Page 31 of His Kingdom

“How many vaginas have sat on this desk before me?” I blurt out.

Louie’s eyebrows rise. “None.” He chuckles. “I don’t make a habit of bringing people into my home.”

“If you don’t bring them here, where do you take them?” I question, curiosity getting the better of me. I really don’t think I want to know. But I also do at the same time.

“I own three hotels on the strip, Charlotte,” Louie says in way of explanation.

“So, you just take women to hotel rooms? Why amIhere then?”

“You’re different,” he tells me while lining himself up again. Only to pause and look at me.

“How?” I ask him. “How am I different?”

“I haven’t figured that part out yet. I just know that you are.” He slowly slides into me until he bottoms out. “Fuck,” he hisses. “You good?”

I wrap my legs around his waist, clearing my mind of all thoughts of anyone whoquite literallycame before me. “I’m good.”

Louie pulls out and shoves back inside me. “Good. You might want to hold on to something. This is about to get rough,” he warns, slamming into me again. Harder than before.

* * *

My body aches, but I’m not surprised. I expected it after the night Louie gave me. I woke up alone again. I can’t tell if I’m annoyed or relieved. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little disappointed. I like his company. I like talking to him. I also know he has his own life and isn’t my full-time therapist. Which is why I’m currently tiptoeing towards the front door of his penthouse. I’m not sneaking out. More like…being considerate. I don’t want to bother him if he’s still here.

“Going somewhere?” The deep voice laced with humor has me jumping out of my skin.

Spinning around with a hand on my chest, I gape at Sammie, who is standing just a few feet away from me. “Where the hell did you even come from? And don’t do that,” I tell him.

“Do what?” he asks.

“Just, poof, appear out of thin air.” I snap my fingers to emphasize my point.

“Okay, first, I didn’t just appear. I’ve been here for an hour. Second… well, I don’t have a second,” he says, shaking his head. “Actually, I do. Where are you sneaking off to?”

“Where’s Louie?” I ask, instead of answering him.

“Had an errand to run,” Sammie tells me.

“And you’re here to babysit me?” I guess.

“Not babysit. Nope, I’m here to keep you company until he comes back.”

“Babysit. No thanks. Tell Louie he can call me when he’s back. Or not. It doesn’t really matter.” I shrug, making my way to the door.

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but what exactly are your intentions with him?” Sammie asks while following me out of the penthouse.

“My intentions?” I stop at the next suite and swipe my entrance card.

“Yeah, what are your plans with him? Because I gotta be honest, I’ve never seen him like this and if you’re not as into it as he is, then…” Sammie’s words trail off. But he’s still right behind me when I step into the room I’ve been staying in—kind of.

“Why are you following me? And what do you mean you haven’t seen him like this? What isthis?” I wave my hands around.

“This is him liking you more than I’ve ever seen him like anyone. Don’t break his heart, Charlotte, because I don’t think the city will survive that,” Sammie tells me.

“I’m not looking to break anyone’s heart. He’s known me for days, not years. It’s not that serious.” I lift a questioning brow. “Are you following me into the shower too?”

“Nope, I like my heart in my chest,” he says before making his way over to the sofa. “I’ll wait here.”

“Suit yourself.” I shake my head and walk into the bedroom. I don’t think there’s much point in trying to get rid of him. I tried that last time and he was relentless.

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