes.
I think I like her.
His touch lit a match in me. His deep, raspy voice made my pussy clench. His hooded eyes hold darkness behind them, way beyond the color. This man is trouble, but that gives me a whole new buzz.
“Four tequilas, a double vodka, and coke please,” I fire out to the barman, almost breathless, as he gives me a wink and starts pouring.
One shot after another, I throw my head back, welcoming the burning sensation seeping down my throat. That’s nothing compared to the fire burning in my body from his touch. I need the buzz from the alcohol to gain the confidence to walk back past him.
Ugh, why hasn’t Maddie made her way over here already? That would make my life a hell of a lot easier.
I guess she’s still on the hunt for her prince charming. Now she reads far too many soppy romance books, always dreaming of her fairytale wedding with two kids and a white picket fence. She’d spent the last year dedicated to kissing lots of frogs to find her prince. Just a couple of weeks ago after a long day of work, while kicking my feet up on the sofa, my ears are deafened by the screaming throes of passion. Parker, I think his name was–wait, was it, Peter? Whichever it was, he clearly wasn’t the one. Just seeing her dedicate her free time to finding love exhausts me, but when her eyes light up as she describes what she is looking for, it stops me from actively rolling my eyes at her.
Scanning the room, her platinum blonde hair floats around the dance floor with her latest tall skinny man pining after her. The next potential Mr. Prince Charming leans down and whispers in her ear. I can tell by the lack of enthusiasm etched on her face she needs an out. I grab our drinks, take a deep breath in while counting to four, and then release it slowly.
Just watch your footing, Sienna. I internally chastise myself to avoid any further embarrassment.
I set my sights on Maddie, and take it step by step, keeping my eyes focused on her. Do not look at him, do not look at him. It’s no fucking use. My eyes are magnets to his body, hell— I am magnetized to his body. I can’t help it.
He is the most gorgeous man I have ever laid eyes on. His presence seeps power and danger, but that just entices me more. A God in his own way, even as he sits with his ankle resting on his knee, sprawled out in the booth with his tattooed hand bringing the Scotch up to his lips, the man oozes sex, and not the vanilla type. The kinkiest dirtiest you can imagine. His deep, gravelly voice is so fucking hot, and the thought of him commanding me in the bedroom makes my pussy pulse. Now that’s a man who knows what he’s doing. I would bet everything on that.
I hadn’t even noticed I had stopped dead in my tracks ogling this beautiful man, until his gaze daggers into mine, the internal conflict evident on his face, flickering behind his eyes. I affect him just as much as he does me. That in itself makes my cheeks heat. He brings a glass up to the air and nods his head towards me in acknowledgment, with a smirk, as if to tease me. I give him a quick smile and continue past him to the dancefloor.
I don’t have time for this. I am done with men. I try to force myself to remember.
She whips around, giving me a knowing look, dismissing the man behind her who backs away onto the next woman.
“Fuck Sienna, that was hot. Just watching him stare at you right now is turning me on,” she yells over the music while dramatically fanning herself with her hand.
“Don’t Mads, I don’t know what came over me,” I reply, trying to poke light of the situation, not to egg her on.
“You mean you want him to come all over you?” she giggles. God, this girl, I can’t help but laugh.
“I mean, look at him. Who wouldn’t?” I answer while raising my brows. “But remember, I am on a ban from men for the foreseeable,” I add, trying to change the subject.
“No, Si, a ban from relationships, not from a hookup. Remember, you have to get under someone to get over someone.”
I roll my eyes. Imagining him slamming me up against a wall and devouring me is getting me all hot and bothered.
“Si, you’re blushing.”
Wanting to kill this conversation, I toss the straw out of my drink and down the contents. I’m far too sober for this shit. Then I snatch her hand and twirl her around, dragging us deeper into the dancefloor, because she can’t grill me if she’s too busy dancing. She just belly laughs in response, wiggling her brows. She knows what I’m doing.
Time passes in a blur. We dance, laugh, and drink. It’s up to full capacity too. Almost like a can of sardines, there is no room to move. I’ve spent the last half an hour with different men gyrating up against me. Not one caused a stir in my body, not one touch set my soul on fire enough for me to even want to turn around. The whole time, I’ve been too focused on not making eye contact with him. Like prey being stalked, I can feel his hungry gaze on me. Something inside tells me if I go over there, I will not return.
