Page 23 of Silver Flirt

Pride surges through me, knowing I can give her this. The views, the luxury, the escape from the grind of the city.

I want to give her everything.

“Just wait until you see the inside,” I tell her with a grin. “And the private beach access.”

“Private beach, huh?” she says, arching her brow. “It sounds like you’re trying to get me alone, Mr. Cooper.”

“Damn right, I am,” I growl playfully. “I’ve got plans for you, Ms. Graham.”

She flushes, a pretty pink that spreads down her neck, and I’m hit with a flashback to a few hours ago, when I had her naked and writhing beneath me, that same flush spreading across her skin.

A knock on the window jolts me out of the heated memory.

I turn to see Jack and Marlie Barton, the couple who live in the condo next to mine. They’re both grinning at us like they caught me with my hand in the cookie jar.

Mentally cursing the interruption, I school my features into a friendly smile and open the door to greet them.

“Jack, Marlie, hey. Didn’t expect to see you guys here.”

“We could say the same,” Marlie says, eyeing Melissa with open curiosity. “Who’s your friend, Bash?”

Friend. The word feels wrong, inadequate. Melissa is so much more than that.

“This is Melissa Graham,” I say, unable to keep the pride from my voice as I reach for her hand and twine our fingers together. “My girlfriend.”

There’s a beat of silence. I feel Melissa tense slightly beside me, and I worry I’ve overstepped and pushed too far too fast.

But then she relaxes and squeezes my hand, and when I glance at her, she’s smiling, her eyes soft and warm as they meet mine.

“Girlfriend,” Jack repeats, his eyebrows raised. He shoots me a look that says we’ll discuss this later. “Well, it’s great to meet you, Melissa.”

“You too,” Melissa says, shaking Jack’s hand.

Marlie steps forward and air-hugs Melissa. “Welcome to Barton Beach, hon. We’re so happy to have you here.”

“Thank you,” Melissa replies, her cheeks flushed. I can’t help but wonder if it’s from the warm welcome or the possessive way I’m holding her hand.

“So, how do you two know each other?” Jack asks, looking back and forth between us.

“Bash and I went to high school together,” Melissa stammers.

“That’s so adorable!” Marlie says, her eyes lighting up. “High school sweethearts, huh?”

“Something like that,” I say, brushing it off. The truth is obviously a bit more complicated than that, but I don’t feel like getting into our tangled history right now.

“We should let you two get settled in,” Jack says, nudging his wife. “Welcome to the building, Melissa. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Thanks, Jack, Marlie. I appreciate it.” Melissa flashes them a dazzling smile before they finally leave.

As soon as the elevator doors close, Melissa turns to me with a twinkle in her eye. “Girlfriend, huh?”

“Seemed like the easiest explanation,” I shrug. “Besides, it’s not that far from the truth, right?”

Her cheeks turn even redder. “I guess not.”

We ride the elevator up to my penthouse in silence, the sexual tension thick enough to suffocate. My heart hammers in my chest as I swipe my keycard, and the doors open, revealing the spacious living area and breathtaking ocean views.

Melissa steps inside and turns in a slow circle, taking in the sleek modern furnishings, the original artwork on the walls, and the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the swirling Gulf waters.

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