“I’ll have two croissants, two cheese Danishes, and two raspberry streusels,” I said, squinting as I peered up at the menu of the hotel’s small coffee shop. “Oh, and two lattes, please.”
I was ravenous, despite indulging in last night’s amazing dinner. I also figured some pastries would help ward off Jeremiah’s inevitable hangover from finishing an expensive bottle of wine all to himself.
The barista gave me a nod and my total before I slid my credit card across the smooth wood grain of the countertop. Once I paid, I went to lean against the wall to wait for my food. I thought of the peaceful look on Jeremiah’s face when I carefully peeled the covers off myself and snuck out of bed this morning. I was reluctant to leave him when his strong arm laid gentlyover me and his steady breathing was a soothing song that could easily put me back to sleep.
I had every intention of going to sleep on the couch in the living room, but as I was padding out of the room, I heard him murmur “stay” in the darkness of the cool room. I hesitated only for a moment before slipping under the silky sheets and falling into an easy sleep beside him. It was the first time we had ever slept together. Actually slept. It was one of my best night’s sleep.
“Sadie,” called the barista, sliding a light blue box of pastries across the counter, along with a cardboard drink holder on top, housing two steaming lattes.
“Thank you,” I said as I picked everything up, carefully finding a balance before making my way toward the elevators. I pressed the button with my elbow before stepping inside. The acoustic music softly playing through the speakers had me lost in thought. Despite this being a business trip, so far, it had felt like something different. Last night’s dinner was more than a meal shared between colleagues. Business hadn’t come up at all.
Still, this morning, I reminded myself of why we were here and got ready for today’s meeting. I chose the cream skirt and matching blazer with the crisp white button-down and matching patent pumps. Looking at myself in the mirror, I looked the part of a billionaire’s personal assistant. Satisfied, I slipped out of the room, eager to get back to Jeremiah and gauge his reaction. I hoped he thought his money was well spent.
When I opened the door to the hotel room, I was met with the sound of the shower running and sweet-smelling steam wafting from the other room. Jeremiah was awake and naked just a few feet away. I breathed in the smell of his shampoo, the familiar scents of sandalwood with a hint of honeysuckle. The perfect combination of hard and soft that my body gravitated toward, wanting to give itself over to its embrace. My mouth practically watered.
Why the hell was I so horny lately?
I walked into the steamy bedroom, glancing toward the bathroom door that was cracked open slightly. I willed myself not to take a peek as I padded toward the large dresser and set down the box of pastries and coffee. I heard the squeak of the handle as the flow of water came to a halt, leaving me with only the sound of my heart beginning to quicken. I cleared my throat to announce my return.
“Sadie?” Jeremiah called out.
“Mhmm. It’s me.”
I turned at the sound of the bathroom door opening wide and watched as Jeremiah strode out of the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around his waist. I swallowed hard, taking in the drops of water that kissed his tan skin as they ran down to the most intimate parts hidden by the plush, white fabric he clutched against him. My eyes snapped back up to his, ready and waiting. A slow smile spread across his lips, making me clamp my thighs together tightly.
Holy shit.
He took a few steps toward me and I pressed my back against the dresser, clutching it tightly as if bracing myself for what came next. I hoped it was him removing that towel and taking me into the unmade bed just a few steps away. Instead, he reached past me, his damp skin brushing against me as he plucked a coffee from the cardboard holder.
“Thanks for the coffee,” he said with a grin, taking a sip.
Only an arm’s length separated us, and the air was thick with lingering steam and tension. My gaze trailed along his sharp jawline, and watched his Adam’s apple bob up and down as he swallowed the hot coffee.
So hot.
I could feel the dresser digging into my back as I tried to put more space between him and me, even though my body was begging for him to close in. He took a step back and his blue eyes washed over me. He cocked his head.
“You look sexy,” he said.
“Thank you,” I replied, my voice catching in my throat as heat rose to my cheeks.
He placed his coffee back on the dresser and popped open the box of pastries. His eyes debated which one to go for beforedeciding on a raspberry strudel. He grabbed it out of the box and took a big bite, his eyes closing as he savored the flaky sweetness on his tongue.
“Mmm,” he said, the vibration of the sound running up my spine.
He tossed the pastry back in the box and strode toward the closet, leaving me trying to catch my breath as I pried my fingers from the edge of the dresser. The steps he put between us felt like swift punches to my gut, as my body called for him to return in a silent plea. He opened the doors to the closet and stood back, perusing his options for the day.
Making a decision, he dropped his towel. The fabric hit the floor, its dull sound echoing in my ears as heat writhed through me. I could barely breathe now, my throat thick with desire and an eager slickness forming between my legs. He slid on a pair of black briefs that hugged his ass and his beautiful length before pulling on a pair of light gray slacks.
“This is the strangest assistant position I’ve ever had…” I murmured, more to myself than to him.
He turned to me as he worked the zipper of his pants and hooked the clasp.
“Speaking of assistance. Come over here,” he said, pulling a shirt over his arms rippling with muscles.
I took a few slow steps toward him, still savoring the sight of his naked body he had shamelessly flaunted in front of me. With his hands down at his sides and his shirt open, revealing his smooth, tan chest, I reached for the flaps of his shirt. My fingers trembled as they worked the buttons of the soft white fabric. When I had fastened the last one, I looked up and saw his eyes were stormy, lust crackling like lightning in the deep blue. I quickly looked away, for fear we might never leave this room because he would eat me alive.
Maybe I should let him.
