Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87439 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 437(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87439 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 437(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
We linked our fingers and made our way to the primary suite. I had no clear memory of taking off our clothes, but that was inevitable. Soon we were naked under the covers, mouths fused, bodies grinding and gliding, and then I was inside him, moving like thunder.
I marveled that something so new could feel so perfect, so right. I’d probably chastise myself later for romanticizing sex with a closeted man who lived in another state. We were on borrowed time in a borrowed house. Far from perfect and yet, tonight…it was close enough.
We lay half-entwined, gasping for air with sweat and cum cooling on our skin, too spent to worry about comfort.
“Messy.”
I hummed in agreement. “Be right back.”
I disposed of the condom, cleaned up, and returned with a washcloth to find Silas spread like a starfish in the middle of the bed.
“You wrecked me,” he moaned as he rose on his elbows to watch me wipe his stomach. “I was supposed to collect my prize tonight, and now I’m almost comatose.”
I nudged him to his side and rolled to face him. “What prize was that?”
“Your ass.”
I chuckled. “Why didn’t you collect?”
Silas studied me through hooded eyelids for a moment. “I got nervous, and I wanted you too much. I was afraid I’d hurt you and ruin it. I didn’t want that to be the way I left you.”
I opened my mouth and closed it, as surprised by his vulnerable admission as I was by the pain at the thought of him leaving.
I cleared my throat and smoothed his hair from his eyes. “Next time.”
He smiled. “I won’t be gone long. Three, four days tops.”
“Oh. And you’ll be back?”
Silas punched my shoulder lightly. “Yeah, I’ll be back. You didn’t think I was gone for good, did you?”
“I hoped you wouldn’t be, but you’re a busy guy on two coasts now.”
“Not really, and anyway, this place fucking loves me. Did you see them cheering me on?” He modulated his voice to mimic his adoring public, adding, “ ‘Go, man, go! We love you! You’re the best!’ ”
“I thought that was for me. I—oomph!”
Silas pounced, straddling my thighs and raising my arms above my head. “Are you stealing my thunder, Coop? That’s not very nice, you know. I need that praise, I feed off that praise…gimme more!”
“Okay, okay…” I laughed. “You’re the best.”
“More!” he demanded like a mad scientist. “More!”
“You’re demented.”
“Bwhahaha! I—”
I flipped him over, pinned him to the mattress, and tickled his sides. “Shut up and kiss me.”
His eyes shone with easy humor and something that mirrored the longing I couldn’t shake when he was near. I liked this man…maybe too much. And for now, knowing I wasn’t alone in this made it okay.
But the following evening, loneliness seeped through the walls in my empty house, and my certainty faltered. The eerie stillness and echoing silence ate at me, forcing me to fill the void with work I’d brought home and wonder if it was okay to text, okay to reach out, okay to hope for more.
I was used to people leaving. I was good at accepting halves and small portions of time. Maybe too good.
CHAPTER 16
SILAS
Contract signed.
One year in Boston for a mind-boggling sum of money.
Ger ordered Cristal and caviar to celebrate even though I hated champagne and got creeped out by the sight of those little black eggs. I humored him. Let the guy live large. This was a win for him and probably for me too. I didn’t need the money, but I definitely needed a purpose, and a second chance to end my career on my terms was ultimately too sweet an opportunity to pass up.
I was glad Alli thought so too. The story wouldn’t be officially released till tomorrow, but she’d happened to text me just as I’d arrived at HQ and it was the sort of news I’d have shared with her anyway.
I’m SO happy for u, Si! Gotta love that greedy agent of yours. Text me when you’re in LA. Let’s lunch, pookie. Mwah!
Ger peeked at my phone and gave a thumbs-up. “Ask her if we can use that.”
“Use what?” I thanked the waiter for the glass of Pinot, then dove for the bread and butter.
“That text. I’ll delete the greedy agent part, of course.”
I rolled my eyes. “It’s a private text between friends.”
Ger fixed me with a long-suffering look. “Your naïveté is almost cute. A congenial relationship with your now-more-famous-than-you ex is a good thing. Exploit it. But with permission. You don’t want to come across as an asshole.”
“That’s so…smarmy.”
“Oh! I like that word. I don’t even care if I resemble it.” His sharkish grin was on point as he lifted his flute. “This is all part of the publicity game, Silas. Play to win. No sitting on the bench hoping someone else says nice things about you. We make our own reality. So yes…let’s leak that text and let the Trilogy Alpha Team crew know you’re in with the cool crowd too.”