Darkly (Follow Me 4)

I may have blue balls, but I’ll never force a woman into my bed.

I’m gazing at her, into her, and though we’re only inches away from each other, the distance seems like miles.

I don’t want to be miles away from this woman.

I want her in my arms. In my bed. Underneath my body.

It will happen. Sometimes, patience comes in handy. I don’t have a lot of it, but I’ve learned to fake it. The business world requires patience. Sometimes the personal world does, too. Anything worth having is worth waiting for, and Skye Manning is definitely worth having.

And worth waiting for.

I say nothing. Instead, I take her hand and lead her back to the living area. Sasha prances around us, and I lean down to give her a pat on the head.

“I’m sor—”

“Not a problem, Skye.” I pull my phone out of my pocket, clear my throat, and call my driver. “Christopher? Ms. Manning needs a ride home.”

Chapter Six

Cold showers suck. They don’t work on aching balls, but they do make sure sleep never comes. Not a huge problem. I always have work I can get done.

I’m toweling off my hair when Christopher calls.

“She get home all right?” I say into the phone.

“Yeah.”

“Tell me about her place.”

“It’s downtown, a decent apartment building. Walking distance or a short ride on the T to the Ames Hotel where she works.”

“Did you walk her up?”

“Of course. It’s late.”

“Tell me.”

“I didn’t see much. Just made sure she got in okay. I heard the dead bolt click, and I left.”

“You didn’t look inside?”

“Not really. No.”

Fuck. I sound like a horny schoolboy. Did she say anything about me? Do you think she likes me?

I stop myself before I actually ask those questions. Since when do I care if a woman likes me? I can get twenty women over here to take Skye’s place in a heartbeat.

“Thanks, Christopher,” I say. “Good night.”

“Good night, Mr. Black.”

I set my phone down on the counter and continue drying my hair. I throw the towel in the hamper and put on a pair of old jeans and a white T-shirt. I slide into my slippers, grab the phone, and leave my bedroom. Down the hallway is my home office.

Guess where I’ll be spending the night?

Not a problem. I love to work. I love the ins and outs of business, finance, marketing, investing.

I see it as a game—a game I almost always win.