Skyscrapers & Camelot (Renovate Book 1)

by Mindy Carter

  “Can I come in?” he asks.

  “Yes,” I answer, and he lets out another long breath.

  Once we enter the apartment, he grabs me, and I relax into his embrace.

  “I’m so sorry for last night,” he apologizes.

  “I’m sorry, too, for not staying and letting you explain.”

  “You have nothing to be sorry for, Aimee.” He grabs my face and kisses me with everything that he’s been holding in. If this kiss is his apology, I will take a million of them.

  I grab his head so our bodies are touching. Everything I’m holding—purse and briefcase—falls to the floor. He picks me up bridal-style, not breaking our magnificent kiss, and takes us back to my room where he sets me delicately on my bed. Then he backs away, staring at me as he removes his suit jacket, loosening his tie, and slowly pulling it off.

  Kicking off his shoes, he saunters to me and removes my own shoes then hovers over me, placing soft kisses down my neck. Running my hands down his back, I feel his hard muscles.

  When I begin to unbutton his shirt, he helps by pulling it off, and his undershirt follows. I run my hands down his chest and undo his belt. I can feel his erection through his pants as I undo the button. I grab his long length through his underwear, knowing he enjoys my assault when I hear his moan, and he quickly stands, removing the rest of his clothes.

  Returning to me in record time, he caresses my breasts. “You’re wearing too many clothes.”

  I start unbuttoning my top and throw it to the floor, followed by my bra.

  “Here, let me help you.” He pulls off my skirt and underwear in one swift move.

  Both fully naked, our hot bodies touch, and everything I have been feeling lets loose. This is make-up sex at its finest. We are both apologizing with our bodies, and I plan on it to count.

  Kissing me hard, he slips his tongue in my mouth as his hand moves down below my stomach until he finds my clit. I arch my back, letting out a loud moan.

  “That’s what you like, Aimee? I can tell because you are soaking wet. I can’t wait to be inside of you,” he whispers.

  “I want you inside of me, Keegan.”

  He separates himself from me and locates a condom from his wallet. I watch as he tears the package open then throws the wrapper on the ground before rolling the rubber on without taking his eyes off me. It’s as if he’s making love to me with his eyes every time he looks at me.

  I spread my legs for him, and he places himself at my entrance then pauses for a moment before entering me. Simultaneously, we both let out a moan of pleasure.

  “Aimee, I could live inside of you.”

  I lift my hips so he can sink deeper inside of me. Then we start moving together slowly, our gazes locked. He has me in a lustful trance I wouldn’t want to be snapped out of.

  “Keegan,” I moan.

  “Say my name again, Aimee,” he demands.

  “Keegan, Keegan, Keegan,” I repeat for him, hoping it’s enough. It must be because he starts moving at a quicker pace.

  I’m lightheaded, but in a good way. I run my fingernails down his back, breaking his skin, which makes him pound into me even harder. If I died right now, I would go happy.

  He grabs my ass and rolls us over so I’m on top of him, never losing our connection. With my knees on either side of him, I lift myself off his body, bracing myself with my hands on his muscular chest. I ride him anxiously as he massages my breasts. Then he does something unexpected and pinches my nipples, and that is the beginning of my undoing.

  I bounce up and down on him as hard as I can, feeling my impending orgasm building more and more. He removes one hand from my breast, touching my clit.

  “Come, Aimee. Now, come for me now.”

  My body obliges in what I can only describe as a euphoric orgasm, exploding around him, and as my muscles contract, he follows me into bliss. Afterward, I fall on top of him and listen to his strong heartbeat as my breathing slows.

  He runs his hands soothingly down my back. “I love you.”

  “I love you to the stars,” I return.

  He lets out an infectious laugh.

  Lying on him, I begin to doze off, but he slips out from under me so he can discard the condom, throwing it in my trashcan. Then he returns and pulls me to him so his arms are wrapped around me with my head placed on his chest.

  Running his fingers through my hair, he says, “That’s not what I planned. I had every intention of just talking.”

  “Are you disappointed?”

