I jackknifed off the bed, grabbing the back of her head, and took her mouth in a sloppy kiss as I met her halfway, pumping into her as hard as she was thrusting against me. I searched her gaze when our lips broke apart, relieved to see winces of pleasure, not pain. I slipped my hand between us and traced slow circles on her clit. She sucked in a loud gasp, rocking into me harder and faster.
“Let go, darlin’. I’m right here,” I whispered as a drop of sweat poured down my temple. “I’ve got you, baby.”
She cried out, scratching her nails down my back as her legs quivered. I held her tighter, my own release hitting me hard as she pulsed around me, drawing out all I had as I spilled into her.
We clutched on to each other for a long minute, our hearts racing together as we sat chest to chest. I was still inside her and didn’t want to pull out or let go—or leave this house or this room.
Julie lifted her head, raking a hand through her sweaty hair, and sputtered out a breathless laugh.
“We are so damn dramatic.”
I burst out laughing before I could help it.
“We sure are.” I brushed her tangled locks off her damp shoulder. “And now we’ll clean up, and you’ll sleep naked in my arms. Tomorrow morning, I’ll kiss you goodbye and then come right back. Okay?”
“Okay,” she said, smiling despite the crack in her voice.
We were ridiculous and dramatic, and when I got back to New York, we’d be husband and wife.
For real this time.
25
LANDON
“Like you never left, right?” Will mused as we sat at the bar by my old office after a long day of meetings. I’d arrived at the office fifteen minutes before the first one, and they’d been back-to-back ever since. I’d booked the Hilton across the street from the complex, and my first chance to check in and drop off my luggage hadn’t been until almost five.
“I’ve been spoiled,” I sighed, and I took a long pull from my beer bottle. I was exhausted but wired enough not to refuse Will when he suggested we get a drink at the end of the day. “I can honestly say I didn’t miss this at all. I like meeting with clients all day and checking in via email most of the time.”
I also liked sneaking down to the kitchen during the workday to give my girl a kiss—or more, depending on how busy we were. I’d expected to miss Julie to the point of distraction, but ever since I’d landed, it was as if I were missing a limb. Other than our sleepy kiss goodbye at the crack of dawn this morning, we’d only spoken in sporadic texts between meetings.
I planned on downing the one beer and heading across the street to FaceTime her before she went to sleep.
“If they promote you again, I’m sure this will be you all the time again soon enough.” He snickered around the rim of the bottle.
“Hell no. I already told Damian I’m happy where I am. Growing the New York branch and living in the Bronx. I’ll come for a visit, but my plan is to stay put.”
“With your wife?”
My head whipped up to see his smug grin. “Word gets around, I guess.”
“Honestly, I didn’t know until after we spoke a couple of weeks ago. I’m just surprised you didn’t tell me. Unless it was the fun of watching me put my foot in my mouth every time I said your wife was hot.” He arched a brow as he set the empty bottle down on the bar.
“Maybe a little.” I shrugged, a laugh slipping out when he scowled back at me. “Honestly, the whole thing started out too complicated to explain.”
“Looked pretty simple to me. Even over video, I was blinded by the stars in your eyes.” He looked me over with a smirk. “I’m guessing it’s good.”
“It’s…” I trailed off, checking my phone under the table just to peek at Julie’s photo on my home screen wallpaper. “It’sreallyfucking good.”
“That’s awesome,” Will said, slapping my back. “I’m happy for you, man. Want to hear the other rumor I heard?”
“Sure, why not?” I pushed the empty bottle away and reached for my wallet.
“The annual awards banquet with the holding company? It’s in New York this year, and they’re nominating you for the achievement award.”
“What?” I narrowed my eyes at Will. “Where did you hear that?”
“Kerri, the new HR manager, asked me if I was still friends with you after you moved. It’s pretty much a done deal, she said. They just have to add you to the roster. I bet they’ll tell you on the golf course tomorrow.”
