Page 36 of The Decoy

“Can you stay the night?”

“I wish I could, but I can’t tonight. But listen, I swear I didn’t come over with the intention of laying you out on your couch and devouring your sweet pussy. I really just wanted to give you my gift.” I kiss her neck.

“Thank you. I feel like I’m saying that to you a lot, but I mean it. You’re a really special man, and I’m so lucky to have you standing by my side while I go through this.”

“You make it easy, Ellis. You’re a special woman.”

We lay there for a minute, soaking in the words we’ve just said. But after a few long minutes, I set my chin on her shoulder.

“Hey,” I whisper when I notice her eyes are closed. She turns her head at the sound of my voice, and her eyes flutter open lazily.

“If I don’t leave in the next few minutes,” I say, my voice gravelly. “Buck might eat my couch, but more importantly, I might not have the willpower to walk out that door.”

She lets out a soft laugh, her hand sliding behind my head and holding me close. “Okay, I get it.”

“How about the next time you come to mine, we have a sleepover? I don’t think I trust Buck to behave himself in this place. It’s too fancy for us rugged boys.” I lean in to drop one last kiss onto her full lips.

Reluctantly, I sit up, then I help her shift on the sofa and hand her her clothes.

When I stand, I adjust my dick under my jeans, hoping the wet spot is almost dry before I have to walk through the lobby to the garage.

Once she’s dressed, she stands. “Don’t forget your gift,” she says, handing me the bottle of whiskey.

“Thank you. I’ll have a glass to celebrate, hopefully, after the game.”

She smiles and walks me back to the foyer and hands me my coat.

“Good luck,” she says, stepping closer, wrapping her arms around my waist for a lingering hug. “We’ll be watching.”

“Will you be wearing my jersey?”

The thought stirs my dick again.

“Maybe…”

“Ouch, okay. How about if you do, you send me a pic?”

“Deal,” she says, pulling away to open the door.

“Merry Christmas, Princess.”

“Merry Christmas, Brody.”

I step out into the hallway and wait until the double doors shut before stepping into the elevator.

As it descends, I lean my head back against the mirrored wall, a slow smile spreading across my face.

I look down at the bottle in my hands, the same hands that held her, touched her, made her come, and I know without a doubt I need more.

This can’t be a one-time thing, but I’ll let her set the pace.

CHAPTER NINE

Ellis

It’s a few days after Christmas, and while I technically don’t have to be at work today, I had to review some final numbers to acquire our next athlete for our UK market. Most of the other higher-level executives, campaign directors, and account managers are still out of the office, so it’s pretty quiet in the building.

I’m locked into the budget projections, sipping on some chamomile tea, trying to keep my eyes from closing mid-report. I lean back in my chair, pinching the bridge of my nose as the numbers start to blur into a sea of black and red ink.