Chapter 25
H er message, “On my way,” lights up my phone.
I reply with a kiss emoji. It’s only been since Friday, but the anticipation of seeing Dani again makes it feel like an eternity.
Stay present, I remind myself. Enjoy her company fully tonight.
These meditation prompts I’ve been forcing into my routine are actually working.
Dani enters the cottage, casual in yoga pants and an oversized T-shirt. “Just walk right in,” I tease, trying to hide how stunning she looks, even in something so simple.
“What?” she fires back. “I thought you liked a little trespassing.”
“From you? Always.” I pull her in for a kiss. “I picked out a movie for us. It’s sexy, like you.”
She reaches into her bag and pulls out the NDA, and I know we’re about to shift to a serious conversation. The NDA is mundane but necessary. I hope she gets why it’s important. The last thing I need is a tell-all about my private life—or worse, my business.
“I read it,” she says, sitting at the dining room table. “Well, thoroughly skimmed it. It’s so long.” Her tone shifts to something more serious. “I signed it, but if you ever hurt me—like, lay a hand on me or do something crazy—I won’t stay silent.”
“Has that happened to you?” I ask, squeezing her hand.
“Sorin,” she says, looking down. “I took out a restraining order on him in two thousand seventeen.”
I grab her other hand, holding both tightly.
“I wouldn’t keep that kind of secret for you,” she adds. “Not even for all the money in the world.”
“Understood,” I say, yet shake my head, sadness washing over me that she even has to think like this, that she’s been through things like that before.
We hold a lingering stare before I guide her to the couch. I grab a blanket and tuck it around her.
“I have to focus on building up my client list.”
“I thought we already solved that problem.” I told the team at Harris Ventures to get her work.
“I’ve had great meetings, but no one’s signed with me yet.”
As we cuddle on the couch, my mind drifts to her career. Despite my influence, why hasn’t she secured more clients?
“They will. Don’t worry.” I head into the kitchen, pulling out my phone. It frustrates me that no one’s moved forward. I shoot a quick text to my assistant, urging some follow-up. Dani deserves this—not because she’s with me, but because she’s talented.
“I ran to the store today and bought a ton of food,” I call out, trying to lighten the mood. “You want popcorn?”
“Yes!” she yells from the living room.
“This poor little rich kid has a fun fact to share.”
“Tell me!”
“Today was the first time I’ve gone grocery shopping in years.”
“Years?”
“Yeah. My house manager in Chicago usually handles that. Do you want wine or whiskey?”
“Wine.”
I like having her here in the cottage. With Dani, everything feels so easy.
As I prepare the popcorn and open a bottle of pinot noir, I think about how different this is from my life in Chicago.
Here, in this small kitchen where I can stretch out and touch every cupboard, life feels simpler. There’s no staff, just Dani and me.
Then stress creeps in again. I’m still wondering about the silence after her meetings.
Is Greg blocking things? The last I heard from him was a text confirming she was no longer with Shirts.
I glance at my phone, tempted to call him, but that could turn tonight in a different direction if he is blocking her from getting work. I’ll deal with him later.
Juggling two glasses of wine and a big bowl of popcorn, I head back to the living room and turn on Closer . The opening scene plays as she says, “I haven’t seen this.”
“You’re going to love it.”
We sink into the couch, and though the movie’s playing, my mind’s not on the screen. Dani’s more than a fling. She’s special. I want to give her everything—clients, my time, whatever she wants.
“I want to take you on a proper date in Chicago,” I say, squeezing her. “I’ll be there all next week for meetings. Why don’t you come with me?”
“A whole week and just one date?” she teases, nestling into my chest. Her hands slide under my shirt, distracting me.
“There’ll be plenty of time for us in the city. We can go wherever you want or let it be dealer’s choice.” I kiss her forehead.
“Who’s the dealer?”
“My assistant, Allison.” I run my fingers along her waist. “She spends most of her day reading Eater reviews.”
“Dealer’s choice.” Dani smiles, throwing her leg over me and straddling me. She smirks, likely feeling my cock coming alive.
“We’ll stay at my place.” I run my fingers through her hair and grip it tightly. “I can’t wait to fuck you in my bed,” I whisper.
There’s so much more to explore between us.
I don’t even know her limits yet, but I get the feeling they’re higher than mine.
She begins grinding on my cock and leans back to grab her wine.
Taking a deep sip first, she then presses the glass to my lips.
I take a sip, and then she chugs the rest of it.
“I feel so feral with you,” she whispers, coming in for a kiss after setting the glass down. “You’ve been on my mind all day.”
I cup her face, dragging my thumb across her lips. She takes it in her mouth, and heat surges through me. Watching her suck my thumb, I can’t help but to smirk.
“Tell me what you want.”
“I want you to be more … rough,” she says shyly.
I wrap my hands around her neck, squeezing enough to see her react. She grinds against me, tipping her head back, and I squeeze a little harder. Watching her surrender to me, giving me control—it’s too much.
“You’re mine,” I growl. “All fucking mine.”
I release her neck and push her onto the couch. She smiles, loving the roughness. Leaving her there, I move to the wall next to our room and lean against it.
“Where—”
“Shh,” I silence her, watching as she lies there, confused. “Get naked and crawl to me.”
To my surprise, she begins slowly peeling her baggy shirt over her head, teasing me while she holds my gaze.
She’s wearing a little bralette, and her tits look amazing.
Watching her unclasp it and slide it off her body, Dani’s bare chest takes my breath away.
It’s almost unreal that she has such a full chest on her petite body.
I am completely obsessed. My pulse quickens, watching her slide off her leggings.
Bridging her hips in the air, she slowly slides off her panties with a devilish look on her face.
Naked, Dani slowly crawls toward me on her hands and knees, swaying her hips as she moves.
It takes every ounce of self-control to not come in my pants right now.
This obedient behavior is driving me wild.
I have fantasies, many I’ve never realized.
When she reaches me, she rises onto her knees, and I take a deep breath.
I’ve seen this shit in porn but never experienced it.
I’m beyond turned on by her being so open and daring.
“Suck me,” I growl. Her hands work at my pants, and in seconds, her mouth is around my cock, taking it deep.
I lean into the wall, tilting my head back, relishing her enthusiasm. Trying to keep a clear mind, I actively push away thoughts of lazy and obligated blow jobs with my ex. We lock eyes, and I feel myself getting close. Dani’s so sexy.
“Fuck, Dani.” My fingers instinctively comb her hair before squeezing a chunk.
Looking down, we make eye contact again.
I love her mouth on my cock. “I’m close,” I pant.
Dani takes me deeper and then swallows all of my release.
Her big eyes look up at me; I love it. I bend down, swooping her up in my arms before tossing her on our bed.
“I’m kissing every inch of you while I recover. ”
She giggles. That’s my favorite sound she makes.
“I need to sleep at my place tonight,” she says as I kiss her ankle.
“Why?” I ask, kissing my way up her calf.
“Things are tense at home,” she says as I reach her knee, kissing up her inner thigh. “After this, I need to go.”
“After this.”