She’s quiet for a second. “You said you were going for the weekend.”

  “I’m going to stay for the week.”

  “Ellis,” Delia says, annoyance clear in her voice. “I know you’re happy with her but we need you here.”

  “You don’t need me there. I can make any decisions that need to be made, just email me and call me and keep me updated.”

  “You know it isn’t that simple.”

  I clench my jaw. “Delia. I’m staying here.”

  She’s quiet for a second and I can hear her moving around, probably getting out of bed. “I’ve never seen you like this before,” she comments finally.

  “What do you mean?”

  “You’ve never, ever given up work to do something with one of your girlfriends.”

  I frown a little, thinking back. “That can’t be true.”

  “It’s true, believe me. Not even for Mel.”

  I make a little grunt, trying to find an example to prove her wrong, but I can’t. It’s a little frustrating and also a little strange.

  I can’t believe I’ve been so wrapped up in my company for so long that I’ve never once taken time off work to do something for one of my girls. But on the other hand, I can completely see that.

  Hurricane’s been my life ever since Demon came out all those years ago. It changed everything for me and since then I’ve worked tirelessly to take my company to the next level. I went from computer geek programmer to business CEO and billionaire video game magnate all on the force of my own will and work ethic.

  Suddenly I have a new priority. I don’t know what that means. Maybe it’s Claire, maybe she really is as special as I think she is. Or maybe I’m just changing.

  I don’t know. I don’t want to look too closely.

  “Keep me posted,” I say. “And sorry for calling so early.”

  She sighs. “Yeah, yeah.”

  I hang up and sip my coffee but I can’t get Delia’s words out of my mind.

  Claire finishes showering and dresses not long later. When she’s done, I rinse off and get changed as quickly as I can. We’re out the door before ten in the morning, strolling along the Philadelphia streets in the gorgeous sunshine.

  I forget all about my conversation with Delia eventually. I spend the morning pampering Claire, buying her stupidly expensive things. Anything she looks at and seems remotely interested in gets bought, even when she pushes back. It clearly makes her a little uncomfortable, the amount of money I’m willing to spend but she also doesn’t understand just how filthy rich I am. This is a drop in the ocean for me.

  We’re walking through Rittenhouse together when she grabs a seat on a bench. I sit down next to her, legs out and leaning back.

  “How’d you decide to get into video games?” I ask her as we people-watch and relax.

  “Oh, the usual way.” She shrugs. “I bet you’ve heard this story a million times.”

  “Tell it again.”

  “Well, they were my escape in high school. I wasn’t the coolest person in the world.”

  “Hard to imagine, considering the amount of anime you own,” I comment.

  She gives me a look. “Games were my escape. Sometime in college I was trying to figure out what to do and I just decided… why not do what I love?”

  “And you did?”

  “Pretty much. I had to work hard and stuff but… I guess it worked out.”

  “That’s pretty impressive.”

  “Not as impressive as making your own game and becoming a billionaire,” she notes.

  “True,” I concede with a grin. “But I’m sure you’re working on something.”

  “Yeah, I mean, of course.”

  “Show me,” I say.

  She blushes and shakes her head. “No way.”

  “Come on.”

  “Nope. It’s not ready.”

  “Fine. But when you think it is, show me.”

  “You’ll just be nice and tell me it’s great then never mention it again.”

  “I’ll tell you if it sucks. I promise.”

  She rolls her eyes. “Thanks.”

  “Seriously. I’ll tell you if it sucks and I’ll suggest ways to make it better. And if I think it’s amazing, I’ll tell you that, too. I’ll just be honest.”

  “I’m not sure I want honesty.”

  I know what she means. “Well, it’s up to you.”

  “Fine. Maybe I’ll show you one day.”

  She leans over and rests her head on my shoulder. I sit there and just enjoy being close to her.

  Her story is really similar to my own. Games were my escape too. I wasn’t always so tall and women didn’t always think I was handsome. Back then I was just another geeky kid before I hit my growth spurt my senior year of high school.

