“Nah.” He sits on the tufted ottoman in the middle of the closet, running a hand over the back of his neck. “I wanted to talk before the day gets away from us.”
“Talk?” My hand freezes over three pairs of red pumps. I turn to face him, temporarily distracted by the stacks of muscles flexing in his stomach and rippling under the taut skin of his chest. A thin, silky trail of hair bisects his abs and arrows down to the drawstring of his sleep pants. I can see the morning wood-ish outline of his dick. My mouth waters. When was the last time I gave Grip head? I can’t remember.
Oh, God, I can’t remember.
“Bris?”
“Huh?” I jerk my eyes from his crotch to find one thick brow quirked over amused dark eyes.
“You know you can get it,” Grip drawls, leaning forward to grasp my wrist and pull me down to his lap. He cups my jaw with one big hand and takes my mouth as a willing hostage. Our tongues twist, and I taste toothpaste and his natural addictive flavor. His hands wander beneath my tank top, and he finds my nipple, squeezing gently.
“Baby, I have to go,” I mutter against his lips and then move to stand.
“No.” He spans my waist and firmly pulls me back down. “We need to talk.”
“We can.” I drop a kiss onto his lips and get up, grabbing the Gucci heels and wiggling one foot in. “Later. Gotta go.”
“Where are you going?” He frowns. “I thought you weren’t in the office until this afternoon.”
“Yeah, I had to flip my schedule for this meeting. A producer for that big new period piece wants to cast Kai.”
“Is there nudity?” A grin lights his handsome face. “Because you know Rhys is not about that life.”
“There is a little nekkid.” I lean one hand against the wall and balance to put on the other shoe. “And Rhyson will have to grow the fuck up and get over it.”
“What’s that mean?” His grin drops.
“It means this is a great opportunity for Kai, one she wants to take. She shouldn’t let his outdated caveman hang-ups stop her.”
“Last I checked,” Grip says, “that isn’t how they run their marriage.”
“You’re right. I’m sure he’ll manage to convince her it isn’t right for them and she’ll turn it down.” I roll my eyes and walk back toward our bedroom. “I hope not. That’s why I’m going to this meeting. To salvage any of the offer we can and see what compromises can be made.”
“Maybe we have some c
ompromises of our own to make,” Grip says softly from behind me.
I stop and turn, one hand on my hip and head cocked to the side. “Now what’s that mean?”
He sketches a quick frown and shakes his head. “We can talk about it tonight. I don’t want to make you late.”
“Is everything . . .” I search for the right word. “Okay?”
Are we okay?
We’ve known each other more than fifteen years, and half that time we weren’t even close to okay. I was scared to risk loving him for a long time. I never want to be not okay with him again. We had amazing sex last night, but I know with our schedules, we haven’t been nearly as close as we’re used to.
“It’s fine, Bris. I just . . .” He licks his lips and blows out a quick breath before meeting my eyes. “I miss you.”
My heart slams to a stop. I know this man like I know my own skin. Something’s not right. I take a few steps back inside the closet until I’m standing in front of him. I step between his legs, forcing the muscled thighs to widen and bracket me. I slip one hand behind his neck and the other cups his jaw, tilting his head up until our gazes lock.
“Tell me,” I whisper, searching his eyes for the answer he hasn’t offered yet.
“I thought you had a meeting.” His hands slide up my thighs and he squeezes my ass.
“Five minutes. I can give you five minutes.”
He nods but gently pushes me away before standing and heading toward our bedroom.