Page 11 of The Upgrade

“I can imagine.”

“But I loved it. I played that voicemail over and over until the moment my phone accidentally connected to the soundbar in my parents’ bedroom.”

“Oh, Eve.” No wonder she said what she did about deprogramming shame. “That’ll kill your love of dirty talk forever.”

“It didn’t, though. I still fucking love it. I mean, I guess it’s been a while, but—” Making a face, she shifts gears. “Anyway, I got to live with your family after that.”

“Your parents kicked you out?”

“Sort of.” She shrugs. “My mom and stepdad moved to Seattle so Perfect Presley—that’s my stepsister—could attend a special school for gifted athletes. I didn’t want to switch schools my last year, so it all worked out.”

“I’m glad my family could be there for you.” I know for a fact all my sisters adore her. “I feel kinda weird that you and I have barely crossed paths all these years.”

“Right? I mean, it’s not like you came home a whole lot.”

“True.” Guilt ripples achy and hot in my chest. “I tried to visit as often as I could, but my work was in London and?—”

“It’s okay.” Eve rests a hand on my arm. “I didn’t mean it like that. Your family understood.”

But I’m not sure I do. If I’d known my father would die young, would I have done things differently? Could we have been even closer if I’d come home more often? If we’d talked more, laughed more, opened up about life and love and how much I admired him.

Thinking of things left unspoken reminds me of the elephant in the room. Of what Eve and I know but haven’t discussed.

Time to change that.

“Look.” I clear my throat. “I don’t know what Camille said to you about revenge sex or one-night stands, but I want you to know there’s no pressure at all. I’m game, obviously. You’re gorgeous and funny and I’m insanely attracted to you—”Stop there, Kit. Just stop.

“Oh,” Eve says, blushing a little. “I’m glad you brought it up.”

Thank God. “What I’m saying is that I’m open to anything. If you want to shake hands at the end of the night, that’s fine. If you’re open to more, so am I. No matter what, I’m just grateful you’re attending this event with me.”

“I’m glad I agreed to.” Her smile turns salacious as the car pulls to a stop at the event center. The driver gets out and strides to her door as Eve lowers her voice. “And for what it’s worth, I’d totally kiss your neck, shoulders, or anything else you’d like my mouth on.”

The door swings open before I can answer, but the blood in my brain surges straight to my dick. As Eve takes the hand of the driver, I watch her get out through a thick haze of lust.

“Good to know,” I murmur, watching her smooth down her dress. I stare as she says something to the driver that makes him light up and laugh.

Drawing a breath, I step out of the car and follow the spellbinding sway of her hips.

* * *

“Thanks again for joining me.”I hold open the hotel room door and Eve slips into my suite. She’s accepted my invite for a post-event glass of wine. “Do you prefer red wine or white?”

“Whatever you like.” She surveys the room like a woman assessing the best spot for sex.

And let’s be honest.

I might’ve invited her here for a nightcap, but we both know why we’re here.

Our chemistry today has been off-the-charts hot. From the brush of her breast on my arm as I chatted with colleagues about psychodynamic therapy, to my hand on her thigh during lunch, we broke the touch barrier pretty quickly.

I want to touch more.

To strip Eve naked and have my way with her right here and now.

Is she on the same page?

“Actually, we can skip the wine.” She pivots to face me, mischief flashing in her green eyes. “How about I suck your cock instead?”

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