Page 41 of The Wrong Promise

And with that thought, I’m back to thinking about Friday night after dinner when I heard a door bang, and I got up to investigate. I went toward his room to make sure he was okay, and that’s when I heard him moaning. Of course, I checked. His door was slightly open, and he was naked on the bed, giving himself a hand as I suggested. I watched him as he pumped his hand up and down his length, the action mesmerizing. Then, when he whispered my name, I assumed I was hearing things.

I ran back to my room before I did something I’d regret—a second time. I convinced myself I didn’t hear him right, as he wouldn’t be having sexy thoughts about me.

I annoy him. Everything he does for me is because it’s part of his business plan or Penny asked him to do it.

But last night… he stayed for me.

He rushes back into the room and clicks the door shut. “I need to sterilize my feet.”

“What?”

“That bathroom.” He grabs his shirt and slips it on, buttoning it. “Fucking mortifying in the morning with an audience outside the door.”

I lift the sheet and pat the space beside me. “Come back to bed for a while.”

His hands still, and his eyes lock with mine. “You know that’s not a great idea.”

I roll onto my back and let out a long sigh. “I miss spooning. And now the bed’s cold.”

He glances up to the ceiling. “I need to leave and do some work.” He says it so matter-of-factly, but then he pulls back the sheet and climbs into bed with me, fully clothed.Surprising me further, he wraps an arm over my stomach. “This is as close to spooning as we’re doing, and I’m only here if you tell me what’s really troubling you?”

I take another deep breath and let it out slowly. Jobe wants a D and M. I must be stuck in a dream. Yet the more time I spend with him, the more layers I uncover. He’s not the stuck-up suit I once thought him to be. And he cares about me. “Sometimes I miss home. I missmyfriends.”

Jobe kisses my shoulder, and I’m starting to enjoy all the little kisses he offers to console me. “It’s natural to feel that way.”

“I love the adventure of being here, but I miss the closeness of my friends. Being able to speak my mind without judgment and the good times with Penny.” I glance sideways at him. “I also miss spooning.” He stills but doesn’t look at me. “I haven’t been with anyone for a long time, and it’s not a London problem but a Zara problem. I need the physical touch that my vibrator doesn’t offer.” This gains a look, but his poker face is set in stone.

“You need sex,” I state as the idea strikes me. “I need what comes before and after sex. I like to hold onto those moments for as long as possible. It’s why I was never great with one-night stands when they up and leave.” I watch the accusation sink in on his face.Yeah. I’m talking about you too.At least he has the decency to look away.

“You’re the girl who wants breakfast cooked after you fuck.”

I roll my eyes. “And lunch and a stroll together and dinner and perhaps another date.” He doesn’t say anything, only stares at me. “I know I sound crazy, but maybe we can help each other.”

His brow tightens. “Careful, Zara.”

“I saw you,” I whisper. “Giving yourself a hand.” He pulls back, but I keep hold of his arm around me. “I enjoyedwatching you. Maybe I could help. I have hands and a mouth and?—”

He flies out of bed. “No.” He finishes doing his shirt buttons.

“And you could cuddle me.”

He won’t look at me as he slips into his designer leather shoes.

“I thought you liked me touching you,” I whisper as he shoves his shirt inside his trousers.

“Of course I liked it. But there was a point where we knew we had to pull back and not cross. If that’s taken away…” His eyes lock with mine. “You don’t know me,” he says in a darker, dangerous voice.

“Yeah, I remember. I don’t know why you were out of sorts last night when you’d have preferred two or three women in your bed. Because that is what you like, right?” I roll over so I don’t have to look at him.

“I don’t sleep with just anyone,” he says quietly behind me as he walks past the bed, stopping near the door. “I’ll see you back in London later this evening. I’m heading out for dinner with a client.”

“Go and fuck them and see if I care,” I snap when he closes the door.Because I was so bad the first time, he doesn’t want round two with me.

Knock. Knock.

“Zara?” echoes behind the door.

“Come in.”

---