6. Oakley
SIX
OAKLEY
A wave of heat washes over me as I pull into the circular drive of the mansion Lowen calls home. Despite the frigid temperatures outside, I’m pretty sure I could melt the snow on my own. I’m filled with a mixture of insecurity and determination to make Lowen see me in a different light. He’s opened a door, even if it’s just for show, and this is my opportunity to convince him not to close it.
I grab the bouquet I purchased and slide out of the car, straightening my blazer as I walk to the door. Operation Woo Lowen starts now.
I ring the bell and when he swings the door open, he’s looking down at his phone, gesturing for me to enter without looking up. Way to spoil the effect.
“Sorry,” Lowen mumbles. “Responding to an email about a late merch delivery.”
I stand in the doorway, refusing to step forward until he notices me. It only takes him a few seconds to realize I’m not behind him. He turns around and as his pretty eyes find me, he gasps softly as a smile tugs at his lips.
“What’s this?”
“Flowers.” I wipe my boots on the doormat before stepping forward. “I always bring you flowers. Your favorite dahlias are out of season, but they did have this nice bouquet.”
His brow creases. “How did you know my favorite flower?”
“You did a huge spread of them for a summer brunch in a French magazine.”
Lowen tilts his head like a confused puppy. “And how did you know that?”
“It’s called the internet, love.” I step forward. “Does love work or do you have a better endearment in mind?”
He finally laughs softly, taking the bouquet. “Committing to your role, huh?”
“We need a convincing backstory, right?” Taking a chance, I slide my arm around him and pull him close, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “You want me to act like you hung the moon?”
“You don’t have to when we’re alone.”
“I think it would be harder switching off and on, you know?”
He nods, dragging his free hand down my chest. “Cashmere?”
“I clean up okay.”
His cheeks flush but he just smiles. “I should put these in water.”
“Lead the way.”
I release him, smiling as he sways slightly, then follow him to the kitchen, admiring my work as we walk through the massive hallway. In the kitchen, I lean on the island, watching Lowen move elegantly through the grand space as he finds the vase he wants and fills it with water.
He glances at me several times from under his thick lashes, and for once, it seems like my kitten is tongue-tied.
“How was your day after I saw you?”
Lowen clears his throat. “Fine. The usual stuff. It was slow today, but we figure it’ll pick up again. Hope so, because we just hired three more servers so we could start taking some time off when it’s slower.”
“That’s important.”
“Yes.” He fusses over the flowers in the vase for a few seconds, then clasps his hands together on the island. “Can I get you a drink?”
“Whatever you’re having.”
He nods. “Sitting room then?”
“Sure.” As he passes me, I grab his wrist, turning him to face me. “You didn’t answer me earlier.”
“About what?”
“What you want me to call you. Love? Gorgeous? Kitten?”
His breath catches softly before he schools his expression. “Kitten? Where did that come from?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. You remind me of a kitten sometimes. A spicy one. Soft and adorable, but you have claws and will defend your boundaries.”
A satisfied smirk tugs at his lips. “Call me whatever you like.”
Spreading my legs apart slightly, I pull him just a little closer. “And what are you gonna call me?”
“I’ll come up with something.”
I nod, desperately wanting to close the distance between us and taste his lips again, but I sense he’s not ready for that.
“Let’s get that drink.”
Lowen nods, brushing his fingers across his forehead as he steps back. Maybe rabbit is more fitting. He sure likes to run.
I follow him back to the sitting room, as he calls it. He wanted this formal space, and I think it was smart not to give in to Ridley’s idea to make it a video game den. In the back corner is an elaborate bar he found at an antique dealer in the city. It was a beast to get it installed but it gives the room a sexy speakeasy vibe.
Lowen steps behind the bar and begins mixing two cocktails.
“Dirty martinis?”
He shakes his head. “No. Florian suggested I upgrade my signature drink to a French martini to appeal more to customers, and I admit, I’m a little addicted to the sweet tartness of it.”
“What makes it French?”
“Chambord. It’s a black raspberry liqueur. It makes it really pretty too.” He glances up. “I could get you a beer instead.”
“Nope. I’ll have the martini.”
He nods, returning his attention to mixing the drinks. He has no idea how devoted a fake fiancé I can be, but he’s gonna find out. Too bad I can’t tell him that I’m hardly faking. I’ve wanted to romance him off his feet almost since we met. He got under my skin during our first meeting, and I haven’t shaken him off yet.
