“Me too.”
I closed my eyes and ran my hand down my shaft. I imaginedKennedy on her knees looking up at me. Her nipples hard against the fabric ofher shirt. I pictured her leaning forward, running her tongue along my tip.
Someone cleared their throat.
I opened my eyes to see Nigel staring at me. “Nigel, what thefuck?” I pulled up my pants.
“I was drawing you a bath.”
“You’ve been in here this whole time? Get out!”
“But…”
“Nigel, get out of my room.”
“Yes, Mr. Caldwell. Enjoy your…bath. The water is the perfecttemperature. I’ll be back in a minute to check on you.” He bowed and left.
The image of Kennedy on her knees had disappeared as quicklyas it had come. But the good news was that my boner was finally receding. Apparentlyseeing Nigel watching me stroke myself was the key to making my dick soft. Ishould have known.
This was for the best. I’d been masturbating to a ghost foryears. I didn’t need to imagine this with Kennedy. I could have the real thing.
I just needed to wait until she was ready. Although if her flirtingwas any indication, I wouldn’t have to wait that long. But we couldn’t go backto her mom’s place to do it. And I didn’t really feel comfortable bringing herhere. I’d figure it out.
I texted her. “What do you think about getting a hotel roomfor tomorrow night?” I pressed send before I could talk myself out of it. Ialways took women to hotels. Kennedy was different. I would have taken her homebut I didn’t have a bed there anymore. And we were going to need a bed. Well…maybe.A bed wasn’t entirely necessary.
“That depends on how our date goes,” she wrote back.
“It’s going to be a great date.”
“So cocky.”
I smiled. “Goodnight, Kennedy.”
“Goodnight, Matt.”
I looked down at the tub full of bubbles. Honestly, it lookedpretty relaxing. I looked over my shoulder to make sure Nigel wasn’t watching,and then stripped and climbed in. I rested the back of my head on the edge ofthe tub. Tomorrow night was going to change everything. I’d had sex with toomany women to remember. But I only ever loved one of them. I knew how thatfelt. And I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t starting to feel that way again. KissingKennedy was intoxicating. And I just wanted more. All I could think of wasmore.
My friends were right. I’d needed an intervention a week ago.But now? I really was happy.
I heard footsteps, but didn’t bother to open my eyes. “Nigel,I really don’t need any assistance.”
“Are you sure?” He asked. “I could…”
“I’m sure.” I was also positive that I didn’t want to hearthe end of his sentence. “See you in the morning.”
“You don’t want me to check on the swelling?”
Are you kidding me? “No, Nigel, I don’t need you tolook at the swelling. I’m fine.”
He sighed. “As you wish, Mr. Caldwell.”
I opened my eyes to make sure he was retreating. If I wasbeing forced to stay here for three months, I’d need to set some boundaries. Whatam I even thinking? I wasn’t going to stay here for three months. Tannerwould sort it out.
I sunk lower in the bubbles. Nigel was weird, but this placedid have its perks. I lifted up the snifter of cognac that Nigel had promised. Thelife of a billionaire, I guess. Or was it? James was the only other billionaireI knew, and I was pretty sure he didn’t have a weird little servant trying toexamine his cock all the time. I’d have to ask him about it. When I crossedthat line into being a billionaire, I wouldn’t be hiring a houseboy.
My phone buzzed and I looked down, hoping it was another textfrom Kennedy.
Poppy’s name showed up. I pushed the phone away. I didn’t wantanyone to disturb my bath.
Chapter 37
Friday
We were all hanging out at James’ place tonight. I waswaiting outside for my surprise guest. I’d been looking forward to seeingKennedy all day. We had a reservation at a hotel within walking distance of James’place. Not at my usual hotel. Because I knew she wasn’t just some random hookup.And I’d never treat her like she was.
Not that the hotel or anything about tonight mattered until Itold her what was going on with Poppy. I didn’t purposely keep Kennedy in thedark. I was just looking for the best possible way to explain the situation. BecauseI hated how it was all tied up with Brooklyn. Kennedy and I needed a freshstart. And this was the exact opposite. Tanner had helped me with a good planthough. A simple one that involved flowers and the truth.
I looked down at the bouquet in my hand. I had no idea whatkind of flowers Kennedy liked. Maybe this was a bad idea. I should have broughther French fries. Relationship advice from Tanner couldn’t be that great. I’d neverseen him with the same woman more than twice.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. My mom was calling. I stillhadn’t called her back. Kennedy wouldn’t be arriving for another few minutes. Icould use the distraction. And I honestly owed my mom an apology too. “Hey,Mom,” I said as I answered the phone.
“Matthew!” She sounded so relieved. “I’ve been trying toreach you.”
“I know. I just…”
“I know.”
We were both quiet. I thought about what Mason had said. Thatmy fake smile may have fooled mom, but not him. I wasn’t so sure that was true.If it was, she wouldn’t always be so worried about me during this time of year.“I’m really sorry, Mom.”
“For what, sweetheart?”
“For lying to you for years about being fine. I don’t evenknow if half the time I realized I was lying. But…I realize it now. Because I’mactually happy.” I took a deep breath. “I met someone.”
I heard her inhale.
I didn’t want to make her guess. “Or rather, ran into someoneI used to know. Do you remember Kennedy?”
“Kennedy Alcaraz? She was so sweet.”
My parents never bothered with tabloids. They wouldn’t knowabout Poppy. And I didn’t want to go into that. I just wanted my mom to know Iwas okay. “I really like her, Mom. And I
