Page 70 of Hold On Me

“Earth to Ben… Mr. Elias? You still with us?” Angie snaps her fingers in front of my eyes and brings me back to the now.

“I’m fine. Get back to work, Angie.” She rolls her eyes but slowly turns away from the desk. “Penelope, I need you to stay late tonight. I’ve got a conference call with a colleague later, theonly time he can do it is after hours, and I need your assistance.” I narrow my eyes at her, willing her to see through my lie, and smirk when the realisation dawns on her face. Angie hesitates for just a second, probably trying to hear her response.

“Okay, I just need to call my dad and let him know I won’t be able to visit with him tonight.”

Instant guilt swarms through me, and I’m just about to tell her not to worry, when Angie comes through and saves my arse without even knowing it.

“I can pop in and make sure he’s doing okay. I haven’t seen Hank in a few days and I miss his face.”

A smile stretches across my face, and I don’t care that I look like a loon. All I’m focusing on is thanking the gods for sending Angie to us when they did. And yes, I know it’s a complete 360, but who am I to judge myself. Not when I have the opportunity to have Penelope all to myself tonight.

“Do you mind? I saw him when I first came home, and I know Mama and Pops have been keeping him company as well, but I feel like a bad daughter.”

“You’re far from a bad daughter, Lit— Penelope.” I clear my throat at my almost slip up, and hastily turn my back on them both. “I have work to do. I’ll see you later.”

I don’t miss the whispered, “What was that about?” or the, “I don’t know,” muttered between the girls, but I do smile as I close the door, knowing I’ve secured some one-on-one time with my Little One.

A gentle knocking sends my pulse racing, but I force the urge to jump up and run over to yank the door off its hinges in myexcitement. I lean back in my chair, ankle resting on my thigh, and call, “Enter.”

She strolls in, closes the door behind her, raises her brow, and pops her hip out with her hand placed on it.

“Enter? Really? We’re in douchebag mode, I see.” Her eyes drop to the floor and widen as she spots the blanket I’ve laid out, the picnic basket in the centre, and two glasses of champagne chilling. “Oh my…”

Her hand falls to her chest and she bites on her lip. I take that as my cue to stand and stroll over to her, taking her hand from her chest and placing a gentle kiss on her knuckles.

“Still a douche?” I lead her to the blanket, but not before flicking the lock on my office door and pulling the remote out of my pocket to close the blinds. We’re completely closed off from the outside world now, and I take advantage and let my hand trail down to her lower back, wrap it around her waist, and pull her close to me. I bury my nose in her hair and let the scents of green apple and vanilla consume me.

“I missed you, Little One.” She shivers as I drag my nose up the column of her throat and nibble on her ear.

“I missed you too. Why didn’t you think of this sooner?” She turns her body to face me and lets her eyes meet mine. “Also, did you forget I don’t drink alcohol?” She grins and motions with her hand to the glasses.

Rather than feeling embarrassed at forgetting such an important thing, I smirk and bend to grab a glass and the bottle chilling in the ice bucket next to the basket. “Tut, tut, Penelope. Do you really think so little of me? Just because you don’t drink alcohol doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a glass of champagne.” Holding the bottle up so she can read the non-alcoholic part of the label, she laughs, takes the glass from my hand and takes a sip. She dips her tongue out to swipe away the excess liquid and I groan as my dick strains against the zipper of my pants.

“Thank you. I didn’t know you could get non-alcoholic champagne.” She takes another sip and I motion for her to have a seat on the blanket. Once she’s comfortable with her legs tucked under her, I join her and sit as close as I can.

“Technically it can’t be called champagne. There’s a legal reason for it, but I won’t bore you with that. This is a French Bloom La Cuvee 2022. It’s a sparkling chardonnay, but it’s made in the same style and is backed by the exquisite expertise of the renowned French winemakers, Taittinger.” I finish my sentence to find her looking amused and suppressing a laugh. “What’s so funny?”

“You’re a wine snob. Who would’ve thunk it.” She falls into a fit of giggles as I narrow my eyes at her, mumble, “Brat,” under my breath, and take a sip of my drink.

“So what time does your conference call start?” There’s a cheeky grin on her lips. I don’t answer, just reach for her foot and slip her heel off. “What are you do… oh my God.” A loud groan takes her from her sentence as I dig my thumb into the arch of her foot.

“Normally I’d be punishing your mouth for being so snarky, but I’ve missed your body too much and can’t wait to have my hands all over it, so today I’ll let the sass slide. Tomorrow is a whole other story though.”

She’s barely listening to me, too swept up in the pleasure my hands are creating on her foot. She leans back on her elbows and lets her head fall backwards. The sight is beautiful. Her lips are parted slightly, her hair tumbling behind her. Her beautiful tits are pressed toward me as she arches her back, the buttons of her white shirt straining against the fabric, begging me to undo the constraints and swipe my tongue over them. My mouth waters at the idea, and I have to concentrate to keep myself from lunging on top of her. Patience.

The last time we had sex, it was hard and fast. This time, I want it to be slow and agonisingly pleasurable. I want every part of her body to be licked, bitten, or fucked by me. I want her skin glowing with pleasure and sweat, and her unable to recall her own name when I’m done with her.

I let my fingers stroke higher on her leg, her calf muscles relaxing under my ministrations. She moans when I stop, and a small chuckle escapes from me.

“I’m just removing your other shoe so I can repeat the process, Little One. I take it you’re enjoying yourself?” She sighs and takes another sip of her drink before lowering herself to lay fully on the blanket.

“Very much so. But I feel like the view could be better. It has way too many clothes on for my liking.” She lets her gaze roam over my body and bites on her lip when she spots my growing length, which just got harder under her gaze. Dropping her feet from my lap, I kneel and unravel my tie, undo my buttons, and whip my shirt off. “Much better.”

Her exclamation comes with widened eyes that have darkened with lust, and again I have to fight the urge to not just sink inside her. She lifts her foot and lets her painted toes run over my abs, and the sensation sends ripples through me. I grab her foot and pull it away from my skin as she pouts up at me.

“I’m the one doing the touching, Penelope. Remember the rules or I’ll tie your hands and feet up.”

“Promises, promises.” The grin she gives me is obscene, but I fucking love it.

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