I manage a smile. It took all the courage I could muster to come down here today and it wasn't just because I half expected to see Isadora following Julian around.

  I have no idea if she's here or not. It doesn't matter. I had to see him after what happened last night. I turned what could have been a wonderful celebratory dinner into a difficult and awkward evening.

  I wait until he closes the door behind me before I say anything. "I'm here to apologize. I didn't handle things well yesterday and I'm embarrassed."

  He takes my face in his palms and plants a soft kiss on my lips. "It's forgotten, Maya."

  I stare into his eyes. They're such a beautiful shade of blue. They match his tie to perfection today. That paired with the black shirt and suit he's wearing gives him an edgy, yet elegant look.

  "I shouldn't have tested you like that." I want to put it behind me too, but not before he completely understands that I'm not normally the kind of person who tests someone she cares about. "I'm sorry that I did."

  His hands glide down my neck to my shoulders. "I shouldn't have handled things the way I did either, but we're learning how to navigate one another, Maya. That's a good thing. It's healthy and important."

  "You're incredible." I lean forward to kiss him. "I always thought you'd be the wisest person I'd ever met. You're proving me right."

  "I'm far from wise." He steps back to unbutton his suit jacket. "I'm learning as I go."

  I narrow my eyes as I consider his words. "I'm learning too. I'm learning that breaking my rules was one of the smartest choices I've ever made."

  "Having dinner with me tonight would be a smart choice as well."

  "As long as there are no alcoholic beverages involved, I'm on board." I roll my eyes. "I had way too much champagne last night."

  "No drinks tonight," he agrees. "We'll have some dinner and then you'll show me what you have under that dress. I'll pick you up at your place at seven."

  Chapter 32

  Julian

  "So you finally made your move?" Sebastian stretches his long legs as he sits on my couch. "It took you long enough."

  I wait for a beat before replying because the joke holds more truth than I care to admit. I wasted time with Maya. When I first saw her at Falon Shaw's studio, I should have ended my relationship with Isadora that day.

  I felt a pull to Maya that was unfamiliar. I wanted her in a way that I'd never wanted a woman before, but I assumed it was pure lust. Rearranging my entire life for a random fuck wasn't something I would have done then. I'd never consider it now either.

  Isadora's decision to push me on the topic of marriage may have set the wheels in motion, but my desire for Maya was the catalyst for change.

  I couldn't stay with Isadora when I wanted someone else as much as I did Maya.

  "She's incredible, Sebastian." I take a seat on the chair next to the couch. "Getting to know her has changed me. It's changed my life."

  "You sound like you're in love."

  I consider his words carefully. I've wondered the same thing myself, but it's too soon. It feels too soon. "It's headed in that direction. I'm taking her to dinner in an hour."

  "Good," he shoots back. "I want you happy. Which leads to my next question."

  I cock a brow. "Ask away."

  "Does Maya have a sister?"

  Reaching forward I tap his knee with my hand. "Twins. She has twin sisters."

  He shoots me a look. "I want details, Julian. Find out if they're single and make sure you tell them I'm NYPD. Women love that. They fucking love it."

  ***

  "I thought you'd take me to Axel Tribeca." Maya closes the menu in front of her. "I like this place a lot though."

  I didn't take her to Axel because I wanted to give her a new experience. That's why I brought her to this restaurant. It's small and they serve good Italian food. I can always get a table.

  "Let's talk business for a minute." I rest my hands on top of the menu. "Tell me where you are with the penthouse sale."

  She squeezes the side of her neck. "I have two interested parties and they both wanted a second showing. One of those happened today and the other is two days from now. I'm hopeful that I'll get an offer out of one of them."

  I've kept a close eye on the calendar. I want to extend the deadline but I won't. We have a signed contract and granting her a favor because I'm dating her won't serve me well with the board. Beyond that, I'm confident that the penthouse will be off the market before the deadline arrives.

