Page 98 of The Art of Being a Psychopath

That made her quietly chuckle.

“You? In the background? I find that hard to believe.”

She snuggled closer to me as memories of that day rolled through my mind. Some of them were thoughts I didn’t want to dwell on. People that deserved no time in my mind. But her, she dominated every thought.

“I had my lawyer, Sammy, with me. He did most of the talking.”

“Damn,” she mused. “I can’t believe you lied to me.” And she gave my chest a playful pat.

“When you walked into the gallery, Emma, I recognised you right away. You were the angel who put up with Gold and all the other bullshit that came from working at that newspaper. I admired you. You held yourself so well, even when Lloyd started to act like a prized twat. You had grace and decorum. You treated people with respect, regardless of how they’d treated you. And you showed interest in getting to know us all. You asked questions, you engaged with the conversation, and you opened yourself up, even when I questioned you about the art in the room. Nothing rattled you, and that intrigued me. It made me hungry for more.” I gave her shoulder a playful bite, and she laughed.

“Why haven’t you told me this before?”

I sighed and stroked gentle circles on her hip.

“I don’t know. I suppose I felt a little embarrassed about it.”

“Why would you be embarrassed?” she asked. “You weren’t the one who was sweaty and nervous in that boardroom. Honestly, I felt like I was doing a terrible job that day, and to top it all off, I didn’t speak up for myself. I let Mr. Gold belittle me and I did nothing when Mr. Harrison slapped my ass.”

I felt my jaw clench.

I should’ve cut his fucking hand off for that.

“That’s your recollection,” I told her. “Now, shall I tell you mine?”

“Okay.”

“I saw a strong woman walk into a fucking lion’s den that day. A beautiful woman who held her head high and conducted herself with dignity and grace, when she was faced with ridicule and scorn. If you’d responded and called them out for their disgusting behaviour, they’d have done it even more or gaslighted you. You couldn’t have won in that situation. But do you know who was the biggest asshole that day? Me. I had the power to speak up. I could’ve shot those men down instantly. But I didn’t. And I’ve hated myself for that every day since.”

“So you felt sorry for me when you saw me again?” she asked as her body stilled in my arms.

“No. I felt guilt. And shame. But there was never any pity. I know for a fact that wasn’t the first time you’d been treated like that. But you didn’t let it get to you. You had more strength of character in your little finger than they had in their whole body.” I felt her relax back into me. “I spoke to Gold after the meeting. I told him he was out of order for the way he’d spoken to you. That I wouldn’t attend another meeting if he continued to conduct himself that way. I also had a private meeting with Harrison. Made sure he wouldn’t be touching you or anyone else that way again. But it was too little, too late. I’m sorry, Emma.”

“You don’t have to apologise to me.” She wrapped her arms tightly around me. “You did more than anyone else has ever done.”

“I’ll never let anyone disrespect you again.”

I lifted myself up, resting on my forearm as I peered down at her, lying beneath me. Then I stroked her face and ran my thumb over the apple of her cheek before leaning down to kiss her.

The kiss was slow and sensual, and I could feel myself getting more aroused as she kissed me back, running her fingers through my hair and pulling me closer. Her little moans made my cock hard, and my balls ache. I wanted to be inside her so badly. But I needed to make sure she was okay with that.

I brushed my fingers down her side and then reached between her thighs. She opened her legs wider for me, and when I slid my fingers through her pussy, I could feel how wet she still was for me.

“Are you sore?” I asked, reluctantly moving my lips away from hers for a moment.

“I’m sensitive,” she replied breathlessly as I gave her slow, lazy strokes through her wetness. “But I’m not sore.”

I leaned into her to whisper in her ear, “Good. Because I need to be inside you, Emma. I need you to take my cock like the good girl you are.”

Her responding sigh told me all I needed to know. She was ready for me.

“This might start slow, but I can’t promise it’ll stay like that,” I told her.

“I’ll take you any way I can get you,” she replied, running her fingers down my back, making me shiver.

I knew it’d end up hard and fast. I was feral for her; I couldn’t hold myself back.

I slid my soaked fingers into her pussy, and she arched her back. I gave her a few slow thrusts to get her ready, but she was already whimpering and whispering, ‘Yes’ into the room. This needed to happen now.