Linny was standing next to a blonde woman. They had their arms wrapped around each other’s shoulders. They looked nothing alike, but their bond was obvious. The tag in the caption took me to Bethy’s page.
She’s attractive, but in my eyes, she doesn’t hold a candle to Linny.
“What about your family?” she asks with a grin. “All I know is that you inherited the business from your granddad. There must be more to your story.”
She has no idea.
My eyes drift over her shoulder.
“You have to be fucking kidding me.”
Her napkin snaps out of her hand and hits the table. “Jesus, West. It was just a question.”
I shake my head, holding my hand in the air. “No, angel. That comment wasn’t for you.”
She glances back over her shoulder. “Isn’t that...”
I drop my napkin on the table and rise to my feet. “That’s my assistant. Something tells me I’m not going to like what she has to say.”
***
After Blythe takes a seat at the table, I scrub my hand over my face. “How did you find me?”
She taps the screen of the phone in her hand. “I put that tracking app back on your phone yesterday.”
Linny smiles. “You track his phone?”
Blythe nods, glancing at me. “He disappears from the office sometimes without leaving word where he’s going. If an emergency pops us, I need to know where he is.”
Confusion mars Linny’s expression. She doesn’t say anything, but I see the question in her eyes. She’s wondering if I abandon work to fuck other women during the day.
I haven’t. Ever. Work has always trumped pleasure, until now.
“You weren’t answering your phone.” Blythe gestures to where my phone is sitting on the table. I turned it off when I got to the bistro to avoid being interrupted. “I wouldn’t have hiked across town if it wasn’t an urgent matter.”
She looks to Linny and I can tell that she’s silently wondering if this conversation should be private.
I have no fucking idea if it should, so I ask.
“What is this about, Blythe?”
She nervously picks at a crumb on the tablecloth. “Trent.”
Linny pushes back from the table. “I need to use the ladies’ room.”
My plan all day was to spend the afternoon inside of her. That’s being shot to hell right now, apparently because Trent has fucked something up.
The temptation to fire him is reaching its breaking point.
I stand when Linny does. “Our meeting for this afternoon is still on.”
Her eyes meet mine. “Hear Blythe out and then we can discuss that.”
Goddammit. I don’t want anything to come between us today.
I drop back into my chair when Linny rounds the corner toward the restrooms. “Spit it out. What the hell is going on with Trent?”
She peers around the bistro before she turns back to me and lowers her voice. “Nothing. It’s not about Trent. It’s Athena. There’s been an accident.”
Chapter 33
Linny
I rest my head back and close my eyes, again. If this isn’t heaven, I don’t know what is.
It’s past dusk now and I’m in a claw foot tub that’s filled with warm water and fragrant bubbles.
The most magnificent view of New York City is to my left.
I arrived at this luxury hotel on Central Park West three hours ago.
West slid the key card to me this afternoon at the bistro after he told me that he had something urgent to take care of.
He whispered that he hoped I’d stay at the hotel tonight. My answer was simple. I told him that I would as long as he joined me.
I haven’t heard a word from him since he said a brusque goodbye to me and left the bistro to join Blythe who was waiting for him on the sidewalk outside.
After focusing on work for the afternoon, I went home to pack an overnight bag before I grabbed an Uber and headed back uptown.
I’ve used my time here wisely, ordering a delicious dinner from room service before diving into a phone meeting with Ivy.
My apartment is cozy, lovely and all mine, but it can’t compete with this place.
The solace of not hearing the people who live above me walk around on the creaky floors is enough of an incentive for me to stay.
I’ll sleep well tonight unless West shows up. If he does, I’ll be well fucked. I’ll take that over sleep any night of the week.
I smile when I hear the sound of the door to the suite opening.
Heavy footsteps cross the floor of the main living area before they slow as they near the bedroom.
I’m tucked away in the en suite bathroom with its stunning gray marble and silver accents.
“I’ve never seen anything more beautiful than this.”
I open my eyes and turn my head at the sound of West’s voice. “You made it.”
His suit jacket is on the floor. His hands make quick work of his tie and his shirt. Both land in a heap next to the jacket as he toes out of his black shoes. “I’m sorry it took so long. I wanted to be here hours ago.”
I watch as he pushes down his pants and boxers, his thick cock curving up toward his navel. He slides his hand over it, a quick brush of skin against skin.
“You’re here now.” I glide my fingers through the water. “I think there’s room for two.”
Before I met West, I never would have invited a man to join me in the bath. If I happened to spend the night with a guy, I’d lock the bathroom door before I showered in the morning.
I don’t recognize who I am when I’m with him. I’m comfortable in a way I haven’t been before and I like it.
He steps into the tub, settling in across from me.
“I wasn’t sure if you’d be here.” His hand rakes through his hair. “I know you’re risking a lot to be with me.”
Guilt nips at me. I’m breaking the rules. I’m putting my future at stake because I want this man more than I’ve wanted anything.
