Page 70 of The Player's Obsession

“How is work going? It’s one of those things I should know about you.”

“Great. I work from home, and occasionally, I go in for meetings and report directly to the CFO. I get stressed when others procrastinate and leave me in time crunches that could be avoided, but every job has something. What is something you don’t like about yours?”

“Mm, I’m not sure. Probably flight delays. I don’t have control over the weather, and long road trips get old.” Those trips are about to get lonelier as I’ll be missing Penelope.

We reached the elevator, and I hit the button. People are milling around, but it’s not as crowded as it will be tomorrow night.

“What are we wearing tomorrow? I didn’t pack a formal gown for the gala. You never mentioned a New Year’s event,” she says as we step into the elevator with another couple.

“I’m terrible with details like that. See, I need a woman in my life to remind me what I need to be doing. I did bring a blue suit and tie for the wedding.”

“You thought of that.”

The other couple are older and look as if they’ve been married for over thirty years. I see smirks on their face as they listen to our banter.

“The little lady is always right,” the man says.

“And never go to bed with an argument between you,” his wife chimes in.

“Trust us, we know what makes it work.” The elderly man winks at me as they step off, wishing us a good night.

“Marriage advice?” Penelope asks.

“It appears we’re the popular ones. We’ve been so busy I haven’t been paying attention to social media. I do have a following. Come to think of it, we should pose for a picture,” I suggest as we get off on our floor.

“Really?”

“Oh yes. This way, all my female followers know I’m in a relationship. Here, we can stand by this painting on the wall.”

She’s reluctant, and I know she’s shy with the recent publicity. Anyone not used to it would be, but it’s part of my life and will be a part of hers for the next month.

“Come here,” I say as I cue the camera on my phone. She stands beside me, and I put my arm around her. I’m getting used to this. I like to keep her warm and safe. We look at ourselves on my phone. “Relax, just smile.”

“Easy for you to say,” she snickers, and I snap the picture, pulling away from her long enough to post it. “What should the caption be?”

“Almost New Year’s with my sweetie at the RusLuxe. I don’t know, I don’t do this. You do.” She playfully gives me a nudge. I surprise her by pulling her into my arms, and she lets out a cute squeal of surprise. And then I kiss her. The kiss takes us both by surprise. My cock is hard, and I want nothing more than to put it to use in the honeymoon suite.

I smell a light scent of vanilla on her, and our kiss deepens. I’ve never been this comfortable with someone so early on. Normally, it takes time for me to fall into the impromptu kissing in the hallways. Melanie is right, I’m not big on public displays of affection. It’s new to me, but with Penelope, it’s natural, and my pulse quickens.

I need to get her into the hotel room before I ravage her against this wall. The thought is tempting, even thrilling, but that’s a headline we could all do without.

We break apart, breathless.

“The room, this way.” I point my finger down the corridor. It’s strange, they are all the same, and I can see how one could get lost for days in this maze. The hotel has numerous wings, but I’ve stayed here enough times to know my way around. I never stayed in the honeymoon suite, so this is all new to me.

“Are you sure?” I feel her eyes on my face, looking for confirmation.

“Yep.”

We walk down a hallway, and I skillfully pull the key card out and open the door.

She tosses her purse on the couch from the doorway, and I’m on top of her. Her back is against the door.

“I can’t get enough of you.” I kiss her lips and her neck.

“This is crazy.” Her breathing is heavy. I move a hand to cup her breasts.

“The bra is in the way,” I murmur.

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