The Beauty and the CEO

Will pulled his head back, and wrinkles marred his perfect face. “Other plans?”

“The reason I went after the Creative Design Director position is because I wanted something permanent in Miami.”

Will stroked Zoe’s left arm and trailed it down to her hand where they locked fingers. “You’re not thinking about leaving here, are you?”

“I don’t know,” Zoe said with a shrug. “I have a few weeks to think about it.”

“Good,” Will said, maneuvering Zoe so her back rested against his chest. “I have a few weeks to convince you to stay in Miami.”

Large hands stroked the swell of her breast and moved down toward her belly. Zoe moaned. The material of her dress crept up her legs as Will pulled it up. “I have a few jobs out of town,” Zoe moaned in between sharp breaths. “But if I want to do anything in beauty, I’ve got to go somewhere else. Ravens Cosmetics holds the monopoly on practically everything in South Florida.”

“You’re leaving me?”

“Well, not right now.” Zoe turned to tilt her face to his.

Something about their mouths meeting, something felt right. Something felt like home. Zoe purred. His hands stirred at the apex of her legs. The panties she wore were instantly wet. Slightly embarrassed, Zoe—as much as she hated to—pushed Will’s hand away. “Will,” she moaned. “I just got off the plane. I haven’t showered.”

Instead of listening to her, Will’s index finger circled her nub. The length of his middle finger slipped deep inside. Zoe bucked her hips forward and, obliging, Will pressed his palm against her, grinding against her flesh. The other hand slipped the through the V of her dress and freed her breast.

Ecstasy consumed her. Heated blood boiled her bones. Zoe tried to get her thoughts together but it was hard, as hard as the erection pressing against her back. Will rubbed deeper, harder. His mouth skillfully worked hers and branded him on her. Their tongues reunited with a spark. Will used his legs to keep her legs spread wide. Moisture dripped from her body. She heaved, bounced and eventually rested her feet against the coffee table for leverage. Will hit the right spot over and over. Zoe broke the kiss. Her hands gripped the fabric of her couch and steadied herself with the right rhythm. Will pressed his lips against her earlobes and began to suck, and Zoe’s body went crazy. She cried out for him over and over with each orgasmic wave.

“And now we shower,” Will whispered into her ear before sweeping her up into his arms.

CHAPTER 12

In the few weeks after Zoe and Will returned to Miami, they tried to have a normal relationship, but it was damn near impossible for Will to have Zoe to himself for more than a couple of days at a time. She’d flown out to LA for a celebrity wedding right after they returned from Southwood. Then they had two full days together, which they spent in her apartment without ever leaving the facilities. Right after that she drove up to Orlando for the annual MET Awards, where she was surrounded by celebrities, all of whom gave Zoe a shout-out when they won an award or gave her name when interviewed on the red carpet. Will hoped her excessive traveling while they developed their relationship would make her want to stay. According to Zoe, her parents maintained a long-distance relationship. Zoe swore she never wanted that for herself.

“I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever,” Zoe wailed on her side of the FaceTime connection.

Will glanced down at his blotter calendar. After this Labor Day weekend, Zoe would be in New York for Fashion Week. If she felt like they hadn’t seen each other much since they returned from Southwood, it was going to be even busier in the next few months.

“Me, too.” Will tried to sound excited, when deep down inside he was equally frustrated. She’d warned him that her life was hectic. He understood now why she wanted something more permanent and he hated himself for not being the one to give it to her. “You don’t have my face as the screen saver on your phone?” The moment he said that, the five-minute timer on his computer screen expired and the selfie Zoe had taken of the two of them together out on her balcony filled the screen. Will pressed the space bar and brought up the projected figures in spreadsheets for Ravens Cosmetics.