“I don’t want to think about that.” I reach out a hand to him. “Let’s enjoy tonight.”
That I can do.” He takes my hand in his, pulling me closer. “Come here, angel.”
I slide into his lap until our lips meet for a soft kiss.
His strong arms circle me. “Can I just stare at you for an hour or two?”
My hand runs over my damp hair. My makeup is washed away. My skin flushed from the heat in the water. “I’m a mess.”
His eyes search mine. “I thought I knew what beauty was until I saw you on the airplane. You’re even more breathtaking tonight.”
I run the pad of my thumb over his left brow, smoothing it. “You mean that, don’t you? They’re not just words to you?”
His hands leap to my face, cupping my cheeks. “My grandfather lost his sight a few years before he died.”
The emotion in his words catches me off guard. I fumble with what to say in response, so I sit in silence staring into his deep brown eyes.
“He knew it was coming, and the man was stoic as shit.” He lets out a deep laugh.
I can’t help but smile. “He sounds very strong.”
“He was.” He dips his chin. “I only saw him cry once. Just one time.”
“When?” I whisper.
He takes a deep breath. “When he realized that he’d never seen my grandma’s face again.”
I swallow hard, biting back a wave of unexpected emotion. “That’s beautiful and incredibly sad. He must have loved her very much.”
His gaze searches my face before he glances to the left and the vast view of the city beyond the glass of the window. “He loved her with everything he had. He died holding tightly to her hand.”
I don’t stop him when his hand slides from my face to my shoulder and down to my waist. He grips my bare skin, tugging me closer to him.
“He told me to appreciate beauty in its purest form every chance I could.” His tongue slicks his bottom lip.
“I do that each time I look at you.”
I rest my hands on his chest and lean in to kiss him on the lips. “I’m glad I’m here.”
He brushes his fingertips over my chin. “Me too, angel.”
Chapter 34
Jeremy
I thread my fingers through Linny’s hair, straining to control each of her movements.
My cock is between her lips. Her tongue is circling the tip and all I want to do is fuck her mouth. The desire to hold her in place and pump into her is all consuming.
Sweat peppers every inch of my skin as I fight the urge to hold her head in place and take what I want.
I did that after our bath.
I picked her up after toweling her off, dropped her in the middle of the bed and settled between her thighs.
I ate her pussy until she begged me to stop. I didn’t. I finally slid my mouth up her body when she cried out that she couldn’t take it anymore.
I couldn’t either. My cock was aching. When I fell onto my back, she was on top of me in an instant.
“I won’t come in your mouth,” I growl the words out through clenched teeth. “I want to come inside of you.”
She shakes her head, her tongue stroking a lazy path over the head of my dick.
I tighten my grip on her hair, giving it a gentle pull. “If you don’t stop, I’ll fuck your mouth.”
Her brow lifts to accept the challenge. Her hand strokes the length of me, faster, harder.
I groan in response and she moans. She fucking moans around my cock and I’m gone.
I grip both hands in her hair and thrust up while I push her head down. I pump into her mouth with deep, steady drives.
She takes it all, teetering on her knees on the bed as she hovers over me, one hand on my cock, the other reaching lower to cup my balls.
I feel the friction when it hits my spine. It races through me at breakneck speed. There’s no time, so I shout. “Fuck it. I’m coming.”
I expect her to pull back, but she doesn’t. She hums as the first wave of my release hits the back of her throat and as I hold tight to her head and pump every last drop in, she takes it all.
***
“How long have you been awake?” Linny asks from behind me.
I turn to look at where she’s sprawled out on the bed. She’s on her back, right where I left her after we fucked.
That happened after I came down her throat.
I was ready to go again almost instantly, the promise of feeling her coming around my cock was too much. I slid on a condom, pulled her on top of me and urged her to ride me until she collapsed after we both came.
After I cleaned myself up and got into bed next to her, she rested her head on my chest.
Her breathing slowed so as she slept, I closed my eyes and imagined a life that included this every single day.
A life where I’d wake up in bed next to her, eat breakfast with her, talk to her about all the bullshit that I can’t figure out and then fall asleep in her arms every night.
I can’t be falling this fast and this hard for her.
“Not long,” I lie.
The truth is that soon dawn will be breaking over Manhattan and I haven’t slept a wink. She’s drifted in and out all night.
When she rolled over, I got up and moved to the window, looking out at the late summer storm that settled over the city.
“Tell me something about you,” she whispers. “Something no one else knows.”
That should be easy. There isn’t a soul on this earth that knows me well.
I walk back to the bed and sit down next to her.
She’s covered with nothing but a thin white blanket. Her hair is a mess and her lips are swollen.
I swear she’s more beautiful every time I look at her.
“Something no one else knows?” I repeat back her question.
“Yes.” She reaches for my hand. “I want to know one of your secrets.”
I slide my fingers over hers, gripping her palm in mine. “I can’t swim.”
Her lips curve into a smile. “You can’t swim?”