He walks over to me, his hips swaying in that elegant way they do, and hands me the delicate crystal glass. I watch him sit next to me on the fancy emerald-green velvet couch he calls a divan. He had all the furniture in this room shipped from Europe, along with several pieces he already owned in Paris.
I clink our glasses and take a sip of the deep pink cocktail. It’s surprisingly tasty and refreshing.
“Do you like it?” Lowen asks.
I nod. “It’s tasty. A little dangerous too. You can’t really taste the alcohol.”
He smiles and makes a humming noise. “Exactly. They make an excellent bar special.”
I chuckle. “I bet.”
Silence stretches between us, but the building heat is tangible, at least to me.
“Do you like PDA?” I ask, breaking the tension.
“PDA?” Lowen shakes his head for a second, like he doesn’t understand the term, but then he nods. “Oh. Uh, reasonably, I suppose. Hand holding, subtle touches, that sort of thing is fine.”
I take his hand in mine, entwine our fingers, and rest them on my thigh. He glances down at our hands then back up at me.
“If you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m into this.”
Lowen nods, swallowing hard enough that I notice. “I’m out of practice.”
“That’s why I figured we should start now. We can build it up so it seems natural to people.”
“Smart. Um, the itinerary.”
“I’m listening.” I take another sip of my drink, watching the carousel of emotions flicker across his features. This is difficult for him and I need to be aware of that, despite how much I’m enjoying the time with him.
“It starts Monday evening with a reception and a silent auction for charity. It’ll be my post-divorce debut.”
“Got it. Is it formal?”
“Semi. The awards ceremony on Friday is formal. The rest of the events are cocktail. You’ll need a suit. A different look for each night.”
I nod. “I’m on it.”
“I’ll happily reimburse any expenses you incur.”
I raise an eyebrow. “You don’t think I can afford a few suits?”
“Oh, I didn’t mean that. Just that you shouldn’t have to be out of pocket for helping me.”
“Well, gorgeous, I appreciate that, but I’m good. I happen to own a tux already. It was cheaper to buy it for my sister’s wedding. I own a suit for funerals. I probably just need one or two more.”
Lowen nods. “Tuesday is another cocktail party. Wednesday is a design presentation. Going over new trends and highlighting up-and-coming designers. Then a sit-down dinner at a popular restaurant in the city.”
“Okay.”
“Thursday is the worst. I have to be there to practice for the awards ceremony and do several interviews.”
“How can I support you for that?”
“What?”
“Support you. I’m your fiancé, remember?”
His expression softens. “Right. Being there is enough. They may ask you questions about me and our relationship, but keep in mind almost none of it is well intentioned. They’re looking for nuggets of anything that will get people talking.”
“I’ll only say what you want.”
“We can go over that later. How we met, fell in love, how you proposed—all that stuff that is no one’s business at all.”
“Then let’s do it up. Let’s go over the top. Whatever you’ve always wanted, that’s what I’ll be.”
He eyes me with suspicion. “And if I’ve never wanted anything?”
“Dream. Imagine it. What would make Alain sick with envy? What would make all those assholes bite their tongues? What would make them have nothing but wonderful things to write about your new life?”
He exhales slowly. “Food for thought.”
I lift his hand from my thigh and brush it against my lips. Lowen’s eyes heat and my stomach does a flip before desire spreads through me like lava, heading straight to my dick. All thoughts of what’s coming are gone, replaced by this quiet moment between us.
I’ve often wondered if he resists me because he can’t see himself tied to a blue-collar, small-town guy like me, and yeah, it still pokes the back of my brain, but when he’s looking at me like this, I can’t help but imagine a moment when his walls come down for good and he lets me do all the things I want to. I’d give my left nut to unravel this beautiful man, thread by thread, until he was mine.
“Um, Friday,” he says, his voice breaking slightly. “Friday is the main event.”
“Uh-huh.”
“There will be lots of media, photos, impromptu interviews. Of course the ceremony. I’m presenting an award and accepting one.”
“I’ll be your biggest fan, Low.”
Slightly flustered, he continues, “They’re providing a suite at this swanky new boutique hotel for the night so we can stay in town.”
“Nice.” Another night to share his bed? Fuck yeah.
“None of it’s going to be fun, Oak. Just know that upfront.”
