Hardpressed by Meredith Wild Read Free Book Online Page B

Erica, you can put that right out of your head. You're not going down this road for me. You were…raped, for Christ’s sake. My compulsion for control when we're fucking is the last thing you need. You're not the right person for this.”
    A sickness punched me in the gut and my skin chilled. What if I couldn’t be what he wanted? What he needed? I could posture all I wanted to in the boardroom, but my need for Blake's love had rooted itself well beyond any conscious control. “What do you mean?”
    He sat up, bringing us chest to chest, warming me with his body. He stroked my back. “I mean I need to figure this out, for you, for us. Obviously I don't know the first thing about how to turn this off other than avoiding you sometimes. Tonight was…”
    “Talking about Cooper set you off.”
    He closed his eyes, wincing at whatever memories played in his mind. He opened his eyes and kissed me sweetly.
    “You're everything to me, baby. I don't want to move backwards and talk about the past. All that shit I have no control over.”
    “Having control over me makes you feel better though,” I whispered.
    He nodded. “I need to change that.”
    “What if I don't want you to?”

CHAPTER FOUR
     
    My favorite redheaded barista set to work preparing our lattes-to-go as Alli tapped her nails on the counter.
    “How was your night?” I asked.
    “Good. Just a few drinks with the old crew. Yours?”
    “Good.” I glanced around the café, avoiding eye contact with her.
    Blake had tried valiantly to avoid the topic by fucking me right out of my mind. Even though he was holding back, his strategy had worked famously. I didn't remember falling asleep, too tired and wasted to think about anything.
    I wasn't sure how to navigate the gulf between us now. Blake had been a mystery to me in so many ways, but the more I uncovered about him, the more I fell hopelessly in love with the man. We had to figure our way through this somehow. Pulling away from me wasn't going to work.
    I looked back to Alli. She lacked the usual glow of energy that added to her natural beauty. Today her eyes were swollen and tired. “Is everything okay?”
    She brightened a bit. “Yeah, I'm fine.”
    “Were you out late?”
    “No, actually I came back early.”
    I shook my head, confused, and waited for her to continue.
    She slouched a little in defeat, letting the fatigue show in her features once more. “Heath didn’t call yesterday. I’m worried.”
    “I’m sure everything is fine.”
    “We haven’t gone a day without talking since he left. I was waiting up for his call, but nothing.”
    “I'm sure he'll call today. Don't worry.”
    She nodded and chewed her lip.
    “Do you want to do the marketing meeting later so you can get some rest?” I placed my hand over hers, wishing my happy, exuberant friend would resurface. I barely recognized her this way.
    “No, I'm fine. You're right. I'm sure it's nothing.” She offered a weak smile.
    Simone delivered our java and I paid, adding a generous tip. She waved as we headed back out.
    We made the short walk upstairs. Risa was already there. I checked my watch. She was early. She greeted us with every ounce of vivacity that the two of us lacked. She wore black patterned crop pants and a black button up that came across as impeccably professional. In dark jeans and a Portofino blouse Alli had lent me, I'd taken advantage of the decidedly casual dress code that the guys had established.
    “Alli, this is Risa Corvi, our new marketing director.”
    Risa held out her hand. “Alli, great to meet you. I'm so glad we could catch up today.”
    “Me too.”
    We settled at the small conference table at the far end of the office, and I brought Alli and Risa up to speed.
    We had been at it for nearly an hour when Blake walked in, six-feet of delicious. My eyes fixed on him, as if his entrance had somehow sucked all the oxygen out of the room and I was waiting for permission from him to breathe again. I stopped