Contracted To The Beast novel Chapter 5

Chapter 5

‘Hell…Dammit!”

My fingers wouldn’t stop gripping the steering wheel. Every few seconds I caught myself pressing harder, like I could squeeze the memory of her out of my hands. That kiss. Nia’s mouth had been soft and warm, tasting like citrus and cherry gloss. Nothing like the girls from high school. Nothing like what I expected after all these years.

“Fuck.”

Coach had lost his damn mind putting us in that position. I yanked the wheel and pulled into the driveway of my building. No way I was going back to the condo tonight. We ain’t playing couples tonight since the paparazzi’s ain’there to snoop

Not with the dirty shit running through my head-her small back under my palm, the way she leaned into me, the little sound she made when our lips met. If I saw her right now, I wouldn’t stop at a kiss.

I had my driver drop her at the arena so she could take her own car home. Smart move. Safe move.

The night air hit me cold when I stepped out. Rain had been coming and going all week, leaving everything wet. I grabbed my coat and duffle bag, muscles still tight from the game and everything after.

“Evening, Mr. Kane,” the valet said.

I tossed him the keys without a word. Couldn’t speak if I tried. My mind was too loud.

The building rose above me, all glass and black marble. Floor-to-ceiling windows caught the city lights and threw them back. Sparse plants and bright flowers lined the walkway. I’d paid good money for this place because it felt like mine, high up. private, away from the noise. Tonight it barely registered. I just wanted to get inside and scrub the day off my skin.

I took the private elevator straight to my floor. The doors opened right into the apartment. Same black marble walls, same huge windows. Burgundy and navy furniture broke up the darkness. It usually settled me. Not tonight.

I headed straight for the shower and cranked the cold water. The first blast hit my back like needles. I planted both hands on the tile wall and let it pound down my spine, over my shoulders, down to my knees. Water ran through my dark hair and into my eyes. I hoped it would wash away her taste. Her smell. The way her body had fit against mine for those few seconds.

It didn’t.

I stayed under the spray until my skin went numb. When I finally stepped out, I shook the water from my hair like a damn dog. A towel hung low on my hips as I walked into the bedroom, still dripping.

“You’re acting like a dog,” a familiar voice said with a soft laugh.

I spun around. Bella stretched across my bed in a tight scarlet red dress that barely covered anything. Her long legs crossed at the ankles, those red-bottom Christian Louboutin heels catching the light. Blonde hair fell in perfect beachy waves over her shoulders. She looked expensive. Dangerous.

“What the fuck are you doing in my house?” I snarled.

She smiled like I’d said something cute and slid off the bed, hips swaying as she came toward me. “That attitude is why they call you the Beast, baby.”

“How did you get in?”

Bella tilted her head, all innocent blue eyes. “You gave me the passcode, silly. Don’t you remember?” She reached out and traced a water droplet running down the tattoo on my chest with one long manicured nail.

I smacked her hand away. “Leave. Now.”

14:32 Tue, Jul 7 MAA

Chapter 5

Her smile faltered for half a second, then sharpened. “How dare you?” She stepped closer, icy eyes locking on mine “Is it because of that… skank?”

“Don’t ever call her that again.” I grabbed her wrist and started pulling her toward the door, through the bedroom and into the living room.

Bella dug her heels in, smacking my bare chest with her free hand. “You’re defending her? You’re not even dating the girl and you’re already taking her side? You’ve never taken my side. Not once!”

“Don’t test me, Bella.”

She yanked against my grip, eyes turning stormy. “Take your finger out of my face. She isn’t even here and you’re this worked up. “Interesting. You’ve never looked this distracted after leaving my bed.”

Before I could answer, she dropped to her knees right there in the middle of the room. Her hands went for the towel.

“Bella,” I warned, voice low.

“Let me, baby.” she whispered, voice sweet like honey over broken glass. She tugged the towel free and took me into her mouth in one smooth motion.

