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I grab my ball and hurry through my final turn. The first throw knocks down six pins. The second lands in the gutter.
A moment later, our lane shuts off and the final score fills the screen.
Eric studies the final scores. “Close one.”
I smile. “It’s not even close to being close.”
His grin only widens.
By the time we return our shoes and step outside, my cheeks hurt from smiling. The night air is cool after the warmth of the bowling alley, and the noise fades as the doors close behind us.
After discovering I haven’t arranged a ride home, Eric sends Arthur a message and slips his phone back into his pocket.
“That’s the first time I’ve checked this all night,” he says.
“Should I alert the press?”
“I’m serious.” He steps closer. “I went three hours without thinking about work. Do you know how rare that is?”
Warmth spreads through my chest. I nod toward the bowling alley. “Maybe you’ve found your true calling.”
“It wasn’t the bowling.”
His eyes hold mine, and the teasing fades from his face. Eric slides an arm around my waist and pulls me against him. His other hand settles at the back of my neck, fingers slipping into my hair as he tips my face up and kisses me.
My lips part on a breath, and his tongue meets mine in one slow stroke. The night air is cool against my bare legs, but every place his body touches mine feels hot. His erection presses against my hip, growing harder as the kiss deepens. I move closer, letting him know I feel it.
His breathing turns rough. He guides me back until I meet the wall beside the entrance, then kisses me again. This time, there’s nothing slow about it. His body holds mine in place while he catches my lower lip between his teeth, gives it a small tug, then runs his tongue over the same spot.
Headlights sweep across us, bright enough to pull us apart. Eric lifts his head but keeps me against him as a black Bentley stops at the curb. Arthur gets out and comes around to open the rear door.
“Where are we going?” Eric asks.
“My place.”
28
RACHEL
Istep inside my apartment and switch on the lamp beside the door. Eric follows, and I lock the door behind him.
He removes his jacket while I set my bag on the console. His gaze moves around the living room, taking in the warm lamps, crowded bookshelves, and framed photos tucked into every spare space. My apartment is probably smaller than some of his hotel suites, but everything here was chosen because I loved it. Most of the furniture came from Grandma or estate sales, collected one piece at a time over the years.
Percy appears at the end of the hall and stops when he sees Eric.
“That’s Percy,” I say. “Don’t be offended if he ignores you. He ignores almost everyone.”
Eric crouches and holds out his hand. “Come here, Percy.”
Percy studies him from across the room. Normally, this is the point when he disappears. Instead, he walks over and sniffs Eric’s fingers before pushing his head into his palm.
Eric scratches beneath his chin. Percy’s eyes close, and a loud purr begins in his chest. A moment later, he’s winding around Eric’s legs as if they’ve known each other for years. Most of my friends haven’t received this much attention from him in years.
Apparently, Eric’s authority works on cats too. I catch myself smiling. Percy rarely approves of anyone, and I’m far too pleased that Eric made the cut.
Once he’s satisfied, Percy trots back down the hall. Eric straightens and I cross the room and kiss him.
He catches me around the waist and turns us. My back hits the door, but his hand is already behind my head, keeping it from striking the wood. Then he presses his body into mine.
