Page 105 of Kismet

Cash: No worries. Dinner works. We can go to that cafe that’s up the street from the university. The Italian place?

Me: Sounds great. I look forward to it. :)

Cash: Sweet. Well, hope you have a good night, Stone. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.

Me: Night, Cash. Sweet dreams.

Here’s to trying to sleep now that I know I get to see him tomorrow.

Depending on how it goes, maybe Icaninvite him to that club opening. Would he be down for something like that? With me?

I guess there’s only one way to find out.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Cash DeMarco

“Hi, Mary. How are you doing? That dress looks beautiful on you.”

Time to schmooze.

“Cash, you stop it! You’re too sweet, honey. I’m doing wonderful. How are you?”

“Not too bad. Thanks for asking. Hey, listen, I got an email from the dean saying he needs to speak with me. I’m gonna go back to his office, if that’s alright?”

Her smile widens, and it makes her eyes squint. “Sure thing, honey. I could’ve sworn he was in a meeting right now, but if he asked to see you, I must be wrong.”

Oh, he’sdefinitelyin a meeting right now. That’s the point.

“Thank you so much, Mary. Have a great day.” I throw her a smile that I know pops my dimple and wink at her as she resumes whatever task she was working on.

I have a pep in my step as I saunter back toward Stone’s office. He told me last night that he had these meetings all day today, and when I texted him this morning, he informed me that he has an incredibly long and boring meeting that was taking up most of his afternoon. An evil plan formed in my mind immediately, and as soon as my last class was over for the day, I practically ran down here.

I’ve spent a lot of time since he spent the night thinking over everything he told me and figuring out how I felt about all of it. I’m still not completely over everything… but to me, that makes sense. It’s five years’ worth of hurt. It’s not going to go away overnight. But I also can’t deny this pull I have to him, and how right it feels when we’re together. Why make myself miserable staying away from him?

And what better way to tell him my decision thanshowinghim with a bold statement?

Stopping in front of his office, I twist the brass handle softly and push the door open. I’m thankful the blinds he has on the windows on either side of the door are closed today.Works in my favor.His deep, rich voice hits my ears the minute the door is opened, and I slip inside quietly.

As I’m closing the door, a thought pops into my head and I suddenly wonder if his meeting is a video chat or if it’s just a conference call.

Guess we’re about to find out.

His gaze lifts from his screen, eyes widening slightly before a grin splits on his face. He holds his finger up to his mouth, silently telling me to be quiet. Must not be a video call. I nod my head as my lip curls into a smirk. My skin feels electric, and my body is vibrating as I close the distance between us.

This is a risk. He very well could put a stop to this before I even have a chance to get started, but I hope not. When I round his desk, he turns in his chair to face me, and I lean down, placing a kiss on his lips—a tame one. His body stiffens as our mouths touch. Clearly taken by surprise, but kissing me back nonetheless.

His usual leather and spice scent wraps around me like a warm blanket, and it makes my insides light up. Nobody has ever been able to make me feel simultaneously calm and giddy from their scent alone, until him. Smelling him calms my nerves, settles my mind, and excites me all in the same breath.

Someone on his call asks him a question about finances and he responds, but his dark, smokey gaze never leaves mine. He doesn’t miss a beat answering whoever is on this call. Not even when I lean in and press my lips to the hot, soft flesh on his neck. I do, however, hear his breath hitchjustslightly before he rights himself.

Turning this up a notch, my tongue glides from his neck, all the way up to his ear, before my teeth nip at his lobe. He’s right in the middle of speaking and hearing him stutter—albeit barely—is thrilling. He pauses his talking when one of the others on the call starts, and I take this time to whisper something in his ear, uncovering a little of what he can expect from me.

“I hope you’re good at keeping quiet,sir, because I’m about to rile you up, bring you to the brink of exploding, before I back off and do it all over again. You’re gonna be begging me to come by the time I’m finished with you.”

His large, rough hand comes up to grab my jaw, turning my face toward his. His hungry eyes narrow at me as he shakes his head and mouths, “Don’t you dare.”I can’t help the grin that slides on my face seconds before my tongue darts out, licking his bottom lip and dipping inside to taste him.

Someone on the call says his name, pulling his attention back to the meeting he’s currently supposed to be running. I take the opportunity to drop to my knees before him, and fuck, do I revel in the way his jaw drops open and his eyebrows shoot to his hairline when he watches me do so.

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