Page 29 of Twenty-Three Years of Longing

“I promise.”

Our faces were just inches apart. My eyes dropped to her lips, as she bit her bottom lip.

“Orion. Would you mind if I gave you a... congratulations kiss?” she asked.

My body tensed with need and anticipation. She didn’t wait for a response. And when our lips connected, I felt a rush of heat run through my veins. This wasn’t a congratulatory kiss. Not even close. I felt her need, and when her tongue traced my lips, I opened giving her what she wanted.

She melted into my arms, and I wished we weren’t in the SUV with a console and armrest between us.

The sound of my cell phone rang through the radio. Damn it. I wish I had disconnected Bluetooth.

My arms loosened around her, and she slowly slipped back into her seat. “Guess you better get that.”

The caller ID just said ‘Bro’. I answered and his voice boomed through the vehicle.

“Where the hell are you? I thought you said you’d pick me up on the way?” Mayson said.

“Sorry. We are running a little late. We’re on our way now,” I said.

“We? Who’s with you?” Before I could reply, he blurted out, “Tell me it’s that smo...”

“Ms. Davison is here with me,” I cut him off. The last thing I needed was for him to insult Raya. She might be gorgeous, but she was a professional who wanted to be respected.

“Oh, she can hear me. Got it. I hadn’t realized that she was going to be at this meeting as well,” Mayson said. “Guess you can tell us both what is going on when you pick me up.”

I turned and looked at Raya who was looking at me, surprised. Ya. I told you first. “We should be there in about five minutes. Be outside because I don’t want to keep the president waiting.”

Ending the call, I put the car in drive and pulled back onto the road.

“Orion, why did you tell me first?” she asked.

I reached for her hand and said, “Because I wanted to.”

She smiled. “I’m honored.”

“Just please, don’t let Mayson know. He’ll pout the entire way if he finds out,” I chuckled. “And also, ignore him. He’s a good guy but doesn’t always think before he speaks.”

“Have you forgotten what I do for a living? I’m used to such behavior,” she snickered.

Raya picked up on what I was saying. Mayson was just a big kid.

A few minutes later, Mayson was getting into the back seat. “Okay. Spill it. What’s the big news?”

I informed him of my new role, and he was as shocked as Raya.

“You’re joking, right?” Mayson asked. “You’re going to be the Vice President of Tabiq? You? My brother?”

I was glad I decided to pick him up and have this conversation in person instead of on the phone. He needed to understand how serious this was. Reesa was counting on me and now I was counting on him.

“I wouldn’t joke about something like that. And as I mentioned, you are not allowed to say a word to anyone until after President O’Connor makes her announcement. Don’t even pull your phone out of your pocket. No social media. No texting. Nothing. If this gets out, I will know it was you,” I warned.

“Why me? Why not Ms. Davison?” he asked.

I glared at him through the rearview mirror. That seemed to be enough to shut down any further questions from him. Now all we needed to do was head to Reesa’s office and let her give her speech. I was sure it wouldn’t be long before all of Tabiq was talking about it. And unfortunately, it wasn’t all going to be good.

I just hope they don’t pull Raya into any of it. She has enough going on.

I was sure that after that kiss in the car, she also had a lot of thinking to do because I know I do.

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