Top Dog

“I feel you. Now, I’m going to get in my car and go back to my hotel. Talk to him tonight. Get drunk to do it if you have to. But if you have feelings for him, he deserves to know before the two of you ruin something really great by overthinking it.”

“I know,” I said. “I know.”

“And by the way? That rock is serious. He could’ve bought you any old small, dinky ring. But he picked that fucker. That should tell you enough.”

I looked over at Sarah as a smile ricocheted across her cheeks.

“Tell him,” she said. “Just trust me, for once.”

“I always trust you, Sarah.”

“Then trust me again. Talk to him. Then call me and tell me all about it.”

“Of course,” I said, giggling. “It’s a shocker you don’t like reality television. That shit is right up your alley.”

“I don’t enjoy fake pettiness and drama. I enjoy actual pettiness and drama.”

“Talk to you soon?” I asked.

“You better,” she said.

CHAPTER 30

BRIAN

I woke up to Amanda talking excitedly on her phone in the corner. She was sitting on the windowsill with her legs curled up to her, a bright smile on her face. I rolled over with a groan and looked at her, my eyes running along the smooth contour of her legs.

“That’s wonderful. Yes. Yes, please, go ahead. I’ll be down there this afternoon. Uh huh. One o’clock tomorrow sounds perfect. I’ll see you then. And thank you. Thank you so very much.”

“Who was that?” I asked.

“Brian, you’re never going to guess what just happened.”

I sat up in bed as Amanda turned her smile toward me.

“What happened? Who was that?” I asked.

“That was the man from the art gallery. He chose me to sell the gallery to!”

“Wow. Amanda, that’s incredible.” My heart felt lighter than it had in years. Amanda was bouncing around with excitement as she wiggled herself around. I slid from the bed and wrapped my arms around her, drawing her in for a congratulatory kiss. I felt my soul collapsing into her, and the last of my walls dropping.

This woman had me enraptured — body, mind, and soul.

“I’m so happy for you,” I said.

“Well, good morning to you, too.” She drew me back in for another kiss as I picked her up into my arms. My hands cupped her ass as her legs wrapped around me. I could feel my cock throbbing painfully beneath my pajama pants, seeking out her warmth as her heat grew. I could smell her already. Her intoxicating scent filling the space around us as she threaded her body around mine.

“Is this a good time to ask when we’re getting married?” I asked.

Amanda pulled her body away from mine as I sat down on the windowsill and captured her eyes.

“You still want to marry me?” she asked.

“Yeah, Amanda, I do,” I said to her. “But I think we need to talk about some things first.”

“Yes, we do,” she said.

“What do you have going on at one tomorrow?” I asked, suddenly remembering her conversation.