Chapter Twenty-Two #2
“Don’t move,” she commanded. Then, she untucked his tie and pulled it out, fingers caressing the fine silk.
With unhurried movements, she loosened the knot.
The buttons on his starched dress shirt were next, releasing them one by one from the tight collar to halfway down his chest. She revealed a line of dark hair.
Her hands caressed the hard planes as she eased the shirt partially down his shoulders.
His breath was ragged. Jaw clenched, eyes blazing, he allowed her to play.
“Do you like my lipstick?”
Everett blinked. Stared at the deep red she’d picked out so carefully and reapplied right before she left the car. The guttural sound raked across her ears in song. “Yes.”
“I’m glad. Because you’re going to be wearing it.” Her nail scraped down the line of his chest, past his waistband, and over his erection. “Everywhere.”
Rowan dropped to her knees.
He hissed out a string of curses, arms tightening as he gripped the edge of the desk like his job depended on it. “Rowan—”
“Shhh. You have to be quiet, I’m working.” The drag of the zipper broke through the air. She tugged his pants down, along with his black boxers, freeing him to the grasp of her hands. Cupping and squeezing, she enjoyed the feel of his silken, hard length, then ducked her head.
“Oh fuck.”
Opening her mouth, she took him fully inside, swirling her tongue over the head, capturing the musky essence of him.
Rowan took her time, exploring every inch, then hollowing her cheeks, sucked hard.
He arched his hips and whispered her name like a mantra and then he let go, shuddering and shaking beneath her.
She took him through the orgasm, gentling her motions, until he finally stilled.
Rowan looked up.
Red lipstick smeared his mouth. Dark hair mussed, breath lifting his bare chest. Shirt wrinkled, pants undone, his unfocused gaze met hers with a naked emotion that she could never pretend not to see.
Gently, Rowan tucked him back into his underwear and refastened his slacks.
Straightening, she began buttoning his shirt and smoothing out the wrinkles.
Knotted his tie. Slid the jacket back over his shoulders.
His hands were still on the desk.
Rowan cupped his rough cheeks and kissed him. It was a mating of care and banked heat; of give and take; of a deepening emotion that refused to stay in the neat bounds they’d ordered it. For that moment, they let go and kissed like they wanted; like two people who loved each other.
She eased away. Rowan plucked a tissue from the box on the edge of the desk and cleaned him up, wiping away traces of lipstick. Her fingers neatly combed his hair back in place.
She pressed her forehead to his and smiled.
Everett lifted his hands and settled them on her hips.
“What are we going to do?”
An ache pressed deep inside. “Not sure. For now, though, Tino said he can give you a lesson at five. Should I move it or see what happens with that potential meeting?”
His gaze locked on hers and dove deep. She waited to see if he’d push for more answers but he only smiled. “I’ll be there. Can I take you to lunch?”
Rowan drew back in mock surprise. “Lunch, too? Oh, no, I’m not dragging you away twice when you’re so close to the finish line.”
“Think I crossed the finish line,” he said with a straight face.
The laugh broke loose and free. She’d never expected to have fun with him, too. “That you did. But I’ve gotta get back to the shop.”
“Rain check.” He pressed a kiss to her lips, took her hand, and led her out the door. “Jessica, I need five p.m. blocked out to about seven.”
His assistant expertly masked her face but Rowan caught the surprise flickering in her hazel eyes. “Of course, sir.”
“I’m going surfing.”
Rowan’s jaw dropped. Jessica managed to recover quicker, probably used to all sorts of high-level crises.
The woman glanced between them, something sly dancing behind her professional mask.
“Sounds wonderful. I’ll move that meeting to eight a.m. tomorrow and make sure you’re not disturbed,” she said smoothly.
“Thank you.”
They moved toward the elevator. Rowan grasped his arm. “You told the truth?”
A corner of his mouth lifted. “I always try to tell the truth. Jessica’s dedicated to the opening but has been bugging me to take a break. You’re going to be her ultimate hero.”
“You keep surprising me, Suit.”
He touched her hair. The gesture was tender against the heat in his eyes. “Good.”
“Thanks for showing me Purity. I’ll see you at the beach.”
Rowan stepped into the elevator and pressed the button. Their gazes held until the doors swooshed closed.
When she was alone, she lifted her shaky hand to press against her mouth.
Seeing him in his element gave her the missing piece she’d wondered about.
He wasn’t a cold, unemotional businessman barking orders.
He cared about the hotel and his employees.
He was trying his best to fit Purity into the landscape with the least amount of friction.
When he shared the memories of his father, she only wanted to comfort and hold the space.
His past had been just as hard as hers. For two people so different, Rowan realized they were more alike than she’d originally believed.
There were only four weeks left before he returned to New York.
Twenty-eight days.
She could pull way back and try to save herself from the coming fall. She’d done it this past year, tucking in to protect herself from the rogue waves and brutal loss of everything she’d held dear.
Or she could go with her gut and take the ride.
A few hours later, Rowan tried.
The beautiful board called to her, whispering with a seduction almost as powerful as Everett’s heavy-lidded gaze when he reached for her. Rowan ran her hand over the sleek lines, tracing the familiar words her father had always repeated.
Find your line.
It was time. She could do this.
She grabbed the board and headed to the shoreline.
Her body throbbed with anticipation. Her nostrils flared with the scent of salt water as she neared, bare feet sinking into the sand.
Dragging in a breath, she studied the shoreline and the break, gaze sweeping over all the tiny facets that allowed her to read a wave.
A tangle of voices drifted in her mind, cheering her on.
Dad. Tino. Lea. And Everett.
She was in waist-deep when she paused, suddenly unsure.
The picture crashed through her defenses.
Riding the wave in while Everett watched, pride and love etched on his face as he waited for her.
Kelsey cheering from the sidelines. A makeshift family supporting her as she let herself ride free in the ocean that was her home.
Rowan froze. Her brain hijacked her body, taunting her with a future that would never be.
Everett wouldn’t be waiting for her because he’d be returning to New York.
Lea and her friends would hit the circuit and leave her behind.
This summer was just a shimmer of magic and beauty, hinting at a future that would never be.
She backed up, step by step, until she was back on dry sand. Her throat tightened with emotion.
Rowan had no idea how long she stood there, looking to the horizon, studying the rise and crash of the waves.
Tucking the board under her arm, she returned to the surf shop.