“Will Cole tell everyone we were kissing? I’m a professional, Eli,” she says before nibbling on her bottom lip.
“A professional kisser,” I say, trying to lighten the mood. “Look. You came to the wedding as my guest, and I know you said it was to immerse yourself in everything that is us as a family, but I think you secretly wanted to come with me as my plus-one to make sure I wasn’t taking anyone else.” I give her waist a playful squeeze.
The way my brothers poked fun at me yesterday as we stood in line waiting for Arianna to appear makes me think they had already guessed that something was happening between us. At any other time, if my mind were in a better place, I would have asked her out on a date weeks ago.
“Okay, maybe I was,” she admits. “But I don’t date clients, kiss them, or spend a night in bed with them.” Her voice comes out rapid as if she’s having a meltdown, but my family won’t care or question us. “I’ve never slept with a client, I promise,” she vehemently states with a fierce shake of her head. “I can’t deny that I used the wedding as an opportunity to speak to Adrian Price because I want to build my own conference center and I knew he’d be there yesterday and I haven’t been able to get a meeting with him because he’s so busy. Plus I sort of used yesterday as a business networking opportunity.” She looks embarrassed when she shouldn’t be.
She’s driven, and that’s just one of the things I like about her.
Sapphire adds, “But mainly… I wanted to come as your plus-one because I like you, Eli.”
That makes me feel special. “I believe you.” Sapphire has always been honest and professional with me. Well, aside from calling me Sir Grouch-a-lot.
She pauses before speaking again. “You just crossed my boundary from client to lover, Eli Hart.”
I burst out laughing at her use of the word lover, even though we’ve only kissed, then glance at the clock on the side unit on the far side of the room and groan; breakfast. My brain screams at me to focus. I hate that we need to stop this, but there’s no getting out of it. At least this way, I can save the getting to know her and the lover part for later.
“I like this boundary we’ve crossed,” I say, smirking. “It… feels good.” Fucking great.
Her lips twitch like she’s fighting a smile, and I know she feels it too. The pull, the tension we need to work out. Together. Hell. The thought of her screaming my name as she comes all over my cock is enough to make me want to remove the shirt she’s wearing and fuck her into next week. But I can’t, not under my mother’s roof. Not ever. Manners and respect are what are expected of me, from us all.
“We have to go, and I will do my best to focus on anything but touching you.” It’ll be a breakfast from hell when all I want to do is taste more of her and claim her.
“I don’t have anything to wear, Eli.” Her mouth pulls to one side in a grimace.
“Arianna keeps clothes here because she stays over often. I’ll text her, and she can give you something.” It won’t be her style, but from what I know of Sapphire, she’ll figure out how to make it work to her advantage.
“Okay.”
“Are you ready to meet the family again?” That is, after we take a quick shower. Separately, otherwise I might not be able to restrain myself.
“Awkward situations are what I’m built for,” she assures me.
She’s not wrong about that. She’s been managing my awkwardness ever since she first walked into my office all those weeks ago.
A flicker of doubt shifts across her face and I know what she’s going to say next.
“But I think I should go home, Eli. I don’t want to intrude. Breakfast with your family feels a little too intimate.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” She nods. “I can call a cab.”
“If Cole has his SUV and not his Ferrari, then he will take us both back into the city.” I usually hate skipping breakfast but on this occasion I don’t mind, especially if it makes her feel more comfortable.
“Okay.” She agrees without a fight.
Maybe I should have kissed her sooner.
“Kiss me again, Eli.”
How can I argue with that? I can’t. So, I do as she asks and kiss her deeply, savoring her taste and her soft lips. I hope I get to kiss her every day.
27
ELI
On our way back to the city, Cole threw a curveball and suggested we stop to visit Dad since we were passing by.
