Amber looked for Theo in the crowd. He was standing off to the side chatting with the organizers. He looked up as if he felt her searching for him. "Thank you," she mouthed at him. He just nodded but she saw the pride on his face. It gave her that scary good feeling again. Oh God. She really was falling for him.
Later, after she collected her medalfor finishing number 104, she hung it around her neck and caught up to him where he was petting Puddin’. Ford and Landon, his tow-headed son, each gave her a high-five.
“You crushed it,” Ford said. “I didn’t know you were a runner.”
“Yeah, me either,” she said. “104. Not bad, huh?” She held up the medal proudly.
“You were amazing. Number one in my book,” Theo said.
“Even with my wonky finish?”
“Especially with your wonky finish. Ready for that drink now?” Theo slung an arm around her neck and pulled her closer. She didn’t even bother to see if anyone was watching. She simply didn’t care.
Chapter Thirty
Theo loosenedhis tie and ran a hand through his hair, exasperated after spending the last half hour on the phone listening to detailed last-minute updates about the gala tomorrow night.
“This all sounds great, Cheryl,” he said, impatiently checking his watch. It was after five already and, aside from the occasional tapping of Amber’s heels, he knew everyone had already left for the night. “Yes, I know Amber’s done a wonderful job. I’ll be sure to tell her.”
He looked up from his computer when a yellow Post-it note landed on his desk. He read it.
Golden Ticket
He read it twice and blinked. Amber stood next to his desk watching him read it. The tight-fitting royal blue wrap dress she wore with his favorite pink heels outlined her beautiful shape, a shape he had spent hours exploring, teasing, pleasuringover the last two weeks.
He knew her favorite way to sleep was on top of him, leaving him no choice but to sleep deeply for the first time in years, with the smell of her hair in his nose and her hand tucked into his.
She hated watching TV and she read romance books before bed.
She hid chocolate in her freezer for emergencies.
She closed her eyes when he made her come so he wouldn’t see the emotion she could no longer hide.
She still hadn’t said she loved him.
Loving Amber was a study of patience, but he was in this for the long game. He wanted to protect her and reassure her he would wait as long as she needed to realize that he was here to stay.
“Cheryl, I have the utmost trust in you. Looking forward to tomorrow.” He put the phone back in its cradle and leaned back. “What’s this?” He held up the yellow note.
“That, Mr. Mayor,” Amber said, propping her delicious ass on the edge of his desk, “is your golden ticket.”
Theo raised an eyebrow. “Care to explain?"
"You told me once about a fantasy of yours. I believe you said it involved this desk.” She rubbed her hand slowly along the heavy mahogany wood. Theo’s heart started a slow, sweet pounding in his chest as he remembered that conversation.
What is the most scandalous place you fantasize about having sex?
My desk. After hours in my office, against it, bent over it, or on your knees under it.
“Did I?” he murmured.
She bent forward, a sexy little smile on her face, and put her lips to his ear. “I’m going to make it come true.”
The top of her dress offered him a teasing glimpse of lush, creamy skin when she leaned down. She caught his look and laughed,low and husky.
The room was quiet and dark with the wooden slats of the shades tipped to keep the bright sun of the day out. Theo inhaled, catching a familiar hint of her spicy perfume and arousal.
He knew her. She was a deeply sensual woman. She knew how to savor pleasure and how to generously give it, and how to pretend that was all there was between them.
