“Then we should make the most of it.”
He gripped the back of my neck, crashing his lips to mine as he backed me into the room and shut the door behind us. Our bodies collided. And I knew that no matter how hard we tried to fight this—we were inevitable.
Chapter Fourteen
“Where are you going?” Sumner groaned, reaching out from beneath the covers.
“I have to get ready.”
“It’s…” She pushed up on her elbows, the sheet sliding down and giving me a glimpse of her breasts. They swayed from the movement, and I licked my lips, remembering the sounds she made whenever I pulled the rosy buds of her nipples into my mouth. “Four-thirty in the morning. Our first meeting isn’t until nine.”
“Yes.” I grabbed my pants from the floor. “But I need to work out and review some files.”
“Come back to bed. I’ll give you a workout.” She rolled over with a yawn, but it was clear she was exhausted. Between the time difference, the long days, and the even longer nights, I knew she needed her rest.
I chuckled, bending down to kiss her forehead. “Go back to sleep. I’ll see you in a few hours.”
“Okay. So long as you don’t go back to ignoring me.” She yawned and turned the other way, but her movements, like her words, were tinged with exhaustion.
I grimaced, grateful the room was still dark enough to conceal my features. I nuzzled her forehead, so fucking tempted to undress and climb back under the covers. The only thing I wanted to ignore was work. I wanted to ignore it all and go back to focusing all my attention on Sumner. She was all I could think about anyway. Whether I was at work, working out, or lying in bed at night, she was always on my mind.
“Get some rest,” I whispered, sensing that she was slipping back into sleep. “I have plans for you tonight.”
“Mm,” she murmured into her pillow.
I pressed my lips to her shoulder, her breathing already evening out before I left. As I walked down the hall toward my room, button-down shirt in hand, I tried to ignore the curious glance from a hotel employee. Was it that obvious? That I was a forty-four-year-old man doing the walk of shame? I could only imagine the shame and self-loathing I’d feel if Ian found out. My stomach roiled.
“Fuck,” I hissed, dragging a hand through my hair.What the fuck are you doing?
It was as if I could forget about reality when I was with her. But the moment I was alone, the truth of what I’d done came crashing back down. My carefully constructed lies and excuses collapsed under the weight of it all.
I stared at my door a moment before remembering to pull the keycard from my wallet. I held the key up to the card reader and then slipped inside. My room looked just like Sumner’s, apart from the rumpled sheets and the fact that the bed was vacant. But I felt the same emptiness, the same longing as I had the night before at the prospect of returning to my room, alone.
I’d never felt thisneedto spend every spare moment with a woman. It was both strange and nice. And a terrible idea. What I’d done was unforgivable, yet I couldn’t seem to stop myself. She was… God, she was impossible to resist. Everything about her called to me, captivated me.
Just this week,I reminded myself as I changed and headed for the hotel gym. She was mine for the week. And then we’d go back to LA, and everything would return to normal. We’d pretend as if this week had never happened. Even if I knew it was one I’d never forget.
I was relieved that Kelli was nowhere in sight, and I cranked up the treadmill, putting myself through a punishing run and lifting heavier weights to make up for my missed workout. At least, that’s what I told myself it was for, but I knew the truth. It was penance.
I showered and ate in my room, heading down to the lobby at a few minutes to eight. I leaned against one of the pillars, responding to an email from Alexis when I heard the ding of the elevator. I glanced up as the doors slid open to reveal Sumner.
Holy…
I scanned up her legs, her ankles studded with spikes. Her black dress stopped just above her knee, and despite the conservative cut, the dress was fucking sexy. Or maybe it was the woman wearing it. The material clung to her curves, a black leather belt emphasizing her waist. Her cleavage peeked out from the notched neckline, making my mouth water. But it was her smile that had me faltering as I stalked toward her. That knowing grin that was both demure yet naughty.
“Good morning.” Her voice was breathy, and I scanned her lust-darkened eyes. There was no way I was going to make it through the workday without touching her.
Right. The workday.We were here to work. She might be mine at night, but during the day, it was business as usual. Something I had to keep reminding myself.
“Morning.” I slid my phone into my pocket. “You ready?”
She nodded, but she slipped on the tile, nearly toppling in the process. I grabbed her elbow, steadying her even as my heart tumbled and fell to the floor. What was it about her? Why could she so easily disarm me?
“You okay?” I asked, reluctantly removing my hands when I felt she was stable once more.
“Yep,” she chirped. “Let’s go.”
As we walked to the car, my hand on her lower back, I said, “You ready for another fun day?”