  By then I was already deep down the rabbit hole of video gaming. I spent most of high school and then the first part of college working on Demon. When it finally came out, released as a demo online, it just absolutely exploded.

  Now here we are, years later. I can’t act like there’s not a huge element of luck involved in all that. But I worked my ass off to capitalize on every little bit of luck that came my way.

  “I have an idea,” I say suddenly. “Have you played the new Demon game?”

  She arches her eyebrow at me. “Of course.”

  “Your office got the early release?”

  “Roger passed it around,” she says.

  “Good.” I grin at her. “Let’s go play.”

  She smiles a little. “Right now?”

  “Sure. I’ll get us into the office.” I cock my head and lean closer to her. “Loser strips,” I say.

  She laughs. “I’m pretty good, you know.”

  “I made the game.”

  “Doesn’t mean you’re good at it.”

  “Prove it.”

  She stands up. “Okay then. You’re on.” She takes my hand and pulls me to my feet. I lead her on down the block, a grin on my lips.

  8

  Claire

  The office is abandoned. Ellis grabs some computers from random desks, making me cringe the whole time, and sets them up in the conference room. He places them so we’ll be sitting facing each other with the computer monitors in the way.

  Demon is a shooter game with a lot of rules and mechanics. It wasn’t my favorite game back in the day but I’ve been putting a lot of time into it lately. I mean, since I’m working on it, I might as well be good at it too.

  “Okay,” Ellis says once we’re set. “Sure you can handle it?”

  “Only if you’re sure.”

  He grins. “Game on.”

  And so we start playing. I’m not sure what to expect but Ellis comes out the gate fast and wins the first round. He grins and winks at me.

  “Beginner’s luck,” he says.

  I glare at him and get serious. The second round takes longer and is a better fight, but he wins it again.

  He yawns. “Too easy,” he says.

  “If you gloat again, I swear I’m going to ram a keyboard down your throat.”

  “Love to see you try.” The next round starts. “Can’t wait to see you strip.”

  I clench my jaw and concentrate. It’s another long fight, but this time I come out on top.

  “Ha!” I exclaim. “Take that, asshole.”

  “Nice one,” he says, laughing.

  “You shouldn’t have pissed me off.”

  “I don’t know. I think you’re sexy when you’re being competitive.”

  We start the fourth round and this time I come out fast and hard. He’s surprised and I manage to get a lucky shot in, winning it in less than ten seconds.

  He curses and I can tell he’s only pretending like he doesn’t care about this competition. We’re tied at two apiece, and whoever wins this last round wins the match.

  I take a deep breath. I’ve never wanted to win a shooter game so much in my life before. Ellis grins at me around the screens and winks just as the round starts.

  It’s another long, dragged-out fight. There are a few close calls and by the time I’m literally sweating, I can hear Ellis cursing and furiously clicking away, but I’m giving just as good as I get.

  And just when I think I’m about to win, he springs a trap on me. I scream as he kills me and wins the whole thing with a loud cheer.

  “Fuck, yeah!” he growls.

  I groan and lean back in my chair. “What happened to letting the lady win?”

  “Fuck that,” he says. “You gotta earn your victories.”

  I sigh dramatically. “You’re no gentleman.”

  “Damn right I’m not. Gentlemen are boring as fuck.” He stands and stretches before coming around the table and crossing his arms. “Now, I think you owe me something.”

  I quirk an eyebrow. “Best of three?”

  “Nah.” He waits a beat. “Strip.”

  I bite my lip. “Are you sure we’re alone?”

  “I’m sure.”

  I stand up, my heart beating fast. “Okay then.” I reach down to take off my shirt.

  “Wait,” he says, holding up a hand. I frown and pause just before lifting my shirt up over my breasts. “I’m going to offer you an alternative deal.”

  I let my shirt fall. “What is it?”

  “Give me some honest feedback about the game and you can avoid stripping.”

