Guil

I’m not expecting Miles to call me, but it’s his name flashing across my cell phone the next morning. Lyla’s making breakfast, and looking like she belongs in my house. Two things I both love and hate at the same time. This call is probably the distraction I need.

“Hey Miles.”

“Hey. Listen, I need a favor. Or actually just for you to do the job you’re pretending to do.”

“Of course.”

“One of the clients I’ve been courting from Amsterdam is vacationing in Santa Barbara. I’ve convinced him to go to dinner with you tonight. A C&C laptop will be delivered shortly so you can go over the info.”

“You could just email it to me.”

“No, I really can’t.”

Gotta love a company that’s got a hidden spy organization running through it. “Gotcha.”

“Thanks again. Oh, and he’s expecting you to bring a date. His wife didn’t want to be left alone in their room while he was out. I hope that’s not a problem.”

“I think I can handle it,” I say, looking over at the only woman I would even consider taking to something like this.

“Great. Call me if you have any questions. Otherwise, I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“Yep. Talk to you soon.”

“I think it’s cool you’re working for the Corrigans,” Lyla tells me as she slides a plate across the island to me. The omelet, potatoes, and toast look perfect.

“Me too. This looks amazing. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. The least I can do is cook for you while I’m here.”

“I don’t expect that.”

“I know.”

“Listen, I know you didn’t bring much with you, but Miles needs me to go to dinner with a prospective client tonight, and he asked me to bring a date.”

“I can shop. I need painting things anyway.”

“I’ll pay for whatever you need.”

“No. You know I have my own 8ujmoney.”

How am I going to say this to her without sounding like an ass? Not a chance of that, so here I go. “Can you get something a little different than what you’re wearing—what you normally wear?”

She looks down at her loose dress, which is covered in flowers and hides all of her fantastic curves. “What’s wrong with this dress?”

“It covers you up.”

“Unless you’re planning to loan me out or something, that shouldn’t matter.”

“Hell no, I’m not letting another man touch you.”

“Then again, what does it matter?”

I scratch the back of my head and try to come up with the right words once again. “From the small glimpses I’ve seen, and the way you felt when I had my hands on you, I know you’re rocking some serious curves. I want you to embrace their magnificence, and stop hiding.”

“If I was hiding, I wouldn’t be here right now. I can only do so much in a day.”

“Tell me what you’re covering up,” I say, standing and moving to hold her hips in my hands again. “Why don’t you want the world to see you?”

She swallows hard, then moves one of my hands to her stomach. “It’s not flat.”

“No,” I agree, moving my hand in small circles over her soft skin. “It doesn’t need to be.”

Letting out a frustrated sigh, she moves my other hand lower, letting me feel her thighs touching. I nearly lose all control, but I manage to hold on to a tiny thread for dear life.

“They touch.”

“Beautiful. All of you is beautiful.”

“I’m a sure thing, Guil. You don’t need to say things you think I need to hear.”

“We’ve already established how non-sweet I am, so why would you think I’m acting that way right now. I love the way you look.”

I look her in the eyes when I say the words, making sure she knows I mean what I say. She’s gorgeous and I can’t believe she doesn’t know that. She looks in my eyes for a long minute before nodding.

“I could maybe find something a little more fitted. Not tight or revealing, but I know I have nice breasts I could showcase.”

“Your rack is the thing of wet dreams, Ly. Once we get a little further in whatever this is we’re doing, I’m going to be spending a lot of time there.”

“It’s not nice to tease me.”

“Not teasing.”

“Your hands are.”

Her words hit me and I freeze. I hadn’t even notice how one hand was moving up her ribs while the other was sliding between her thighs. I immediately remove my hands and step back.

“Sorry.”

“I’m only sorry you’ve stopped now.”

“Soon.”

“Not soon enough,” she mumbles, and I silently agree.

That one little touch was enough to make me forget myself. I’m already craving more of her, and now that I know she’s willing, it’s getting even harder to resist her. Oh yeah, I’m definitely in trouble. If I’m being honest, I can admit to myself that’s exactly where I want to be.

* * *

Lyla

I want to make Guil happy. It’s the reason I left Newport, the reason I’m ignoring the calls from my parents—although I texted that I’m fine and just need time alone—and it’s the reason I’m in this dress right now. It’s off the shoulder, fitted through the bodice, and flares out from my hips. There’s still flowers trailing over it, but it’s nothing like the dress I was wearing when I walked into the boutique earlier today.

The women working there said I looked good, and objectively I know I do, but it’s hard to get over a lifetime of insecurities in one afternoon. I’m going to keep this dress on, and not change into the looser dress I bought, because Guil asked me for this. I’m not going to be that girl who only dresses for her guy, but I can do it for one night. Moving out of my comfort zone is a good thing. It led me here, and I’ve already been kissed in a way I only dreamed of before.

