That was why he stayed. That was why he ate sesame chicken and moo shu pancakes and broke fortune cookies with her, handing her his—now is the time to try something new—and saying, “I believe this one was meant for you.” She gave him hers, as she said, “Then, this must be yours then. Your fondest dreams will come true this year.”
“I am going to open a hotel on the moon,” he said in an awed voice, and she laughed, then danced her fingers across his chest.
“Here. Right here,” she said, tapping his left pec. “I’m going to write that on your chest like a tattoo.”
He raised an eyebrow. “That I’m opening a hotel on the moon?”
She shook her head. “No. That you’re a good teacher of tricks.”
“Trick teacher,” he said, with a laugh. “Yeah, that’ll be my first tattoo.”
“I’ve always wanted to brand you,” she said.
They were back to being friends. They were back to the zone where he’d always have her in his life. Because there, she could never break his heart. She could never hurt him. He could always be happy with what they had.
Besides, he was getting every man’s dream. Sex, and no expectations of more.
Or sex soon, he should say.
As she gathered up their empty cartons, she tossed out a question. “Do you think Jack would care? If he knew what we’re doing?”
“Eating Chinese?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“You know what I mean.”
“I do know. And I don’t know how it could matter to him, because we already agreed that nothing has changed, and that nothing is going to change.”
She nodded several times, as if reassuring herself. “Right. Absolutely. Everything remains the same.”
After he put on his shirt, tie and shoes, she walked him to the door.
“Thank you. For the lesson. I really enjoyed it.”
“So did I,” he said. “As you saw the evidence of on your chest.”
She laughed, but then looked nervous as she fiddled with the neck on her shirt. “So,” she began, clearing her throat. “When will I see you again? You know, for my next lesson.”
“Such an eager little student.”
“We’re going to the Yankees this weekend, right? After you get back from Miami?”
He nodded. He was taking off tomorrow to visit his property on South Beach. “I got the good seats and Kat and Bryan arranged for a sitter so all four of us can go.”
She pumped her fist in the air. “Yes! But we’re not doing a seduction lesson at the ballpark with your sister and her husband.”
“Obviously. So after that. The next day. Which territory should we conquer then?” He stroked his chin as if in deep thought. “I feel like that would be a good time to spank you.”
Her eyes sparkled with desire. “I like spanking.”
He lifted his hand and swatted her ass, and instantly he was erect. Then he grabbed her waist, pulling her close, and whispering in that rough, commanding tone she seemed to love, “If I stay here, I’m going to have to fuck you now.”
She grabbed his collar. “Stay.”
A tremor of lust slammed into him, threatening to obliterate his self-restraint from earlier. But he remained steadfast. Instead, he left her with something he hoped she could take to bed and feed her fantasies.
Of him. Fantasies of only him.
He threaded his fingers through her hair, and said, “The next time I’m alone with you, I will be fucking you. That’s a promise.”
CHAPTER TEN
Cyberspace
from: [email protected]
date: June 10, 8:07 PM
subject: Three Days in Miami
I might have melted. Remind me not to schedule a trip to South Beach in June.
from: [email protected]
date: June 10, 8:14 PM
subject: Here’s your reminder
Don’t schedule a trip to South Beach in June. So, how are you beating the heat? Walking around town in your Speedo?
from: [email protected]
date: June 10, 8:20 PM
subject: A Red One
Do you think that’s why everyone in the lobby is giving me funny looks right now?
from: [email protected]
date: June 10, 8:23 PM
subject: Try pink next time
Absolutely.
from: [email protected]
date: June 10, 8:27 PM
subject: Benefits to Broiling
On the plus side, I can personally vouch that the air conditioning in The Luxe properties is top-notch. Chilled to arctic perfection.
from: [email protected]
date: June 10, 8:31 PM
subject: Island Heat?
How are you going to survive Jack’s wedding? Pretty sure it’s hot in the Maldives in June, isn’t it?