Matt couldn’t help but laugh softly at how quickly Andy drifted off again. He pressed another kiss to Andy’s temple and pulled him closer, relishing the warmth of their shared post-climactic glow.
Moments later, with reluctance threading through his veins, Matt carefully disentangled himself from Andy’s slumberous embrace. The sight of him, so peaceful, so damned irresistible in repose, almost convinced Matt to call in sick—a billionaire’s version of playing hooky. But empires, especially those built on sin and spectacle, didn’t run themselves.
Matt laid Andy back on the bed and tucked him in, ensuring comfort would cradle him in Matt’s absence. A shower beckoned next—hot, steamy rivulets washing away the remnants of their dawn dalliance.
When he emerged from the shower, Matt was every inch the man who commanded boardrooms and brokered fortunes. His suit was cut so sharply it could slice through stock market indices. It clung to his form with an intimacy reserved for lovers or Italian tailors of repute. The tie—a bold stripe that screamed confidence without uttering a sound.
Before departing, he leaned over Andy once more, pressing a kiss to his forehead that lingered like a promise. He scribbled a note quickly but with care:Take it easy, gorgeous. I’ll see you at dinner after work.
Outside the penthouse, Bruno stood as immovable as fate itself.
“Contact me if anything happens,” Matt said with a tilt of his head toward the closed door behind him.
Bruno nodded once—a movement as efficient as it was understood, no words wasted between men who traded in actions.
In his office, Matt found himself swallowed by the voracious beast called work. Emails stacked upon meetings perched upon calls in an endless game of corporate Jenga. His attention danced from spreadsheets to strategy sessions with the grace of a ballet dancer doing taxes—elegant yet exacting.
Lunch arrived with the understated opulence that marked everything in Matt’s world. The plate before him bore culinary artistry—a lobster bisque that whispered tales of the sea and a steak seared to such perfection it could’ve been deemed an eighth wonder.
Matt spared a moment to savor a bite that melted on his tongue like butter on a hot skillet before diving back into the fray. Time was currency in his realm—and lunch was merely a luxurious pit stop in his race against it. Between bites, he dialed James’ number.
James picked up on the second ring. “Well, if it isn’t Mr. Caine himself.” James’ voice carried that familiar edge of mockery.
“And here I thought you’d be too busy counting your money,” Matt retorted smoothly.
“Counting yours is more entertaining,” James quipped back without missing a beat.
Matt chuckled, savoring their banter like fine wine. “How’s that latest venture treating you?”
“Let’s just say it’s keeping me entertained,” James replied, then shifted gears as smoothly as Matt himself did when driving one of his luxury cars. “But I assume you didn’t call just for my sparkling company.”
“You assume correctly,” Matt said, glancing at his watch before leaning back in his chair. “Wanted to update you on ourmutual interest. You’ll be pleased to know I have our dear Andy tucked away safely. Your young debtor is quite the handful.”
“That’s good,” James replied.
Matt asked, “How are you going about retrieving that elusive two million? Last I checked, Andy’s pockets were more barren than a desert.”
James chuckled. “That’s the million-dollar question—or should I say two million? I’m touching base with his sister Mia Donovan.” James’ voice held the smooth assurance of a man used to getting his way. “Negotiations, you know.”
Matt tapped a finger on the mahogany desk—a drumbeat to his thoughts. “You think his sister is sitting on a gold mine? From what I’ve gathered, she’s more likely to offer us her piggy bank contents. Look, I’ll pay off Andy’s debt myself. Consider it an investment in… future potential.”
A bark of laughter erupted from James’ end. “Investment? Or has our dear Andy put some sort of spell on you?”
Matt grinned, leaning forward. “If by spell you mean there’s a spark… Yes, he lights up something fierce within me.” He admitted it with a casualness that belatedly surprised even himself.
“Ah,” James said knowingly. “I see you’ve been keeping busy in more ways than one.”
“Yes, well,” Matt continued, undeterred by the implication. “I’m also sponsoring Andy’s app development. It shows promise.”
“Good on you,” James replied with genuine approval. “It has potential.”
“Keep me posted on how things go with Mia,” Matt said. “And let me know if you decide to accept my offer.”
“I will,” James assured him before the call ended.
Matt hung up and leaned back once more, staring at the skyline but seeing only Andy’s face—defiant yet so verycaptivating—etched in his mind’s eye like a tattoo he’d never regret.
Thirteen
