Page 41 of Duke's Daring Bookworm
Sleeping next to Lily was both torturous and wonderful. I laid awake long after she fell asleep just watching her in the moonlight spilling in from her window. She did not sleep peacefully, and I worried nightmares plagued her. She settled when I tightened my arms around her and sighed like I was her safety from the storms of her mind.
God, my heart broke just thinking about it.
Chapter Fourteen
It’s been three days since I saw Duke, since we had sex. The thought still sent a thrill through me. The weekend was here, and I needed him again. I didn’t even care how pathetic that made me.
lily
When can I see you?
duke
I have work I’m not sure sorry
Disappointment rocketed through me. I tried not to take that personally, but a lump still formed in my throat.
lily
It’s the weekend. aren’t you the big boss? Take the day off
duke
I would love to seeyou I just can’t escape
He would love to see me. I clung to that a little too desperately. No wonder I couldn’t make it work with anyone. I was clearly a mess if I couldn’t even go a few days without seeing him after just one night. One amazing night. One night that I think changed me on a cellular level.
Dammit.
duke
Come here
lily
On my way
I didn’t care if it seemed eager and a little unhinged. He wanted to see me. Maybe I could convince him to steal away with me in a closet again. I thought of all the ways I could tease him and make him come from just my words and hand.
I stared at my closet, wondering exactly what one should wear to seduce her best friend cum lover. A giggle escaped me at the double entendre. I considered my choices and opted to raid Frankie’s closet instead. She wouldn’t mind, and maybe she would have something that would work.
Even though we had wildly different body types, our height difference meant we could wear the same sizes in certain clothing. I found the perfect skirt. It was deep purple, flowy, and short enough to be tempting without giving everyone a show. I paired it with a simple white crop top and thought it looked good, considering this is the first time I’ve actually tried to dress up. Hopefully, it would do exactly what I wanted it to, and Duke wouldn’t be able to resist me.
I took the bus to Johnson Square, the park in front of Duke’s work. The building was unusually tall for Savannah. I’m sure it wouldn’t even warrant attention in a larger city, but at eighteen stories, it was officially the tallest building in Savannah. Towering over Johnson Square and the previous record holder, Savannah Bank and Trust.
Duke’s grandfather, Ashford Pennington, created significant controversy when he announced plans to move his business here from New York. His original plans called for a twenty-five-story glass and steel replica of his New York offices.
Thankfully, that didn’t pass. Thaddeus Dawson, an up-and-coming politician, stopped the plans, and the two struck a compromise. This building was built. Ashford Pennington and Thaddeus Dawson ended up in the new cycle for months, and both went on to achieve impressive success in their chosen fields.
Duke’s friend Anders dated Thaddeus’ granddaughter, Grace, and I wondered at how Savannah was still such a small place that the grandchildren of the schemers—because I’m sure that drama was all a publicity stunt—would end up in the same tight-knit group of friends.
I wiped my hands on my skirt, trying to shake my nerves, focus on my plan to seduce Duke, and not obsess over the building’s intriguing history and puzzling family connections.
I walked through the square. The mature trees cast deep shadows on the wide brick walkways. Various fragrant flowers lined the walkways and bees buzzed from one to the next. This had always been one of my favorite parks in the city, and its proximity to the museum meant I had many lunches here. I wondered if Duke would join me for a picnic one of these days.
My steps echoed on the marble floors of the empty lobby. I briefly worried that security would stop me, but Duke must have warned them to watch for me because one scanned me into the small, golden elevator with no delay.
The elevator opened into another small, richly carpeted lobby. A utilitarian desk—a stark contrast to the opulent space—sat beside dark mahogany doors. Fresh cut lilies sprouted from an opulent vase on a low glass table surrounded by four dark leather chairs.