  "You'll get it sold, Maya." I reach for her hand. "Second showings are a good sign of interest."

  She looks down at our joined hands. "I believe that too. You met one of the parties. It's the Clarksons. Do you remember them?"

  I'll never forget them. Dancing next to them is a sweet memory for me. That afternoon ended with me kissing Maya. The taste of her lips is something I crave. To satiate that, I lean forward and kiss her, softly.

  "What was that for?"

  "A thank you for dancing me with that day we met the Clarksons." I kiss her again. "That one is a thank you for later when you let me ravage your body in my bed."

  "Is that what we are having for dessert?" she whispers. "You'll eat me before you fuck me?"

  I move closer to her in the booth we're sitting in. "Is that what you want me to do?"

  "Yes." She looks into my eyes. "I'm tempted to skip dinner and go straight to dessert. It's been days since I've felt you inside me."

  I reach for her thigh and her lips part slightly.

  "Spread."

  She does. She parts her knees and I take full advantage, skimming my fingertips up her leg until they rest under the hem of her white skirt.

  "Do you want me inside you now?" I whisper the words against her lips before I claim her mouth in a deep kiss. "Tell me you do."

  She eyes the only server in the place. His face is buried in his phone. The kitchen staff is out of view, and the only other patrons are seated clear across the restaurant. "I've never done…"

  I slide my fingers to the edge of her panties. They're lace, likely pretty. I run my fingertip over the top of her leg where the panties meet her soft skin.

  "I'll come." She half giggles, half moans. "I'll come if you touch me now."

  She's so wet that I can feel it through the lace. "Then you'll come."

  I skim my finger under the fabric and along the top of her mound. It's just as smooth as it was the last time I touched her. "Spread more."

  There's no hesitation as she does. She shifts on the seat, pushing her legs far enough apart that it grants me access to her wetness.

  I glide my finger over the seam of her pussy, slowly; painfully slowly and the moan that escapes her is caught in my mouth when I kiss her.

  "If you come now, you blow me later."

  "I'll crawl under the table and blow you now," she counters with a lift of her brow. "I love sucking your cock."

  The need to be inside of her is strong. I want my dick in her heat, pounding into her with steady even strokes until I feel her shudder around me.

  Since I can't have that, I take what I can, gliding my fingertips along the wetness until I find her clit.

  I watch her intently as she bites her lip and her eyes roll back in her head. I circle that nub of plump swollen flesh with my finger, over and over, increasing the pressure, slowing and then racing, pushing her to the edge.

  Her hips start to circle, small bursts of movement chasing after what she craves most right now. She wants to come here, next to me, because the need outweighs everything else.

  "I told you… god, Julian, I'm going…"

  I take her mouth again in a deep, messy kiss just as I shove two fingers inside her so I can feel every ripple of her tight pussy as she gives me her release.

  Chapter 33

  Maya

  "How is it that no one in that restaurant noticed me having an orgasm?" I lean my head on his shoulder after we step into his apartment. "I would notice if someone was having an orgasm while I was eating spaghetti."

  He laughs. "You tasted the spaghetti, Maya. It's phenomenal. It's easy to get swept away in the food and become oblivious to everything around you."

  I hit his chest with a playful slap. "I've never done anything like that before."

  "I haven't either." He reaches for my hand to bring it to his lips. "I couldn't wait. I had to be inside you and since everyone would have noticed if I spread you out and fucked you on the table next to the complimentary breadsticks, touching you quelled my need, temporarily."

  "Temporarily?" I tap my finger on my chin. "Does that mean that I get to have my dessert soon?"

  "Eating you out is my dessert, Maya." He slides his suit jacket off. "You're going to ride my face until you can't take it anymore."

  "I can take a lot." I start to unbutton the red blouse I'm wearing just as his phone starts to ring.

  He ignores it as he watches me push the blouse off to reveal the red bra underneath. "Leave that on when you mount me. I want to look up and see your tits covered in red lace."

