"Go to work, we have tonight, honey."
He groans again as I slide down his body and he backs away. He leaves and I slip on my robe to go lock the dead bolt behind him.
After a shower, I have a bagel and coffee from a shop nearby and decide to walk to the Guggenheim. It should be opening by the time I get there. My walk is crowded with tourists and locals, and I enjoy the warm weather of September.
My day goes by in a blur of artwork and sadness. I make it back to the hotel at two thirty and realize my mistake when I see Duncan's team in the lobby. I lower my head and rush to the elevators, hoping they don't recognize me. Luck is with me and I make it back to our suite, where he is waiting for me in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt with a jacket over the top.
"Hey, baby. How was your day?"
"Good. I almost ran into your team, you should've warned me."
"Sorry. They should be gone. Ready to go?"
"Yep."
We spend the afternoon on a cruise to the Statue of Liberty and dinner at the Empire State Building, along with listening to the local music and enjoying the sights. By the time we get back to the hotel, we are both ready to rip each other's clothes off. He caressed my body every chance he got and I was just as ruthless, brushing against him whenever I could.
Sunday morning I wake in his arms again and we shower together, enjoying the last moments with each other. Between now and Christmas, I don't know when I will see him again. I want to see him, but his schedule is changing all the time because of his high value.
"I want to see you again before Christmas." His gruff voicesounds from behind me as I load up my bag. He’s in another suit because of the fashion show going on today.
"I want that, too." I turn in his arms.
"I'm glad you took a chance on us."
"So am I."
He kisses me gently and pulls away before taking my hand and walking me out. His team is at breakfast somewhere in Times Square, so we have a few more minutes together as I check out and grab a taxi back to the airport. I had to book an early flight because I'm on shift this evening.
I turn in his arms and kiss his chin.
"I miss you already," I tell him honestly.
"Me too, baby." He bends down and kisses me. Our kiss is interrupted when his name is yelled.
"Shit." I climb into the taxi. "Airport, now." I slam the door in Duncan's face and see the hurt, but I can't have James or Ana find out about us.
Duncan
My gut clencheswhen I hear Ian yell my name, but that’s nothing compared to the pain in my chest when she dives into the taxi and leaves me standing there.
She turns to look at me and I see the shock on her face, guess I couldn't hide the hurt. I need to convince her that we’re no longer going to keep us a secret. I’ll tell my father and Anamyself. I want this woman always. This weekend was one of the best of my life.
"Hey, who was the lass? She looked familiar."
"No one," I say as I turn away, my phone pinging with a text.
Maya
I'm sorry. I'm not ready for anyone to know yet.
I don't respond right away because it still hurts. I've never felt this way before, but I know that what I feel isn't going away. When I finally decide to text her, I know she’s at work and won't respond back.
Me
I don't want to hide us anymore.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
