Page 36 of Forever After All

After lunch, I make my way a few floors up in the building and find the planning team for the charity event. The event is being held to raise money for underprivileged kids, helping them access sport more easily. They are planning a charity ball and are auctioning off dates with some current and retired athletes.

"Look, what I'm thinking is retired NHL players and current NHL players. It would be a huge draw and would raise a fucking ton of money for these kids," one of the guys says across thetable.

"Or retired NFL players and current NFL players," someone else adds.

"Or both?" I ask, and the table take turns nodding, making faces of approval and the hum of suggestions continues.

Anna pokes her head into the conference room "Oh, great, Alice, you're here. Thanks for helping with the admin for this."

"That's okay," I answer my boss. "It's fun. I like being involved."

Anna walks in and Carter follows, winking at me, making sure everyone sees. My brain malfunctions a little and my tummy contracts at seeing my friend in the flesh again. Or maybe my brain malfunctioned and my tummy contracted because he looks like a fucking god. The ovaries of every woman in the room implode at the same moment.

Carter is wearing a blue suit that accentuates his wide shoulders. His dark wavy hair is brushed back off his face. He unbuttons his jacket, and the light blue shirt he wears pulls taut against his chest, a tiny bit of chest hair pokes over the top of his shirt. I blink a few times, forgetting how to function.

He sinks down into an empty chair directly opposite me. I try my hardest not to make eye contact, but glance over at him, and he leans forward, elbows propped on the table. Linking his hands together he rests his chin on top of them and for a splitsecond his eyes burn into my soul. Honestly, he's never looked sexier, and I think that's because I knowexactlywhat’s under that suit and shirt.

"Sorry, give meonesecond," Carter says, pulling out his phone. "This is really important, and I'll be right with you." After a few moments of typing, and places his phone face down on the table. "It's on silent now. No more distractions."

My phone vibrates in my lap and I glance down, trying to remain discreet.

Carter: I hope you weren't trying to hide from me.

I feel my cheeks flush a little, luckily hidden by my makeup.

"I think you all know Carter," Anna suggests to the room, and there are several nods of recognition around the table. "He approached me and wants to help. Carter is making a very hefty donation to the event and has agreed to be auctioned for a date. This is going to be so huge for those kids, Carter. Thank you." Anna nods at Carter and he nods back. He is humble and quiet. Anna doesn't say exactly what that donation is, but I just know it's fucking huge.

"Sorry, I'll be back in a moment. Powder room," I say and push myself up from the chair, excusing myself from the room. I don't look at anyone and leave as quickly as I can.

I head to the closest unlocked door I can find. I slide in through it and close the heavy wood behind me. I sink my back into the door, and prop myself up on it, as I run my clammy hands down the front of my dress, adjusting it. Powder room, my ass. It’s a dimly lit, disused closet, but it's good enough for me to catch my breath in.

Why do I feel so flustered all of a sudden? What the fuck is wrong with me? He's just a friend. It was just sex.Get a grip, Alice.

It feels like the longest time I've been standing against this door, but in reality, it's probably only been a few minutes. I regain my composure and decide to head back to the meeting, reminding myself to remain professional. I take a few more deep breaths in and out and step back out into the corridor. I relax my shoulders and focus on the conference room door, halfway down the corridor. After taking only a few steps towards the conference room, a door opens next to me and a large arm darts out of the door, pulling me through the threshold by my bicep.

I squeal and panic a little, not expecting it as I'm dragged into the darkness. The door slams closed behind me, and I hear it lock as a body presses up against mine.

"Hi, princess, red issoyour fucking colour." Carter's voice rumbles in the dark.

I fumble in the dark for a switch on the wall and flick it onas his body invades my space. The restroom illuminates with a bright white light, and I squint my eyes closed for a few seconds while my vision adjusts. How many disused rooms are there in this damn building? Sinks, toilet stalls, bright white tile everywhere, and a full-sized mirror on the back wall.

"Carter, what the fuck are you doing?" I ask and hit him in the chest. My hand thuds against the wall of muscle in front of me.

"Don't know, don't fucking care." He grabs me by the shoulders and slams me back against the wall, my ass bounces off the tile as he does. My pussy floods instantly. It's so fucking wrong, yet so fucking right.

"Alice, fuck, I want you." He presses his forehead into mine and breathes deeply, his chest heaving against mine as he does.

Carter presses his mouth to mine, frantically trying to claim more of me than he is able to, and I relax into his arms. My body reacts to his every touch.

"I want you too," I respond.

Chapter 19

Carter

Ibreak the kiss and press my forehead to Alice's once again.

I don't know what I thought I was going to do after I dragged her into this restroom. The angel on one shoulder is telling me this is a bad idea and that we shouldn't be doing this…but the devil on the other shoulder just gagged the angel and threw him out the window.

---