Chapter 9
Dylan
I clung to his shoulders, my mind in a fog. He wanted me to stay. We’d agreed there would be no strings here, no expectations.
I could pretend I hadn’t heard him and we could get back on track to where we’d been. Pure sex and adrenaline and no thought of a long term commitment.
“One more time,” I said.
The second time was slower and gentler, but it felt more desperate to me. He watched me move above him with hooded eyes, grasping onto my hips, and murmuring sweets things about how good I felt. How tight I was. How much he loved my tits.
It had to be the last time. I couldn’t let myself get attached to him. One night. That was all we could afford to have.
When it was over, I slipped out of bed and started pulling my clothes back on.
“Where are you going?” he asked. He looked so relaxed on the bed that part of me wanted to join him. I could snuggle up to his warm body and forget that whatever we were doing here had a deadline.
“Back to my hotel room,” I said. “Early morning tomorrow.” I flashed him a smile. It was the first time I’d referenced business in a while.
He was still the other side of the deal.
“I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
“Sure,” I said. “Tomorrow.” I walked out of the room and found my dress on his couch. I pulled it on and sat down to buckle my heels back on before striding to the door.
I thought walking out on him would make me feel triumphant, but instead I felt hollow. No matter how much I hated to admit it, I would rather have stayed.
* * *
The next day came too quickly. I punched my alarm clock and tried to hide back under my covers. The senior partners were flying in today to sign the deal with George. They’d scrutinize all the work I’d done. If they were pleased, I’d be promoted. If I’d screwed something up, I would get fired.
Nothing to do but to face it. I crawled out of bed and got dressed in a fresh suit. It was a matching suit that all cost about the same middling amount. I really needed to replace my wardrobe. Hopefully I’d be able to do that soon.
I pulled my hair into shape and did my makeup then headed to the office.
I didn’t try to be slightly late today. I wouldn’t want to keep the senior partners waiting. They really were in charge of me, and there was no use pretending otherwise.
I strode into the room with as much confidence as I could muster. The first face I saw was Cameron’s. Just his presence gave me a zing of excitement. I couldn’t believe how good he made me feel. Like I was sexy, respected, and able to take on the world. And dear God, the man knew how to fuck. I lost track after three orgasms last night. I was usually lucky to have one with previous partners.
George wasn’t there yet, and only a single one of the senior partners had arrived, the chronically early Lily.
I smiled at Lily and took my seat at the head of the table.
“I’ve just started going over the paperwork,” Lily said. She was blond and eternally perky. No matter how early in the morning it was, she acted like she’d already had five cups of coffee. The weirdest part was that I’d never seen her drink caffeine.
She leaned toward me and whispered conspiratorially. “You didn’t hear it from me, but you did really good work on this. I’d say you’re a shoe in.” She winked.
I resisted the urge to steal a glance at Cameron. Had he heard? I wanted to ask him what he thought, but I couldn’t do that in front of my own team. If the senior partners found out I’d slept with him, even though it had nothing to do with the deal and everything to do with our complicated past, then I’d be in trouble for sure. Everything I’d arranged would be thrown into question. Even Cameron’s ethics would be questioned.
Holy shit. My stomach churned and twisted. I hadn’t thought through the consequences of our actions last night. We should’ve waited. And if we couldn’t keep our damn hands off each other than we both should have asked to be taken off the deal. But that would have meant kissing my promotion goodbye.
It was too late now. I would just need to make sure it didn’t happen again.
I carefully didn’t look at Cameron as the rest of the group filed in. George took his place beside Cameron and the other two senior partners who were attending took their places at the table.
Charles was in charge of the group. He was a real hard ass and a stickler for details. If anyone was going to question me, it would be him.
He shuffled the papers in front of him and peered at George over the top of his glasses. “You’ve made quite the concession to us,” Charles said. “Fifty percent of your company is a lot to sell. It’ll mean we have equal say in every decision you make.”