His head falls back, and he howls out a laugh. “Let me warn you, Gwen. I like a woman who isn’t afraid to speak her mind.”
“I’ve yet to meet a business partner who intimidates me,” I grin. “You’ll have to try harder than just a few pickup lines to get me off my game.”
Eric leans against the door frame. “Is that so? Well, if I don’t succeed. Maybe some other guy will. I guess it’s a good thing I am not alone in this business deal.”
He pushes off the wall and starts to walk out of the conference room. I follow him down the hallway, thankful that this encounter is coming to a close so I can get back to what I was working on before lunch.
“Oh, by the way, we are going to need another set of papers to sign,” he tosses over his shoulders, and my brow furrows.
“Why?” I ask as we come into the front reception area. “There should be enough signature spots for you and your father on those forms.”
“That is not what I’m worried about,” Eric says. “It is for the other partners.”
“Wait, what other…” I ask, confused.
But I am cut off as the front door to the office slams open. I turn and look up just as Eric goes to speak.
“My business partner. An old college buddy of mine. He has way more experience with this type of project than I do. In fact, he already has a club in Northern California, and one in Nashville.”
My eyes widen as I face a man I last saw naked, sprawled out across a hotel bed in Kentucky. A man who knows how to work my body better than anyone ever could. A man who stole my heart without ever asking for it a long time ago. A man I can’t seem to escape no matter how damn hard I try.
Rex Roberts.
3
Rex
Figures I would be late on today of all days.
Waking up alone after a night of the best sex I’ve ever fucking had was not how I thought missing my plane would end. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t jaded by the fact that Gwen slipped out without a word. Not even a call, a text, or a damn half-scribbled note telling me I’m an asshole or some shit on the stupid hotel stationery.
Pride slightly wounded, I had debated reaching out to her but buried the hurt deep inside while I caught a plane back home. After some ass-chewing from Michael and a couple of rounds of beers to make up for my absence at a meeting with an old friend, I soon found out that it wouldn’t be long before my path crossed again with the ghost from my past.
A girl I gave myself to long ago, even though I never told her so.
No woman could ever replace her.
Fuck, Lord knows I’ve tried over for the last ten years and failed.
When Michael told me he had asked she be assigned to the project with the new marketing company we had hired, my spirits perked up - along with other parts of my manhood - and I figured I’d let her early morning sneak out slide since I was going to be spending the next couple months with her planning our new club.
Now, a late flight has made me miss the meeting I wanted to attend - if only just to see her face and watch her squirm under my gaze when she realized I was in charge this time.
As I push through the doors to the office, I come face-to-face with Eric and Gwen. Gwen’s eyes are a mix of shock and disbelief. Just the look I was hoping for.
Damn, she’s gorgeous.
Hair pulled back in a low ponytail, loose strands hang around her beautiful face. Her blouse is unbuttoned just the right amount, making me remember how her breasts fit in my hands. The way my mouth flicked and sucked on her perky nipples as I took her up against the hotel room wall. Her skirt hugs her round hips and thick thighs perfectly. My gaze falls lower to a pair of bright pink heels that make me wish she was digging them into my back while I fuck her.
Slightly out of breath, I notice I’m not the only one appreciating the view as Eric takes the time Gwen’s eyes are trained on mine to lean back and appreciate the beauty behind her. Her luscious ass that’s only ever meant to be mine.
Bastard.
As I walk forward, Gwen takes a few steps back. It’s almost as if my presence in this tiny front office is too much for her. The tension between us builds. For every step I take, Gwen continues to take one step back until her ass hits the wall behind her. I chuckle a little, earning me a death stare as she tries to mask her feelings.
“Nice of you to show, man,” Eric says.
“This is your partner?” Gwen asks nervously.
