Page 87 of Manhattan Kiss

I groan at his words and his cock jerks in my mouth and Deacon thrusts his hips forward, just slightly, like he can’t help himself.

He pulls out immediately. “You okay?”

I nod, reaching for him again.

He wipes the corner of my mouth with his thumb. “No, now I’m going to fuck your pussy. Again. And all night.”

“Promise?” I gaze up at him.

He growls and crawls over me. “You have my word.”

TWENTY-EIGHT

Aurora

I have three days off in a row—Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

It feels like a holiday.

I could be spending at least one of them naked in bed with Deacon. Instead, I’m hanging out with my best friend. I’m not disappointed. I haven’t seen Darcy for the longest time and it will be great to catch up and hang out, but I’m weirdly nervous about it. I feel like so much has happened since the last time I saw her and part of me wonders if I’m still the same person.

Darcy always stays at the Mandarin Oriental when she’s in town—it’s something of a family tradition. I’m relieved she didn’t suggest staying at Hotel on Ninth Street. Not only would she have had to schlep uptown for Ryder’s birthday party, but I kinda don’t want her staying where I work. Our friendship could be really uneven. She’s the daughter of a duke. My dad was a bank manager. But she’s never made me feel like I was less than her. I don’t want that to change, and if she was a guest in the hotel where I was working, it might.

As I reach Colombus Circle, I turn and glance back at the skyline, trying to figure out where I am in relation to where my first date with Deacon was. But despite the very organized grid system New York was built on, I can’t orientate myself. I have no clue.

I pull out my phone to tell Darcy I’m just coming into the lobby when I hear her familiar squeal. I spin around and she comes at me, her arms flinging around me.

“I think this is the longest we’ve ever been away from each other,” she says.

I grin as she pulls back and holds me by the shoulders. “You’re crazy,” I say.

“Of course I’m crazy. I have a weekend by myself without my husband and kids. I love them all dearly, but a girls’ weekend? What could be better than that?”

“I’m not sure this qualifies as a girls’ weekend.”

“Tell me you haven’t had your days off canceled?”

I shake my head. “No, but you’re here for your brother’s fortieth. Not for a girls’ weekend.”

“That’s just semantics.” She links her arm through mine. “Let’s go!” We head to the crossing. I don’t even know where we’re headed, but it doesn’t matter. As long as I get to hang out with my best friend. “Did I tell you I booked glam for tomorrow night? Can you bring your stuff up to the hotel and get ready with me? It will be so much fun.”

I grin. That does sound like fun. “Like old times.”

“Exactly. Pre-children. Pre-responsibilities.”

“You’ve always had responsibilities. You’ve been looking after Woolton Hall your entire life.”

“It’s different. Plus, I was a kid then. Now I’m responsible for the physical and mental health of two other human beings. The pressure is real.”

“You’re a great mummy,” I say, feeling a tug of regret. I know Darcy loves her children as much as a person could, but knowing I probably won’t ever have children makes it a little more difficult to hear that she’s looking forward to time away from them. I think if I was ever lucky enough to become a mother, I’d strap them to my body and never let them leave.

“I’m only an okay mummy. That’s all anyone can be. You’ll get it when you have children.”

“If I have children,” I correct her. I still haven’t told her about my fertility results. I just can’t bear to talk about it. What’s the point? It won’t change anything and nobody can make me feel better about the fact I’m probably never going to be a mother.

“You just need to find someone to have children with. Speaking of, did you see any more of that guy who was staying at the hotel?”

“Deacon,” I say. He’s not that guy anymore. Not to me anyway. “Yeah, actually.”