Page 105 of Honor

Apparently, this conversation is over, so I text out a short response to Lottie.

Evie: I’m all in on that. Where should we meet up?

I wander out of the bathroom as I wait for her reply. I stop just outside the walk-in closet. I glance toward the case that holds his prized watches before my gaze settles on the bespoke suits and tie rack.

He takes such care with those things, yet there are no personal pictures in his home. Nothing speaks of his past or the people that have mattered to him throughout his life. There isn’t even a framed image of Melody anywhere.

I glance down when I feel my phone vibrate in my palm.

Lottie: Let’s hang out at my place. I’ll order take-out. Say around 7 or so?

I shoot off a text confirming I’ll be there just as I hear the shower door close. I turn around to see him exiting the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his neck.

He smiles at me, and for just a second, my heart does a little dance inside my chest. I could seriously fall in love with him. I fear I may be already, but the pain that I know he’s experienced may keep his heart out of reach of anyone, including me.

“I’m going to go home to change before work.” I glance at my watch. “I’ll pick us up coffees on my way to the office.”

He stalks toward me, his cock hardening as he does. “I’ll take care of that. Were you serious about blowing me at work, Evangeline?”

I nod. “I want to.”

He reaches up to run the pad of his thumb over my bottom lip. “I’ve imagined that for a long time.”

Feeling emboldened by his confession, I push up to my tiptoes, although it does little good since he’s at least a foot taller than me. “You’ve wanted me for so long.”

“Longer than you know,” he whispers. “Now that I have you, I’ll never…”

“You’ll never what?” I press because I want to hear what he was going to say before his voice trailed off. “You’ll never what, Reid?”

I stare at him, wanting him to say that he’ll never let me go, but that’s not what comes out of his mouth.

“I’ll never come before you.” He flashes me a wicked smile. “I’ll never leave you unsatisfied.”

He brushes past me to head into his closet as I absorb everything he just said. I should take comfort in all of it, but I want more, and it’s something I know I’ll never get.

It’s his heart.

CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE

Reid

The past twoweeks have not been kind to me. I shoulder the blame for some of it – most of it, if I’m being honest. My whirlwind trip to Italy with Randall was meant to not only be a gift in the form of the trip and the tux but also a chance to talk business.

I thought after I softened him up with a great dinner and a few glasses of scotch, I’d broach the topic of buying Azelius Spas.

Little did I know that Randall mentioned our trip to Milan to a few people. When we walked into the tailor’s shop the morning after our arrival, Pete was waiting for us, as was Jimmy.

I wasn’t thrilled, but Randall was. From what I gathered, they got all the details from Charlotte. Pete chartered a private plane, and they landed in Milan shortly after we did.

What was supposed to be a best man trip with a side of business turned into another bachelor party. They holed up at the same hotel we did, so we became a foursome for the entire stay.

When we landed back in New York, I got into the SUV that was waiting for me. Basil didn’t bother asking how the trip went because the scowl on my face gave it all away.

Since then, several important deals have monopolized my time. I’ve barely seen Evangeline. I haven’t had my hands on her in thirteen days, and I admit I’m feeling the loss. It’s not just the sex I’mmissing. I miss her and how it feels to be away from the office without the titles of boss and executive assistant hanging over our heads.

“Evangeline!” I call out her name as soon as I see her round the corner to approach her desk. “A moment please.”

She nods as she drops her purse on her desk. “I’m coming, sir.”

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