“You have,” she said, her cheeks flushed from the champagne.
I leaned in so my mouth was at her ear. “And have I told you how I’m going to strip this dress off you when I take you upstairs, then lick every inch of your body until you scream my name when you come? The entire hotel is going to hear you.”
She melted against me.
“I’m thinking I’ll start with your breasts, then make my way down to that sweet pussy.” I tested her earlobe with my teeth. “And after you’ve come once, maybe twice, I want to see those glossy, cherry-red lips around my cock.”
Her nails bit into my scalp as she whimpered.
And shit, all I’d done with that was make myself harder than the fucking floor. “In fact, maybe I should take you upstairs—”
“You can’t leave your own party!” She drew back and arched a brow at me. “What would people think?”
“Since when do you care what people think, Daisy Lewis?” We swayed to the rhythm of the music as the singer crooned about finding a perfect love.
“I care what people think about you,” she countered, her soft brown eyes full of so much love that I couldn’t help but kiss her soft and quick. She’d been doing that a lot since Thanksgiving—taking my reputation into account. It was sweet, but it also set my teeth on edge because I knew my mother had gotten under her skin.
“I love you.” I rested my forehead against hers as we swayed, hoping it was enough.
“I love you,” she whispered.
Meeting our families had only shown just how different our lives were, and maybe even exposed some of the issues we might face in a long-term relationship, but I’d always been good at solving problems. In fact, I was in the middle of solving one right now.
The song ended, and we headed off the floor toward where Fiona was waving at Daisy.
“We were just talking about New Year's resolutions,” Fiona said, firmly tucked under Brogan’s arm.
“Oh, yeah?” Daisy laced her fingers with mine. “And what’s yours?”
“Balance family and work,” she answered.
“You already do a great job of that.” Brogan kissed her temple.
“What about you?” Fiona asked him.
“I want to keep the Cup.”
“Fuck yes!” Sterling said from next to him, hoisting his drink in the air. “Who thinks we should keep the Cup?” he shouted.
“The Cup!” half the Reapers shouted back from the side of the dance floor, lifting their drinks.
“I’m all for that,” I added with a grin. “What’s yours?” I asked Daisy.
“Hmm.” She pursed her lips as she thought. “To increase my sales and expand my brand,” she said with a nod.
“Sounds phenomenal.” My heart pounded. She was going to be so fucking excited to see what I’d set up for her.
“And you?” She turned into me, her hand sliding up the lapel of my tux. “What kind of resolution does Asher Silas make for the new year?”
“Besides the one I told you about earlier?” My blood heated just thinking about taking her upstairs. I could never get enough of her.
“Tell me your resolution and maybe we’ll make that other one happen.” Her eyes sparkled, and she tugged me closer.
I had to think about it. My life was full of plans, calendars, and goals. But there was definitely one that stuck out among the others. “To get the safety line out for recreational consumers.”
She rolled her eyes. “And here I was, hoping you’d try to take more time off.”
“Speaking of time off,” I said to my players and their guests. “We’ll see you all later.” I tugged her away from the crowd, desperate to be alone with her.
“Where are we going?” she asked as we made our way around the floor.
“What are you doing the day after tomorrow?” I nodded to friends as we passed, but didn’t stop for pleasantries. My dick was already hard, my head barely able to concentrate past the lilac and vanilla scent of her.
“Probably writing,” she answered. “I’m on a really tight deadline. I shouldn’t even be here, let alone be spending the night with you.”
“Can you make a meeting?” I spotted the elevator and nearly cried with relief. What the fuck was it about Daisy that turned me from a civilized man into a primal, desperate Neanderthal?
“A meeting?”
“Yeah. I’ve been working on something really big, and I need you there. Nine a.m. the day after tomorrow.” I stroked my thumb over the back of her hand.
“I’m on deadline—”
“Please, Daisy?” I paused just long enough to look in her eyes.
She sighed and nodded. “If it means that much to you, yes, I’ll be there. Nine a.m.”
“Good, now we can get to the best part of the night.” I smacked a kiss on her lips and continued the final dozen feet to the elevator. We were almost there.
“Asher!” She gawked at me as she spotted my target destination. “It’s almost midnight! They’re about to count down! We can’t leave!”