Page 55 of Sliding into Love
"I know." But I don't stop kissing him. Can't stop. "I know."
His hands slide under my suit jacket, spanning across my back, pulling me impossibly closer. I can feel every inch of him, hard and wanting against me.
"I want you," he murmurs against my lips. "God, Royce, I want you so badly."
"After," I manage. "After the game. Your place."
"Yes." He kisses me again, deep and thorough. "Yes, fuck, yes."
We're so lost in each other that we almost don't hear the footsteps in the hallway outside. Almost.
Kenneth pulls back abruptly, his eyes wide. We both freeze, listening. The footsteps pass by the door, continuing down the corridor, and we exhale in unison.
"That was close," he says, his voice still rough with want.
"Too close." I smooth down my hair, trying to make myself presentable. "We need to get back out there."
"I know." But he doesn't move, just stands there looking at me with an expression so tender it makes my chest ache. "Royce, I meant what I said. All of it."
I cup his face, running my thumb over his cheekbone. "I know. And for the record? I feel the same way."
The smile that breaks across his face is brilliant, genuine, and it makes my heart stutter. He leans down, pressing one more soft kiss to my lips.
"Tonight," he promises.
"Tonight," I agree.
We take a minute to straighten ourselves, checking each other for obvious signs of what we've been doing. Kenneth's tie is crooked, and I fix it, my fingers lingering against his chest. His hair is a mess from my hands, and he tries to smooth it down, mostly unsuccessfully.
"You look freshly fucked," I tell him, unable to help the smirk.
"So do you." He grins back. "Worth it though."
I shake my head, but I'm smiling too.
"Royce!" A hand claps down on my shoulder, the newcomer oblivious to what he just interrupted. "Great to see you. Sorry I’m a bit late. Had a call with some investors that ran long. I appreciate you waiting to show me to the suite."
I turn to fully face the man, accepting the handshake he offers.
Josiah Cantu. Mid-forties. Recently moved to town from Montana. Billionaire. Single. The dossier I had done on the man when he reached out flashes through my mind. While I don’t normally go all in on new acquaintances, Josiah struck me as odd. I needed to know more details before letting down my guard.
It’s part of the reason I offered him a suite when we met last week. Keeping an eye on someone is easier when they’re close by.
From the corner of my eye, I see Kenneth slip away down the corridor, disappearing around a corner. Josiah doesn’t appear to notice him, though I think that’s more to do with his tunnel vision than Kenneth being forgettable.
"Let me show you to your suite," I tell him, gesturing for him to follow me.
I get him settled with drinks and appetizers before excusing myself. There are others in the room for him to mingle with. He doesn’t need me to hover, and I need to find Kenneth before the game starts.
My heart is still racing, my lips feel swollen, and I'm pretty sure anyone who looks at me closely will know exactly what I've been doing.
Not that I’m interested in their opinions. I’m too deep in my feelings to care. Too lost in my thoughts. Remembering the way he kissed me. The things he said. To the promise of tonight.
The game starts in ten minutes. I need to get to the main suite where Bellamy and the other family members will be watching, where I'll introduce Kenneth to everyone as the previous owner helping with the transition.
But first, to find Kenneth.
I find him waiting near the entrance to the suite, looking perfectly composed. No one would ever guess that a few minutes ago, we were kissing desperately. That only moments ago he was looking at me like he wanted to devour me right there in the open where anyone could see.
