I waited until my dad left my office before I responded, fearful that the wide grin on my face would give me away.
Linny: I have a dinner meeting with a client, but I’ll be there as soon as I’m done.
I laughed when his response lit up my phone’s screen.
Jeremy: I’ll watch the game on tv while I wait. If I catch you on the kiss cam with Roland, I’m going with Mitchell’s pitch, helicopter ride and all.
“I’m in bed, angel. Come join me.”
I kick off my shoes and pad across the floor, rounding the corner to the bedroom with a smile on my face.
It widens when I see West in the bed. He’s sitting up with his bare back resting against the headboard. A white sheet is covering his groin.
He pats the bed next to him. “How was your dinner meeting?”
I slip out of the red dress I put on for dinner. The meeting was with a client who circles back to use our services every few years. She owns one of the few bookstores left in Manhattan and every time she comes back to us, we use the same campaign ideas.
Tonight was different. Mitchell suggested a new approach while I listened. It involved an author in residence program and free writing workshops for kids.
Our client was beaming by the time dessert was served.
It was a victory for Mitchell and I conceded on the sidewalk outside the restaurant, telling him that I thought he did a great job.
“Leave the bra and panties on.” West’s hand squeezes his erection through the sheet. “Red is your color, angel.”
I slide into bed next to him. “My dinner meeting was fine, but I don’t want to talk about that.”
His lips brush over mine for a soft kiss. “What do you want to talk about?”
“Roland.”
His dark brows pinch together. “Don’t say his name when I’m hard as nails.”
I reach to run my fingertips over the outline of his cock. “You know that it’s over between us, right?”
“I know that you told me you ended it with him. I believe you.”
I slide my lips over his chin. “Good.”
He reaches to cup my face. “I also know it was hard for
you not to correct your dad when he assumed that Roland sent the flowers.”
Guilt has been consuming me since that moment. A lie is a lie whether it’s direct or an omission. I allowed my dad to believe that Roland sent me that beautiful bouquet. I’ve kept the secret of my relationship with West hidden from my dad for weeks.
If he finds out that I’ve been keeping that from him, my future as CEO of Faye & Sons won’t be the only loss I’ll suffer. My bond with him will be marred as well.
We’ve always been honest with one another, even when that honesty results in pain.
I slip my hand back into my lap. “Why did you have to pick our agency to help with the vanilla vodka launch?”
His arms circle me, tugging me closer to him. His breath whispers over my cheek. “Blame fate. It led me straight to you. I’ll be forever grateful for that.”
***
Sweat mists my skin as West drags his body over mine.
“It was so much,” I whisper into the still darkness in the room.