“It was,” she breathes, running her fingertips along my jaw.
I incline my face to one side, catching her wrist in a kiss.
“You can’t deny we have something.” I kiss her skin over and over. “You can’t, Hallie.”
“I—”
“Stay.”
The word doesn’t slip free. It fires from me like a bullet from a gun. Straight to target. It’s intent crystal clear.
I want her where she belongs.
“Stay?” she echoes.
“Yes. Stay. Not just for tonight. Don’t go back to England. Live here. With me.”
She laughs, then her eyes widen, as she sees I’m deadly serious.
“I… If people knew about us, it could ruin my business. The charity?—”
“I’ll cover that,” I growl. “All of it. However much you want.”
I let my pathetic heart lift at her intense gaze.
“I’ve never felt like this about anyone, Hallie. Never in my life. I gave up hoping for it a long time ago. Stay,” I repeat softly, pressing a gentle kiss to her puffy lips.
She kisses me back, and my heart swells with hope.
The cell in my back pocket chooses now to ring out with piercing precision, slicing through the moment. It’s the ring tone I set for Denver.
“Answer it. It might be important,” Hallie says.
I take one hand from her ass. I have to push my hips forward to keep her held up. The small whimper that leaves her lips almost has me tossing my phone to the floor so I can get my hand back on her silky flesh again.
“Denver?” I answer, keeping my eyes on hers.
“Boss. I’m sorry to call. Especially tonight. But?—”
“What is it?”
“The club in LA. There’s been a fire.”
Hallie’s eyes widen as she listens.
“Was anyone hurt?”
“No. But there’s been some damage.”
I blow out a breath. Things can be replaced if they’re burned.People can’t.
“Get the jet ready. I’ll call you when I’m in the car.”
I end the call.
Hallie’s worried eyes search mine. “You need to go.”
“Come with me. We can talk on the flight.” I press a kiss to her lips, my heart clenching when this time she doesn’t return it.
