Page 181 of Now and Forever

My mind was working overtime, trying to read between the lines. Everything seemed so familiar, because I had been here before. Not particularly in the same fashion, but rather a similar one, and it had gotten me nowhere.

“It’s fine. I don’t mind grocery shopping,” I insisted, hoping he would understand that I needed to put some distance between us.

Drew had a deep frown as he glanced at the rearview mirror, catching his driver’s attention. “Do you mind giving us a moment, Everson?”

“Of course, Mr. Cavendish.”

“I appreciate it, thanks,” he murmured then waited for Everson to exit the car.

The moment the door was shut, Drew shifted to face me with a determined look in his eyes. “What do I have to do to make you come home with me?”

Dammit, he could be persistent, but hopefully, I could dissuade him.

“Drew, we’ve been here before. Let’s not do this again. Please …”

His tongue curled over his bottom lip, and then he looked away, staring through the window for a few seconds before facing me again. “I’m not ready to let you go. These past few days have been amazing, but it’s not enough. I need more of you.”

Shit. This was heading where I didn’t want it to go. He only wanted me a few days more, and then what? It was sex he wanted; that much was obvious. He had stressed that need at all hours, so much so that I would always wake up with him between my legs.

“Drew, don’t do this. It’s been great—I’m not going to lie—but I can’t. If it’s sex you’re after, we both know you have a long list readily available to you.” The last part hurt to say out loud.

“That’s not true, Chlo. We do have fun without sex involved.” He looked aghast that I had even suggested such a thing. “Fine. Okay, I promise we won’t have sex. I won’t even touch you. As long as you stay with me, you can have the other room if you like.”

“What?” I blurted out. Who was this man, and why was he spitting gibberish? He wasn’t a man capable of abstinence, and I doubted he would be able to fulfill such a high promise. “You’re crazy.”

“I am,” he whispered a little somberly. “I’m crazy for you, Chlo.”

Fuck, he was gunning for my emotions. Damn him.

“I don’t know …” I was torn, my mind and heart telling me two different things.

“No sex, I promise,” he stated once again. “So, will you stay with me?”

After one look at him with those pleading eyes, I was done for.

“All right … I’ll stay until Tuesday, but you’ve got to kiss me for the last time.”

He let out a hearty laugh before bringing his lips to mine, kissing me tenderly as he cupped my face.

With our newly cemented deal, we held hands the entire ride back to the city. Who could have imagined him being so romantic? I thought him callous—which he was, and he did it seamlessly—but this side of him was rare. I couldn’t help basking in his affection on me. It seemed like he really cherished me this time. However, it could also be a direct result of him believing I was still with Cori.

Once we arrived at the hotel, he showed me to the other bedroom, just as he had stated, and so far, he had kept his hands to himself. I wondered how long it would be until his distance started unfolding. It would be amusing to see him fight off the sexual chemistry.

That evening, he surprised me by bringing two masseuses to our suite. They set the massage tables in his bedroom and littered the room with candles while we relaxed with Central Park and the city’s skyline as our view. The candles gave that enchanting affect about the room. As much as I liked getting physical with Drew, the massage was much needed.

“That was sublime. I didn’t realize I needed one so badly. Now I feel like I’m floating. Feels so good,” I moaned, stretching my arms and feeling beyond refreshed.

“You’re so beautiful right now. I’m fighting off the urge to kiss you … everywhere.” His eyes devoured me in every way imaginable, but none he could act upon. I knew that look well enough to know he was aroused.

If I had the guts to slip my hand inside his robe, I knew his cock would be rock hard.

“Keep fighting it off …” I said huskily before throwing him a challenging look.

Feeling empowered, I began unknotting my robe without taking my eyes off him. I could hear his sharp intake of breath, and raw lust leapt into his eyes as he began licking his bottom lip while he watched me drop the robe, baring myself confidently.

“Don’t do this to me, baby.” he groaned, tortured at the sight of my body.

My body felt charged, and my blood zinged as I took in the torment on his face, the yearning to touch my breasts and the warmth between my thighs.

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