Page 58 of Secrets, Lies and Love

She finds it difficult to move, as if she can’t believe I refused the offer.

I focus on my laptop, blatantly ignoring her until I see her leave. Only then do I get up and lock the door, checking the time on the clock.

Nine thirty-six in the morning local time. Three thirty-six in the morning in New York.

At this point, Cecily will be asleep, and the thought of catching her off-guard excites me. We still have an agreement about talking without touching, and I need to hear her voice now.

The phone rings a few times before she answers, drowsily. “Dionysus?”

Satisfaction spreads through my chest with the certainty that she added a different ringtone just for me. I’m sure she answered in automatic mode and only knows it’s me by the sound.

“Were you dreaming of me, redhead?”

“Am I still dreaming?”

I smile. “Is that the excuse you’re going to give later?”

“Are you back from Paris already? Are you in New York?”

“No, I’m still here, but I wanted to hear you when you woke up.”

She laughs. “Couldn’t have waited a few hours?”

“No. I don’t know that word, especially when it comes to you.”

“What if I’m upset that you woke me up?”

“I don’t believe you are. You wanted to hear my voice too.”

“Arrogant.”

“That’s me, Cecily. Did you miss me?”

“Not at all, although I think you travel too much. You practically ran out of the wedding party. You are the best boss in the world—I hardly see you.”

“Did you want me to stay? Do you know what would have happened if I had gone home that day?”

“Nothing. Nothing would have happened.”

“I would have made you come. I would have respected our agreement not to touch, but I would have made you come just by saying what I want from you. With you.”

“With all due respect, you are very cocky, sir.”

“Really? Can you deny that, right now, your nipples are hard? Can you tell me that if I were there and asked you to open your thighs for me, I wouldn’t see your pussy glistening with lust?”

“You wouldn’t. I wouldn’t let you.”

“That’s what you want, Cecily.”

“I’ve never been naked for a man.”

Damn!“Will you get naked for me?”

“Is this some game?”

“Do you want it to be?”

“I’m shaking. This feels like a dream.”

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