Lost in my thoughts, I close my eyes and let my hips sway to the music, forgetting the heartache, the embarrassment, and the pain of the last few weeks. I just allow myself to be free, with the music flowing through me, inhaling the mix of booze and musky aftershave, and feeling the sweat beads roll down my forehead. I feel free.
I’m crashing back into reality as I hear “Baby girl!” shouted at me from behind. My back immediately stiffens and my hands ball into fists. This cannot be happening.
“Sienna!” His irritating voice is getting closer, but before he can open his mouth again, I spin around and cut him off.
“What do you want, Jamie?” I snap, coming face to face with my prick of an ex-fiance, keeping my chin held high.
His eyes open wide at my tone and then soften as he leans in towards me, making my skin crawl.
“You haven’t been answering my calls or texts, so I used the tracking app we had to find you. You finally left the house.”
An icy chill runs through my body. He has been tracking me? He knows I’ve been home crying my fucking eyes out? But today is the day he decides to approach me?
“Please Si, come and talk to me outside. We need to sort this out,” he desperately pleads, inching closer and closer to my ear.
I’d almost believe it’s genuine, but my brain quickly catches up. Immediately, I remember him nailing that bitch on the counter. I scoff. “How about fuck off and leave me alone Jamie. We. Are. Done,” I snap at him, jabbing my acrylic nail into his chest. Fuck that feels good. Looking at him now, I don’t know why I stayed with him for so long.
Now, don’t get me wrong, he’s not bad looking. Your typical lawyer look with slicked back blonde hair, just over 6ft tall with a lean but muscular build – suited and booted always. He doesn’t look as fresh as usual, his stubble is a few days old, his eyes are red and his hair is a mess on top of his head. His emerald green eyes dart to mine in horror.
“Come on Si, this isn’t you. You don’t go out drinking and you certainly don’t speak so crass.” He looks me up and down. “Wearing slutty clothes like that,” he scoffs, zoning in on my legs.
I don’t need this shit tonight. I turn to walk away from him, but a hand forcefully grabs my wrists, squeezing tight, yanking me back to him. I’m suddenly flush against his chest.
I let out a shaky breath and wince as the pain in my wrist radiates up my arm. My heart pounds in my chest. His breath blows against my neck, while he’s still squeezing my wrist in his hand. “I only have so much patience with you, Sienna.” His tone drips with anger.
My rage erupts. How fucking dare he talk to me like that, like he owns me, after months of him putting me down, cheating on me, and lying to me.
I forcefully yank my hand out of his grip and elbow his stomach. He groans in response, letting me go. I quickly move away from him and turn to see him doubled over. His eyes are now dark, glaring at me as his jaw ticks.
Oh shit, I know what that look means.
Blood pounds in my ears as I swallow down the bile that rises in my throat.
“You fucking bitch!” he yells as he lunges forward into the small distance I created between us, grabbing both my upper arms so tightly his knuckles turn white. His nails are now digging into my skin, almost cutting it. The pressure reaches all the way into my bones. I squirm at the pain.
“You’re hurting me! Get off me!” I shout, my body trembling. Why is no one helping me? Where the hell is Maddie?
Jamie’s grip on me slightly loosens, his eyes darting past me, filling with fear.
“You heard the lady. Get your hands the fuck off her. Now!”
Without turning to look, I know who it is. I sense him closing in on me from behind. Jamie lets me go. Finally, relief washes over me as he lifts his hold. Thank God he came. I feel so much safer now. That’s going to bruise, I think as I look at my arm where his hands held me.
“Calm down mate, I was just having a friendly conversation with my fiancé.”
My protector stiffens behind me, just for a second, before he wraps a protective arm around my middle, pulling me flush against him. His musky aftershave laced with scotch fills my nose. My body tingles in response to his strong hand splayed across my stomach.
“If I so much as see you lay a hand on her again, I will fucking end you. Do you understand?”
Jamie starts to back away, his eyes pinned on my protector’s hand. I glance at his hand, covered in dark tattoos, his white shirt sleeves are now rolled up, the tattoos snaking up his forearms. As his hand slips further around my stomach, the veins in his forearms protrude. Shit, even his forearms are sexy.
I turn my neck up towards him, he towers over me and Jamie. He must be over six foot five inches, his massive muscular frame owning the room.
Jamie shoots me a glare followed by a devilish smirk, which makes me stop breathing for a second or two.
“Yeah, whatever” he spits as he turns and walks away into the sea of people and I let my body relax.
