Chapter 14
14
EROS
“ F uck.” I turn off the cold water. It hasn’t done shit for my cock. I have jerked off twice today, and it does nothing to cut the edge I’m riding on. I would love to believe that once I'm inside Lev, it will help, but with her, I always find myself sinking deeper. The more I have, the more I need. It’s a never-ending cycle.
I grab a towel to dry off. I shake my head, smiling as I notice all of Lev's makeup and various other bottles scattered on one side of the bathroom counter. Last night she put it all neatly away, but now it looks as though a makeup bomb has gone off. I can’t help but love that she is integrating herself into my life. Making my space her own.
Lev had come up to try on some clothes and get ready earlier. I left the office shortly after her. Instead of going directly home, I went to the gym to try and burn off some energy before taking a shower.
In my closet, I grab my normal button-up dress shirt and slacks. I roll the sleeves up a bit and keep a free button loose at the top to make it not so formal-looking. No matter how long I spend in the business world, I never grow accustomed to the suits. I hate the stuffiness of them.
When I’m dressed, I go in search of my woman. I didn't want to leave her tonight, so I had to decide whether to cancel or take her with me. It was only a dinner with the Caldwell brothers, and I knew they were bringing women. They always bring new women with them. That’s not my thing, but it’s also not my business. To each their own.
Now what is my business is them wanting to buy ClickIt. I occasionally receive offers from other companies, but none have captivated me enough to warrant a deeper consideration. However, the Caldwell brothers have brought me a significant amount of business, and at one point, their conversation inspired me to create another app that is currently performing exceptionally well. You never know when and where inspiration might come from.
I do know that Lev is a bottle of inspiration. I know she’s in the home. Alectrona would have told me if she’d left, and from all the boxes and bags all over the floor in the closet, it’s clear she has been here and got the clothing.
“I know it’s a mess.” Lev comes rushing into the closet with a can of Dr. Pepper in her hand. “I needed some sugar, but I’ll be ready in two seconds, I swear.” She leaves the Dr. Pepper on the island and grabs a pair of shoes.
I admire her ass in the tight black, shiny pants. They have a sheer black piece that extends down the side, showing skin underneath on both legs.
“No rush,” I tell her.
“These boots will work.” Lev slips them on before getting back up. “This is okay, right? I thought they would send me more, I don’t know, normal clothes, but these pants. I had to put them on.”
“I can see your bare hips.” I try to not sound irritated. Lev rolls her eyes.
“That’s a nude sheer under it. It’s not really my skin. You think I’m not wearing underwear?” Now there is a thought. “So?”
My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. The tight leather pants are paired with a white blouse that falls off one shoulder, revealing a red bra strap that matches her lipstick perfectly. She’d done that same gold on her eyes that I told her I liked her first day in the office.
She is utterly fuckable, and I need to get us out of here or we’ll never go anywhere.
“It’s good. Let's go.” I take her hand.
“Is that it, just good?” Lev has to walk quickly to keep up.
“Alectrona, open the lift.” The door opens.
“Royce,” Lev chirps when she sees him inside.
“Lev.” He gives her a nod.
“I’ve got her door,” I tell him. Royce slips back into the driver's seat. I open the back door to the SUV.
“Oh, I didn’t bring my purse.”
“You won’t need it.”
“I guess.” Lev leans back in the seat. “Are you sure this is okay?”
“Yes, I told them your style. Did you think I’d put you in a short little black dress with glitter?” Lev’s face turns to horror. I know her better than she thinks I do. I would never want to make her wear something that she’s not comfortable in. Her clothes are one of the ways she expresses herself, and I don’t want to stunt that.
“Well, thank you for that.” I notice she keeps peeking over at me. I retrieve my phone to respond to a few emails, in the hopes of diverting my attention from Lev and her damn outfit. My dick is refusing to go down. She looks so fucking gorgeous. I swear canceling the entire night has crossed my mind more times than I’m willing to admit. I want to keep her in this house and not let anyone see how fucking sexy she looks in those pants. “It’s dinner, right?”
“Yes, the Caldwell brothers. They will have dates as well.”
“Right.” Lev runs her palms down her thighs. I can tell she’s nervous.
“Are you okay?” I reach over and take one of her hands.
“I’m not a people person. I can be prickly.” I smirk. Lev isn’t wrong, but that’s one of the best parts of her.
“You have gotten along well with everyone at the office,” I point out.
“I really stick to Julie. She is nice.” I nod in agreement, guilt tugging at me about how I’d paid and pretty much ordered Julie to ask her to happy hour while I dealt with Tom.
“We’re here, Eros.”
“Thank you, Royce. I’ve got the door.” I step out, offering Lev my hand. She takes it.
“Later, Royce,” Lev says before I shut the door. Lev isn’t all prickly; you get that prick if you deserve it. She uses it to protect herself. It’s understandable with how she grew up. “A hotel?”
“There is a restaurant inside.” I put my hand on her back to lead her inside. The Caldwell brothers are always here. I think they keep a few rooms booked on a regular basis. They’re old money.
“Eros.” The host greets me. “Both Nick and Paul Caldwell are already here. Follow me this way.”
“She knows you?”
I shrug. “They likely told her to keep an eye out. They are big spenders.” Realizing how busy the restaurant is, I slide my hand from her back to her hips to tuck Lev closer to me. A few people watch us go by. I want to make it clear Lev is mine.
Her outfit is going to kill me. I don’t know if I should send the store a bonus or fire them.
If I had a solid relationship with her, I don't think I'd be as on edge about it. If I could get my ring on her finger and know each night in bed she was mine for the taking, maybe I’d be able to relax. Right now I’m still trying to make sure her tiny little ass isn’t going to run from me at any moment.
Nick calls out, "Eros" as we approach the table. It’s a round table in the far corner of the restaurant. Paul also stands up, and the ladies accompanying him quickly follow suit.
“Nick, Paul,” I greet them. Their eyes go straight to Lev. “This is Lev,” I introduce her. “She?—”
“I work for Eros.” Lev holds out her hand. I grit my teeth. Works for me. Does she work for me when I’m eating her pussy?
“It’s lovely to meet you.” Paul smirks. I want to punch it off his face. I remind myself I’m not back home. That isn’t how you handle things if an asshole pisses you off. I should have canceled tonight.
"Here." I pull out a chair for her before they attempt to shake hands. I don't want them touching her. I roll my shoulders as unease creeps up my spine. The same way it would when you sense a predator when you're out with the herd. Lev introducing herself as only my coworker has, in the Caldwell brothers’ eyes, made her fair game. The interest in her is written all over their faces.
“Oh.” She scrunches her nose but sits.
“We’re not going to poach your employees, Eros.” Nick says this as he settles back into his seat.
“Are you going to introduce the ladies?” I prompt. I don’t want Lev to feel out of place or think she needs to sit quietly.
“I’m Aurora,” the blonde responds.
“Coco,” the other with even blonder hair adds as they both sit back down.
“You look familiar,” Lev says. They both giggle. I don’t recognize them. In fact, it's possible that they are the same girls the Caldwell brothers were with last time we met, but I doubt it. It might be a dick thing to say, but they all blend together. Plain, really.
“Shall we get you two some drinks?” Paul raises his hand for the waiter. I don’t miss Nick's eyes lingering on my girl. I rest my hand on the back of her chair.
I’m going to need a double.