  “Not in the slightest.” He kisses the top of my head.

  “Do you want to talk now?”

  “I just wanted you to understand that Gretchen doesn’t normally shower at my place or wear my clothes. We were having a quick, celebratory drink, but the fucking bottle exploded. The cork almost took my eye out. We were soaked, so we took two showers, separately. I swear to you nothing happened. Gretchen is just a friend, and I only want you.”

  I hold my tears back. “I know. I’m sorry for being stupid. It’s just, she’s so beautiful, and you spend all this time together. There is also the fact that she hates me.”

  “She doesn’t hate you. How could anyone ever hate you? And her beauty doesn’t even compare to yours. Her problems are with me, not you. I’m sorry if she’s given you a hard time, but you’ll tell me if she ever says anything that makes you uncomfortable, right?”

  As he looks at me with concern, all my insecurities fade away, so I nod. However, I don’t think he’s satisfied with my answer or lack thereof, because he continues.

  “She’s my assistant; it’s just work. She doesn’t get the part of me that I give to you. I get to be the real me when I’m with you. I don’t have to worry about deadlines or specs for buildings. I can just be me with you.”

  I don’t know why he feels like there is anything wrong with the person he is. He was wonderful when we were kids and even more wonderful now. He has matured into the man I always knew he would.

  I kiss him on his chest. “I wouldn’t want you to be anyone else. The real Keegan you’re referring to is the person I have always wanted to be with. There’s nothing wrong with him. He’s just mine, and I am his.

  “This is still new for both of us. I know you have commitments that I may not understand or even like, but I am so stinking proud of you, Keegan James. You followed your dreams and grew your vision into something real and full of passion,” I tell him from my heart.

  Keegan lets out a long exhale, one I can feel in my hair without responding, but he doesn’t need to. I said my peace. I simply want him to know how special he is. This was only a small bump for us, and I’m sure there will be plenty. Well, I know there will be. I have a tall blonde who is trouble to keep an eye on. However, we found our way back to each other, and that means something. I know it does.

  “How come every time we are together is better than the last?”

  “I’m pretty talented,” he teases.

  I give him a friendly slap on his chest, and he acts like I wounded him. It’s absolutely adorable, especially when I get to see his smile.

  “That, you are. I’m sure there are women all over the world weeping because you are no longer Mr. Eligible Bachelor,” I say before realizing we haven’t talked about what we are. I have called him my boyfriend, but is that what he is to me, or is this just something that is unspoken between us?

  “Aimee Brennan, will you go steady with me?”

  I am dying with laughter at his question. He reads me so well.

  “Well?” he asks when I don’t answer right away.

  I look up at him. “I would love to go steady with you, Keegan James, on one condition. Do I get your letterman jacket?”

  “Oh, I think that can be arranged,” he tells me.

  Keegan gave his letterman jacket to his girlfriend in high school, and I would always get mad when I saw her wearing it. She didn’t care about him or how he got his letter. She only wanted to date the captain of the baseball team. I
went to every single one of his games and practices, not her. They broke up shortly before his senior year over something stupid, like him not taking her to the junior prom. He took me, now that I think about it, and we had made a pact that we would be one another’s dates to our senior proms. I was his, but he wasn’t mine. I always thought high school dances were stupid, anyway.

  My stomach growls loud enough for Keegan to hear.

  “I think I need to feed you.”

  I hide my face in my pillow, embarrassed, but he pulls me up so I’m standing. Picking up his shirt from the floor, he gives it to me to wear then turns around to grab his pants off the floor, and I sneak a sniff of his shirt, inhaling deeply. It smells just like him. When Keegan turns around, smiling as he pulls on his pants, I put his shirt on and button it. The shirt falls to just above my knees, the material cool on my skin, soft and luxurious.

  Grabbing my hand, he pulls me with him to our kitchen where he motions me over to the dining room table to sit. I watch him open the fridge and pull out a few things then begins searching for pans, finding what he’s looking for. I love watching him, and it certainly doesn’t hurt that he is shirtless. I hope he doesn’t catch me drooling.