“Are you okay?” he asks, concern laced in his tone.
Am I?
I’m flushed, my breath is shaky, and my legs are slightly trembling. Can he feel me trembling? Not from what happened with Jamie. No. My body is reacting to his touch.
I give a small nod, the back of my hair sweeping against his solid chest. I shuffle around in his tight grip to face him. His strong hand is now firmly on my ass. That alone makes my panties wet. Tipping my head back, my eyes meet his hooded dark eyes.
“Thank you. For saving my ass twice tonight.” I smirk, using the heels that have given me the height advantage I need to be able to wrap both of my sore arms around his neck.
I plant a soft kiss on his cheek, leaving a dark lipstick stain just above his jaw. A low groan leaves his lips in response. I can feel his bulge rubbing up against me, which only lights my fire even further.
I want this man.
“Come with me.” He says, his face remaining straight as he laces his fingers through mine and pulls me off the dance floor. My legs take double steps, trying to keep up with his large strides. Past the bar, we take a side door at the back of the club.
“Do you work here or something?” I quiz.
“Or something,” he responds bluntly, not stopping in his mission.
“Oookay,” I reply, trying to lighten the mood. “So I’m guessing you wouldn’t actually kill Jamie if he touched me again?”
I ramble when I’m nervous. Obviously, he’s not going to murder my ex, but maybe it’s a good idea to gauge if I’m walking off with another fucking lunatic tonight.
That question stops him dead in his tracks, and I nearly crash into the back of him as he spins around. His hard gaze meets mine, and with fire in his eyes he invades my space, his warm breath now tickling against my neck.
“I never make empty threats, Princess.” His deep voice causes ripples through my body. His words should scare me. I think that’s what he wants, but it’s having the opposite effect. I don’t know whether that’s the alcohol or his whole dominating alpha male act, but my panties are soaked.
Not waiting for my answer, he grabs my hand again and we continue marching along the dark corridor. We must be in the employee’s staff rooms or something as the black doors are all shut. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a card, swiping it along the side of the black door. When a green light blinks, he throws open the door and drags me inside. When the heavy door slams shut behind me it makes me jump.
My body immediately sags as he lets go of my hand, the loss of contact leaving me cold. Maybe that’s a good thing; I need space from this man. He is obliterating all my senses and fogging my mind.
Opening up a fridge next to a solid oak desk, he gestures. “Drink?”
“Anything with alcohol in it will do.”
Pulling down on the hem of my dress, I survey the room around me.
Like the rest of the club, this room is also swanky, with black velvet walls, a soft leather sofa – black of course – and a massive desk fitted with gold features. Continuing my nosing, at the back of the room I notice a bathroom, pristine and shining. This room alone is probably worth more than my entire savings. I plop myself down on the sofa and sink in, the leather cooling me down. The room smells freshly painted and masculine, like him. Footsteps snap my attention as he stalks towards me with two drinks in his hand.
“Tequila, okay?”
“Hmm, yes, my favorite. Thank you.” I take the glass and swirl the ice against the crystal. I offer him a genuine smile.
“My name’s Sienna, by the way. Sienna Anderson,” I say, reaching my free hand out to him, cringing at my corporate awkwardness.
Clearly, I’m a bit out of the game, so to speak.
He glances down and back to my face. Then his dark tattooed hand clasps over mine, so large it completely covers it, bringing my eyes back to his.
“Well, Sienna Anderson,” he says in the best British accent he can muster. “Pleasure to meet you.” Then he gives me a slight curtsy.
Why Americans think all British people are posh, I’ll never understand. Coming from a council estate on the outskirts of East London with an alcoholic mom and runaway dad, I am as far from posh as you get in England, I think. I try to hold in a laugh and give a slight nod, rolling my lips through my teeth.
“And your name, Sir?” I remember his reaction the last time I called him that.
“Keller Russo,” he retorts with a smirk to match mine.
It’s becoming so hard to concentrate. My whole body is buzzing with anticipation. I’ve never been so bloody turned on in my whole life. My fight or flight mode is kicking in and adrenaline is pulsing through me. This man, Keller, does things to me that I can’t comprehend. He’s searching my face. I wonder if he can see my mind going a thousand to the second. I wish it would just stop.
As if noticing my inner turmoil, he takes hold of my arm to inspect the marks. I wince as he does. A look of pure anger flashes across his eyes. I’m starting to think his threat wasn’t a joke.
