Page 198 of The First Taste
Isit in my home office, staring out the huge window into the Manhattan skyline. Behind me on my desk there is a stack of legal papers that I need to review. Things are beginning to slip through the cracks, what with me tied up at the ballet… and with Kaia getting under my skin at night.
But I don’t look at any of the time-sensitive papers. No, instead I stare out the window and think about last night.
Skin on skin.
Our breath mingling.
Our naked, sweating bodies writhing.
She set my fucking soul on fire.
But Kaia still got up this morning and went to the New York Ballet, saying she had a costume fitting to finish.
I didn’t want to let her leave my sight… but I can’t just keep her trapped here.
…could I?
I cock my head, trying to imagine how I might be able to get away with it. After all, almost anything is achievable with enough money…
“Calum!”
I spin in my chair, hearing my brother’s voice. Arching a brow, I call out to him.
“In here, Lucas!”
A few second later, he appears in the doorway, looking testy. “Did you see our stock prices this morning?”
I suck in a breath, leaning back in my chair. “No.”
He gives me an odd look. “Well, we have to figure out a backup deal since you punched Jack Schwartz in the face, Calum. There are starting to be whispers that we didn’t have a second choice lined up.”
I squint at him as he comes in, plunking himself down in a leather chair. I school my expression.
“Well, we didn’t,” I say at last.
Lucas tilts his head to the side. “Okay, what is going on with you? Normally that kind of news would have you screaming and pounding your fist on your desk.”
I steeple my fingers and stretch my neck. “I’m not sure what you want from me.”
His gaze scans my face and my body language. For a long moment, he’s silent. Then he leans forward, a smile playing about his lips.
“You got laid,” he says. He purses his lips. “I’m right, aren’t I? You got your dick wet and you forgot all about your real life.”
I shoot him a glare. “Fuck off.”
“Ah!” He claps his hands a few times, reclining in his seat. “It must have been good if you’re being secretive about it. Tell me, was it someone taboo? Maybe the daughter of a competitor?”
I stand up, giving him a look. “We should change the subject.”
Needing a cup of coffee, I head out of my office and down the hall toward the kitchen. Lucas is right on my heels and he’s not done guessing.
“Wait, I forgot. You haven’t been at work. You’ve spent all your free time training ballerinas.” He goes silent for a moment. “Oh, Calum. Please tell me it’s not one of the girls from your ballet.”
I walk into the kitchen and flick on my coffee grinder. It whirs to life, loud enough that it makes conversation impossible. As soon as it stops making noise, it starts brewing the grounds into a fresh pot of coffee.
When I turn around, Lucas is leaning against the kitchen island, a grin on his face. “Who is it? Did you finally woo Honor into fucking you?”
He raises his hand, rubbing his fingertips together to signal money. My neck heat and my hands clench into fists.
