Calloway walked inside my office on Friday after five. He did his usual routine by standing in silence near the doorway and letting his brooding exterior do all the talking. He’d been in a sour mood all week. Every time I asked him about it, he claimed he was just tired.

I grabbed my things and met him at the door. “Thank god it’s Friday, huh?”

He stared down at my face, his eyes narrowed on my lips. He leaned in and kissed me, the kind that was longer and harder than it should be for the office. Then he abruptly pulled away without responding to my comment. “We need to pick up a dress for you.” He walked into the hallway and slowed his pace so I could keep up with him.

“A dress?”

“We have charity gala tomorrow night.”

I’d completely forgotten about it. “Oh yeah…”

We entered the elevator and rode it to the lobby. “There’s a few boutiques down the street. I’m sure we’ll find something for you.”

“I can go on my own, Calloway. No reason to bore you.”

“Watching my woman try on beautiful gowns isn’t boring for me.” We left the building then walked up the street together, merging with the rest of the pedestrians as they left work to enjoy their weekend.

“What a diplomatic answer.”

He circled his arm around my waist, his large hand heavy against my hip. “I’ve never been much of a diplomat.”

We walked into one of the high-end shops in Manhattan. I could tell just by looking at the mannequins that I couldn’t even afford a scarf. Designer logos were on the wall, the kind of quality that celebrities wore on the red carpet. “Calloway, I—”

“My treat. Don’t worry about it.” He read my mind like he was sitting inside my brain at that very moment.

“It’s a charity event. Don’t you think it’s insensitive to wear a designer gown?”

“Not at all. It’s being held at the Plaza, remember?” He walked up to the front counter and immediately got the attention of the woman standing behind it. “My girlfriend needs a gown for tomorrow evening. She’s a size two.”

I raised an eyebrow. “How do you know what size I am?”

He pressed his lips to my ear. “I fuck you every night, don’t I?”

“Of course, sir.” The saleswoman came around the counter in a pencil skirt and black-framed glasses. It wasn’t the kind of service I was used to getting at the local mall. “What’s the occasion?”

“Charity gala,” Calloway said. “Price isn’t an object. I want something elegant but a little revealing.” He winked before he pressed a kiss to my shoulder. “I’ll be in the waiting area. Let me know when you’re ready.” He walked away, looking like he owned the store the second he walked inside it. His shoulders seemed more powerful every single time I looked at them.

I turned back to the woman who was in charge of dressing me up. The sizzle of attraction was in her eyes, not immune to Calloway’s charms like she should be. When she caught my look, she quickly pretended like her eyes weren’t just glued to his tight ass. “This way. I already have something in mind…”

* * *

I never looked at the price tag because I would throw up if I did. I felt guilty for letting him buy me something I didn’t even need. But it seemed important to him that I look my best. And deep down inside, I was excited to own something so glamorous. I’d always been a bargain shopper because I was satisfied knowing I wouldn’t have the nicer things in my life. But the moment I got to get my hands on something truly beautiful, I felt the flutter in my chest.

Calloway handed over his credit card without blinking then carried the gown out of the store. “You’re gonna look perfect in this tomorrow tonight.” He stopped at the edge of the sidewalk then pulled out his phone. He typed a quick message, probably to Tom, before he shoved it back inside his pocket.

“Thanks…I really love it. Thank you for getting it for me.” He already did so much for me. There was no way I could ever repay him for his kindness. He gave me a job when he didn’t have to. He let me live with him and wouldn’t accept any money for my half of his mortgage. He paid for all our groceries and our meals. It was strange to have a savings account when I’d barely had enough to get by most weeks for most of my life.

His arm circled my waist, and he pressed a warm kiss to my temple. His lips were seductive, exquisite to the touch. “It was my pleasure, sweetheart. I just hope no man makes the mistake of staring at you too long. The charity gala will turn into a crime scene.”

“Well, that woman in there was staring at your ass, so I’d say we’re even.”

Calloway looked up the street as he waited for his driver, neither confirming nor denying that he knew the saleswoman had the hots for him. It was a smart move.

“We can just walk,” I said. “I don’t mind.” My heels hurt my feet, but I’d been walking the streets of Manhattan for so long that I was used to it.

“You aren’t walking in those. I’m not sure how you get through the day at the office.”

“Well…I sit most of the time.”

“Wish you were sitting on my face.” He looked down at me, the corner of his mouth raised in the form of a smile.

I knew he was only partially joking. “Neither one of us would get anything done.”

