Page 28 of His Kingdom

Iwas furious that I had to leave Charlotte alone when she was so clearly upset. I didn’t have much choice, though. I can’t allow myself to appear distracted or preoccupied. The moment I do, that’s when the vultures will come swooping in.

I made quick work of setting an example with the asshole caught counting cards at the blackjack table. Nobody cheats in my casino and leaves unscathed.

I didn’t kill him, as much as I wanted to. I let him walk out. Bloody and bruised and with a limp that said what I didn’t have to. He won’t dare step foot in one of my establishments again. He also will send a message to anyone else looking to cheat me.

It’s true what they say about casinos. The house always wins. Sure, some patrons rake in a little cash. It’s gambling. It’s what keeps 'em coming back for more. In the end, we all know who the real winner is, though. It’s how it’s always been, how it always will be. After all, Vegas wasn’t built on losing money.

The little shit felt the brunt of my frustration tonight. Carlo had to pull me back at one point so I didn’t kill the kid. After that, I left, telling him to deal with it.

It was on my way back up that I had the idea of making a quick detour. The one thing I know that will make Charlotte feel better is swimming. When she’s in the pool, she seems so carefree. But fuck if I’m going to let her go without a bathing suit again. Which is how I found myself in a boutique asking the staff for a swimsuit. I vetoed the two-piece options they tried to show me and settled for a black one-piece.

I’m currently sitting in my office, pretending to work while I wait for her to come out of the bedroom. I left her to chat with her friends. I’m guessing she hasn’t spoken to them since she ran. As long as they’re not talking her into returning home, she can keep chatting with them.

Now that I’ve decided I want to keep her, there are no lengths I’ll stop at to make it happen.

The soft tap at my door has me looking up at the one person I actually want to see. “Fuck me. That suit was supposed to cover your body, not make me want to bend you over my desk and rip it off you,” I grunt. So much for the one-piece being less attractive to look at. It does nothing to hide her curves.

“Um, okay.” Charlotte shrugs and walks towards me. I push my chair back, giving her space as she jumps up and sits on top of my desk. Right in front of me. “This desk right here?” She taps a hand on the spot next to her.

“Uh-huh.” My hands part her legs as I stand and fill the space between them. “This desk right here,” I repeat.

“Mmm, as tempting as that sounds, I kinda really want to swim,” she says, her palms landing on my chest. “Although we could swim after, right?”

“We could. But it’s late, and once I get you naked, I’d want to keep you that way for hours. Let’s go up to the pool, and then continue this…” My lips trail along her bare shoulder. “After.”

Fuck me.I groan as I tear myself away from her.

“Just so you know, I usually have a lot more self-restraint,” I tell Charlotte as I pick up her hand and tug her down from the desk.

“You just turned me down. I’d say your restraint is just fine,” she counters.

“Sweetheart, that was not me turning you down. That was me choosing your happiness over my own,” I clarify. “Make no mistake, I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone.”

“Oh..,” she says, and I see the shock on her face. I’ve done it again. Come on too fucking strong. “Wait… What do you mean you’re choosing my happiness?”

“The few times I’ve seen you swimming, you look happy, content, at peace. I want that for you,” I explain while leading Charlotte towards the door. Stopping at the rack, I pick up my coat and cover her body with it. “As great as you look in that swimsuit, I don’t need anyone else seeing it.”

“Okay,” she says. “I do like the pool. I don’t know what it is about being in the water, but it’s calming.” Charlotte follows me into the elevator. “Thank you for doing this for me.”

* * *

Sitting on the sun lounger, I watch Charlotte glide through the water. When her head pops up at the other end of the pool, she smiles. A real fucking smile. “You sure you don’t want to come in?” she asks me.

“I’m enjoying the view from here,” I tell her. If I get in that water, I’ll have her pressed up against the edge before driving my cock into her.

“Your loss.” She shrugs, pushes off the wall, and flips onto her back.

Yes, it is my fucking loss.

“Hey, boss…” Carlo and Sammie walk up, taking a seat on each side of me.

“How’d you know where I was?” I ask them. “And keep your fucking eyes off her.” I growl when I notice the way their eyes drift over to the pool, where Charlotte is floating on her back.

“Were you hiding from us?” Carlo asks.

I shake my head.

“I figured if you weren’t in the penthouse, you’d be up here,” Sammie says, and I lift a curious brow.

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