  He whistles while he works on our meal, sneaking glances at me when he can.

  Placing two plates down at the table when he’s done, I see he has made us sautéed chicken and vegetables. He sets down two glasses of white wine, and then we eat in silence. I’m still feeling high from our lovemaking. This man is a dream, and he’s all mine.

  After finishing dinner, we both work on the dishes together, which feels so domestic. I’m drying the last dish and putting it away when I feel him step behind me, wrapping his hands around my middle. He places his chin on my shoulder, giving me goose bumps with his course stubble against my cheek.

  “Aimee, you are so sexy, and you smell so good.”

  I lean into him, completely turned on, and he begins kissing my neck. He’s insatiable and talented, so talented. I let out breathy moan.

  “I love the sounds you make.” He turns me around to face him and lifts me up on the counter, wedging himself between my legs so I can feel his hard length.

  “I want to make love to you right here, but I’m afraid Reese or my brother will walk in at any moment,” he whispers in my ear.

  “I don’t care.”

  He lets out the sexiest laugh as he picks me up. Wrapping my arms and legs around him, I revel in his strength as he kisses me more.

  Keegan begins moving us toward my bedroom. Closing the door with his foot, he then takes us to the bed where he slowly places me down so he can continue his assault. It doesn’t take long to lose our clothes, and then we make love throughout the night. It’s going to be another long day at work in the morning, but I don’t care. Every single night spent with him is worth it.

  Chapter Nineteen

  I’m at work, staring at my computer screen in a daze. Is it possible to be high off of someone? Keegan does that to me. I can still feel his hands covering my body. There wasn’t any part of me his lips didn’t touch. Falling asleep in his arms was beyond wonderful. Waking up to his kisses on my stomach was heavenly. I didn’t want to get out of bed this morning, and my muscles ache from the previous night’s activities. Yes, I definitely had quite the work out last night.

  “Well, well, well. By that smile and dreamy look on your face, I assume you and the boyfriend patched things up.” Reese takes me out of my thoughts.

  She spent the night with Kaleb, thankfully, and wasn’t witness to our lovemaking last night. If she was, I’m sure I would hear about our loud moans and screams.

  “Yes, we did,” I say with a wide smile.

  “You have that glow, Aimee.”

  “Really?”

  “You’re shining. I don’t think I’ve seen you this happy, ever. Just because he’s got you all happier than a clam, it doesn’t mean I won’t be keeping an eye out on him, though. My original threat remains. He only gets one pass, so if he wants to keep his balls intact, he will think twice about hurting you.”

  She won’t let up on this cutting off his balls threat. I think she hopes he messes up just so she can cut them off. My best friend is a sadist, and I fear for Kaleb’s safety if he ever crosses her.

  “He won’t hurt me,” I whisper, knowing he has the power to destroy me. I’m so smitten with him I’m starting to believe this man can move mountains.

  “Ladies’ night tonight with Olivia after work. I hope you haven’t forgotten.”

  “No, I haven’t forgotten. I’m game.”

  For a minute, I think she believed she might have to drag me out tonight. Relationships can be tricky, and although I would love to spend every waking moment with Keegan, that’s not healthy. As a result, I’m looking forward to our monthly girls’ outing.

  “Cool. Drinks on me.” Thank goodness for cabs because Reese looks serious about tonight. One thing she knows is fun.

  Reese leaves so we both can get back to work or, at least for me, my daydreaming.

  In the middle of the day, I receive a text from Keegan.

  You and me, Saturday night. Pack a bag

  He’s being very bossy again, but I don’t mind. He can boss me around anytime.

  I reply, Okay. Anything specific I should pack?

  Just the essentials, minus your underwear

  He’s being flirty, and I love it.

  Your wish is my command

  He replies back with one word, PROMISE?

  ALWAYS!

  Have fun tonight and be careful. Call if you need a ride.

  Always the gentleman. His concern for me is heartwarming. He’s always been this way with me, and I never realized how much I missed it.

  Thanks, they have these things you may have heard of called taxis, but if New York City suddenly doesn’t have any, you will be the first person I call. Love you.

