Page 25 of Kissed and Missed

“Comfortable?” I manage to ask, averting my gaze as she pushes her arms through the sleeves of the fluffy hotel robe. Already, my willpower is hanging by a thread, and one more second staring at her almost naked body would have me abandoning all the plans I made for us today.

“Very,” she sighs, and I peer up cautiously to find her gazing at me, a sly smile curving her lips. “Is something the matter?”

Yes. I went nearly a decade without having sex, and now my dick is throbbing for relief only a few hours after it was last inside her. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” I chuckle, closing the distance between us. I lift my hand, allowing my fingers to cradle the base of her skull.

“Maybe.” She inhales sharply, her lips parting as I gather her hair in my fist, forcing her chin up.

“You like knowing what you do to me?” I press my erection against her stomach, cataloging the way her breathing changes and her pupils dilate. “You like knowing how much I want you?”

Honor nods, her chin tilting up a little further, silently begging for a kiss. Instead, I release her. Standing back, I gesture toward the bedroom door, trying not to feel too smug about the little pout this earns me. “We have things to do, Valentine,” I remind her with a chuckle. “There’s a gala in two days, remember?”

She bites her lip, a flash of apprehension playing across her pretty features. “I’ll need to call my boss to tell her why I’m not coming in...”

“I’ve already handled that. I emailed her personally this morning, informing her you would be needed here to assist The Ballard Fund’s staff.”

Honor’s eyes go wide. “But if she’s seen the stuff on the internet, which I’m betting she has, she’ll know, won’t she? That we’re in a relationship? That you gave them the donation because of me?”

“Does it matter if she knows or doesn’t know? They’re still getting a very large check from me, and I’m confident the guests in attendance tomorrow night will be very generous. I’m betting she will overlook what her event coordinator is doing for the next few days.”

“Whoshe’s doing, more like.”

I laugh as I take her hand, pulling her out into the main living area. A selection of breakfast foods has already been set up at the dining table, and Honor allows me to kiss her pursed lips before we sit down across from each other. “I have a board meeting at noon, but apart from that, you’ll be showing me the party planning ropes.”

“Event coordinating.”

“You see? I have a lot to learn.”

She takes a bite of pastry, still pretending to look irritated. “Why do you want me to do it, anyway? I’m positive you have more qualified people waiting to ask how high when you ask them to jump.”

There’s some truth in that, but it’s irrelevant in this instance. “I want this organization to feel like yours, too. It’s my money, but I want you to be making the decisions about what to do with it. At least until I can free myself from the shackles of corporate America to help you.”

Honor’s hand falls back to her plate, and she chews slowly, her eyes on my face. “It’s just…” She gazes at me, apparently struggling to find the right words to express the way this sentiment has made her feel. “I just don’t understand how you could be so sure. About me? In a romantic capacity, and to run The Ballard Fund. I feel like the most ordinary person alive.”

My chest burns with anger at every single person who ever made her feel that way or believe that about herself. Including my own kid. Reaching across the table, I take her hand. “Valentine, you have more love and goodness in you than anyone I’ve ever met. There’s no one I trust more.”

16

HONOR

“I’m sorry. I tried to stop him.” Sophie’s rushed apology comes through the half-opened hotel room door, but my question of what the hell she’s talking about evaporates as the finely carved wood is pushed further open and I find myself staring into the grim face of my father.

“Oh.” I sigh, stepping aside to let them in, mentally thanking my lucky stars that Julian is in a board meeting in the next room and won’t be subjected to the interrogation about to take place.

Sophie hands me a stuffed overnight bag. “Here, I brought you some essentials.”

“Oh! Thank?—”

“I’ve hired an independent PR company,” Dad announces the moment the door closes fully. “We’re not going to lethimcontrol the narrative, Honor. You need someone working in your best interest, nothis. How do you know this man isn’t throwing you under the bus?”

It’s difficult to keep myself from snapping.Bossymight as well be Bram Vogel’s middle name, and walking in here with a plan he expects everyone to accept without question is just like him. “Julian wouldn’t do that, Dad.”

Predictably, he ignores this completely. “They’ll be calling you in the next hour to set up a meeting. I’ve also booked you another room downstairs.”

Losing patience, I open my mouth to argue back, however, Sophie beats me to it. “You’re steamrolling, Bram Cracker.”

My exasperation is temporarily overshadowed by horror. “Are you kidding me, Sophie June Nelson?Bram Cracker? That’s disgusting.”

My best friend shrugs, utterly unabashed. “We’re adorable.”

---