Page 111 of The Secret

“God, these events are so boring. The best thing about them is getting drunk.”

I was going to take her word for it, seeing as this was the first one I’d been to, but even then, it did seem like a lot of people just standing around telling each other how great they were, except the group I was in. If I’ve learned anything about Murray and his friends, it was how seriously they took their work, yet absolutely nothing else.

“Do you come to them a lot?”

“More than I’d like, that’s for sure. But you know, it’s family,” she said with a shrug. “I always drag Lowe along though, one of the consequences of having been best friends since we were kids.”

Lowe nudged her playfully. “Kit, tell us about yourself. How did you meet Murray?”

I shifted, slightly uncomfortably. It was the first time I’d been asked this question and it was the first time we’d been out a couple, so I should have been more mentally prepared.

“I nanny for Bell, his daughter.”

Lowe’s face lit up, but it wasn’t in judgment. “Oh! I didn’t realize that was you. Have you two met already then?” She pointed between Laurie and me.

Laurie shook her head, “No, although I can’t believe we haven’t,” She turned to me, “I’m her pediatrician, Doctor James. I met her when she first arrived with Murray, but I haven’t seen her for a month. Bet she’s grown.”

My jaw dropped, because I had her on speed dial in my cell, even though I’d never needed to use it, and Murray had taken her for all check-ups. “You’re Doctor James?”

She took in my confusion, “Not expecting that, were you?”

No, no I wasn’t. Not because there was no reason why she wouldn’t be a doctor, but I’d never seen such an effortlessly dazzling one, and I also knew Penn’s surname. “Do you and Penn not have the same name?”

“We do, but I use James which is our grandmother’s maiden name. It makes things easier when your surname is literally written across the tops of hospitals. I work for the medical arm of the company, so it stops immediate accusations of nepotism and people hating me.” She winked. “I’d rather they hated me for a legitimate reason.”

She was way too likable for anyone to hate, and I suddenly thought how much Payton would like her too. The phrasehouse on firesprang to mind.

“Wow, that’s really awesome. Now I’m sad we haven’t met before.”

“We’ll rectify that immediately. Let’s the three of us go out for cocktails this week.”

“I’d love that. I have a friend I can bring too; you’ll love her.”

“And to think we almost skipped this one.” She linked her arms through both mine and Lowe’s. “Come on, let’s have some fun tonight and leave the boys to their very boring conversation.”

Murray glanced over from his current boring conversation with the boys, throwing me a wink as she dragged us away.

The rest of the evening flew by and then it was midnight; my new partners-in-crime including me in everything they did, which I appreciated more than they knew. I’d never wanted to be one of those girlfriends who needed babysitting, and even if they hadn’t been here, I wouldn’t have needed one, but Murray would have felt obliged.

His arm roped around my waist, and his lips found my temple. “Have you had fun tonight?”

I smiled up at him, relaxing into his embrace. “I have, a lot. Have you?”

His eyes warmed more than they already were. “Yes, but I’m ready to leave. I want you alone now. I’ve had enough of sharing you with the room.”

If we didn’t have to say goodbye to everyone I’d have hauled him to the waiting car there and then. “Let’s go.”

The driver got us home in record time and we burst through the doors of his apartment, lips glued together, clothing partially unzipped.

“Upstairs. I don’t want to wake up Payton and have to chat for half an hour. I need inside you. Now,” he growled in my ear, increasing the goosebumps already pebbling my skin, almost carrying me as he strode through the hallway. Clearly, I wasn’t walking quickly enough.

He kicked his bedroom door shut, stopping in the middle of the room, confusion slashing through the lust in his eyes as I pushed him away when he tried to remove my dress.

“No. It’s my turn.”

His eyes followed the direction of my dress as it dropped, before they rose back to my exposed bolt-tight nipples. I left it where it landed, moving toward him with the same slow predatory gait he used on me, his pants tightening with every step I took. His breath hitched as I reached out, cupping him through the finely woven wool, rubbing him as he grew hard as the diamonds still glittering in my ears. On a loud groan I unzipped his pants, releasing his impressive cock, and sank to the floor.

I wanted him. I wanted to bring him to his knees in the way he brought me to mine every damn day.

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