Page 51 of Reluctantly Yours

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Here we were again.Just like before.In the same suite at the Plaza, putting Sofia to bed after picking her up from Colton’s and Rose’s penthouse.For some reason, it seemed like none of them were too surprised when I showed up at the big party that was held down at the pier owned by Travis’ company.My head was still spinning a little after all the champagne and dancing.Tonight felt like a new beginning, and new beginnings needed to be celebrated.

But now, we would celebrate in other ways.I closed the door to her room before crossing the hall to the master bedroom.He was waiting, his shirt unbuttoned, the duvet pulled back.The sight of him was a key turning in my ignition, making my engine roar to life.

Hours spent fighting to keep our hands off each other left us crashing into each other at the foot of his king-size bed.It was familiar and new at the same time, with every touch feeling like the first.He was wearing too many clothes, and I started solving a problem with trembling hands while soaking in every hot, frantic kiss.He tasted like rich, smoky scotch, a flavor I would always connect with him.

“Fuck, I love you,” he grunted out between kisses, his hand sliding up my back and taking hold of the zipper to my strapless, dark red de la Renta.I felt like a princess in it, sophisticated, beautiful.That didn’t mean I wouldn’t help him take it off me since I wanted the touch of his hands more than anything.He reclaimed every inch of my skin as he laid me back on the bed, then traced the same paths with his mouth and tongue.

I lost myself to pleasure, letting it take over for everything else.Pure sensation.The heat building spread to my pussy, making it flood for his tongue to lap up once he settled between my thighs.

Tears of joy rolled down the sides of my face and soaked into my hair as he explored me again, taking his time, licking my aching pussy like he was starved for me.His fingers slid inside and massaged my G-spot in time with his tongue over my clit.

My legs closed around his head and squeezed as a sudden rush of heat raced over me.“I’m coming!”I gasped just as it happened, and my hips shot up off the bed.He held on, riding it out, forcing me to take everything he gave.His deep, throaty grunts wound themselves around me and made the heat explode again.I was a shuddering mess by the time he let up, growling and grunting as he chafed my inner thighs with his scruffy cheeks.

“Come here.”I held out my arms, which he fell into after he finished stripping down.I never expected to have him like this again, stretched out over me, with his weight settling on me.So close, our bodies fitting together like puzzle pieces before his wide head pushed inside me.

I gasped into his mouth, his tongue darting out to stroke mine.“Every inch of you,” he whispered, working his way in, driving me crazy the longer he dragged it out.“I need to feel every inch.You have no idea how much I missed this.”

“I think I do,” I whispered back, locking my legs around his hips and pulling him deeper.I needed all of him.All my life.

“You were so beautiful tonight.”He pulled back slowly and treated me to another long, slow stroke.This was what I needed.Letting it build, working into it.Staring into his eyes.Feeling his soul touch mine.

“Thank you for wanting me there.With you.”God, he was so big all over, and I took my time refreshing my memory while my fingers traced every ripple of his muscles.

“You are the only woman I want with me for the rest of my life.Forever.”He punctuated the word with a sharp thrust that made me gasp through my teeth.“Always.”

My nails sank into his shoulders, and I nodded, working with him once the heat was too unbearable.“Always,” I whispered.“You and me.”

He moved a little faster, and I matched his rhythm and pace until the bed creaked, and I couldn’t hold back anymore.“Yes!Yes!”I hissed, jerking my hips, losing control as I arched my back when the wave broke.He followed, groaning against my neck.The rush of warmth and his helpless moans unleashed something in me.It opened the floodgates and let all of the emotion flow through.I was still trembling in his arms, weeping softly when he lifted his head in confusion.

“Oh, fuck.What happened?What did I do?”He rolled to the side and looked me over like he was searching for an injury.

I could only shake my head at first, touching a hand to his cheek.“No,” I whispered.“I’m okay.”

“Why are you crying?”He gathered me in his arms again, gentle now.

I clung to him, letting him hold and rock me until I could explain.“I’m just so happy.I missed you so much.I didn’t think this was possible.I still feel like it’s not real.”

“It’s real.We are real.I love you, and this is the first night of the rest of our lives together.”He chuckled softly against the top of my head, and my heart opened wider at the sound.“After the day we’ve had, we should probably get to sleep.Somebody expects us to take her to see the tree at Rockefeller Center tomorrow.”

I couldn’t wait.For tomorrow, the day after that, and every day that followed.

EPILOGUE

CLAYTON

Sometimes, everything lined up perfectly.Fate had a way of stepping in and giving me everything I needed.At the moment, it was giving me a sought-after meeting with none other than Alessandro Rinaldi, one of the best-known and wealthiest hoteliers on the West Coast.He owned properties in California, Nevada, and Oregon, and for decades, his family name had been synonymous with quality and hospitality.

But nothing lasted forever, including a career.The old man was ready to retire and had made it known months earlier that he was looking for a successor.Considering he only ever had one daughter and was too old-school and chauvinistic to give the business to her, the path was open for me to snap up his empire and make it part of my own.

It wasn’t my fault he never had a son and refused to get with the times.Who was I to argue with tradition?

The things I told myself when I was staring at the prospect of doubling my properties.

His already-lined face wrinkled like a bulldog’s when he smiled and shook my hand, taking his seat at his desk.Behind him on the walls, lined up along the credenza at his back, were memoirs, photos, the story of his life laid out in pictures and commendations.

“I’m an old man,” he pointed out once we exchanged pleasantries.“I would rather secure my legacy now, while I’m alive, to choose my successor than wait and let somebody figure it out once I’m gone.”

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