Page 72 of A Song for You

Sophie snatches it from me and ends the call. “Calm down.” She holds the device out to me. “Your brother’s not going to come through the phone and force you to tell the truth.”

I sigh and hold my phone to my chest. He could. If he asked enough questions, I would cave. Or he’d know I was lying and call me out on it. Then I’d cave. Either way, talking to him right now is a bad idea. I need a plan.

As the elevator dings our arrival on the ground floor and the doors open, my heart rate kicks up. My phone rings again, but I haven’t had more than two seconds to even think about a plan. But the name on the screen isn’t my brother’s. It’s Jay’s. I click Accept and bring my phone to my ear just as I spot him leaning against the glass wall near the door, his legs crossed, his blond hair falling across his forehead, and those azure eyes lighting up as they track my arrival.

“Hello, beautiful,” he murmurs, not taking his eyes off me.

My thighs squeeze together, and I practically trip over my feet. “Hi.”

“Come to dinner with me,” he says.

It’s not a question. I do love his confidence.

I grab Sophie by the arm and come to a halt in the middle of the lobby. If we head to the doors now, we’ll pass right by Jay, and I don’t want anyone else to know we’re together yet. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” I say to her, nodding in Jay’s direction.

Her eyes light up as she looks from him back to me. “Have fun,” she whispers before waving goodbye and strutting to the exit.

“Tell me where to meet you,” I tell Jay.

He shakes his head as he pushes off the wall and stalks toward me. He pulls his phone away from his ear and pockets it before he reaches me. “Ms. Bouvier, it’s so good to see you again,” he says with a sly grin.

“Uh, you as well, Mr. Hanson,” I enunciate a little too loudly. I almost giggle at how bad we are at this undercover stuff.

“I was just coming to see if you were available to discuss a few details for the masquerade ball.”

“Oh, were you?” I tease, easing into the ruse a bit.

He nods and swipes at his bottom lip with his thumb as he takes me in from head to toe. He’s undressing me as we speak. It’s exhilarating. Images of him naked in the pool filter through my mind. I wouldn’t mind a repeat. Of anything we’ve done so far.

“Would you be available to discuss it this evening?” he asks, pressing closer.

“It is your event.” I shrug. “And it’s my job to make myself available.”

Jay’s lip ticks up. “That’s true. You are working under me for this event, aren’t you?”

I nibble at my bottom lip and smile. “For the time being, yes. Although I think you’d enjoy me on top too.”

The laugh that escapes Jay’s mouth and the bursts of joy it sends through my body are like sparklers on the Fourth of July, shooting off in every direction.

I love laid-back Jay. Teasing Jay. Smiling Jay. If I’m not careful, soon I’ll be in love with Jay.

He holds out his arm, palm open. “Shall we?” When I lead the way to the door, he presses his other hand to the small of my back, and just that little touch, the warmth of his hand, has me squirming.

The feeling is short-lived, though, because my phone vibrates in my hand again, and this time, it is Cash’s name blowing up my screen.

“You going to get that?” Jay asks, tipping his head toward the device.

I slide my gaze to his. “Haven’t decided what I’m going to say.”

We step outside, and before I can even comment on the rain, a man appears with an umbrella and ushers me into a black sedan. Jay’s hand never leaves my back, though. Not until I’m fully inside the car. Once he’s settled next to me, he takes my hand and brings my knuckles to his mouth, his full lips touching my skin in the most cherishing way. “Missed you today,” he says with an ease that feels natural.

How is it that we’ve only just begun? I’m more comfortable with this man than I am with anyone, including Cash. He understands me, respects me, and shows me nothing but adoration. The grin that stretches across my face is so big, I probably look like a maniac. “Where are we going?”

Jay sways closer and kisses me. At first, it’s just a press of his lips against mine, but then it’s like he can’t not make it more. He palms my hips, pulling me onto his lap as his kisses grow needy. When his hands start to roam beneath my skirt, I laugh breathlessly and push him back. “We aren’t alone, buddy. Slow down,” I whisper against his lips.

With a groan, he drops his forehead to mine and cradles my cheek with a warm palm. “Sorry, Kitten. I just…fuck, I can’t get enough of you.” He frowns like he’s in pain. Like he can’t believe he’s admitting that little secret.

“Oh yeah?” I can’t help but smile.