“You can’t be serious,” I tell the receptionist.

Her sunny facade flickers. “Yes, sir. I’m sorry, but all flights out of JFK have been canceled.”

I run my hands through my hair as I brainstorm some alternatives. “And there really isn’t a taxi or private limo service that will come out here?”

“We’ve been trying all afternoon, Mr. Marshall. It’s not possible until the weather clears.”

“Damn it.”

The receptionist flinches. It’s clear to me that she’s been on the receiving end of a lot of pissed off hotel guests.

“Thanks,” I mutter, turning away. No point in being a total dick.

Standing beside the Christmas tree, I pull my phone out and open my Uber app. It’s no use. There are zero drivers in the area. It’s the same with Lyft. I’m stuck here.

With no transportation and nothing to do until this weather system passes, I give myself a challenge that involves me, an apology, Lily’s bare ass underneath my fingers, and my tongue deep in her cunt. I can handle the caustic attitude and her resentment that she’s no competition for my firm.

I put my phone away and stare at a glistening tree ornament, debating. The red orb catches and throws light back out. Silent Night plays on. A family laughs in the corner of the foyer. It’s still three days till Christmas, no matter where I am and no matter what’s happening. It’s still a shitty time to spend alone.

I’m sure Lily will at least agree to that.

I find her in the same place I left her, the only thing different is the wine bottle is now empty, and she’s working on a second one. Her eyes roll at the sight of me.

“Back so soon?” she quips.

I sit next to her. “How about we start over? We’re both stuck here. Let’s make the most of it. I’d say dinner is a great way for me to extend an olive branch How about it?”

The corner of her mouth twitches. Not waiting for her answer, I pick up my menu. She stays. We order dinner and sit uncomfortably for a couple minutes.

“You’re cute when you’re irate,” I tell her.

Lily narrow her eyes at me. “I see right through you.”

“Don’t hate me because you jumped to conclusions about the meeting with Forer.”

“This has nothing to do with Forer. It has to do with you being a smug, bastard with a cocky attitude.”

I open my mouth to keep rubbing her the wrong way, but dinner arrives. I’m starving. We keep the talk to a minimum. We barely speak, but when we do, I’m the one initiating. Lily maintains her animosity with up until she finishes her meal, which is when she promptly throws her napkin on the table and gets to her feet.

“Thank you for the meal, Nick. Have a good evening.”

I sign the bill to my room. “I’ll make sure you get there safely,” I tease.

I expect some resistance, but it’s not there as I follow her out of the dining room and through the foyer in the direction of her room. My cock stirs. Lily is still the finest piece I’ve had in a long time. It’s a shame such a superb connection is wasted just because she’s bummed about a canceled meeting.

“You know, I can tell that you want me to help get things off your mind,” I suggest in complete seriousness.

“Oh my God,” she growls, speeding up.

At her door, she spins around to face me straight on. “Let’s forget about what happened, all right? It was a mistake.”

“Sure. It was a mistake that we stopped when did, just because we’re professionals, and Forer is not.” I raise my eyebrows. “The way I see it, we owe it to ourselves to not let Tapped get the best of us.”

She lets out a laugh. “So, what you’re saying is I should sleep with you to stick it to Tapped.”

“Yes.”

“A revenge fuck…that’s your angle?”

“Why not?”.

Lily cocks her head to one side. “You think this is all just a game.”

“And you’re way too serious. At least let me help you get that stick out of your ass while we’re stuck here.”

Her arms fold. “Oh, that’s rich. You really think this…approach is working on me?”

“You tell me. I read body language, balance sheets, and software code; not minds.”

“Well, sorry if I didn’t hit the peak of my success at nineteen when a trust fund was released in my name. Some of us regular people still have to work for what they want.”

I’m a bit confused.

“You think I didn’t have to work for what I have?”

She flips her hair. Vanilla wafts my way, mixing with my building irritation.

“That’s not what I said. I said you don’t—”

“No, I think that’s precisely what you were getting at.”

Lily’s hands curl into fists. “You’re putting words in my mouth.”

“I’d like to put something else in your mouth.”

Her eyes go wide. I can’t help smiling. She’s so quick to react, pushing her buttons is almost fun. It doesn’t help that getting a rise out of her does the same to my dick. That, and the fact that she’s fucking gorgeous.

And we’re stuck here.

“You presumptuous asshole!” she gasps, rummaging through her purse for her key. She swipes it against the lock without looking.

I’ve heard just about enough. Stepping forward, I grab the back of her head, silencing her with an open-mouthed kiss.