AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"What?"
"For work." I elaborate, even though he knows exactly what I’m getting at.
"You want to know more about venture capitalism?"
I laugh, taking a sip of my drink and then set it on the glass table so that when I lean into him, there’s nothing between us. "No, Remy. See, I'm not buying the venture capital bullshit."
Chapter seventeen
Remy
Claire is so close that I’m not sure whether I’m breathing air or her at this point. She fills my lungs, and I don't mind the thought of drowning in her.
"What?" I ask again, but this time I laugh.
"I'm not stupid, Remy." Claire speaks calmly, but her sly smile tells me she thinks she has me in checkmate. "I know there's something more than what you're telling me."
"Is that so?" I humor her. It’s hard not to be amused, honestly.
"You're ridiculously rich, you can fly someone into a foreign country without anybody batting an eye, your father was mysteriously murdered, and let's not forget, I was shot at the other day. Two plus two isn't adding up to venture capitalism." She leans in even more, daring me to try and deny what she is so certain of. "I think you're wrapped up in something bigger."
The fire is reflected in her eyes, and it matches the fire in her. I can tell she isn't going to back down. Funny how a few drinks have silenced her outwardly meek persona, letting me catch a glimpse of someone even more intoxicating than I anticipated.
But is it just an act?
People are nosy; I’m used to their suspicions. I constructed my story so carefully that I don't have to concern myself with overlapping lies or getting caught in my own web. I have plenty of prefabricated answers, but I don't want to get into any of them with her. I don't want to talk anymore at all.
She was so self-satisfied, but as I brush a lock of stray hair from her face, that look melts right into desire. It’s almost too easy, the way she abandons the fight. "I'm tired of watching your lips. I want to taste them."
She blinks as if she’s trying to decide how to take that, but I don't give her the chance to figure it out. I pull her in and brush my lips against hers, slowly at first, waiting to see if she’ll react. It takes a second, but she does. She breathes a tiny little sound like surrender, and I inhale it as I crush my mouth against hers.
I've felt a need for her that I don't even understand from the first time I saw her walking around my room in nothing but a bra and those thin panties, a craving I couldn’t satisfy, a temptation I couldn’t give in to. Wanting her these last few days has driven me nearly as mad as wanting to unravel the mystery that she is, and if she isn't going to stop me, nothing will. I lean into her, and she caves under me, lying back on the couch as though she's been longing for this moment as much as I. I need to taste her lips, the whiskey, and the remnants of whatever lip gloss she put on, her tongue...
A small gasp of excitement escapes her, and it fuels my hunger. I need more... more of her touch, her kiss, her taste. I need to bury myself in her. But I can't tear my lips from hers. As timid as she acts, I hadn't expected much in the kiss. I thought I would lead, and she'd follow, but damn. She’s a good kisser, and she isn't quiet about how much she’s enjoying herself. Every sigh, every gasp, I take as a sign that she needs exactly what I’m giving her and more. My cock strains against my pants, desperate to be freed, but I’m enjoying the moment too much to speed things up.
"Boss." A deep, throat-clearing sound tears through our bliss, and I lift my eyes to see Jovich standing by the table.
"What the fuck?" I demand, shifting my weight so that she’s no longer pinned under me. Claire's face burns so red I can feel the heat coming off her as she sits up, collecting her breath and adjusting the dress that had hiked up beneath me.
"Apologies.” He says, looking from me to Claire and back again. “We have a business emergency that requires your attention."
I scrutinize his face. What kind of emergency can't wait until I’m not in the middle of this?
"Is everything okay?" Claire asks, worry coloring her voice as she sits up, smoothing her hair and dress. Her skin is that delicious shade of pink, and I’m not sure whether it’s from the heat between us or the embarrassment of being caught. "Rhea?"
"Rhea's fine. It's just a... private matter." Jovich shrugs one shoulder like it’s no big deal, but it has to be if he’s standing here. He may not be my most intelligent ally, but even he knows better than to bother me for no good reason, particularly in such circumstances.
I have half a mind to tell him to go downstairs so that Claire and I can finish what we started. But looking at her, I can tell the mood has been ruined. Besides, I don't want to fuck her on a couch and run right away. It’s not that I want to spoon or anything but fucking her on the rooftop lounge and then disappearing probably wouldn't be the best look. She’s here another week still. I don't want to get her emotions tangled up in all this or potentially complicate things any more than they already are. I don’t want her getting attached.
"I'm sorry," I tell her sincerely. "Would you like me to walk you back downstairs? I can help you find Rhea."
She shakes her head as immediately as I offer the help. "I'll be fine. I'm just going to take a minute, here." Claire musters a smile.
As we slip into the club, frustration surges through me, dampening my desire. "It had better be important, Jovich," I say, not bothering to hide the bitter edge in my voice. I turn to Rook, the thick-muscled bouncer who watches over the third floor. "There's a woman out there. VIP. See to it that she's well taken care of."
Rook nods his understanding. I turn my eyes on Jovich, ready to know what is so damn pressing that he had to interrupt me in the middle of that.
Jovich is grinning just the slightest bit, but he suppresses it as he speaks. "We've got the Russian."
