Page 130 of Illicit Education

“I’ve never had a woman in my bed.”

I sat up. “You’re kidding.”

He gave me an incredulous lift of his eyebrow.

“Cabot…” I pushed up onto my knees and crawled toward him, then wrapped my arms around his neck. “Is it okay?”

“Very.”

I grinned as my heart soared. “Aw, you really do love me.” I pressed my lips against his playfully, but he quickly took over, turning the kiss into something more.

Deeper, slower, this kiss was his expression of love.

He kissed me with reverence, appreciated me with each stroke of his tongue.

He savored me, and I savored this moment.

Chapter Forty-One

Rylan

Monday morning came faster than usual. I forced myself to get out of bed. I forced myself to shower and dress for the day. I forced myself to get on the tube and ride into Manhattan. And then I forced myself to walk three blocks toward Reed Tower.

But it was that fourth block where I lost my nerve.

Tucked inside a small alcove that smelled of urine and God only knew what else, I pulled out my phone and dialed Cabot’s number.

It barely even rang before he said, “Where are you?”

“Hello to you, too.”

“Rylan.”

That tone sent the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end.

“I can’t do it.”

“You can.”

“I can’t.”

“Where are you?”

Stepping out of the alcove, I looked up the sidewalk toward Reed Tower. A tall, dark, and dangerously gorgeous man stood on the sidewalk out front, scanning the area with his phone to his ear.

“To your left.”

He whipped his head toward me, locating me almost instantly, then slipped his phone into his pocket and strode toward me. I licked my lips as he walked straight through the crowd, his shoulders back and that arrogant tilt of his chin that gave him a look of superiority. I watched in awe as people moved out of his way.

When he reached me, I smiled up at him, and he looked down at me with power and passion in his dark gaze.

And, because I knew all too well how to push his buttons, a little irritation.

He sniffed the air, then screwed up his face as he looked at the ground of the alcove I’d been hiding in. “Was this necessary?”

I snorted.

“You’re late, Ms. Blake.” He lifted one eyebrow. “Can you tell time?”

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