  “Really?” I frown, almost disappointed.

  “No bullshit,” he says, coming toward me. He stops inches away and runs his fingers through my hair. “No fucking lying. Tell me the shit you think is wrong and don’t sugarcoat it.”

  He pulls my hair and I take a sharp breath. “The mechanics are clunky,” I say. “The button layout needs work. And the hitboxes are all way off. And I think some of the level design could use some work.”

  He chuckles softly. “Damn. What else?”

  “That’s it.”

  “That’s a lot.”

  “I know. I’m sorry.”

  He grips my hair and pulls me against him. “You just insulted the most important game in my entire life, you know that?”

  “I know,” I say softly.

  He tilts my chin up and kisses me. “Thank you,” he says.

  I blink. “Really?”

  “Nobody tells me the truth anymore,” he says. “People want to kiss my ass because I’m successful. Nobody’s willing to step up and say something sucks.”

  “Except for me now, I guess.”

  “I need that from someone, Claire. I got this far by taking criticism and making my shit better. I needed to hear it.”

  “What will you do with me now?” I ask him.

  He grins. “Well, since you ripped apart my game, I think I have to punish you.”

  “But you said you wanted to hear it.”

  “Oh, I know. I can’t let you off the hook that easily, though.” He grips my hair harder and pulls me tight against him. “Are you ready to take your punishment, little Claire?”

  “Yes, sir,” I whisper.

  He kisses me, his eyes blazing with desire, and I melt into his embrace.

  9

  Ellis

  He bends me over the conference room table and spanks my ass nice and hard.

  The slap resounds in the otherwise empty space. I gasp slightly as he grabs my hair, pulling it back toward him. He grabs my throat and kisses me over my shoulder.

  “I dream about doing that,” he whispers. “I love spanking this tight ass and making you moan. You love it when I take control, don’t you?”

  “Yes,” I gasp as he spanks me again, unable to help myself.

  We’re in the middle of the conference room and if anyone comes into the office right now, they’re going to see the big boss spanking me, let alone the computers set up where they shouldn’t be. I know it’s a huge risk letting him take me like this. Someone could come in just to get some extra work done after hours.

  But I can’t help myself. His lips feel so good and I’ve been dreaming about this too. Ever since he left, I’ve been thinking about him coming back and giving me what I need.

  His hands are firm and rough as he spins me around. I’m wearing just my bra and panties and he’s down to his boxer briefs. I reach out and grab his shaft and stroke him over the fabric, moaning into his kiss as he pulls me tight against him.

  I shift him to the side and push him back against the table. He leans back against it while I drop to my knees and pull his boxer briefs down with me. His cock is rock hard already and I can feel myself getting even wetter as I take his shaft in my hand. There’s something sexy about this man getting so hard just from me. He’s probably been with hundreds of girls but I’m the one that gets him rock hard like this.

  It drives me wild. I take his cock between my lips and suck his tip hard. I gag but keep going because I know he likes it like that. I moan while I suck him and he pushes me down deep, his hands firm in my hair, taking what he wants. I love the way he knows what he wants and he always makes sure he takes it.

  Everything about him drives me wild. I never knew I loved sucking cock but with him I love making him groan and I love gagging and I love feeling so filthy. I suck him faster and sloppier, stroking him with my hands.

  He grabs my hair and pushes me down again. I take him deep into my throat, or at least as deep as I can. He groans and growls and pulls me back. “Fuck, girl, you’re so goddamn sexy with a cock buried down your throat,” he says and pulls me to my feet.

  I kiss him hard as he turns me and lifts me up, putting me back down onto the table. I wrap my legs around him as he pushes my panties aside and teases me with his cock.

  I groan when he sinks himself deep inside. He’s so big and thick and no matter how much I take him, I don’t think I’ll ever fully get used to it. He strokes slow at first, kissing me, and he takes my bra off. I toss it on the floor as he kisses my chest and palms my breasts, teasing my nipples with his tongue and fingers. I gasp when he thrusts nice and deep.