  One last message comes through. I’m serious, woman. And I love you to the stars.

  I let him have the last word and put my phone down.

  Once it’s five o’clock, I freshen up, adding a touch of my coral lipstick. Satisfied with my appearance, I meet Olivia and Reese in the front of the office where they are waiting for me. Both are laughing about something when I approach.

  “What’s so funny?” I ask.

  “Reese was just telling me about your um … encounters with her boyfriend’s behind,” Olivia explains.

  I roll my eyes. “Next time, I’ll take a picture for you, Olivia.”

  We both laugh. I think one or both of them have already started ladies’ night early.

  “Ladies, are we ready?”

  Each time we get together, one of us chooses our destination. It’s Reese’s turn, and she wants to hit the Sky Bar in Times Square. It’s a fun place and has great views of the Hudson and Empire State building. The atmosphere is electric, and there are several terraces to move to.

  The three of us pile into a taxi, and the driver wastes no time weaving in and out of traffic to get us to midtown in record time. You would think after living in the city for several years that I would be used to being jostled around, but I’m not, and as I step out of the cab after paying the fare, I feel a little dizzy.

  It’s happy hour, so the bar is packed. There isn’t much room to move around, but we finally make our way through the crowd. Reese orders us our drinks after grabbing a bartender’s attention by whistling loudly. We grab our drinks and head over to a table that a group of people just left. Sitting down, we have the perfect view to people watch.

  One of the rules of our girls’ night is no work talk or boy drama. It’s just about us girls, and I look forward to this time. We don’t have to worry about impressing anyone; it’s all about us.

  As we sit back and survey our surroundings, Reese and Olivia make fun of a few guys who are getting shot down. I can’t help feeling bad for them. It’s hard enough living in New York City, but dating is even worse. You might think that a city with
over eight million people, it would be easy to find a date, but it’s not. I have met a few guys and gone on a date here and there. Let’s just say, none of those dates made me weak in the knees like Keegan has.

  I’m watching the bar when I see a flash of blonde hair and think I’m seeing things when I see the familiar half-dressed woman. I blink a few times and focus on her again, hoping I just had too much to drink, but when she looks at me with utter coldness, I know it’s Gretchen.

  Of all the places in the city we could have gone, why did we have to pick the one where she showed up?

  Now, all I want to do is leave. Just because I swept this whole thing with her under the rug, it doesn’t mean I’m not still furious with the woman. She’s like a leech you can’t remove.

  “No, you don’t. Look at me, Aimee,” Reese demands. “She’s not worth ruining your night or mine, for that matter.”

  Olivia looks at us, confused, but then recognition shows on her face when she sees Gretchen, who appears to be flirting with an attractive looking guy I would only describe as metrosexual. He has blonde hair styled perfectly, which in a way matches hers.

  “Let’s dance, girls,” Olivia says, breaking into my thoughts. We most likely will lose are table, but if I have to dance all night so I won’t have to see Gretchen, that’s fine with me.

  I can feel the bass in my chest as we make our way over to where a DJ is spinning tunes. I take another sip of my drink, feeling the liquor do the trick of taking over. I begin to sway to the music with Reese and Olivia. A few men try to dance with us, but we shoot every one of them down. It’s girls’ night, no boys allowed.

  Just as “Sugar” by Maroon 5 starts to play, I catch a glimpse of Gretchen from the corner of my eye. Is it my imagination or has her dress gotten shorter? She’s dancing with the guy from earlier, and they are all over each other. I can’t tell where one begins or ends.

  The room suddenly gets hotter, making me believe I might be more buzzed than I thought, so I let the girls know I’m heading to the bathroom.

  I look in the mirror to see my pupils are huge and a little red. Maybe I should switch to water. I splash water on my face, and it helps to sober me a little. When I look up into the mirror again, staring back at me is Gretchen. Now that I see her in the light, I am aware that the scowl she’s wearing is aimed at me. Is she following me? What does she want? I guess avoiding her wasn’t the answer because now she looks like she’s going to spit nails.