Rip comes with me to the front desk, since I’m pretty sure that’s the person who manages the rooftop. Part of why I come here is because they, for the most part, have no clue who I am. Tonight, that will change. I guess that means I’ll need to find a new spot to retreat to.
The dude at the counter is scrolling on his phone when I approach him. “Are you looking for the bar?”
I flick my eyes to the elevator behind me, then back to him. “I just came from there.”
“Then what do you need?” he asks dryly.
I can sense Rip’s getting ticked off at the guy’s attitude. He’s always ready to lose his head, as if he doesn’t realize things can get done without threatening violence. How did I end up so smitten with someone with the temper of a rabid dog?
“You need to close the rooftop,” I state.
The man finally looks up. “Why would I do that?”
“Because I want private access.”
He laughs out of pure disbelief. “Get out of here with that, man.”
He truly has no idea who he’s speaking to. I wish I didn’t have to burst his little bubble to make this work. It’s nice not being recognized.
“Are you the owner?” I ask.
Still scrolling on his phone, he nods once.
I lean over the counter, lips pulled into a smug grin. “Listen, man. There are only twenty minutes left before you close; you’ve had drunk people torturing our ears for hours, and I’m sure you want to go home. So, do us all a favor and close up shop. Or, my family can pay you a visit, and you won’t have a building to hold your rooftop bar at all.”
That gets his full attention. He folds his arms across his chest in full defense mode. “Really? And who’s your family?”
“I’m Kingsley Beaumont,” I answer smoothly.
His hands fall by his sides, the realization hitting him like a ton of bricks. “Fuck, seriously? I… I didn’t know. I’m sorry. We’re closing early.”
“Thanks…” I read his name tag, “Holden.”
Holden leaves the front counter to close up for the night. He didn’t recognize my face, but he sure recognized my name. Clearly I don’t use my privileges to their full potential, but using my name to boss people around makes me cringe. It makes me the stuck-up rich brat some make me out to be.
But everyone once in a while, it can’t hurt.
“Ah, yes. Everyone does as the prince says,” Rip teases. “All hail Kingsley.”
I roll my eyes as I adjust my pants. I need to get off, like, yesterday.
Ten minutes later, the rooftop is deserted, and Holden is locking up. He says the roof is ours, but the other floors are still being used, so he’ll be back in about an hour. That is more than enough time.
The fairy lights and heater maintain a warm and lit ambiance, contrasting with the chilly surroundings and night sky. Rip and I are tearing each other’s clothes off like animals the moment the door shuts and locks, tossing them all over the place.
Rip pushes me over a table, my back against it as he hovers over me. With a soft song from the speakers and the traffic humming beneath us, we can’t see anything but building tops from where we lie. It’s another comfort knowing our naked bodies will be out in the open, even if logically no one should be able to see us.
But the greatest comfort is knowing Rip is with me. When I’m with him, all my fears about how parts of me have changed in the past year vanish. They’re sure to come back, but at least for a little while, my mind is quiet.
Rip, reading my mind, traces his finger over my chest.
“Don’t worry, King. Your beautiful face, sexy body, and huge dick are for no one’s eyes but mine. Trust me.”
I let out a breath as I relax, reveling in the way he touches me. He leans in and kisses me, starting at my neck to my chest, then my thighs, and stopping at my aching length. He lingers there, knowing it’s making my head spin. It’s why he’s doing it.
“Fuck, Rip,” I groan. “Suck me off.”
He smirks. “Say please.”