  His phone starts ringing again shortly after it stops.

  "Answer your phone." I point at his jacket as I unzip the side zipper on my skirt. "It could be important."

  He slides his jacket off and tosses it onto the floor. "Nothing is as important as your dessert."

  I push down my skirt and watch his face. His eyes are trained on my panties. They're white lace with a red ribbon trim.

  He steps forward and reaches out to finger the ribbon. I don't move. I can't. I crave this man's touch. "I knew they'd be pretty. Take them off, Maya and get in my bedroom."

  I do. I drop my panties and let him take me to his bed.

  ***

  "Can you dislocate your jaw by sucking on cock?" I rub my fingers over my jaw.

  Julian pushes the sheet that's covering him lower to reveal his semi-hard dick. I have no clue how it can still have any life left in it. I sucked him to orgasm after I rode his face. Then he fucked me hard on his bed.

  I can barely move, and he looks ready to go another round.

  "Is it tender?" He skims his finger over my chin. "I'm sorry if I was too aggressive."

  He was aggressive. He climbed on top of me and straddled my face. It was hot, so hot that I almost came when he fisted my hair and shoved his thick cock down my throat.

  It was the first time I've gagged and that seemed to spur his drive even more. I let him use me while I held onto his powerful thighs. He pumped into me over and over until his release flooded my throat.

  "It was perfect." I sigh. "We'll do that again?"

  His face brightens. "Anytime."

  "Not tonight." I open and close my mouth twice. "Give it a day or two to heal."

  His lips skim over my jawline. "Thank you for tonight, Maya. All of it."

  I know that cue. I've heard it in the past. Not from him, but still. When a man wants a woman out the door, he'll thank her politely for the sex and then help her get dressed.

  I start to roll to my side. "I'll have to find my clothes. I'm not sure where my panties are."

  "Under my pillow." He scoops his hand under the pillow his head is resting on and tugs out my red and white panties. "I'm keeping these."

  "You're going to send me home with a bare pussy?" I pretend to scowl. "I hope it's not windy. My skirt doesn't behave in a breeze."

  He furrows his brow. "I'm not sending you anywhere and I might keep the skirt too to make certain that you never give another peep show to the random men of Manhattan on windy days."

  "You're not sending me home?"

  "I want you to spend the night." He tugs me closer to him. "Sleep in my arms, fuck me in the shower tomorrow, let me make you breakfast."

  "I want to do all of that." I nuzzle my cheek into his chest. "I won't go anywhere."

  "Good." He rests his chin on the top of my head. "I want you to sleep, Maya. Close your eyes and dream about me."

  "I do that every night," I say softly. "I have for years."

  Chapter 34

  Maya

  This is it. I'm showing the penthouse to the Clarksons again. They are my last hope.

  When I showed it to Simon the other day, there was no excitement in his eyes. He walked through the space sullenly, not asking any additional questions. He left in a hurry, and I haven't heard anything from him or his representative, Todd, since then.

  I hear the ding of the elevator and I smooth my hands over the blue dress I'm wearing. It's a simple sheath dress. I've pulled my hair back into a tight ponytail, and I've applied the barest hint of makeup.

  I did all of that while texting Julian this morning. As I was leaving his place yesterday morning, he told me that he'd be consumed with work for the next few days. I didn't take it as a brush off. I heard his phone ringing periodically through the night as I tried to sleep.

  He's opening a new hotel in Paris soon and with everything else he's trying to juggle, that has to put even more stress on him.

  Isadora might be part of every decision he makes right now, but she's not the one who spent the night with him. I am. I feel more confident in his feelings for me after the intimacy we shared.

  "Maya," Irene Clarkson approaches me as they round the corridor and enter the main living space. "You look beautiful."

  "Thank you." I step toward her when I sense that she's coming in for an embrace. She does. "You look rested and well, Irene. Tom's been treating you extra well?"