The car pulled up, and Calloway opened the back door for me. “I was never a good worker anyway.” He got in the seat beside me then moved his hand to my thigh. My gown was hooked to the hanger inside the car so it wouldn’t get wrinkled. He couldn’t look out the window because the dress was in the way, so he chose to stare at me instead.

I couldn’t ignore his look because it was so powerful. When he commanded my attention, he always got it. Even if I wasn’t looking directly at him, I was still giving him my full attention. When the stare became too much, I met his gaze.

He circled his arm around my shoulders and moved his other hand to my thigh. He slowly inched his hand up my leg, moving underneath the material as he pressed his face to mine. When his lips were just inches from mine, he teased me with their proximity. His hand slowly slid farther up until his fingers touched the outside of my panties.

The center divider was up so the driver couldn’t see what we were doing in the back, but I still felt naughty anyway. If Calloway made me scream loud enough, Tom was certain to hear it.

He still didn’t kiss me, just brushing his lips past mine as his fingers touched me. His thumb pulled my panties to the side, and his fingertips finally touched my throbbing sex.

I moaned into his face and felt my knees widen automatically. My hand gripped his bicep just so I had something to latch on to.

His fingers rubbed my clit as he brushed his mouth against mine.

I loved the feeling of his fingers but I wanted his mouth just as much. My arm circled his neck, and I pulled his lips against mine, finally getting the kiss I was anxious to have. I should feel on display since this was one of the most public places we’d ever fooled around, but when Calloway’s hands were on me, I couldn’t think clearly.

He rubbed me harder, bringing me to the edge of a sweet climax.

Then he abruptly pulled away, taking his lips and fingers. He sat beside me and faced forward again, like nothing had just happened.

“Uh…excuse me?” He’d never left me hanging before, so I couldn’t hide the shock.

His face remained hard, unyielding. “Think about that way on the rest of the ride home. I’ll fuck you when we get there.”

“What kind of game is this?”

“No game, sweetheart.”

I pressed my knees together and squeezed my thighs, feeling my sex throb with angry desire. I seriously considered finishing the job myself, but I knew it would feel so much better if I let Calloway have the honors. “Why are you doing this to me? I thought you were a gentleman?”

“Trust me, the wait will be worth it.”

“I don’t agree…”

He turned back to me, his face so handsome it hurt to look at him. “The second we walk through that door, I’ll fuck you up against that wall. I’m gonna come as soon as I’m inside you—and you’re gonna come too.”

* * *

I did my hair and makeup in the other bathroom since Calloway was getting ready at the same time. I’d never attended one of these fancy events, the kind with flutes of champagne and men in tuxedos. Since I was from humble beginnings, this was all new to me. I spent extra time making my hair perfect, and I wore more makeup than I normally would. I just hoped I didn’t overdo it.

The dress Calloway bought me was sleeveless with a sweetheart top. It was tight around my waist then flared out once it reached my hips. It was a soft gold color with black highlights, stunning but subtle at the same time.

I never wanted to take it off.

I walked downstairs and slipped on my heels, feeling five inches taller the second they were on. I was organizing my clutch when I heard Calloway reach the bottom stair behind me. “I’m ready whenever you are.”

He came up behind me and pressed his lips against the back of my neck. His hand moved to my hips where he gripped me tightly, digging his fingers right through the fabric and into my skin. He held me like that for nearly a minute, just breathing with me. “I haven’t even seen your face, and you still look beautiful.”

“I hope you don’t prefer me that way,” I teased.

He chuckled against my neck. “I do sometimes—but not right now.” He guided my hips with his hands and turned me around until I faced him. The arrogant smile that was on his face slowly faded away, replaced with a softer expression I rarely saw. His hand moved to my neck where he gently laid his fingers against my warm skin, his thumb right over my pulse. He didn’t make a comment because it wasn’t necessary. His thoughts were written on his face like text on a page.

My hand moved around his wrist so I could feel his pulse, noticing how soft and rhythmic it was. When I gripped him during lovemaking, it was usually pounding with adrenaline. Now I could feel a gentle side of him.

“I don’t think I can wait until the end of the night to make love to you, sweetheart.” He came closer to me until his face was pressed to mine. He didn’t kiss me, but his lips were close enough that I could feel the magnetic pull between our mouths.

I didn’t know how much time we had, but I realized I didn’t really care. I’d spent an hour doing my hair and makeup, but now I didn’t care about messing it up. When he looked at me like that, all I wanted was to be united with him. “Then don’t.”