“Ly, you ready?” Guil asks, knocking lightly on my door.

“Almost.”

“Can I come in?”

“Yes.”

“Wow.”

“You don’t have to say that. It’s a little tight in my stomach, and my breasts and ass look huge.”

He walks forward, and takes my hands in his, placing them on my shoulders. “These shoulders drive me insane.” Moving our hands, he runs them over my breasts. “And well, we already talked about these this morning. Perfection.” Down to my waist. “I want you to be able to breathe and eat comfortably. Can you?” I nod. “I like that it’s snug, because I know how soft your skin is beneath here, and it makes me want to touch it again.” Over to my hips. “I love holding onto these.” Across my ass, where he squeezes each cheek. “Your ass inspires lots of dreams and fantasies.”

“You make me feel more beautiful than I ever have in my life.”

“Good.”

He kisses me lightly on the lips, a mere brush that doesn’t disturb my lipstick. It disturbs me because I want so much more from him. I reach for him, but he backs up.

“I want a proper kiss!”

“After dinner, I’ll kiss you all you want. If I do it now, your beautiful hair is going to be a mess, and your mouth is going to be swollen. I can’t mess you up before I take you out.”

“I want more than kisses tonight. Touching at least.”

“Maybe.”

“I’ll be good at dinner. I’ll eat a little and make interesting conversation.”

“That’s not what this is about. I never want you to think you have to act a certain way, or eat a certain way, or be a certain way. I invited you because I want you. However you want to be. I shouldn’t have asked you to dress differently than you usually do. I just want you to see how perfect you are. Do you want to change?”

He’s looking me in the eye, waiting for my answer. I know he means everything he says, and while it’s hard for me to accept, I want to. I want to accept that I’m as beautiful as he makes me feel.

“No. I like this. I didn’t think I would, but I do.”

Guil’s smile lights up his face, and then he’s leaning down to kiss my collarbone. It’s sweet and sexy all at once. “We need to go before I lose the willpower to resist you.”

I accept the hand he holds out to me, lacing my fingers with his as we walk downstairs and into the garage. He has his two motorcycles in here, along with various cars and an SUV. I’m not surprised when he leads me to the Maybach, as I know we’re making an impression tonight.

The drive to the restaurant is short, and I can’t help but smile when Guil tells the valet to leave my door for him. His hand is on my back as we walk in and I like it. I like feeling possessed by this man.

“You must be Guil and Lyla,” an older gentleman says, rising from the table. The stunning woman sitting next to him just smiles at us.

“Yes. Thank you for meeting with us George.”

“Well, I’ve wanted to talk to someone from C&C, but Vegas isn’t our favorite place to travel to. Too much noise and tourists.”

“You just need to find some out of the way places to hang out, and then it’s pretty great.”

“We might take you up on that one day, but for now, I’m happy we could talk here in this beautiful city.”

George introduces us to his wife, Emily, and we all take our seats. Emily and I make small talk while the men talk business, which makes me glad for my upbringing. I can talk to anyone, anywhere, about almost anything.

“Are you ready to order?” the waitress asks, coming to stand next to our table. Or more accurately, next to Guil who she’s been eye-fucking since we arrived.

The men order steak, Emily orders the sea bass, and then it’s my turn. I want to order something sensible, but the menu just looks too good. I’m feeling confident tonight and I want to eat something good.

“I’ll have the seafood risotto.”

“Are you sure?” the waitress asks.

“Is it not good?”

“Oh, it’s delicious. I just wasn’t sure you really wanted to order that on a date.”

“Thanks for thinking of me, but I’m good.”

She walks away, and Guil starts to get out of his chair. “I’m going to speak to the manager.”

“No,” I say, putting my hand on his arm. “She’s not important.”

“Well, all I can say is that the risotto sounded heavenly, and I’m hoping you’ll let me try a bite,” Emily tells me.

“Of course.”

The food is wonderful, and the conversation keeps flowing through the meal. Guil and I share a dessert after our meals, and I only turn a little red when he kisses a bit of chocolate from my mouth. I’m not used to PDA of any kind, even though I love that he did it.

“You two are adorable together,” Emily tells me as we walk out together.

“Thanks. I’ve had a crush on him for a long time, and he’s finally coming around.”

“I’m glad. He’s completely smitten with you. I’m looking forward to us all getting together again at the C&C gala next month.”

“Me too,” I tell her, even though I don’t know if I’ll be invited.

I mean, I’m pretty sure I will by the Corrigans, but I’d like to be Guil’s date. I think we’re headed in that direction, but I don’t know for sure. I don’t seem to know anything for sure. Other than my crush is turning into so much more, and I can’t wait to get him home for more.