“I’m not some celebrity used to having his personal life splashed across the internet. I’m a businessman. I won’t be anyone’s laughingstock.”
“It’s not about that. You know it’s not.”
“I’ve made my position clear on this.”
I shook my head. “Stubborn, prideful man.”
“What else do you suggest?”
“Maybe we should keep a low profile for a while.” My mouth felt a little dry. I wasn’t looking at him as I said this, but my entire body was on edge when he approached me. He tilted my face up.
“No.”
“What?”
“I won’t allow anyone to dictate my life, to keep me from going after what I want. Whom I want.”
Oh, God. My entire body seemed to hum from his proximity, the determination in his eyes, the sheer heat of his body.
Usually, I would push this until the client agreed with me. I would hold my ground. But I couldn’t. Not when it was this personal. Just the thought of having to press Pause on us was causing my throat to close up.
“It would be easiest for you,” I tried.
“I don’t care about easy. I care about us. I won’t hide what I feel for you.” He brought me closer to him, pushing my hair out of the way, touching my mouth with his thumb, opening me up to him. He looked at me with a warm smile and happy eyes.
“By the way, Bianca informed me her shopping day with you is tomorrow,” he said.
“Yes.”
“What time do we start?”
“You’re coming with us? Why?”
“I usually take Bianca shopping. It’s our thing. And I’ll get to spend time with two of my favorite people.”
“Hmm... I’m one of Jace’s favorite people. You wouldn’t catch him dead going shopping with me.”
“Is that supposed to scare me?”
“It should serve as a warning at the very least,” I said with a grin.
“I think we established in Chicago that I’m brave, right?”
“That’s right. Very well, join us then. But here’s another warning: don’t try to slow us down.”
“I’ll do my best. I can’t believe you’ve offered to go with her.”
“Hey, I happen to like shopping. And prom is one of the most important events in life.”
He cocked a brow. “Really?”
“Well, for teenagers, at least. I understand Bianca. I’m young at heart. Dad always said that the soul never gets old. We just forget to be children. And I can’t wait to meet Bianca in person. I want to ask her if she’s had any more trouble at school.”
“You’re amazing,” he murmured, looking at me with a glint I’ve never seen before.
He drew small circles with his fingers on my neck before skimming his hands down my arms, encircling my waist, and capturing my mouth. I opened up for him instantly, hungry for him and everything he had to give me. How could I always want him so much? Always miss him so much when we weren’t together? It was a new feeling for me.
His mouth was sinfully hot and determined. His hands daring. Palming my ass, he pressed me against him.