11. Clay
CLAY
“W e won’t keep you two any longer.” The general manager and the event director of our Napa hotel exchanged a grin as we all stood, ending our breakfast meeting. “You deserve a little time to yourselves on your honeymoon. It’s amazing how devoted you both are.”
“It’s one thing that will never change.” Mira’s soft, reassuring smile was the perfect ending to a positive meeting, clearly granting relief to my employees.
It was one thing for them to hear everything would be fine, but another to meet me face-to-face and see firsthand I had no intention of upsetting what was already running smoothly.
There were little issues here and there, but nothing we couldn’t iron out.
I had made the right choice. Every day, every meeting, every employee I spoke to, and every happy guest I observed confirmed the benefits of waiting. Watching. Finding the right fit rather than jumping at the first opportunity to come my way.
There was only one problem on my mind as I walked at Mira’s side across the lush grounds between the outer building containing the offices and the hotel itself. It certainly wasn’t anything to do with the hotel, nestled like a jewel amidst verdant, rolling vineyards.
It was her fucking phone. The way she jumped on it as soon as we were away from our employees. Don’t do it. It doesn’t matter. He doesn’t matter. I knew that was the truth, that neither Matteo nor any other man could do to her what I had done in Tahoe.
In the few days since we’d left the resort, there hadn’t been any mention of the hours we had spent going crazy on each other. Like she really intended to leave it there, locked behind the cabin’s wood plank walls. If she didn’t want to bring it up, neither did I, or so I needed to tell myself.
It was what I wanted. I reminded myself of that and the smartass comment I made about what happened in the cabin stayed there.
It was what I needed to say at the moment, to convince both of us that it wasn’t a mistake fucking like rabbits, finally giving in to the chemistry that still sizzled between us.
It was none of my business, but I glanced toward the phone anyway. Sure enough, she was texting him. He wasn’t going to give up. I was going to be stuck with this asshole as long as Mira believed he belonged in her life.
I didn’t look away fast enough. She glanced up at me as we reached the veranda leading into the lobby and caught me looking at her phone.
“Would you like to read my messages too? Since you’re obviously so interested?
” Somehow, she managed to mask the question with a smile, like we were being playful. A pair of newlyweds screwing around.
I managed to play it off, only barely. Chuckling, I asked, “He doesn’t know how to take a hint, does he?”
“Oh, you didn’t hear?” she asked. “You’re not his daddy. He doesn’t have to listen to you. I meant to share that with you. Must’ve slipped my mind.”
Our room sat at the far end of the single-story structure.
It featured the best views by far, like something out of a fantasy.
Sapphire blue skies above emerald green hills.
First thing in the morning, a mist hung over the valley, giving off the sense of sitting above the clouds. The effect was magical.
The mist had burned off over the course of our meeting, and now brilliant sunshine flooded the expansive suite. Aside from a special dinner and wine tasting later today, we had nothing else on the schedule. People assumed we were newlyweds who craved time together.
I knew what I craved, and I would like the chance to spend more time on it, but in many ways, it felt like we were back at square one. Like the blizzard had never happened.
It was the frustration of being held back from what I desired that added sharpness to my voice.
Coming to a stop beside a striped silk sofa, I was all too glad to drop the happy act we’d put on during breakfast and the discussion that took place afterward.
“You don’t think it looks suspicious? A woman who’s been married for a little more than two weeks taking calls and texts from another man? ”
“You honestly think anyone pays attention?” Rather than leave her things in the small study directly off the living area, she unceremoniously dumped everything on the coffee table in front of the sofa before reaching up to remove the clip holding her hair in place.
What a shame she had to go and do that, shaking out her bun and letting rays of golden sunlight dance over the waves.
Snapping my attention away took sheer willpower. “You never know who is paying attention,” I reminded her while she scoffed. “Don’t be obtuse. I appreciate he’s got a crush on you, but there’s only another week to go until we return to LA. What is wrong with him that he can’t wait?”
Her sigh spoke volumes. Was she more annoyed with me or him? Because I’d heard her soft groans and sighs. I’d seen her eyes roll when another text came through. He was getting on her nerves too. “Can we not get into this? We’ve had a good day. Let’s not spoil it.”
“Who’s trying to spoil it?” I asked with a shrug as I loosened my tie. “Whatever happened to making conversation?”
She slid the tailored suit jacket away and draped it over the back of an armchair, heading to the attached kitchen. “Don’t give me that shit,” she warned, taking a bottle of water from the refrigerator.
“What is wrong with me wanting to know who is getting in touch with my wife?”
She bristled, shoulders up around her ears before almost slamming the bottle onto the counter between us. “Would you stop making it sound like that? We both know that’s not how it is. You were the one who said we didn’t have to live like a married couple.”
