Page 47 of My Billionaire Casino Boss

I stand there for a moment, my mind racing. Am I ready to see Thomas? To hear his apologies in person? To face the man who’s caused me so much pain, but also given me so much joy?

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. “Okay,” I say, my voice stronger now. “I’m ready.”

Eric gives me a reassuring smile, then pulls me into a hug. “Just remember, whatever you decide, I’m here for you.”

I hug him back, grateful for his support. “Thanks, Eric,” I say, pulling away. “I appreciate it.”

With that, I walk toward the front door, my heart pounding in my chest. I open it, stepping out onto the porch. I see Thomas sitting in his car, his eyes focused on the house. He looks up as I step out, his eyes meeting mine.

I take a moment to gather my courage, then I beckon him inside. He hesitates for a moment, then steps out of the car and walks toward the house. As he steps inside, Eric slips out, giving us the privacy we need. I hear the car pulling out of the driveway.

Just like that, I’m alone with Thomas.

The air in the hallway is thick with anticipation, and I can feel my pulse quicken as I look into his eyes. He moves closer to me, and I can feel heat radiating off him. His hands reach up to cup my face, and he leans in until his lips are pressed against mine.

My body responds to his touch, melting into him as our kiss deepens. His hands move down from my face, tracing a path across my back as he pulls me closer. His fingertips send sparks of pleasure through me as they wander lower, slipping beneath the fabric of my summer dress.

I gasp at the sensation of his skin against mine, desire coursing through me like wildfire as we explore each other’s mouths with increasing intensity. My breathing comes faster now, accompanied by soft moans that escape my lips as Thomas intensifies our kiss still further and slides his fingers under the waistband of my panties and slides them off me. He groans when he feels how ready I am for him, and he sinks to his knees, burying his face between my thighs. The first orgasm hits me hard, and as my legs tremble, he pulls me down to lie with him on the floor, surrounded by boxes.

He pulls away for a moment only to remove his shirt and jeans before returning to press himself against me once again. We don’t bother with my dress—Thomas hikes it up around my waist and guides me on top of him. When I sink down onto him, we both gasp and take a few seconds to feel what I know we’ve both wanted desperately.

Thomas sits up so we’re face to face, and while I rock in his lap, he peppers my face and neck with kisses, holding me tight. When the second wave crashes over me, I cry out against his neck, and he follows, tangling his fingers in my hair as he comes.

We stay on the cold floor until it’s too uncomfortable. I wish I hadn’t packed up my linens already, but at least the sofa still has its cushions. I rise from his lap, already missing the feeling of him inside me, and lead him to the sofa, where he curls around me. I’m about to fall asleep, exhausted from the emotional rollercoaster this morning has been, when I hear him whisper, “I love you, Lily.”

twenty-seven

Home - Thomas

WhenIwakeup,the morning sun is full and strong peeking through the windows. Lily is still nestled against my side. I watch her sleep for a moment, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. My neck is sore from sleeping on the sofa with her, but I don’t care. I marvel at how lucky I am to have her in my life and to be given a second chance.

When the urge to use the bathroom eclipses the desire to stay here pressed against her forever, I gently extricate myself.

Her kitchen things are packed so I pull the tape off a box labeled “kitchen” until I find a glass, then fill it with water from the tap. In my mind, I’m turning over the job proposal I’ve been working on. I know I need to approach this carefully, to make sure she knows this isn’t about me trying to control her life, but about giving her an opportunity I genuinely believe she deserves.

When I return to the living room, Lily is sitting up on the sofa, her hair tousled from sleep. She smiles at me, her eyelids still heavy, and my heart skips a beat. I hand her my water glass and sit down next to her, taking a deep breath.

“Lily,” I start, my voice serious. “I have a proposal for you.”

She raises an eyebrow, her gaze curious. “A proposal?”

“A job proposal. An offer. I need someone to overhaul the casino’s website, and I think you’d be perfect for the job.”

She looks taken aback. “Thomas, you’ve never even seen my work.”

I shake my head, a small smile playing on my lips. “Of course I have. I’ve been following your portfolio since you won that award in college. I’ve seen everything you’ve posted online, and it’s incredible.”

She stares at me, her mouth slightly open in surprise. “You knew about my portfolio?”

I nod, reaching out to take her hand. “Of course. I’ve always been impressed by your talent. I think this could be a great opportunity for both you and the casino.”

She’s silent for a moment, her gaze thoughtful. Then, she gives me a small smile, her fingers squeezing mine. “Okay,” she says, her voice soft. “I’ll do it.”

Relief washes over me, and I pull her into a hug, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Thank you, Lily,” I whisper. “You won’t regret this.”

As she nestles into my arms, I feel hopeful. This is a new beginning for us, a chance to build something real and I’m determined to make the most of it.

“Hey, let’s run to the store,” I say. “You have no food.” Lily raises an eyebrow at me, but she agrees, smoothing her rumpled dress. We drive to the store in comfortable silence, the morning sun warming the car.

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