Because He Plays Me (Because He Owns Me, Book Seven) by Hannah Ford Page B

me if Madden had ordered the weather to be perfect. I felt him approaching behind me even though he had yet to touch me. My body came alive, hyper aware that he was only inches from me.
    I craved his hands on me in a way that took my breath away.
    Without thinking, I wrapped my fingers around the wrought iron railing and arched my back.
    He lifted my hair and moved it off one shoulder, then slid the edge of my peasant blouse down to expose the skin there. Goose bumps sprang up and my skin got tighter. He did nothing and my breath hitched in my chest. He was the most potent kind of aphrodisiac and it was killing me oh so slowly.
    I tilted my head a fraction, offering myself to him. Hot breath washed over my neck and a low groan tore from my throat. My knuckles were white and I pushed my ass back until I felt the hardness of his cock pressing against my lower back. I needed him more than I needed air at that moment.
    “I am going to enjoy making you come apart over and over again,” he murmured in my ear. “With my tongue. With my cock. Every time you do, I want to hear you scream my name. Is that clear, Skylar?”
    He had yet to touch me and I was wet and throbbing with need. His voice, his words, did something to me. If he touched me now I would scream his name across the entire ocean.
    “Yes,” I said hoarsely. My hips moved involuntarily against the hardness in his jeans. Did he want me to beg? I never had before in my life, but I would.
    “I’ve got meetings until late afternoon. Isabella is waiting in the lobby and she’ll take you shopping. She knows what you need but you should know,” he ran his lips down the column of my neck, turning my legs to jelly, “that black lace drives me fucking insane.”
    It wasn’t until cool air washed over my overheated skin that I realized he was gone. I looked over my shoulder and the room was empty. How long had I been standing there like that?
    My fingers ached from gripping the rail so tight and I forced them to relax.
    He was trying to kill me. That was the only explanation. I sucked in several deep breaths of air. My skin still buzzed with awareness even though he was gone now.
    “If teasing were an Olympic Sport, you’d win a gold medal Madden Cross,” I said to the empty room. If I had known this was what I was getting into when I agreed to his offer, I might have said no.
    A soft knock came from the door to the room. When I crossed and opened it, a tiny woman stood there with a bright smile. Her grey hair was cropped short and framed her face beautifully. She had on a teal blue jacket and cream pencil skirt. Five inch teal heels pulled the entire outfit together.
    She stuck out her hand. “I’m Isabella, Ms. Kinsey. Mr. Cross asked me to help you pick out evening attire for your stay. I have the town car waiting if you’re ready?”
    I shook her hand and noticed how ragged my nails looked next to her perfect manicure. As soon as I dropped her hand I curled my fingers into my palms.
    “I’ve also scheduled you for a massage, mani-pedi and a hair appointment before dinner. I believe Mr. Cross is meeting you there at six. Shall we go?” The whirlwind that was Isabella guided me down the steps to a waiting car before I could protest.
    A chauffeur opened the door for us and she slid in effortlessly. I climbed in behind her.
    “I’ve called ahead to the boutique and asked them to set aside a couple of dresses I think will be perfect for you. Mr. Cross mentioned you had green eyes, but he didn’t say how stunning they were. There is a dress that just came in last week that will be amazing.” Isabella typed quick notes into her phone as she talked.
    When had Madden planned all this? It was only last night that I agreed to come with him. He must have sent instructions right after that. Did he do this with all the women he brought here, or was it obvious that I would have had nothing appropriate?
    Heat climbed into my cheeks and I turned to look out the window. How