With a growl, I snapped, “Never mind what I said.”
That was all it took to set a match to her fuse.
“Excuse me? No, that’s not how it works.
” She kicked off her heels, then stormed up to me, standing toe-to-toe.
I fed off the fire in her glare, daring her to keep it burning.
It wasn’t just a challenge—it was a call to prove I was more than she could handle, to show her I wouldn’t back down.
That was it, I realized while we faced off. I couldn’t remember the last time someone challenged me, kept me on my toes the way she did.
“How does it work?” I removed my tie and tossed it onto the sofa, then added my jacket.
“You don’t get to set a rule, then tell me to disregard it because… what?” Her head tipped to the side. “You don’t like sharing? Is that what it is?”
“Sharing?” I had to laugh, which, of course, deepened her scowl. “Please. Don’t insult me.”
“Then what is it? You can’t stand the fact that he genuinely cares about me?”
Looking her up and down, I asked, “If he cared about you, why did he let another man marry you?”
The blow landed. Her brows pulled together as her head snapped back. “Because we don’t live in gladiator days. What, did you expect him to pick up a sword and go to battle for me?”
I mimicked her posture, hands on my hips. “Oh, so his devotion only extends to nonstop texting? Doesn’t he have a job to keep him occupied? Or a pet, maybe?”
“Please. He knows how much it means to me that I stay involved with the company. And besides, it’s not like we were—” She cut herself off, her mouth snapping shut.
As if I’d ignore the flush touching her cheeks and the aversion of her gaze. “By all means,” I insisted. “Finish your thought.”
Blowing out a sigh, she muttered, “It’s not like we were serious. Matteo and I were seeing each other, and I would like to keep seeing him when we get home,” she concluded, lifting her chin. “Even if nothing ever comes of it, I will make that decision on my own. Not you.”
My ego would be the death of me. It reared up in protest, creating a roaring in my ears. Still? She was still determined to see him?
What did I expect? For her to fall in love with my dick and decide she never needed another one?
Yes. Without realizing it, that was exactly what I had imagined. I knew it now, thanks to the way my fists clenched at the thought of letting another man touch or taste what I had. I was supposed to pretend I didn't care?
“Tell me something.” She arched an eyebrow, studying me as I fought to get a grip. “What is it about him that bothers you so much?”
“He doesn’t know his place.” It was the safest response and certainly part of the truth. “What is it about him you like so much?” I countered.
“He only wants me to be me, whatever that means.” Pride rang in her voice. “I get to be the one to decide. Not my father or anybody else.”
I waited for more and got nothing. “That’s it? That’s as far as it goes?”
“Does there have to be more?” Rolling her eyes, she shrugged. “Fine. He’s also kind.”
I did my best not to yawn. “Great.”
“He’s thoughtful.” She said it through gritted teeth, her lip curling in a sneer. “Considerate. Are you catching the theme?”
I stroked my chin. “Just to make sure I’m up to speed, you’re wanting this guy because he’s nice to you?”
Her nostrils flared on another deep, enraged exhale. “Only you could make it sound so pathetic.”
“It’s not pathetic.” No, that word could be reserved for the erection threatening to destroy my zipper any second. If this went on much longer, I’d have no choice but to tie her to the bed and fuck the sass out of her. “I’m only wondering why you hold yourself so cheaply.”
“There’s a laugh!” She barked one out. “Considering what brought us together in the first place.”
“At least our marriage was worth it. We both got what we wanted.”
“Did we?” She laughed again, and it was an ugly, bitter sound. “Or did one of us settle for second best?”
“Then, by all means, keep settling for less than what you’re worth,” I snapped. “That will make everything so much better.”
Her eyes bulged, and I knew I had said too much.
Where had it come from? Either way, I wasn’t going to apologize.
Her body trembled, but her voice was strong.
“I don’t know where you get off making judgments about my life, considering you married a stranger to pick up a handful of properties,” she snapped, spitting out the final word like it was profane.
“Do me a favor and get off your high horse. You’re not as virtuous as you think. ”
She was breathing almost as hard as I was by the time she finished. Her chest rose and fell in time with mine. The heat of her breath was nothing compared to the heat between us. My blood had gone from a simmer to a rolling boil, and there was only one thing capable of cooling things down.
She saw it, too, her mouth parting to allow a sigh to slip through as I lowered my head, taking her face in my hands. “We can’t keep doing this,” she whispered even as her eyes began to close, and she started to melt. Her soft whimper at the touch of my lips sounded like victory to me.
Hadn’t she figured it out yet? Nobody told me what I could and couldn’t do.
And if I couldn’t forbid her from talking to that sniveling prick boyfriend of hers, I’d make her come hard enough to forget he existed.