“Is this the first time he’s laid a hand on you, Princess?” he murmurs, now caressing the marks with his thumb.
“Hmm hmm,” is all I can muster. I can’t stop looking at those damn lips.
“It will be his fucking last, trust me,” he replies, and I’m sure he means it.
He leans his head into the crook of my neck, so close I can feel his warm breath brushing my skin. “I can hear your heart beating through your chest, Sienna. Is that from the shock, or because you’re imagining me fucking you over that desk?”
I can feel him smirk against my neck. “Maybe a bit of both,” I answer truthfully, hoping that wasn’t a mistake. He brings his hand to the side of my face, gently turning it to face him, our noses just inches away.
“You, Sienna, are breathtaking, but you are far too good for me.”
“Ohh?” I draw out, edging my face away from his. That’s a rejection if ever I’ve heard one. He quickly grabs the other side of my face, pulling me back in towards him, his breath heavy. He is so close I can smell the expensive scotch when he growls.
“Well, it’s a fucking good thing I don’t play by the rules.”
He crashes his lips down on mine. An all-consuming kiss, no gentleness; he’s kissing me like he wants to ravage me. I’ve never been kissed like this in my life and fuuck, it’s hot. His tongue swoops into mine, upping the pace of the kiss. I can barely fucking breathe and I don’t want to. I don’t want this to ever end. To hell if I suffocate; what a way to go. His hands are clawing at my hair. Breaking the kiss for a second, he gives me a devilish grin before continuing his assault on my neck. Kissing, biting, and sucking. Pain and pleasure in one, causing me to moan as I tilt my head back.
“Fuck Keller,” I moan, imagining what those lips could do elsewhere. Jesus.
“Get out of your head, Princess. Back with me.” I meet his eyes and can see the pure lust raging there. Giving me his best panty-dropping smile, he says, “Good girl.”
Those words, coming from his lips; I almost combust right there and then on the spot. His eyebrow raises for a second as he watches me.
He knows.
Smashing his lips back onto mine possessively, his hands wrap around my neck, giving me no movement to escape. Then one hand slowly lowers, skimming the top of my dress and cleavage. The cool feel of the metal from his Rolex leaves shivers in its wake. He never breaks the kiss as his hand dips inside my dress. He caresses my breast, rolling my nipple between his thumb and index finger. He squeezes my nipple, making my breath hitch. Feathering kisses along my jaw, he continues playing with my breast, inhaling my scent.
“Fuck Sienna, tell me to stop. Tell me this is a bad idea.”
I snap my eyes to his. They are almost pleading with me, like, if I say no, he won’t be able to control himself. “I’m not a good man. In fact, you don’t get much worse than me, but I can’t seem to control myself with you.”
The words on the tip of my tongue shock me. I certainly don’t want another relationship, but I am a woman and I have needs. For the first time in my life, I’m going to take what I want. “Keller, I don’t give a shit. I want you to make me feel good and then you never need to see me again. I’m not looking for another Jamie in my life anytime soon.” That makes his jaw tick, as he contemplates my response.
“Don’t ever compare me to that prick ever again. I would never cause you pain.” Then raising an eyebrow he adds with a lopsided grin, “That you didn’t ask for.”
He brings both hands to my cheeks, his eyes blazing into mine. “I can hear your thoughts screaming from here. Just get out of your head for one evening. You’ll be amazed where that can take you, Princess.”
“Show me.”
That is enough to tip him over the edge, that last straw of self-restraint, gone. His strong arms lift me to straddle him. His cock rubs against my pussy; pleasure tingles in response.
He grips hold of my ass, and I lean down to press my lips to his. Our lips smack together as we deepen the kiss, our tongues dancing as I start to grind on his lap, pleasure coiling at my center already.
“Baby, if you keep going like that, I’m going to come in my pants,” he groans out, tipping his head back against the sofa, his chest heaving up and down.
I have never been so turned on in my life. I could literally come, with my panties still on. I’m breathing heavily. “Keller, I need more… now.”
“Patience Baby. I have plans for you all night,” he taunts, lowering his head to my neck and piercing my skin with his teeth. The pain only intensifies the pleasure building inside me.
“Fuck, Keller.”
I tip my head to the side to give him better access to my neck. He switches between biting and kissing. Pain and pleasure. Taking me to the edge and bringing me back again.
My eyes squeeze shut as electricity flows through me. My hips speed as he sucks along my bra line. Rubbing his hands up and down my thighs, I grab his hand, moving it closer to where I really need it, I need the relief.