  Tom leans forward to kiss my cheek softly. "I treasure this woman. I make every single day as special as I can."

  This is what I want with Julian. I'm falling in love with him. I haven't admitted that to anyone yet, but my heart is screaming it constantly. It's much too soon to tell him, so I'll hold onto the feeling myself until the time is right to share it.

  "How's Julian?" Irene bumps her shoulder against mine. "He's a handsome fellow, Maya. I think he runs a close second to Tom."

  I smile at her. "Julian is well. He's caught up in work but that's what happens when you run one of the premier hotel chains in the country."

  "Speaking of that." Tom wraps his arm around Irene's shoulders. "We have to thank him for the spa day and dinner at Axel. What a treat that was. The man certainly knows how to treat his guests."

  And his lovers.

  I'm still nursing a tender ache in virtually every one of my muscles after our marathon night. Once I finally did fall asleep, I woke to the wet heat of Julian's tongue on my nipple. He licked me to an early morning orgasm before he took me in the shower from behind.

  I left his apartment more satisfied than I've ever felt and more sure of his devotion to me.

  "If all goes well, maybe we can meet him for a drink." I wink.

  "We love this place." Irene looks toward the bank of windows directly in front of us. "We've worked hard for a retirement that includes a place just like this."

  Those words are music to my ears.

  I sweep my arm in the air. "I want you both to take your time and look around. I've arranged lunch to be delivered on the terrace for you so you can get a feel for that. Cut a rug here in the main room if you'd like. Just see if this place connects with the two of you and your vision for the future."

  Irene's eyes well with tears. "You are a dear. It's a big decision. We want to be sure."

  "As you should be." I squeeze her hand. "I'm going to be in the office down the hall doing a bit of work. If you have any questions or you need to hear a little Sinatra, let me know."

  They both smile as I wave my phone in the air.

  "Thank you, Maya." Tom takes in a deep breath. "We think we know what we want to do, but this opportunity will settle those nerves for us."

  I feel my heart leap. They're close. I think this might be it.

  "I'll leave you two to enjoy the space together." I walk away with a feeling that the Clarksons just found their New York home.

  ***

  "You had an interview with Julian today?" I motion for Charlie to close my office door. "For what?"

  He shuts the door behind him before he settles in one of the guest chairs in front of my desk. "Senior counsel for Bishop Hotels."

  That's Isadora's job.

  "I know what you're thinking, Maya." He crosses his legs. "He's getting rid of Isadora."

  I smile at his choice of words. I'd like to get rid of her too. If I had my choice, she'd be on an airplane headed to some remote location that doesn't have any return flights.

  "Did he say when you'd start this job if he offers it to you?" I push because I'm curious.

  Julian and I haven't discussed Isadora since the day after I saw her at his office. I've been tempted to ask about their involvement on business projects, but that would cause friction between us that isn't necessary.

  I know Julian cares deeply for me and that Isadora is just a co-worker. At least, in his eyes that's the case, I obviously can't begin to imagine how she views him.

  "About a month from now." He slides his fingers along the arm of his glasses. "I haven't told Anne yet, or anyone for that matter. I know you're involved with Julian now that he's no longer with Isadora. I thought you'd like to know that I may be working with him soon."

  Charlie and I haven't discussed my relationship with Julian because we've both moved on. He's been dating the woman from accounting. I've seen the two of them together in the breakroom. He's happy and I'm glad for that.

  Our connection may have been brief, but I want him to find the same kind of fulfillment that I'm finding with Julian.

  "I appreciate that," I offer with a small smile. "Has Isadora left Bishop?"

  "No." He shakes his head. "I had to meet Julian at the hotel in Tribeca for a coffee. He didn't want me at the office. He said Isadora wasn't aware that he was interviewing and he wanted me to keep it quiet. He told me that Isadora talked to him about hiring me on as a junior attorney before they broke up."

 

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