  “Fuck, you feel good,” he whispers. “Tight and fucking wet. I love it when your cunt wraps around my big dick.”

  “I want you to fuck me,” I say. “I need to be punished.”

  His eyes flash. “Damn right you do.” He grabs my hair tight. “You don’t think I’m punishing you enough?”

  “No,” I moan.

  He growls in my ear. “You want me to make it hurt?”

  “Not too bad,” I whine.

  He growls again and thrusts hard deep inside of me. I gasp as he starts he fuck me rough. I lean back on my hands and he slams his cock nice and deep between my legs, holding onto my hips. My breasts shake with each hard thrust and I’m buzzing with need and energy. I want him deeper and harder and rougher.

  He leans over and kisses me again, grabbing my hair, grinding his thick cock deep between my legs. He pulls me off the table and turns me around, bending me over roughly.

  He spanks my ass hard. I gasp and look over my shoulder but he pushes me back down. I groan as he teases me with his fingers. He slides my panties off and kicks them aside before spanking my ass nice and rough again.

  I’m completely naked and at his mercy. He pins my arms down and slides his cock deep inside of me from behind. I take him deep and he fucks me rough, not holding back. I’m pinned and dominated and I love every second of it.

  “You filthy girl,” he growls. “You love getting your ass spanked and your cunt fucked. Look at you, gasping for my big fucking cock.” He pulls my hair and spanks me again. “You want it harder, don’t you?”

  “Please,” I moan.

  He fucks me rougher, hand over my throat. He takes me deep and hard and I’m throbbing for him with every new thrust.

  “You filthy girl,” he whispers. “Goddamn, you feel good. This fucking pussy was made for me.”

  “Please,” I moan. “Fuck me, Ellis. Punish me.”

  “You’ve been bad,” he growls. “Such a bad fucking girl. You need my big fat cock to make you good again, don’t you? You need to get fucked rough and hard like the filthy girl you are.”

  “Please,” I moan as he fucks me deeper. “I want to be a good girl.”

  “Take my fucking cock,” he growls. “You filthy fucking girl.”

  He spanks my ass hard and I moan. I’m buzzing with pleasure and so high from his cock that I can barely remember my own name. He reaches around my hips suddenly and start to rub my clit with his fingers as he keeps grinding his enormous cock deep inside me.

  I’m moaning his name and begging for more. He’s thrusting deeper and rougher and it’s half pain and half ecstasy. His fingers feel so good on my pussy and I know I can’t take too much more of this as he spanks my ass raw again.

  He growls and pulls my hair, kissing me before pushing me back down. He thrusts deeper and harder inside my pussy and I’m moaning the whole time, completely lost in the moment. I don’t care where I am or if we could get caught. I only need his cock and his arms and his body.

  I gasp as he thrusts and hits just the right spot. I roll my hips and push back against him. I need it so desperately that I’m panting and begging him to keep going. He growls like an animal and slams his cock deeper and harder inside my tight pussy just as my orgasm reaches its peak.

  I come hard all over his big cock. He groans and grabs my hair and that little bit of pain makes the orgasm so much more intense. I’m moaning loud and taking his big dick and he’s not being gentle or slowing down. He growls and fucks me and I take him like a good girl.

  I feel him come moments later, filling me up to the brim. I groan and I love the feeling of him spurting deep between my legs. I gasp when he pulls out and turns me around, gets me on my knees, and makes me suck him dry.

  “Finish me off,” he growls. “Clean that cock up. I want every bit of your juice licked off.”

  I finish him and swallow his cum. I lick his cock clean like a good, obedient girl. When I’m finished, he picks me up and kisses me hard.

  “Good girl,” he whispers. “God damn, you are a good girl.”

  I kiss him back and melt into his embrace. I’m buzzing with desire and need and, god, I’ve never had a man make me feel like this before.