Page 47 of Guarded King

“I’m sorry, but tonight’s not going to work out. I have to get back to the office.”

She jerks back, eyes wide. “What? You invited me here, and now you’re going back to your office?”

I pin her with my gaze. “I am. I’m sorry if that upsets you. That wasn’t my intention. I’ll call the concierge at the Manhattan King International and tell them to reserve a suite in your name. Room Service is on me.”

“And if I invite someone to join me?” She challenges me archly.

Standing, I adjust my cuffs. “Tell him the steak provolone is exquisite.”

As I turn, I pull out my phone and text Phillip. He’s parked only a block away, so within minutes, I’m sliding into the back seat.

“Where to, Mr. King?”

I consider going back to the office, but for once, losing myself in work doesn’t appeal to me. “Take me home, Phillip.”

“You are full of surprises these days.”

“Surprises?”

He chuckles. “Pizza, donuts, leaving yourdateearly. Not to mention going home instead of to the office. What’s next?”

I meet his eyes in the rearview mirror. “No more surprises.”

And no more letting Chloe get under my skin.

I mean it. All of it. Until I’m in my shower again, this time washing off the floral scent of Gemma’s perfume. There’s no stopping the fantasy that hits me, the one where it’s Chloe’s scent on my skin instead.

Just that is enough to have my dick swelling.

Just this once.

I wrap my fingers around my shaft and grip hard. When I close my eyes, I picture her on her knees in front of me. The water would make her pale blond hair slide like a silk ribbon down the smooth skin of her back. Her long lashes would be wet and spiked as she looked up at me, those ocean eyes of hers full of need.

That’s all it takes to make me harder than I’ve been in as long as I can remember. When the image of the water running over her full breasts, nipples hard and begging for my touch hits me, my balls draw up tight. And the thought of using my thumb topress past her bee-stung lips and tug her jaw open for me? Fuck, it makes my whole body go rigid.

My breathing is harsh, my blood pounding in my ears. With one hand braced on the wall of the shower, I work my dick harder, faster, heat searing up my spine. In my mind I tell her to give me her tongue, and in response, her pupils flare with desire.

That’s all I need. My balls contract, my abs spasm, and my cock jerks in my hand as I pump out my release in harsh, wrenching spurts, painting the tiled floor of my shower. My thighs are shaking by the time it’s over. Holy fuck. I’ve never come that hard just from fucking my own hand.

Head lowered, I let the hot water wash over me—let it wash away the evidence of my misdeed.

Even as my breathing slows, my fingers curl into fists. That’s the one and only time I’ll let myself imagine Chloe when I come.

That’s what I tell myself, anyway, even if, deep down, I worry I’ve already lost my footing on that slippery slope.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHLOE

Grinning, Sophie leans in, her shoulder bumping mine. “You’ve got a little…” She pretends to wipe the corner of her mouth.

All three King brothers are here for the monthly board meeting, as well as Sophie and Cole’s assistant Samson.

Dammit. I guess I’ve been watching Roman a little too intently. He’s sitting back in his chair at the head of the table, his mercury eyes narrowed and his thumb running back and forth under his full lower lip as the CFO presents the details of the King Group’s financial strategy.

It’s the way he exudes command, even when silent, that I’ve been admiring. His presence is like a force that fills the room, drawing the focus of every person here. Then there’s his thick, dark hair, his piercing gaze, and the way his suit jacket fits so snugly over his shoulders. Apparently, I haven’t been subtle about my assessment.

Lips pressed together, I consider flat out denying my fixation, but Sophie beats me to it.

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