She stilled, our bodies aligned, my cock painfully aware of her closeness. “Maybe I like playing with fire.”
I shook my head and released her. She turned and stared at me a beat, a million questions passing between us. But in the end, there was only one answer.
I leaned in, settling for a kiss on the cheek. “Good night, Sumner.”
“Good night, Jonathan.” Her voice was breathless, and I moved an inch, kissing the corner of her mouth. She let out a gasp of shock before leaning into me.
What are you doing? Stop!
I closed my eyes. It took every ounce of control I had remaining not to sample her lips, but it was so tempting. It was only us. There was no one here to see.
And yet, I would know. I’d have to live with the fact that I’d betrayed my best friend. So, I released her and took a step back. She reached out as if to stop me, but I merely shook my head, regret swirling through me, finally overpowering my desire and making me see reason.
“It’s late. Get some rest.” I turned and walked away.
I returned to my room and immediately started pacing the floor of my suite. What the hell had I been thinking? I’d nearly crossed a line. I’d nearly devoured those lips I’d spent so many hours watching. Too many hours obsessing about.
I was restless, my body boiling over with pent-up energy.A run. Yeah, I thought, heading over to my suitcase. A run would do me some good, work off some of this feeling of being restrained.
I changed and headed down to the hotel gym. I hopped on a free treadmill and set to work, pushing myself faster and faster. But it still wasn’t enough. I couldn’t outrun the demons that chased me, the things I craved. Her lips on my skin. The feel of her pussy gripping me as she screamed my name.
Yet I forged on, punishing myself physically as if that would rid me of this all-consuming need. A need for a woman I could not have. Mile after mile, my feet pounded the treadmill. Meanwhile, my mind was stuck on a loop.Sumner. Ian. Sumner. Ian.
I ran farther, but it felt as if I were standing still. Sweat dripped down my forehead, and I wiped it away with the hem of my shirt. I stared out at the skyline, the city different from LA. Lights glittered in the darkness—concrete and steel as far as the eye could see.
A glance at the screen told me I was nearing the hour mark. I’d been so absorbed in my thoughts that I’d completely lost track of time. And it was getting late. I slowed to a walk before turning off the machine and wiping it down and heading over to a free area to stretch. Yoga mats and blocks were stacked neatly on the shelves, along with towels and bottles of water with the hotel’s logo printed on their label.
“Hey.” A woman smiled, sinking down on the mat next to me. Her dark hair was in a ponytail, sports bra pushing up a pretty nice rack. We stretched a moment in silence before she asked, “Are you here for the WAP conference?”
I shook my head. “You?” I gulped down some water then groaned when I attempted to reach toward my foot.
“Yoga conference. I’d be happy to give you a private session.” The seductive lilt to her tone told me she wanted to teach me about more than yoga.
I was on the verge of saying no, when I hesitated. Just because I couldn’t have Sumner didn’t mean I had to be celibate. Hell, maybe this would help relieve some of the pressure I felt around her.
“You know what? That sounds nice.” I stood, dusting off my hands. “If you have the time, that is.”
“Absolutely. My name’s Kelli,” She grinned, but it only made my stomach sour.
Even so, I pushed on. The only reason I wanted Sumner was because I couldn’t have her. Here was a woman—an attractive, single woman—who was offering herself up to me. Maybe it was the universe’s way of telling me to let it go. Let this sick obsession I had with Sumner go.
Chapter Eleven
Ilay in bed, replaying everything that had happened in my head. I lingered on the end of the evening. The feel of Jonathan’s hands on my skin sending lightning racing through my bones. His gaze had been so intense. And I could remember my chest tightening, constricting around my heart as if to protect it. This was… This man held me captive, and I’d have given him anything. And I did meananything.
“Sumner.” My name had been said on a tortured groan, his forehead kissing mine as we stood in the hallway.
My body heated, and I slid my hand over my breasts and down my stomach. Down. Dipping beneath my panties, sliding through my slick folds.
“Yes.” It was a whispered plea, a prayer, a demand. I’d wanted whatever he was willing to give. Even if it was only for one night.
I panted, teasing myself as I imagined his lips on mine, his finger inside me, his—
My phone buzzed, and I tensed.Shit.I ignored it before resuming my daydream, but when I closed my eyes, I went back to the memory, not the fantasy in my head. Reality and rejection slammed into me instead of the release I craved. It was never going to happen now.
So close. After all this time, he’d come so close to kissing me. So close and then… nothing.
My phone rang from the nightstand, and I grabbed it, feeling as if I’d been caught. Piper’s name flashed across the screen with a request to FaceTime, and I let out a deep sigh as I pushed out of bed and switched on the light. I’d tried calling her earlier, but I’d had to leave a voice mail. I connected the call and tried to force myself to act normal. As if I hadn’t just been imagining my boss in bed.
