“More than I’d planned to spend. But thanks to Grandpa Kostopoulos, I covered it.”
The blue of his eyes darkened a shade. “Why didn’t you just take the damn plane home?”
I pushed off the counter and poked his rock-hard chest. “You know why.”
He crowded me into the counter and placed his hands on either side. “It wasn’t a test. You should’ve let them fly you home.”
I refused to cower, which wasn’t hard when he smelled divine. Not cologne, I’d noticed he never fussed with the stuff, but whoever washed his clothes chose good detergent.
And I knew what he looked like naked. Gloriously naked and aroused and geez, it wasn’t helping.
His head dropped lower, but I wouldn’t retreat. My eyes were glued to his lips.
“You didn’t fire the pilots or anything, did you?” I asked.
“Why would I do that? I’m not unreasonable.”
I raised an eyebrow and meant to look around the room, but he covered the distance between us and captured my mouth.
Holy Batman, how was I going to resist him? I held him to me by his collar and he deepened the kiss. His taste was as good as imprinted on my brain.
His hands gripped my waist and lifted me to the counter.
No, I was going to end it. Flattening my hands against his chest, I meant to push him away, but his hands drifted up my shirt to cup my heavy breasts and they all but screamed at me to let him keep going.
Our tongues clashed, movements growing more desperate. I couldn’t pull away so I poured my anger into our kiss. Without breaking contact, he reached down to shove my left shoe off, and together we wrestled to get my leggings down. Only one leg was necessary without a shoe to block. I slid my leg free.
Cool glass pressed against my ass. His tongue swirled against mine as his hand cupped my sex. His thumb found my clit and rubbed.
The time we’d been apart felt like years of abstinence. I clawed at the clasp of his slacks. He didn’t release me to help but held me close.
Freeing his shaft, I tilted my pelvis. He released my sex to shove inside and immediately started thrusting.
My whine was needy and turned into a moan. Between his embrace and my legs wrapped around him, I was pressed against him so tight, I marveled he could move his hips.
My climax rushed closer. I opened my mouth to pant. He did the same. Our lips were touching, but we were breathing into each other, using each other for support.
“Oh god, Wes.”
His shoulders went rigid before he pumped harder and it dawned on me, it was the first time I’d called out his real name during sex.
I crested and clutched his shoulders. “Yes!”
He growled my name.
His hot release spilled inside of me.
I gasped and my eyes flew open wide. His did the same.
He looked down to where we were connected and panic raced through his expression. Mine probably matched.
“You poison my thinking.”
If real venom formed his words, I’d be more hurt than I was. But I’d been thinking the same about him.
“I’m sure it’s fine. Wrong time of the month.”
The doubt on his face was more hurtful than saying I was poisonous.
I sighed and scooted back. “I can notify your office when I get my period.”
More than a little bitterness touched those words.
He pulled out and stuffed himself back in his pants. I wiggled to the side to rearrange my leggings and pull them up, but he stepped with me.
Craning his neck over his shoulder, he swore. My eyes flew wide. Anyone driving by had gotten a good show. It was night outside and while I only had one row of my fluorescent lights on, it was enough to spotlight us.
Surprisingly, he helped me get my foot into my pants and lifted me down so I could roll them up.
“Thanks,” I mumbled.
“This doesn’t change anything,” he said roughly.
“Didn’t think it did.” I couldn’t meet his gaze as I handed him the keys.
I left him standing at the counter while I hefted the last box and walked out the door for the last time.
Wes
Helen listed dates and times.
A week had passed since that Saturday night with Mara on the counter. No protection. I’d never gone without protection.
It’d been glorious. She’d been all wet heat and her orgasm over my naked flesh was the best I’d ever experienced.
“Sir?”
“Say again.” Might as well not pretend I was listening.
“Our legal team worked with the city and the permits are in order. Our demolition date has not changed.”
“Fabulous.” No one could argue that an upgrade was in order, but…I’d have a hard time watching it get demolished.
“We finished our investigation on Mara Baranski.”
I cut a look over my shoulder. “Just leave it on the desk.”
The thin file was set down without being opened.
“Was there anything more?” I asked quietly.
“Not really. No prom pictures or news clips. William Kostopoulos was her grandfather. I included financial data for Golden Meadows. I couldn’t get ahold of her mom’s medical records, obviously, but I printed off some information on multiple sclerosis.”
So had I. Wendy Baranski’s prognosis was grim.
Helen efficiently packed her materials. “Franklin should be here in fifteen minutes. Is there anything else you need?”
“Have a good night, Helen.”
I didn’t look through the folder. I knew how much a year at Golden Meadows cost. Had done the calculations. The trust fund wouldn’t last long and that was if Mara didn’t use any of it for her living expenses.
I rubbed my chest. Kicking her out of the club that night nearly two months ago would’ve been best.
Could an old man really be BFFs with a twenty-five-year-old woman?
She’d compared me to my mother.
On cue, my phone rang.
“What, Mom?”
“Is that how you address the woman who birthed you?”
When she’s only interested in money, yes. “Are you calling to check on how I’m doing, like a real mom?”
“I know you’re
