Page 33 of Embrace
“Me, Greg Carroll.” He removed his hand.
“Greg Carroll?”
“Yes. I’m going to turn on the light.”
I shook like a leaf, but at least I felt less afraid as the light clicked on and it was indeed him.
Chapter Nine
Asher Christmas
12 Hours Ago
From where I sat in the back of the limo, I could see Penina standing in front of the elevator. I kept my focus glued to the entrance of the building, making sure no one sketchy came in behind her. My eyes narrowed a fraction more as I paid attention to how delicate she looked with her arms folded tightly against her ribs and her shoulders hunched. Then I pictured her erect nipples against my tongue and the heated flesh of her breast in my mouth.Fuck.I grabbed my dick as it stiffened. It took every ounce of willpower to stay put.
I was less of a man and more of a deadbeat boyfriend for not at least escorting her to her apartment. But I knew why I couldn’t do that. I wanted a lot of shit in my life, but never had I wanted anything more than to make love to Penina that night. My cock begged me to let it slide inside her again and thrust into her nice and slow. I loved it when she tightened her pussy around my shaft. Whenever she did that, I knew shortly thereafter she would come. I wanted nothing more than to hear her sigh when she felt it and see her eyes expand and her mouth open as if she were struggling to breathe. That fucking turned me on.
I had no surgeries scheduled for the next day. Penina thought her shift started at five a.m. But it had been decided. Her residency was complete. In the morning, when her alarm played the song about the blue butterfly, I was going to reveal that Si would be presenting her with a fellowship she couldn’t refuse. Then I would draw her under me, separating her thighs, and ram my engorged cock into her wet wonderland. Later, when we were done making love, we would go to the hospital, and sign the contract, and wouldn’t have to report back to the hospital until the first of October. For several months, Penina Ross would be all mine.
I was the boss. I was in charge. And I had securely ensured that surgical duties wouldn’t hinder me indulging in Penina Ross. The only obstacle that could get in the way of my need to overdose on her had sent several text messages to my cell phone and then had the balls to call. When Julia wanted something, she sought to acquire it with all guns blazing. She was capable of anything and was an expert at pulling the rug right out from under a person’s feet while looking them in the eye.
I pressed the button on the console to talk to Kirk. We were still separated by a tinted window. I would’ve rolled it down, but I wanted to keep the sweet aroma of Penina’s skin, which filled the air, all to myself.
“Ready,” I said.
He started the engine and pulled away from the curb.
I was restless in my seat, unable to get comfortable. Asher Christmas was back and residing beneath my skin. I wanted Penina to read the book about my family, which had some true details about me, and decide whether she could love me or not. Jake was a man with no past or future. He existed in that beautiful reality called the present. In the present, I had made love to Penina, taken her dancing, and bared my fucking soul to her. Jake carried no shame, nor was he burdened with constantly feeling inadequate.
I wiped my hands over my face and whispered, “Fuck,” into my palms.
My feet were back on the chessboard. Julia was a parasite threatening my tranquility. I had to make moves that ensured I wouldn’t get eaten up from the inside out or lose the one woman I’d ever loved. That was why as Asher Christmas, I picked up my cell phone and made a call.
* * *
I droppedmy phone on the seat then grimaced while shaking my fists. I was agitated. The call I’d made to my sister, Bryn, had gone straight to voice mail. I was losing both my shit and my resolve.
How did Julia know how to find me, anyway?It couldn’t have been Spencer. He wasn’t the same brother I could never trust. I shook my head. It wasn’t him. And it sure as hell wasn’t Jasper.
“Ash?” Kirk’s voice rang through the speakers as the culprit’s face came to mind.
I stretched my neck, hot under the collar as I smashed the communication button. “Yeah, Kirk?”
“I see reporters in front of your building. A whole fucking lot of them.”
Shit.They knew where to find me, which further supported my conclusion that it was Gina who’d sold me out. However, it wasn’t her style to throw the press a bone. That was all Julia.
“How far away are we?”
“They’re watching my approach.”
Shit.
“Should I make a U-turn?” he asked.
“No. That’ll only alert them. Don’t slow down, but don’t speed up. Cruise past at the speed limit.”
“Got it.”
