‘Sure, that’s why you want the veto on all new hires.’
‘I just want to help you get the best out of E-Volve. It certainly has nothing to do with a lack of faith in you.’
Somehow, I don’t believe him despite the apparent sincerity in his words. After what happened with JBW, let’s just say my confidence has been rocked. It’s like I no longer trust myself. Take what’s happening now as I lean into him with my cheek on his chest. When you dine with the devil, aren’t you supposed to take a long spoon? I should be maintaining a distance, not leaning on him.
‘Heather tells me you take the stairs every day. Sensible, if you ask me. The lift looks like a death trap.’
‘It’s not so bad. And climbing the stairs up three floors isn’t too bad. Plus, it’s good for the glutes.’ As he slides his hand down to the muscle mass in question, he makes a noise which kind of suggests he agrees. ‘It’s even better when you do it in heels.’
‘Yes,’ he almost groans. ‘Yes, it is.’
‘I didn’t thank you for the shoes.’I’m going to fuck you in them.I push away the memory of his words. ‘You have good taste.’
‘You know what would make them look better?’ I angle my head to better see him. ‘If they were around my shoulders.’ His words and his expression render me speechless for a beat, but as the doors slide open to our floor, we step out.
‘Allow me.’ Key card produced, Beckett suddenly bends and sweeps me up into his arms.
‘What are you doing?’ I might have even squealed a little, then laugh as I notice the card now clenched between his teeth.
‘I would’ve thought that was obvious,’ I think he says, and I almost ask him why. This isn’t supposed to be a real wedding night experience.Is it?We’re not supposed to feel swept away by giddiness and passion, so why is my heart galloping like the hooves of a runaway stallion?
‘Would you mind?’ Again, Ithinkthat’s what he says. I take the card from between his teeth, and he lowers me a little so I can reach the keypad. Before I can do so, the door clicks and swings open, and we’re met by a man in a pale grey suit. About my age, he looks completely unperturbed by our arrival, which is more than I can say for my reaction.
‘Allow me.’ He pulls the door wide, and Beckett angles our way through the doorway into the suite. ‘On behalf of the St. Regis, may I offer you our congratulations, Mr and Mrs Beckett.’
Oh, that sounds so strange.
‘Thank you,’ we seem to answer in unison. Beckett’s tone is solemn while mine is more a hysterical giggle.
‘I don’t think we’ll be needing any assistance this evening, will we, darling?’ Beckett’s gaze sparkles with challenge and the unspoken.Are we going to need his help while I fuck you?I can’t find the words to answer either of them, so instead, I shake my head.
‘Then I’ll just wish you a good evening.’ And with the sincerest of smiles, he removes himself from the room.
‘Why was there a man here?’ I squeak as I’m lifted sharply into the air, Beckett adjusting his grip under me. ‘Put me down! My legs work perfectly fine, as well you know.’
‘The butler,’ he answers succinctly. ‘And your legs are more than fine, but allow me to play my manly part and carry you over the threshold.’
‘This isn’t even—’a proper marriage,I almost say as his gaze dares me‘—a proper threshold!’ I say instead, throwing my arm out somewhere behind us. ‘We already passed that.’
‘One down, many more to go?’
‘Thresholds?’
‘Boundaries, Olivia. I plan on encouraging you to cross all kinds of boundaries tonight.’ My heart beats so loud I can literally hear the whooshing in my ears. Or maybe that’s the sound of my dress as Beckett lowers my feet to the bedroom floor.
There’s a champagne bucket on the table with a telltale golden wrapping protruding from it. Two silver stemmed flutes stand beside it along with a silver dish of delicate offerings. Tiny macarons, swirls of rich, dark chocolate, and raspberries, along with an embossed card offering us the hotel’s congratulations.
‘Do you think they thought we might get the munchies?’ My laughter is a nervous gurgle that’s not quite carefree enough to be classified as a giggle as I place my bouquet on the nightstand. ‘Or maybe we’d need a sugar boost.’ I bite my lip against the rest of that sentence.In between fucking.
‘Something’s missing.’ As Beckett comes up behind me, the heat of his presence almost burns.
‘I can’t think what.’A balloon display? Banners that read “enjoy your first married people sexy-times”?
‘Condoms.’ He pauses a beat, his arms sliding from my shoulders to my wrist. ‘Do I need to call concierge?’
I shake my head in the tiniest of motions. I’m on the pill. ‘Not on my account, unless—’
‘You’re safe with me, I promise.’ He kisses my cheek and steps away.