“Maybe we have different definitions of fun.” He scoffs, but I continue. “I’m looking forward to seeing you in your element. I think it’s wonderful you’re being recognized for your talents. You’re incredible, Lowen, and you’re inspiring to work with. You’ve added new life to my projects.”
His brow crinkles. “Are you just practicing or do you mean that?”
“Our engagement might be fake, but nothing I say to you is.” I set my cocktail on the table then take his glass and do the same. “Your ex is gonna choke on his envy over losing you. I can promise you that.”
“He doesn’t care about losing me. I just need him to know I landed on my feet just fine.”
“Like a kitten.”
A smile pulls at his pretty mouth. “It’s growing on me.”
“Good.”
We’re so close that I think we’re breathing the same air, and neither of us make any attempt to move. I know Lowen well enough to tell from his expression that he’s thinking. There’s a little crinkle that appears on his otherwise smooth forehead and he twists his full lips whenever he’s deep in thought. His crystal-blue eyes roam across my face, settling on my mouth for a second until he returns to my hungry gaze.
“Would you…” He pauses, shaking his head. “No, that’s stupid,” he whispers.
“What’s stupid?”
“Nothing. I think that’s all for tonight.”
“Are you dismissing me?”
He laughs softly. “I didn’t mean it that way.”
“Tell me what you were thinking. I can handle it.”
“It was silly.” He tries to wave me off, but I squeeze his thigh. He gasps softly as he gazes at me, vulnerability shining in his eyes. “I’m fine. It was the stress talking.”
“You have a lot on your plate and now you’re worried about all this stuff.”
He nods, trying to school his expression.
“You know what I would do as your fiancé in this situation?” I ask.
Amusement quickly replaces the strain on his face. “What?”
I shift so I’m behind him then squeeze his shoulders. “I’d give you a massage.”
I lean in, inhaling his fragrant scent. It’s floral with a hint of sweetness, like blooming flowers in the spring. Brushing my lips over his elegant neck, I exhale, ghosting my breath across his flesh and grinning as goose bumps erupt beneath my touch.
“I’d rub away all that tension.”
Lowen sinks into my touch, tilting his neck to expose even more of his soft skin. I take a chance and kiss him there before sliding my hands from his shoulders down his front, pausing to caress his taut nipples under his dress shirt.
“Oak…”
“Yeah, kitten? Do you want me to stop?”
He exhales slowly. “No.”
Smiling, I drag my lips up the column of his neck. “Want to know what else I’d do to make sure you’re nice and relaxed?”
“What?” he asks breathlessly.
“I’d peel you out of your clothes, crawl between your legs, and worship your cock with my mouth.”
“Oh god,” he moans, backing into me just enough that his ass brushes against my hardening cock.
“My reward would be your sweet cum filling my mouth.”
“Jesus,” he whispers.
“If you still needed more after that, I’d happily sink into your body and fuck away the day’s stresses.”
“Oak.” He digs his fingers into my thighs as I nibble his earlobe.
“Whatever you want, kitten, it’s yours.” I grab his chin and tilt his head so I can reach his mouth with mine. He doesn’t pull away or resist at all as I brush our lips together. Instead, he twists in my arms so he’s facing me and attacks my mouth. Fuck yes.
I hold him close as he climbs onto my lap, his ass grinding onto my cock, and our mouths crashing together in a clumsy but heated kiss. Lowen tangles his fingers in my hair, tugging gently as he sucks my tongue, and I slide my hands down his back to squeeze his ass.
“Let me suck you, kitten,” I whisper against his lips. “Please.”
Lowen gently bites my bottom lip before breaking the kiss. He’s still grinding into me though, with his arms around my neck. His lips are damp and swollen and his cheeks are flushed pink. Fuck, this man is divine.
“I want to tell you a secret but I’m scared.”
I shake my head. “No, baby, you can tell me anything. You’re safe.”
He swallows hard, moaning softly as his dick presses into my stomach. “I’ll cut your balls off and feed them to stray dogs if you prove me wrong.”
I nod. “Fair.”
His expression fills with that fierceness I so love but then it softens. “I want to be…” He shakes his head as if the words are too hard to say.
“Low.” I grip his chin and lift his face. “Come on. We’re friends. I’ve got you.”
I have no idea what’s causing this strange reaction in him, but I want to fix it, whatever it is.
He nods, blowing out a breath. “I want to be… on my knees… for you.”
Well, fuck. That’s not what I was expecting.