CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
COLT
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For the next four days, Riley and I spend the time between my penthouse eating, making love and going to a different spots around the city I think would appeal to her. MOMA, the Empire State, and today I took her out on the Hudson in my yacht.
Or, as she called it, my ship.
Which is highly inaccurate.
It’s a superyacht.
After she told me Mark was just a close friend, I chilled out, but until she woke the next morning and explained, I spent hours imagining her with another man.
I didn’t like the feeling, and the idea of her returning to Australia is getting harder. Knowing that she will one day attract a man into her life. Someone who has the right to touch her.
Kiss her
Fuck her.
Marry her.
Riley shared that her ex had cheated on her, and she’s not dated since. Well, she’s here with me and opening up.
She’s more ready than she thinks.
None of these emotions take into consideration my own plans. Fucking Todd’s PR person wanted to release the announcement today. I hit the fucking roof. There’s no way I’m doing that to Riley.
Over the past few days, between sinking deep into her pussy, holding her hand as we walk around the museum or listening to her quietly breathe as we sleep, I’ve forgotten about the show.
Or conveniently buried it away.
I want to stay in this bubble of ours forever. Pretend nothing else exists other than her pink cheeks, beautiful smile, the long curves of her legs, and the vision of my leather bracelet on her arm.
Mine.
Because she is.
Here and now.
With only a few more days, I’m holding on like my life depends on it, while acting cool as a fucking cucumber.
We sit in a restaurant opposite the park after a day on the yacht, wind-lashed hair and cheeks. I lean back in my seat, admire the beautiful woman across from me, and ignore my vibrating phone on the table.
Sebastian is trying to call me.
I quickly tap out a message saying I’ll return his call tomorrow. I need to catch up with the guys and make sure everything is on track for Sebastian and Emily’s wedding.
As far as I know, it is.
Seb rings again.
I silence it.
“I might have to go into the office,” I tell Riley, because I didn’t want to introduce them. Not just before going on the show. It’s too messy.
In a few days we say goodbye, and then I don’t have to explain myself to anyone.
“Oh,” Riley chews her salad. “Cool. Mind if I tag along? I won’t be a pain, but it would be awesome to see your office...or the club.”
I almost choke on my steak.
Fuck no!
If only she knew what went on in my head, imagining her at the club. Watching her explore her kink and me spending the entire time hard and itching to kill anyone that looks at her.
Huh.
That’s new.
Normally I fucking love watching women I’m with in multiple lover situations. Orgies. Threesomes. Foursomes. Whatever. It’s hot as hell.
Riley packed a lot of gorgeous lingerie to America, and I have no doubt she’d be very popular with the usual clientele at the Obsidian.
Coughing, I down some water.
“Went down the wrong way.” Cough, cough. “It will be quicker if I just pop in and meet you back at home.”
“Oh...”
“I can drop you off at that lingerie shop we walked past and didn’t want me to go in with you.”
Riley gives me that look. “I didn’t say that. I said I’d be hours in there, and knowing you, you’d push your way into the changing rooms and next minute we’d be kicked out.”
I smirk.
“It would be fun, though.”
Cue the red cheeks.
Thank god we are off the topic of her coming to my workplace. I was going to call the guys to meet me there, not work, but regardless, there is no way she is joining us.
“Fine, I’ll use your hot tub and see if I can get this vertigo under control.” She sips her lemonade and studies me. “Do you think it’s the pills?”
I hate that she’s still not feeling one hundred percent.
“Could be. Do you want to see a doctor?”
She shakes her head. “No, it's fine. Seems to come and go.”
I’m about to take a bite of my aged steak when a large shadow crosses our table. Glancing up, I find Sebastian standing with his hands on his hips.
“How about answering my call, asshole?”
Fuck.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
“I’m having dinner with a friend, as you can see.” I tip my head toward Riley.
“I saw you through the window ignoring my calls.”
I sip my wine and don’t respond.
I’m not his fucking wife or PA.
Irritated, Seb snarls. “Emily is freaking out. Lexi is working at the bar now and no longer our fake fucking wedding planner. The other one isn’t taking my calls. I need to know if you have your suit.”
And he couldn’t just message?
“I was going to pick it up. I’ll do it tomorrow.” I pick up my fork again, waiting for him to nod.
It’s a fucking suit.
“Do it this afternoon,” he growls, looking stressed as I’ve ever seen him.
Riley watches us, a blush on her cheeks. I’m being rude not introducing them, and she looks annoyed.
No, angry.
“Seb, this is Riley.”
The big goof turns to acknowledge her. “Hey. Sorry to interrupt.”
“No worries,” she replies, and he frowns.
“Australian? Kiwi?”
“Aussie.”
“Nice.”
That’s enough. I don’t want him asking questions.
“I’ll go past on my way home. Happy?” I ask, dragging Sebastian’s attention back to me.
“Yes. And get hold of Zander. He’s fucking busy too. Why the hell am I doing this?”
“Because your fiancée is pregnant.”
He drags a hand through his hair and glances around the restaurant.
“Sir, would you like a chair and something to drink?” A server asks.
Jesus.
Not.
“We are almost finished here,” I say firmly, even though our plates are still half-filled with our meals.
Sebastian glances at Riley and back at me, this time with a question in his eyes.
“See you at the wedding,” I add.
More glancing.
“Nice meeting you...”
“Riley,” she says.
“Riley. Riley from Australia.” He smiles.
Jesus fucking Christ.
Finally, he glances back at me with a huge grin and says goodbye.
We watch Sebastian make his way through the restaurant and leave.
“Unbelievable.” I meet my beautiful date’s gaze and am met with fire.
“What?”
“Nothing,” Riley drops her fork, and pats her mouth. “We should go. You should go to work.”
What just happened?
“We can finish our meals.”
“Not hungry.”
I lower my brows as Riley busies herself in her purse, putting her phone away then getting it back out again. She slides on gloss. Huffs. Leans back in her chair.
“Ready?”
I don’t need to meet with the guys now. Other than picking up the suit, which Riley can come with me to do, I can stay with her for the night.
Including that lingerie shopping.
“I can do it another day. How about we go try on some panties?” I wink.
“No, I think I’ll head out for a few hours on my own.”
The fuck?
The fuck she will!