Page 25 of If You Give a CEO a Chance

As soon as I shut the door to my hotel room, my hands find Elizabeth’s waist, tugging her against my chest.

“I’ve been counting down the minutes until we were alone,” I murmur.

“What are you waiting for? Kiss me already,” she demands with a wry smile.

“God, I love that sassy mouth of yours.” I trail kisses along her jaw, my tongue teasing the seam of her mouth, edging her to surrender. The warmth of her mouth is intoxicating, and the soft moan that passes her lips has my heart racing with a heady mix of recklessness and desire.

I lift her into my arms, her legs instinctively wrapping around my waist and her arms around my neck. She’s fucking intoxicating and I can’t get enough. I grind my cock against hercore, her heat searing through the fabric between us, and she leans into me in response. Our mingled moans fill the air as I greedily explore her mouth with fervor.

Damn, this woman is a temptation I’m unable to resist. I already know that one night with her isn’t going to be enough, and I’m plotting how I can get her to agree to spend the entire weekend with me.

Goddammit.

I blink rapidly, turning away for a moment to adjust myself before clearing my throat.

“I’m leaving for the office soon. Make sure my breakfast is ready in ten. Oh, and, Fallon?”

“Yeah?”

“You better sleep with one eye open. You wanted a prank war and you’re about to get one.”

She smirks. “It’s on.”

I leave the room, massaging my temples. Despite my best efforts to keep Fallon at arm’s length, it’s proving to be difficult. If I don’t get a grip on my mind, it’ll lead me down the same path it did before. I let my guard down for her once, and it left me with nothing but unanswered questions and lingering bitterness. So why do I know her beautiful face will haunt me when I close my eyes tonight?

Once I’m back in my room, I fire off a text to Cash, asking for backup.

Harrison: I need your expertise, but you can’t ask questions.

Cash: I’m intrigued. What’s up, big brother?

Harrison: Got any solid prank ideas up your sleeves?

Cash: You’ve definitely come to the right guy.

Cash: I’ll shoot over some ideas after my next meeting.

Harrison: Great, thanks.

Cash: Do I want to know what this is for?

Harrison: No questions, remember?

Although neither Fallon nor I seem to be happy about the living arrangement, I plan to make the most of it. I may not have total control over my thoughts where she’s concerned, but I’m playing the long game —and I never lose.

Ijolt upright at the sound of my alarm, groaning when I check my phone to see that it’s only 5:30 a.m. As a chef, I’m used to getting up early, but it never gets easier. It doesn’t help that I spent the past two nights tossing and turning, worried that I’d fall asleep and wake up to find a fake snake under my pillow, a creepy doll on the nightstand, or the wood floor coated in honey. It’s hard to imagine Harrison, the guy who had a meltdown over plants and throw pillows, would risk his floors getting ruined for a prank. The other two, though? Definitely plausible.

I lean over to grab my phone off the nightstand, shocked to see I have a new text message this early.

Lila: Good morning!

Fallon: Why are you up so early?

Lila: Winston’s in a committed relationship with the squeaky toy hedgehog my mom gave him, and apparently 5:00 a.m. is when the mood strikes.

Fallon: OMG, stop. At least one of us is getting some action.

Lila: Yes, my dog’s love life is more exciting than mine. Perfect.

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