I shake my head. “Can you?”
She stretches out on the bed, her legs slipping out from under the blanket. “Very well.”
I’m not surprised. It’s hard for me to imagine anything she’s not good at. “Tell me one of your secrets, angel.”
She gazes past me to the window and the rain pelting against it. “Sometimes if I wake up in the middle of the night and it’s raining, I go for a walk.”
I glance briefly at the window before I look at her. “You do? Why?”
She takes a deep breath. “I was scared of thunderstorms when I was a kid. One night I woke up crying and my dad told me that we’d face my fear together.”
Her eyes linger on the window as she talks.
“The storm was passing by the time we got outside, but we walked hand-in-hand for blocks while the rain fell on our umbrellas and the lightning flashed across the sky in the distance.”
I listen intently to her while she shifts her gaze from the window to where our hands our joined.
“I was never scared of storms after that night.” She slowly rolls onto her side. “There’s something hauntingly beautiful about the rain.”
“Do you want to go for a walk now?”
Her eyes flicker across my face. “Can I tell you another secret, West?”
I cup her cheek with my hand. “Tell me. Tell me anything.”
“I’ve never made love when it’s raining.”
I stare at her, my heart stuttering in my chest. “That changes right now, angel.”
I slide back under the blanket next to her and tug her close until there’s nothing between us but our undeniable raw need for each other.
Chapter 35
Linny
It’s been days since I was with West, but there’s still a faint ache between my legs.
I lost track of how many times we made love.
The last time was right before I had to rush from the hotel to my apartment to get ready for work.
West took his time with me, making sure that I came before he chased his release.
I wanted to spend all day in bed with him, but I had a meeting with Ivy and a list of things to do for the Rizon campaign.
We agreed to talk the next day, but missed calls and busy schedules have kept us apart.
This morning a large bouquet of flowers was waiting for me when I arrived at my office.
The small sealed rectangular white envelope held a handwritten card with a simple message.
You in my bed in New York: perfection.
I slid the envelope with my first name on it and the card into the same drawer of my desk where the tiara still is.
I placed the flowers on the corner of my desk, so I could stare at them all day. I did just that until I left my office for this meeting a few minutes ago.
“Good morning, sweetheart.”
I look up to see my dad entering the conference room. Mitchell is on his heel with his eyes glued to his phone.
“Hi, dad.” I smile. “Did you have a chance to look at the Whispers of Grace website? It’s been redesigned and I wanted your …”
“Jeremy just texted me to say they’re in the lobby,” Mitchell interrupts me.
My dad turns back to him. “Good work, son.”
I glance down at my phone. I texted West an hour ago to thank him for the flowers, but I’ve heard nothing back.
He’s an extremely busy man, but I was hoping we could talk briefly before this meeting. I’ve been anxious about it since my dad arranged it two days ago.
I don’t want my relationship with West to impact the job I’m doing. I’m focused and excited about the vanilla vodka launch. I’ve put a lot of thought and effort into my presentation today. I think it’s some of my best work to date.
My head snaps up when I hear Trent’s voice approaching. I suck in a deep breath and rise to my feet.
West rounds the cor
ner first, stopping when he reaches the doorway.
He shoots my dad a smile, ignores Mitchell and finally meets my gaze.
“It’s good to see you, Jeremy.” My dad moves from where he’s standing. “You too, Trent.”
Both men approach my dad and shake his hand.
Mitchell lines up and does the same.
I don’t move. I can’t move. My knees have weakened to the point that I fear they’ll buckle if I attempt even the smallest of steps.
West is dressed impeccably in a black suit and blue dress shirt and tie.
I’m instantly overwhelmed by an image of what he looks like without a stitch of clothing on.
I need to pull myself together. Now.
“Hey, Linny.” Trent raises his hand in my direction. “How are you?”
“Good.” I drop back into my seat. “How are you, Trent?”
“Alive.” He laughs as he lowers himself into the chair next to me. “I’m finally getting over the flu.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch West pulling out the chair opposite me.
“That’s good news.” I pick up my pen. “Your tea should be arriving any minute.”
“That’s thoughtful, thanks.” Trent touches my forearm.
West’s gaze follows the path of Trent’s fingers, his hand fisting on the table in front of him.
I stretch to reach for my pen, causing Trent’s hand to slip from my arm. “I haven’t forgotten about the rest of us. I ordered four coffees too.”
“Let’s get started.” West strums his fingers over the edge of the table. “What have you got for me today, Linny?”
I glance over at my dad to find him whispering something to Mitchell. I had him in mind when I envisioned this contest and the attached prize, yet he’s more interested in what Mitchell is saying than my presentation.
I tap my pen on the edge of the table. “Gentlemen, you’re going to want to hear this.”
My dad and Mitchell both turn to look but it’s my dad who chuckles. “The floor is yours, Linny. Once you’re done, Mitchell has a fantastic idea of his own to pitch.”
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