He chuckles and rubs his hands up and down my arms. “You’re okay, my love. I’ve got you, but we better get out of here before that storms lets loose.”
I nod, unable to get any words out. Not because I’m afraid of the storm, but because Malcolm just called me “my love” and my brain is struggling to function. Could he feel love for me, even though it’s only our second date? Of course not, the voice in my head speaks. It’s just a phrase, nothing else.
But I’m walking on air as he takes my hand and leads me back down the circular steps, careful to make sure I don’t fall. As soon as we step outside, the chauffeur springs out and opens the limo door for us. We run to the vehicle right as fat droplets begin to splash onto the hood of the car.
“Perfect timing,” I whisper.
The billionaire grins at me as the door closes.
“I don’t know,” he growls, that blue gaze suddenly hot as he looks me over. “I wouldn’t mind seeing you wet, sweetheart, with that little top clinging to that sexy body of yours.”
I shake my head laughing. “You are something else, you know that?”
My handsome date merely pulls me into his lap as the limo begins the ride back to the hotel.
“As long as I’m something with you, I don’t care what kind of something I am,” he growls, and then his mouth is on mine. My heart sings even as a thousand emotions crowd my chest because I think I’m falling in love with this man. I shouldn’t because he’s the CEO of my company and my boss’s boss’s boss, but how do I resist a man like Malcolm Neuwirth? He’s everything I’ve ever wanted, and now my dreams are coming true.
8
Leslie
Lips press against the nape of my neck and I wiggle closer to the big form at my back. “Mmm.”
“Time to wake up, beautiful,” Malcolm whispers into my ear, nipping my earlobe and sending shivers dancing over my skin.
I roll over to face him and smile as he presses a second kiss to my lips. “But I’d rather stay here, in bed with you,” I mock-whine.
He smiles, and brushes a curl away from my face before giving me a quick smooch. “All the more reason why you should give up your apartment and move in with me officially.”
I laugh. We’ve been having this conversation for a few weeks now because in the three months since our first date, we’ve been practically inseparable. I’ve stopped by my apartment a few times to be sure, but mostly just to pick up clothes or other sundry items. Otherwise, I live in Malcolm’s NYC penthouse now, and it’s absolutely blissful. He occupies the top floor of a fancy building, and his penthouse has five bedrooms, five baths, a living room, a sitting room, a library, a full chef’s kitchen, and even a dunk pool on one of the terraces. I’ve never been so coddled in my life, and it’s absolutely wonderful.
Giggling, I wrap my arms around Malcolm’s neck as he rests his hands on my hips. “Maybe we shouldn’t make such big life decisions in bed.” Then, I reach between us, cupping his erection and giving it a firm squeeze. “I would hate for you to think I coerced you in any way.”
Malcolm growls low under his breath, and presses into my palm as I massage his stiff shaft. “You can coerce me into anything you want, baby. I’m yours to coerce any day of the week.”
I laugh and shake my head. “You’re crazy.”
“Only about you,” he growls as I roll my eyes.
The next thing I know, Malcolm yanks the blankets off us and hops out of bed. Then he lifts me up into his arms as I squeal.
“OMG!” I wrap my arms around that huge torso. “What are you doing?”
“Taking you to the shower and showing you just how coerced I feel.” Laughter trails us as we disappear into the en suite, and then my lover gives me a lesson on coercion that’s so delightful that I forget my own name.
It’s funny. Even though we’re dating, we’re keeping it on the downlow. As a result, Malcolm and I try to arrive at work at different times, and sure enough, my cell phone beeps as I wait around the corner. It’s a text from my boyfriend letting me know that he’s inside and firmly ensconced in his office. Good. It’s time for me to make my entrance now.
There’s a huge bouquet of roses on my desk when I arrive and I smile, melting a bit. I’ve tried telling Malcolm he’s spoiling me too much, but he won’t listen. The man is always surprising me with gifts and fancy dinners, but he says he likes doing it. Yet, the gifts aren’t really what floats my boat. They’re nice, of course, and make me feel all kinds of warm and fuzzy things, but it’s the man that I’m drawn to and not these objects. To be honest, if he lost his fortune tomorrow, I wouldn’t go anywhere. I’m that much in love, and absolutely head over heels for this charismatic, commanding man.