Whatever you want. Whatever you need.

In the skin of his I loved so much is where I wanted to be. And although my team needed me, I knew he needed me more. The thirst in his voice said so. The longing in his touch said so. The look in his eyes said so.

“I have to work,” I whispered back. “Please don’t make me choose.”

“The choice has already been made.”

He knew it and so did I. He was undeniable. I was undeniable. The choice had made itself, almost.

“Ch–”

“Eden.”

With his brows raised, he pressed two fingers against my center. I shuddered, knowing I didn’t stand a chance against him. He’d discovered my seething garden. I needed a hose down. I needed watering. I needed hydration. And he had the tools to replenish me.

“Please,” I mouthed, aware people were listening on the other end and could hear everything I was saying.

A shake of his head finalized the decision he’d made and magnified the choice I’d made. He pulled me in the opposite direction from the one I was headed in and into a private suite. Waiting for me was a beautiful cream two-piece. The top was a collared shirt that had gold buttons down the middle. The pants matched in color and style.

“Get dressed, Choc.”

Chem laid a chilly piece of jewelry in my hand before stepping off and sitting in the red chair against the wall. I uncurled my fingers to find a Van Cleef bracelet in my palm. It was beautiful and paired well with the clothes waiting for me.

In seconds, I was out of the bodysuit and in the two-piece. It fits me perfectly. How he’d guessed my size so perfectly, twice, was a mystery, but so was he. I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact I was putting my career and the case on the line to accompany him at dinner, but the distance between us made it impossible to deny myself the opportunity.

Because his eyes hadn’t left me, I hadn’t been able to remove the communication device from my ear or disable it. When the chance came, I’d do so. The last thing I wanted was Chem in the line of fire. I never knew what to expect from him, but I didn’t want my team to get wind of his existence or the lengths he was willing to go to protect whatever we were trying to build.

The trouble I had getting the bracelet on my wrist lifted him from his seat. He fastened it almost instantly and then grabbed me by the hand. He led me out of the door and into the parking lot where his car was waiting.

Something deep down inside of me made it clear that I’d walked out of Roulette for the very last time. How I’d convey that message to my team, I didn’t know. But, I doubted Chem would allow the building to stand if I ever re-entered.

The speakers drowned out the com, managing to keep me content during the ride to our destination. The lights danced across Chem’s skin, making it glow every other second. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from him.

Every time he was in my presence, he was like a dream. Looked like a dream. Felt like a dream. Smelled like a dream. Walked like a dream. Talked like a fucking dream.

The distance between us made my heart ache. Slowly, I slid my hand across the armrest, invading his personal space. When close enough, I took his hand into mine, linking our fingers. His collapsed around mine before pulling them toward his lips where he kissed them tenderly. Each and every one of them, without haste.

Pinky.

Ring.

Middle.

Index.

And thumb.

Every time his lips touched my skin, I watched parts of his shed. He was revealing the man I knew was inside of him somewhere, one that had been afraid to show himself prior. His comfortability had grown in his absence. I was grateful.

He never let me go during the eighteen-minute ride. It wasn’t until we were in front of Charred that we separated. He exited the car with a valet attendant waiting outside for him.

“Good evening, sir,” happily, the guy greeted, eager to make conversation with a man who had very little to say.

Chem nodded.

“And let me get the mis–”

“Don’t open her door. Not unless you can live without fingers.”