He flips my hand under his and tears his mouth away from my tits.
“I get to decide when you come, Baby. Not a second before I tell you. Understood?”
I nod, lowering my head, but he immediately tips it back up to his.
“No hiding from me.”
“Please, Keller. I need more.”
My voice is throaty and needy. Who is this Sienna?
“Fuck, begging sounds fucking perfect from those full lips. I can’t wait to have them wrapped around my cock.”
I lick my lips at the thought.
“Since you asked so nicely.”
He smacks his lips over mine, stealing the breath out of my lungs. His hand slowly, too fucking slowly, teases up the inside of my leg, causing ripples through my body, almost shaking in anticipation.
His hand cups my throbbing pussy and uses his index finger to move the panties to the side, giving him access to my bundle of nerves.
“So wet for me, Sienna,” he hums in my ear, satisfaction dripping from his voice. He nips at my neck as he slides one finger in, then another, the third almost tipping me over the edge as the blood hammers in my ears. I ride his hand. Oh my God, we’ve barely begun, and I can’t control myself.
I feel the orgasm building up in my body as I ride his fingers. I am so close. He continues his assault while nipping at my breasts. My walls clamp around his fingers; my legs tremble around him.
“Keller, I’m so close. Let me finish. Please!” I emphasize the please, as he’s nuzzling his nose into my neck.
“Come now, my filthy Goddess.” And that’s it. It’s all too much for my senses. That sends my head back and I’m moaning his name, not giving a shit who can hear me, still riding his hand. My orgasm rips through my body, tearing me apart as his fingers slam in and out of me.
I slow down the pace as I crash back down to reality, my legs limp and my ears ringing. I shift on his lap, allowing him to retrieve his hand. He slips his fingers out slowly, an ache forming in their wake, then brings his hand up between our bodies, to his mouth. His eyes twinkle with mischief. Shit, no, he is not about to… His shimmering fingers reach his mouth and he sucks them clean, one by one, making a pop as he removes them.
“Goddamn, you are fucking delicious, Sienna.” He groans, bringing the same fingers to my lips, and pulling my bottom lip out.
His throbbing cock hits against my soaking pussy, arousing me all over again.
A loud knock startles me. Keller doesn’t even flinch, just glares at the door like he wants to murder whoever dares be on the other side.
I immediately attempt to move my leg, to un-straddle him, but he quickly pushes my leg down, pulling the back of my head to nuzzle into his chest.
“Shh Sienna, you stay like this, okay?” That wasn’t a question.
“Come in,” he shouts with annoyance.
Peeking through my hair, I see a tall figure waltz through the door, definitely of Italian descent, with his olive skin and dark features, a cigarette resting behind his ear. He’s eyeing us up with intrigue, “Keller, Brother. Is this why you failed to answer your goddamn phone this evening?”
“It’s the opening night of my fucking club, Brother,” Keller mocks with a heavy New York accent. “Leave and we’ll talk later.”
There’s an authority in his response. Wait, hang on. He owns this club? Oh shit! It’s Mr. Unattainable, the boxer guy Maddie mentioned.
“Fine, you finish having your dick sucked and throw her my way when you’re finished.” I stiffen and feel Keller rub the outside of my thigh in reassurance. His touch is calming.
“Give me five minutes and I’ll meet you out the back. Now. Fuck off,” he orders. I guess that’s me dismissed, too.
The door slams shut, rattling throughout the room as we sit in silence, the sound of our heavy breathing filling the room.
I slowly peel myself off his chest, avoiding eye contact. Standing up, I straighten my dress and bend to pick my purse up from the other end of the sofa.
Keller now stands up. Towering over me, he grasps my wrist, tugging me back to him, bending to whisper in my ear.
“Me and you. We’re far from finished. I gotta go, but don’t doubt me when I say I will find you and finish what we started. Remember Baby, I don’t make empty threats.”
Placing a soft kiss on my lips, he turns on his heel and strides out, not even looking back as he leaves. I suck in a deep breath and compose myself. My fingers rub my swollen lips.
He won’t find me.
He will be back on to the next woman tomorrow, and that’s fine, I tell myself. I have a life to rebuild. With that, I snatch up my bag and start my search for Maddie. I need my bed and to forget about this.
Somehow, I don’t think it will ever happen. That scene will replay in my head for the foreseeable.