Page 64 of French Martini

I kiss the top of his head. “My pleasure, kitten.”

When the elevator dings for our floor, he straightens up and adopts that cold, neutral gaze. Not gonna lie, there’s something so sexy about the way he can shift easily between his two personas. Can’t wait to see how I can melt that icy exterior later.

We walk to the room and I unlock the door as Lowen waits behind me, peeling out of his coat. Once we’re inside, his shoulders relax and he plops down in a cushy armchair, dropping everything he was holding.

I haven’t moved from the doorway, still taking it all in. Everything is marble and glass, expensive-looking upholstery, and dark wood trim. I’ve been in a few nice hotels in my day, but this is something else.

“Is this the kind of place you stayed in while you were in Paris?”

“This is the kind of place we designed.”

“Fancy.”

Lowen chuckles, gesturing for me to walk over to him. I stand in front of him, leaning down to grip the arms of the chair, stopping just inches from his gorgeous face.

“It’s a whole new world for me.”

Gazing up, he licks his lips. “When you have it all the time, it loses its shine, but it’s nice for a change of pace.”

“You look good here. Like you were always part of it. But I gotta be honest.”

A crease appears between his brow as he nods.

“You know I think you’re pretty—stunning, actually—and yeah, you fit in here, but it’s not who you really are. It’s a part of you maybe, but it’s not my spicy kitten that I’ve known for almost a year.”

Lowen nods, a slight smile gracing his lips. “Until recently, people mostly treated me like I was part of the decor, another pretty trinket adorning the room. It took a while for people to realize and acknowledge that I had a brain and talent in addition to what I look like.” He reaches up and cups my face. “But my friends and you, you guys always see the real me behind the facade of the high-end designer. Maybe that’s why…” He pauses, shaking his head.

“Why what?”

“Why it was so easy to let my guard down a little with you. I know you appreciate my exterior, but you see the whole me.”

And I love every bit.

I have to bite my tongue not to drop that little bomb on him. He doesn’t need it right now.

“All I want is to see you happy, whatever that looks like. You deserve it.”

“I think so too.” He tugs on my sweater. “Are you just gonna hover there or are you gonna kiss me?”

“If I kiss you, I’ll mess up your lipstick.”

“Fun fact: I have more.”

“Good news.”

I lean in and press my lips to his, tasting the slight strawberry hint of his lips just as he parts them and dips his tongue between mine. Sinking to my knees, I spread his legs apart and deepen the kiss, gripping the back of his neck while rubbing his nipples through the sheer blouse. I want to peel him out of his gorgeous clothes and remind him of all the ways I appreciate him, but as I start to untuck the blouse, the phone in his pocket buzzes and he groans.

“Why do I think this is going to be some sort of request,” he murmurs against my lips.

“Better answer it.”

He pulls the phone from his pocket, gazing at the screen with narrowed eyes. “Oh goodie. The organizers heard I checked in and would just like a few minutes of my time.”

“Duty calls, huh?”

“Unfortunately.” He gestures at the obvious bulge between his legs. “What do I do with this?”

“I have a few suggestions.” I adjust my own bulge, bringing a genuine smile to his lips. “Raincheck?”

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