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Addie threw her head back and exhaled. “If you don’t un-cuff me right now, I swear this is the last time you’ll ever see me set foot in your house again. Do you understand?”
William laughed as he slowly closed the door. “Oh, somehow I doubt that.”
William spent much of the rest of the afternoon slowly pleasuring Addison in all the ways she had no idea she’d even liked to be pleasured. He made her beg and plead with him as he brought her to the brink again and again, her anger only making their lovemaking more intense. He introduced her to the arsenal of toys and riding crops he’d bought just for her but kept it a little more vanilla than he hoped because he could tell she wasn’t used to being on the other side of the coin. He made love to her on the bed then sat her on the table and teased her over and over before finally bending her over it and fucking her hard.
She had no idea what was coming next, and he could tell she loved it—whether she was willing to admit it or not. That was the thing about Addison. She was going to have to learn to give up control if she wanted to be with a man like William, and so far, she wasn’t willing to do it. So he’d decided he’d help her out a little by starting in the bedroom.
When William was finished and Addie could barely stand, he carried her to the bed in the corner of the room and laid her on it, fastening the cuff to the frame. Addie watched him and frowned, but he could swear there was the hint of a smile there somewhere.
William looked at the handcuff and back at Addie as he opened a bottle of water and held it to her lips. “We haven’t done much talking, so I’m not letting you off, just yet.”
Addie downed the water. “What time is it? I have to pick up my kids.”
“I know and you will. It’s not that time yet. Carl’s going to have one of the guys get your car from the garage and drive it home for you. He’ll take you to get the boys in one of my cars to save time. I spoke with your assistant, had her handle your meetings, and everything is fine. I’ve got it all worked out.”
Addie wiped the sweat from her forehead. “This isn’t funny, William. Maybe your life works like this—having everyone else handle things for you—but mine doesn’t.
“But it can, Addison. Do you really think I could be this successful if I did everything myself? No. You have to learn to delegate, to let go of control a little bit.”
Addie watched as William pulled a pair of pajama pants from a drawer and slipped them on. “Yeah, we’ll I’d say I’ve pretty much given up all control.”
“Only because you were forced.” William grinned. He walked over to Addie and un-cuffed her. Sitting on the bed, he gathered her in his arms and rubbed her wrists. “Look, I’m sorry about this, but I needed to talk to you, and I needed you to listen. I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
Addie rolled her eyes and scooted herself out of his arms. “No, but that’s not exactly my idea of talking.”
“You wouldn’t listen before, but you see you’re pretty calm now.” William smiled and continued. “I know you saw the photos from the gala, but you could’ve at least let me explain. You didn’t even give me a chance to talk to you.”
Addie inhaled slowly and put on the mask she wore well. “What is there to say? You don’t need to explain anything to me, William. We’re not in a relationship. This . . . This thing we’re doing . . . It is what it is. There’s really nothing more to say.”
William, confused, pulled back, and studied her face. “I’m not sleeping with anyone else, if that’s what you mean, Addison.”
Addie shifted. “I don’t mean anything, but you’re right. We do need to have boundaries, and seeing you at the gala made me realize that.”
“And.”
Addie bit her lip. “And you can do your thing, and I’ll do mine. When we’re together, we’re together. When we’re not, well, we each have our own interests.”
William stood and ran his fingers through his hair. “Tell me, Addison. Do you have other fucking interests? Because I don’t. The girl you saw was there to throw the media off. I figured if they saw me with someone then they’d get off our asses and we wouldn’t have to worry so much. I was paying her to be seen with me. Nothing more.”
Addie frowned. Fuck.
“Mr. Hartman, I’m sorry to interrupt, but we have a situation,” a voice called over the intercom.
William stared at Addie as though waiting for her to speak. When she didn’t, he shook his head. “I’ll be right there, Carl.”
“There’s a bathroom right through those doors. Everything you need should be in there, but just hit the buzzer by the door if not. I had your clothes cleaned and pressed, and they’re there on a hanger.”
Addie stared at William blankly, refusing to say what was on her mind. He didn’t take his gaze off hers as she entered the bathroom and shut the door. She showered and dressed quickly before making her way back towards the living area. As she rounded the corner, she heard hushed voices speaking briskly. When Addie entered the room, it went silent. William had his back to her and appeared to be staring out the window. He spoke slowly and calmly, his voice rough. “We have to do something. This is escalating.”
Carl cleared his throat. “Mrs. Greyer.”
William turned and exhaled. Addison’s heart sunk when she saw the concern across his face. She glanced from William to Carl to the men she didn’t recognize and then back to William. “What’s going on?”
William made his way over to her in two swift steps. “Addison, sit. Please.”
Addie stepped back. “Don’t tell me to sit. Does anyone want to explain what’s going on here or why you’re all looking at me like someone died?”
William lowered his voice and ushered her to the couch. “Addison, please.” He sat and took her hand in hers.
