"Tch... why the hell am I tied to the bed?"
Madison blinked through the fog in her head.
The voice sounded annoyed. Maybe amused too.
Hard to tell when her brain felt like it had been run over by a truck.
She squinted at him.
Dark hair. Well-dressed. Handsome in that mature, expensive way that shouldn't be legal at whatever hour this was.
Green eyes stared back at her under the crappy yellow light of her hotel room.
He had this rich vibe about him. The kind that screamed money without trying. Like he probably owned a yacht. Or three.
He was stretched across the mattress, wrists bound together with HER red scarf. The fancy silk one she'd worn to the performance.
Right. She did that.
Drunk Madison had apparently decided tonight was the night to try being dominant. With a literal stranger she thought was a handsome escort.
Because why not?
Brandon's voice still echoed in her skull. Calling her stiff. A log. Not a real woman because she wanted to keep things pure until marriage.
Then he'd proposed to Jessica. Perfect blonde Jessica with her perfect teeth and perfect model everything. Right there in front of everyone at the Blue Moon Lounge.
Right after Madison's set.
The humiliation burned fresh even through the alcohol haze. Watching him kneel for someone else. Hearing him tell her she wasn't enough. Everyone staring. Some laughing.
So yeah. Screw Brandon. Screw Jessica.
And honestly? Screw being the good girl who played it safe.
She'd texted Rin afterward. Her new friend from the audience who'd been so kind earlier. Asked what to do when you wanted to forget someone.
Rin's advice: Be reckless. Do something that makes you feel alive. Stop caring for one night.
So Madison had looked around the pub. Saw this man sitting alone in the corner. Expensive suit. Champagne. Watching her with those intense eyes.
She'd convinced herself he was a call boy. Had to be. Why else would someone that attractive be alone in a Vegas pub at midnight?
Liquid courage and heartbreak did the rest.
"I always wanted to try this," Madison mumbled.
"Sure you have."
Her words came out slurred. "To like... be in charge."
His eyes flickered. Something dark crossed his face before he smirked. Actually smirked like she'd just told the funniest joke.
Heat rushed to her cheeks. "Don't mock me, E!"
She yanked the red scarf tighter.
Except his wrist barely moved. The knot loosened instead, silk sliding against itself like it was mocking her efforts.
Her stomach dropped. "Wait. Did I tie it wrong?"
"Looks like it."
His voice was smooth. Deep. Way too calm for someone who was supposed to be helpless right now.
Madison scrambled forward, her brunette hair falling in her face. Fingers fumbling with the fabric. She tried to tie it again, pulling harder this time.
The hair wouldn't move. She blew at it. Once. Twice.
It didn't budge.
'Great. Real sexy.'
"There," she said, sitting back. "Now you're stuck."
He raised one eyebrow.
Then he laughed.
Full on laughed, shoulders shaking, the sound rumbling through his chest.
'Okay, rude. Even for a call boy, that's rude.'
"Going to take my virginity now?"
Her brain short circuited. "Yes!"
The word popped out before she could think. Her ears burned. Her throat felt tight. But she doubled down anyway because backing out now would be worse.
"That's exactly what I'm gonna do."
He laughed again. Deeper this time. The bed frame actually shook.
"You're wasted," he said, like he was pointing out the weather. "And I'm not a virgin."
Madison frowned. "You don't look like you're not."
"What does that even mean?"
"I don't know! Just shut up!"
Her voice cracked. God. This was pathetic. Why was he laughing at her?
Then he moved.
His wrists twisted once. The red scarf fell off like it was nothing.
Her jaw dropped. "You... how..."
Before she could finish, he sat up. In a blink, he flipped her onto her back. The mattress dipped under his weight as he hovered over her, arms caging her in.
Heat came off his body. His face was close. Too close. That smirk was back.
'Okay, unfair. That's just unfair. Do all call boys look like this or did I hit the jackpot?'
"Maybe you should've practiced tying knots first," he said quietly.
Her legs pressed together. Stupid body.
"I'm in charge," she tried.
It sounded weak even to her own ears.
His thumb brushed her cheek. Slow. On purpose. The touch sent warmth spreading across her skin.
"You sure about that?"
Madison swallowed. Hard.
She wanted to forget. Brandon. Jessica. The embarrassment of watching her ex propose to someone else right after she'd poured her heart into a song.
She wanted reckless. She wanted to feel something other than worthless.
His touch trailed down her neck. Fingertips barely touching her skin but leaving heat behind.
She leaned into it without meaning to.
His mouth grazed her ear. Warm breath sending a jolt straight through her.
"C'mon, tipsy little fox. What do you actually want?"
"Everything."
The word tumbled out. "I want everything."
His chest shook with a quiet laugh. She felt it buzz against her collarbone.
"Then let's start slow."
His hand slid down her arm. Traced the curve of her waist. Fingers hooked under the hem of her cream blouse, pushing the fabric up inch by inch.
A tingle shot through her. Low. Pressing.
His lips found her neck. Pressed against the pulse point there. She gasped.
He smiled against her skin. "Sensitive here?"
"Shut up," she breathed.
But her body arched into him anyway.
His hand moved higher. Traced the line of her hip. Thumb circling against bare skin.
She cursed under her breath, nails digging into his shirt.
He took his time. Kissed down her collarbone. Across her shoulder. Each touch slow. Teasing.
Her blouse slid up further. His fingers traced patterns on her stomach. Getting closer but never quite where she wanted.
"E," she whimpered.
"Hmm?"
"Stop teasing."
"But you're so fun to tease."
He unbuttoned her blouse slowly. One button. Then another. Taking his sweet time.
'Is this what they teach in call boy school? Torture by button?'
She wanted to yank it off herself but her hands felt heavy.
He pushed the fabric off her shoulders. Kissed the newly bare skin.
Her breath hitched.
His hand finally moved to the button of her jeans. Popped it open. Dragged the zipper down.
She lifted her hips to help.
He chuckled. Low. Dangerous. "Impatient?"
"Very."
He pulled her jeans down. Then her underwear. His fingers brushed against her inner thigh.
She jolted.
"So responsive."
His shirt came off. Then his pants. Then he was hovering over her again, skin against skin.
Cool air hit her. She shivered.
He looked at her. Really looked. His eyes dark. Hungry.
'Okay, definitely hit the jackpot. This man is unfairly hot.'
"Beautiful."
Heat flooded her cheeks. She tried to cover herself.
He caught her wrists. Pinned them gently above her head. "Don't hide."
His mouth found hers. The kiss was slow. Deep. Nothing like the rushed mess from earlier.
His free hand traced down her body. Cupped her breast. Thumb brushing over her nipple.
She arched into the touch. A moan escaped before she could stop it.
He pulled back. Looked at her with those intense green eyes.
"You're drunk."
"I'm fine."
"Are you sure you want this?" He paused. His thumb traced her bottom lip. "Last chance to change your mind, fox."
Her brain was fuzzy. Her body felt like it was on fire. Every nerve ending screaming for more.
"Yes. I'm sure. I want this. I want you."
He pressed a kiss to her jaw. "Good."
But he didn't move to enter her. Just kept teasing with his fingers. Building the pressure until she was squirming.
"E, please..."
"Please what?"
"You know what!"
"Say it."
Her face burned. "Please... please just..."
"Use your words, fox."
"Please... Fuck me. Now!"