Chapter 38

Linny

“If Roland is with you, he can go straight to hell,” West calls out.

I laugh as I toss my purse and overnight bag on a table in the foyer. I just stepped into the same hotel suite that West and I shared a few nights ago.

It’s been hours since he walked out of my office. Once he was in the elevator, he sent me a brief text message.

Jeremy: Make my every dream come true. Meet me at the hotel at 8.

I waited until my dad left my office before I responded, fearful that the wide grin on my face would give me away.

Linny: I have a dinner meeting with a client, but I’ll be there as soon as I’m done.

I laughed when his response lit up my phone’s screen.

Jeremy: I’ll watch the game on tv while I wait. If I catch you on the kiss cam with Roland, I’m going with Mitchell’s pitch, helicopter ride and all.

“I’m in bed, angel. Come join me.”

I kick off my shoes and pad across the floor, rounding the corner to the bedroom with a smile on my face.

It widens when I see West in the bed. He’s sitting up with his bare back resting against the headboard. A white sheet is covering his groin.

He pats the bed next to him. “How was your dinner meeting?”

I slip out of the red dress I put on for dinner. The meeting was with a client who circles back to use our services every few years. She owns one of the few bookstores left in Manhattan and every time she comes back to us, we use the same campaign ideas.

Tonight was different. Mitchell suggested a new approach while I listened. It involved an author in residence program and free writing workshops for kids.

Our client was beaming by the time dessert was served.

It was a victory for Mitchell and I conceded on the sidewalk outside the restaurant, telling him that I thought he did a great job.

“Leave the bra and panties on.” West’s hand squeezes his erection through the sheet. “Red is your color, angel.”

I slide into bed next to him. “My dinner meeting was fine, but I don’t want to talk about that.”

His lips brush over mine for a soft kiss. “What do you want to talk about?”

“Roland.”

His dark brows pinch together. “Don’t say his name when I’m hard as nails.”

I reach to run my fingertips over the outline of his cock. “You know that it’s over between us, right?”

“I know that you told me you ended it with him. I believe you.”

I slide my lips over his chin. “Good.”

He reaches to cup my face. “I also know it was hard for you not to correct your dad when he assumed that Roland sent the flowers.”

Guilt has been consuming me since that moment. A lie is a lie whether it’s direct or an omission. I allowed my dad to believe that Roland sent me that beautiful bouquet. I’ve kept the secret of my relationship with West hidden from my dad for weeks.

If he finds out that I’ve been keeping that from him, my future as CEO of Faye & Sons won’t be the only loss I’ll suffer. My bond with him will be marred as well.

We’ve always been honest with one another, even when that honesty results in pain.

I slip my hand back into my lap. “Why did you have to pick our agency to help with the vanilla vodka launch?”

His arms circle me, tugging me closer to him. His breath whispers over my cheek. “Blame fate. It led me straight to you. I’ll be forever grateful for that.”

***

Sweat mists my skin as West drags his body over mine.

“It was so much,” I whisper into the still darkness in the room.

“I could eat you for hours.” He licks his lips before pressing them to mine for a tender kiss.

I weave my fingers through his hair, relishing in how soft the strands are. “You did.”

He lets out a deep laugh and it resonates through me. “It wasn’t enough.”

I’m sore from his fingers and his mouth, but I want more. I need more because soon day will break and I’ll have to rush home to change before I go to work.

I want to stay, but I know I can’t. I know he can’t.

“Jeremy,” I say his name softly.

“Angel,” he whispers back.

I kiss him again, harder this time, tugging his bottom lip between my teeth. “Get a condom.”

He groans into my mouth. “Fuck, Linny.”

I let out a bubble of laughter. “That’s exactly what I want.”

He inhales sharply when he pulls back and our eyes meet. “What would it take to convince you to stay here with me?”

I reach up to glide my hand over his cheek. “If you keep looking at me like that, I’ll stay.”

He presses his lips to mine. “Forever?”

I hear the vulnerability in his voice. I feel it within me too. The unspoken line between casual lovers and more is blurred. It’s so blurred that neither of us can see it anymore.

Before I can say anything, he shifts back on his heels and slides to the edge of the bed.

I watch in silence as he opens a condom package and sheaths his cock. His hand runs over the length from root to tip once, and then again.

Spreading my legs, I motion for him to come to me.

He does. He crawls across the tangled bed linens until he’s above me again.

Gripping his shaft, I rub him against my cleft. I close my eyes to savor the sensation; that moment right before he plunges into me, and the pleasure takes over.

“Open your eyes, angel.” His voice is gravelly, deep and desirous.

I stare into his eyes as he slides his cock into me, each movement almost too much to bear.

We find our rhythm quickly.

He fucks me with slow, even strokes, keeping his eyes pinned on mine.

When he ups the pace and braces his hand on my hip, I moan. It’s so deep, so good and when I come around his cock, he buries his face in my neck.

His breathing is ragged and intense when he comes, holding me in place, whispering words against my skin about never wanting to let me go.