Page 64 of Wine & Whiskey
“Thank you.” He lets out a deep breath, relief softening his tight expression. “Are you okay from last night?”
“Yes. We agreed to disagree, but Carrie is staying.”
“Good.” His finger traces from her temple to her chin, warming her skin from his sensual touch. “I was happy to find you in my bed when I woke up.” The huskiness of his voice doesn’t mask the uncertainty lingering in his eyes.
Before she can play along, she must eliminate his doubt, ensure he believes her commitment to him. “No matter what Nathan said, I wasn’t going to leave.”
“I’m sorry if you thought I walked out on you. I hated seeing you caught in the middle, and I didn’t want to put any more pressure on you.”
“You’re the only one who doesn’t.” She shakes her head at her own irrationality. He knows what happened when she and Evan broke up, yet doesn’t push, never makes her feel like he wants more than what she gives. He loves her. She should say it too. They’re just words. Simple words that make people happy. And hurt people. Words uttered too easily,without understanding the impact when they’re rescinded.
He caresses her cheek, lifting her face to his. “I don’t give a damn what anyone else says or does. We both know how we feel about each other. That’s all I need.” He rests his forehead against hers, claiming her heart again with his tenderness. “Besides, if you had left, I would have come for you.”
As always, he lets her off the hook, gives her an out she never even has to ask for. “You just want back in my panties.”
His eyes darken, and he licks his lips before sucking the tender spot under her ear and trailing kisses down her throat, stoking the fire in her only he can ignite. “If I didn’t have this meeting to get to, I’d have you back in bed, but without this.” He curls his finger around her belt, pulling it loose and sliding his hands up her back. Tingles shoot through her body at his fingers flexing against the bare skin above her negligee, making her almost whimper as they graze the straps. “Or anything else that would get in the way.”
She runs her hands over his black jacket and tugs his sapphire tie, the perfect match to the deep pools of his eyes. “But you’re so sexy in your suit.”
He nips her earlobe before his warm breath tickles her sensitive skin. “Work or birthday?”
“Both.” She shivers at his groan against her neck. His hands slip under the hem of her nightgown and glide over her body, stopping at her breasts, her nipples responding to his insistent touch before she forces herself to step back. “You’re going to be late.”
“It’s worth it.”
She laughs and shakes her head. “You’ll never get away with it. Max will call for you.”
“Fine.” They lock eyes as he ties her robe together, his lips curled into a sexy smirk. “What’s your schedule for today?”
“I’m going to see Jason. Even though I dread it, we need to talk.”
The playfulness gone, his mouth sets in a hard line. Disapproval radiates from his pinched expression, but he remains silent.
“Then, I meet with Team Shae. We have the movie premiere in New York in two weeks.” She smiles at his raised eyebrows as he waits for more. “You can come along…if you want.”
He pulls her to him, his deep, low voice humming against her lips. “You really think I’d let you go without me?”
“I’d never want you to.”
His growl vibrates in her mouth as he plunges his tongue inside, stealing her breath with his fervor. Proof of his need presses against her stomach, and he cups her face, devouring her lips with an insatiable hunger she longs to feed. When they have time to enjoy it. “Nick?”
“Damn meeting.” He shakes his head before burying his face in her neck, his panting breath blowing against her hair. “I love you. Be careful and do what Max tells you.”
“I will. I promise.”
After he kisses her goodbye, she changes into workout clothes and jogs down the stairs. Max waits in the foyer, his smile seemingly genuine rather than reflecting the annoyance he must feel being saddled with her for the day. He nods toward the door. “Are you ready to go?”
“Yes, if you are.” She returns the sentiment, reminded how his intimidating stature conceals the gentleness underneath. “I’m sorry you have to babysit me.”
“No big deal. Besides, I thought maybe we could hit that doughnut place on Van Nuys after you’re done.”
She can’t help but laugh. He uses her weakness as an excuse to support his own addiction. “I think it defeats the purpose of going to the gym if you follow it up with sweets.”
He shrugs, feigning indifference rather than guilt. “Okay, suit yourself.”
“Now, hold on. I didn’t say no.”
He laughs all the way to the garage. Inside the second of six bays, he introduces her to a short, stocky man with a halo of red hair threaded with gray, standing next to the limo. “Shae, this is Leo. He’s part of our security team, filling in for Jacks until he’s feeling better.”