Heat shot up my spine. My eyes rolled back before I could stop them. She felt warm and wet, tongue working me like she knew every trick I liked. I wrapped her shiny blonde hair around my fist and held on as she bobbed deeper, gagging softly when I hit the back of her throat.

“Just like that,” I muttered, hips moving on their own. “Keep going.”

She pulled back just enough to stroke me with her hand, lips shiny and red. “You like that, Daddy?”

“Less talking.” I yanked her hair harder and thrust into her mouth, fucking her face with short, rough strokes. Saliva dripped down her chin. Tears smeared her mascara, but she didn’t pull away. She took it, moaning around my cock like she lived for this.

After a minute I dragged her up and pushed her toward the couch. “Get on it. Face down.”

Bella obeyed fast, ass up, dress riding so high she might as well have been naked. No underwear. I smacked her ass hard twice. The sound cracked through the room and she moaned loud, pushing back against me like a bitch in heat.

I left her there long enough to grab lube and a condom from the bedroom. I wasn’t stupid enough to trust her with just the pill.

Back on the couch, I poured cold lube over her ass and rubbed it down to her pussy with rough fingers. She shivered and whimpered my name. I lined up and slammed into her in one thrust, no warning.

“Maddox!” she screamed.

“Shut. The. Fuck. Up.” Each word came with a hard thrust. I shoved her face down into the cushion, muffling her cries as I pounded into her. Her fake tits bounced under my hand when I grabbed one. Her heels dug into my thighs. The wet slap of skin filled the room along with her choked moans.

“I bet this is how you screamed for him,” I growled, anger and lust twisting together. “Huh?”

“I’m sorry,” she gasped between thrusts, tears soaking the cushion. “He wasn’t this good. That’s why I came back, Daddy.”

The words hit like ice water. The heat in my gut turned sour. Everything felt wrong, like resentment and regret. I pulled out fast, chest heaving.

This wasn’t it. Not even close. No spark. No pull. No… her.

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Chapter 5

Nia hadn’t tried and still wrecked me more than this.

“Get the fuck out of my house.”

“Mad-”

“Out.” My voice came out flat and venomous.

wtur her

Bella stood on shaky legs, dress twisted, makeup ruined, lipstick smeared across her cheek. For a second she looked small and hurt, eyes wide like I’d broken her heart. Then the mask slipped and pure bitch flashed in her stare. She grabbed her ” purse, tossed her hair, and walked out without another word. The door clicked shut behind her.

“Fuck.”

I ripped the condom off, wrapped the towel back around my waist, and went to the bar. Poured two fingers of whiskey, near The burn felt good as I carried the glass to the huge window. Outside, light drizzle turned into steady rain, streaks running down the glass.

I stepped onto the balcony, rain cool on my bare shoulders. The city skyline blurred in the downpour. My mind wouldn’t shut up. Nia’s kiss had been warm. Real. Her body pressed against mine felt like something I could hold onto. Sex with Bell had been cold and hollow, even while I was buried inside her. Just another way to scratch an itch that never got satisfied.

“Damn Nia and that kiss,” I said out loud to the rain.

I paced the wet balcony, whiskey glass tight in my hand. The more I thought about her, the clearer it got. She wasn’t like Bella. She didn’t play games or drop to her knees to win fights. She tasted like cherry gloss and second chances, and that scared the shit out of me.

My phone rang sharp and loud from inside. I went back in, water dripping off me onto the floor.

“Father.” I answered, voice flat.

“You’ve embarrassed me again, Maddox.” His tone cut like broken glass. No hello. No bullshit.

“I’m sor-”

“Save it. We’re having a family dinner this weekend. You will be there. No excuses.” He hung up before I could say another word.

“Shit.”

My father didn’t ask. He commanded. Always had.

I set the phone down and stared at the rain again. My family was a different kind of poison. Old money, old expectations, old secrets that could destroy people.

I’d kept Nia away from that world so far. After today-after that kiss, I needed to make damn sure it stayed that way.

Whatever mess I had with Bella, whatever rage sat coiled in my chest, whatever games my father was already setting into motion… none of it touched her.

It wouldn’t.

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