3. Cory
CHAPTER 3
Cory
If Reese thought an upgrade to first class and a hired car was too much, I worried what he might think of my loft in Manhattan with a view that didn’t suck and a sticker price that could probably buy the entire building he rented in, and then some. My wealth was part of who I was, and I wasn’t going to apologize for it. Though I was keenly aware that it might be something Reese struggled to comprehend. The wealth disparity didn’t bother me, but he was fiercely independent.
“I hope you don’t mind that I planned a quiet night in. I figured after six hours on a plane, you might want to take it easy tonight.”
Reese hummed his approval. “And tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow, some post wake-up sex sight-seeing. Dinner. The Black Door. If that’s still on the table.”
Reese lifted an eyebrow. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
It was my turn to dust a kiss across his knuckles. “You’re overwhelmed already. I never want to make you uncomfortable.”
“Lies.” Reese’s smile was soft and knowing.
“Okay, I never want to make you uncomfortable in ways that aren’t previously agreed upon and enjoyed by both of us. Better?”
The car slid to a stop outside my building. I felt the way Reese’s hand tightened on mine.
“Home, sweet home,” I said to break the tension. “Come on.”
I opened the car door, and the noise of Manhattan flooded in. Reese stood on the sidewalk and gaped around, looking every bit the tourist as I collected his bag from the trunk.
Sliding my hand into his, I tugged him toward the building.
“Good evening, Mister Callahan. You had a package delivery today.”
Reese took in the sight of my doorman, and I squeezed his hand reassuringly.
“Thank you, Brett. I’ll grab it on my way up.”
We slipped into the lobby and Brett retrieved my package for me. All the while, Reese waited patiently. Quietly. I wondered if he was still overwhelmed. If he’d always be overwhelmed by this part of me.
My money was the least interesting thing about me, and it wasn’t something we’d talked about a lot. Other than the conversation about my Rolex when we first met and the battle of wills over the plane ticket, it hadn’t come up.
Maybe that had been a mistake.
Brett called the elevator down for us and wished us a good evening, a knowing glint in his eye because I never brought men home.
“You have a doorman,” Reese said. He seemed to partially deflate when he exhaled.
Stepping in close to him, I caged him against the wall of the elevator. I let my lips dance over his, offering him a taste. “I have a lot of things, Reese. Please don’t make it weird.”
I kissed him again, slower, until tenderness made me shiver and I broke away. I could feel the plea in my gaze. “Okay?”
The corner of Reese’s mouth kicked up a little. “Okay.”
When the elevator came to a stop, we stepped out. I carried Reese’s bag in one hand, and with my other I fished my keys out of my pocket. I opened the door and let Reese go in first.
My loft had wood floors and thick wooden pillars that rose up under the original beams. Opposite the front door was the wall of windows and a door that led to the terrace outside. Reese looked around, a little awestruck, but I hoped in a good way.
“Hm.” He turned and smiled at me. “I thought it would be bigger.”
“It’s plenty big enough. Okay, grand tour. This is the main living area, and over there is the bedroom, where we will spend the next few hours.” I dropped Reese’s bag on the floor and grabbed the package from the top of it.
Reese’s eyes tracked my movements as I tore the envelope open.
“What’s that?”
“A treat. If you want it.” I closed the distance between us. Pressing my body up against his, I slid my arm around his waist and pulled him closer. He took the hint and angled his head down, slanting our mouths together.
Kissing Reese was like coming home. Kissing him made my mind go blank and my blood rush like nothing I’d ever felt with anyone. It was an appetizer and the main course all in one. One night, I wanted to ruin him. To wring every drop of pleasure out of him that I could, and when I was done, I wanted to lose myself in his mouth, in the way his lips felt sliding against mine. The way he tasted like forever.
Reese’s hand slid down my arm and I smiled as I wrenched the envelope away and out of his reach. Sort of. He was a bit taller and had a longer reach than I did. So had he truly wanted to take it from me, he could have.
“What’s in the envelope, Cory?”
“I ordered it special for you. For this. If you were ready.” My nerves were icicles clanking together in my blood stream. Everything could go so wrong here. It was possible that I hadn’t been reading him correctly, and that he wasn’t ready for this. But no risk, no reward. I didn’t think it would send him on the next flight back to Los Angeles, so I pulled the bundle out of the envelope and showed him the silky smooth ties I’d purchased. “Limits?” I asked, my heart fluttering in my chest. When he didn’t immediately say no, hope grew wings, and I stepped closer again and pulled the ties out of the plastic wrap. I wound my arms around his neck and let the soft fabric tease against his skin.
“Is this off-limits, Reese?”