30. Kent
Chapter Thirty
KENT
I think I’m in love.
Not love-love, but in love as much as a man like me can feel it.
Perhaps it’s infatuation. Admiration. Or perhaps simply appreciation for what she’s doing for me.
How can I not feel something after last night?
The gorgeous sight of her in that deep green gown with sparkling diamonds around her neck. And her irresistible, pillowy red lips.
Perhaps she saw something irresistible in me too, allowing her to finally remove her boundaries.
I watch her sleep soundly next to me in the early morning light—not a cushion between us.
Her fiery hair drapes over the pillow. I’m not typically fond of women sleeping in my bed, but with Liz, I don’t mind at all.
All I know is I feel better when she’s around.
And considering I feel good most of the time, that’s saying something.
I’ve never been with a woman like Liz. A woman who is as equally attractive physically as she is mentally stimulating.
I knew there was something about her when she stepped on the elevator back in New York, but now that I’ve gotten a real taste of her, felt her depths, I’m hooked.
I run a lazy finger down her silky shoulder. This simple touch of her skin sets my body on fire, and my morning hard-on grows eager. Liz’s lashes flutter open and she smiles like she’s remembering a sweet dream.
“Morning,” I say.
“Morning.” She rubs her face. Though her eye makeup is smeared around her pretty chestnut eyes, she looks stunning. She pulls the sheet up to her chin. “So last night really happened, huh?”
“Oh, yes,” I say, flicking my brows, and her fair cheeks turn rosy. “And you can’t blame the wine. We didn’t even pick out a bottle.”
“That’s right. It started in the cellar.” Liz bites her pale pink lip as if replaying the events in her mind. I do the same and my body responds in kind. “That cellar is pretty sexy.”
I reach for her waist beneath the covers, stroking the edge of her hip. “You’re the one who’s sexy.”
“I’m not the only one.” Liz taps her finger on my cleft chin, then traces it down my neck to my bare chest.
Oh, yeah. Her boundaries are long gone. I slip my hand between her thighs, finding her warm and wet spot.
Very warm. And very, very wet. I guess I’m not the only one who woke up ready for more.
I stroke her folds and watch her eyes flutter closed again as she breathes a soft moan.
I shut my eyes for a moment, remembering the feel of her gushing on my hand in the cellar and again and again last night.
Am I greedy for wanting more? I climb on top of her and kiss her morning mouth. Her legs coil around me and soon we’re rolling around the sheets—touching, kissing, licking, and pleasing one another. Now, this is the kind of morning I could get used to.
After we’ve satisfied our early morning craving for one another, she’s ready for her next vice.
“I’m going to need some coffee. Someone kept me up late last night.”
I nibble the soft skin of her neck. “Let’s get you caffeinated then.”
She climbs out of my bed in her porcelain nude glory. “I’ll meet you in the kitchen. I have to find some real clothes.”
“I beg to differ.” I give her a look and prop myself up on my elbow, watching her hips sway as she walks around the bed to pick up her gown. She covers herself with the couture piece, leaving me with a sexy smile.
I find some real clothes of my own, wash up, and make my way to the kitchen to make her morning brew.
“Do you whistle every morning?” Liz asks when she walks into the kitchen dressed in a loose sweater, black leggings, and her fuzzy socks peeking out of her bootie slippers.
It occurs to me that I’ve been whistling “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” since I got out of bed. “Not usually,” I say and we share one of those I-like-you smiles. “Cream and sugar?”
“Yes, please.”
I dunk a sugar cube and splash cream in her black coffee, then do the same for mine. “Cheers,” I say, and we clink our coffee cups. “Shall we go enjoy the view by the Christmas tree?”
Liz leads the way, allowing me to admire her body once again. Then she gasps. “Oh, my gosh! Do you see that?” She points toward the terrace, which is now coated with a light dusting of pure white snow.
Just what she wanted. A little snow for Christmas. “Think it’s enough to make a snowman?” I ask.
“I’m game if you are.”
In our pajamas and slippers, we walk out onto the frosty terrace. She scrapes her hand against the ground and hardly sweeps up enough snow to make a golf ball. “Damn, not nearly enough snowman material.” She frowns, and something tells me she’s more disappointed than she’s letting on.
I hate to see that look on her face.
“Now, hold on. I think we can make this work,” I say and set my coffee mug down on the nearby table.
“How?”
I walk over to the ledge and sweep up all the snow on the railing. “It’s all about scale.” I begin constructing the smallest snowman in all of London, about four inches high. But it quickly crumbles again. “Or not.”
She tilts her head with that sparkle in her eyes, wraps her arms around me, and gives me an adoring smile. “Thank you for trying.”
I lean in and kiss her, grateful that I can without a single objection or interruption now. The warmth of her lips melts away the chill on my face.
“Come on, let’s get inside,” she says.
We refill our chilled coffees and settle on the sofa.
She lays her head on my chest, checking her messages while I do the same.
That’s when I see it. A message from the family publicist that my engagement is out there.
Not just on Cheeri-Ooh! But all the news outlets.
Or at least the publications that care anything about the Bonnaires.
I glance over at Liz who’s finally breathing easy since all of this started.
Do I tell her and risk her pulling back again? Or keep it to myself for now and let her enjoy the morning?
“Everything okay?” she asks like she can sense my discomfort. And I am. It’s a little uncomfortable having my little scheme splashed across the tabloids looking legitimate. Then I remind myself again what it’s all for.
My promotion. My time to reign as President of Bonnaire Capital.
“So our engagement is out there.”
“Really?” She swings her legs over the sofa, sits up, and takes my phone. Her eyes scan the screen. A mix of emotions swirls in her eyes. She shakes her head. “This whole thing feels so trippy.”
I take my mobile back. “I know what you mean.”
“Do you think our break up will seem kind of abrupt after this? I mean, look at us. We look like . . .”
“A real couple?” I say, staring at the photo of the two of us, arm in arm, smiling like a very happy couple.
She flicks an uncertain glance my way. “Yeah.”
She’s not wrong. It would portray an easy-come, easy-go engagement. But the board will have voted me in by then, so it shouldn’t matter. But I don’t see why we can’t amend our deal a little bit.
I grab her waist and pull her in so close that our noses nearly touch. She yelps and grins playfully. “I mean, we could keep the charade going a little longer if you want to stay in London.” I’m not sure why I’m making this offer, but I sort of like the idea of Liz keeping me warm all season.
“What am I going to do in London in the winter?”
“Everything we did yesterday. You have to admit, it was a pretty fun day.”
She offers a half smile as if she’s considering it. Though a few days ago, I know she would have said absolutely not. And I probably would have done the same. “Speaking of, I should probably start getting ready for another fun day. At the wedding boutique.”
“Damn, I forgot about that.” I squeeze my eyes shut. “But it’s so cold. You said it yourself. You should just stay inside with me.”
“I can’t. Besides, we promised your brother we would spend the holiday at his house.” Her words stop me cold. We really are playing fiancé.
I nuzzle into her neck, trailing kisses up to her ears. “You sure you can’t be a little late?”
“You and I both know I would be more than a little late. And they’re my friends,” she says, gently pushing me away. “But if you’re a good boy, maybe Santa will bring you a special gift tonight.”
I’ll take it.
“Then, I promise to be very good.”
Liz smiles and leaves me with a kiss. As soon as she’s back in her room, I phone my brother. “Hey, Mick, I need your help with something. It’s a surprise for Liz.”