29.
DANIEL
It absolutely sucked leaving Elizabeth’s place this morning, and I’d had to force myself to go. Everything in my body had wanted to stay by her side, hold her until she woke up, and then send her to work with my scent all over her. I was like a fucking dog in heat, wanting to mark his territory.
With my phone, I’d snapped a picture of her sleeping, her blonde hair splayed across the pillow and down her back while she looked so peaceful. It was the only picture I had of her, and right now, I was so fucking thankful that I had been such a psycho and taken it. Looking at her beautiful face brought me utter joy.
I had officially turned into a pussy.
Two knocks on the door, and James walked into my office, a bottle of water tucked under his arm.
I placed my cell phone down. Perfect timing.
“How was last night, buddy?”
He made himself at home on my couch, and I made a mental note to purchase a Nerf gun for future meetings like this.
“How many times do I have to tell you to go lie down on your own couch? This isn’t your bedroom.” I pretended to be annoyed as I imagined pummeling him with a dozen rubber darts at once.
“You’ve been saying that for years.”
“You’re a good listener.”
“Ha-ha. So, tell me about last night,” he said again.
I glared at my best friend, my mouth shut tight, until he swung his feet from my furniture and moved to a normal sitting position.
“Better?”
“Much.” I smirked.
“Are you going to tell me? Or am I flying down there and asking her myself?”
I bristled. “Don’t fucking talk like that. You know I’d beat your ass. You’ll meet her when I allow it.”
“Anyone ever tell you that you’re a control freak?”
“Anyone ever tell you that you’re a pain in the ass?”
He shook his head and opened the cap on a bottle of water before taking a swig. “Mostly you. Every day. Good thing my confidence can handle it.”
“Yeah, you clearly have a confidence issue.” I gave him a little head nod before huffing out a laugh. “Last night was great.”
“When isn’t sex great?”
“When it sucks,” I said, my tone serious.
His hands flew up in defense of his stupid words. “Okay, okay. I meant, when isn’t sex great when you actually like the chick?”
“Stop calling her a chick.”
“Buddy, you are so far gone with this one. Should we go shopping for china patterns later? Should I tell Serena to clear your schedule for the rest of the day?”
Damn it. Where is that Nerf gun when I need it?
“Why don’t you ever have anything else to do?”
He leaned back and placed his feet on top of my coffee table. “Harassing you is more fun.”
“Get your feet off my table. Were you raised in a barn? I know for a fact that you fucking weren’t. Don’t make me call your mother.”
He promptly moved his feet. “You wouldn’t dare.”
I wiggled my eyebrows. “I so would.”
“You play hardball, man. Now, seriously, tell me more about what happened. Everything good with you and your future wife?”
“Shut up, dickhole.”
“You know I’m just giving you shit,” he stared at me. “Now tell me what happened dammit.”
I sighed, half temped to ask him if he needed a tampon to go with his whining, but I digressed.
“It was fucking great. She’s great. I’ve never met anyone more in sync with me. I don’t know. We just get each other, you know?” I looked at him before shaking my head. “Of course you don’t know. Why the hell am I telling you any of this?”
“Because I’m your best friend. But sometimes, Daniel, your words hurt.” He threw his hand over his heart in mock pain.
“Oh my God, get out of here, and go do something that makes me money.”
“Fine.” He stood up. “But only ’cause you asked so nice.”
Once I heard the door shut, I sorted my emails, searching for ones that needed immediate attention, as my thoughts filled with Elizabeth. Her naked body entered my mind, and my dick started to harden. Just a single thought of her had us both pining for more. I needed to fly her up here. I wanted her here, in my space, where I could take her in every corner of my office, home, and plane.
Elizabeth Lyons had turned me into a fucking sex fanatic.
Reaching for the phone, I dialed her office line.
“Elizabeth Lyons’s office. This is Barbara.”
“Whatcha wearing?” I teased, not meaning the question at all.
Thankfully, Barbara knew that.
“Granny panties, jean overalls, and a long-sleeved shirt.” She laughed into the phone.
“Sounds hot. Send me a pic.” I tried to keep a straight face, not that she could see it.
“Elizabeth’s in a meeting. I’ll have her call you as soon as she gets out, if she has a chance.”
“Sounds good. Tell her I miss her.”
Barbara cooed, “That’s so sweet. I’ll tell her. Bye.”