Page 86

If I hadn’t known better, I would have thought it was Opal, but that was impossible. During our last brief text exchange before that, she told me she was headed home to change before meeting her cousin and Posey for the celebratory dinner.

That was almost two hours before I spotted the blonde on the sidewalk, so I knew it wasn’t Opal. If it were, I would have chased her down, kissed her senseless, and dropped to my knees to confess my sins to her.

With just a towel wrapped around my waist, I glance around the massive living room of my penthouse.

I want Opal to know that I live here. I want her in my bed here. Jesus, I just want her next to me as we navigate what’s happening between us.

I know she’s against a commitment that reaches beyond casual, but I’ll show her I’m worth the risk. I have to because I’m starting to realize I can’t live without her.

For the first time in my life, work is a solid second to a woman.

I scrub a hand over my face as I walk toward the coffee table. I dropped my phone there before stepping into the shower for the second time since I got home. My first shower was as cold as ice and meant to temper my need for Opal.

I couldn’t get the thought of her sucking my dick out of my mind, so I jumped in the shower, hoping the cold water would offer me the reprieve I needed. It didn’t.

I spent the next hour pretending to go over potential new client files. I can’t remember a single name or detail I read. I tried to sleep after that, but almost two hours of tossing and turning were enough, so I got up.

My preoccupation with Opal is to blame for my inability to work or sleep.

I’m not complaining. Truthfully, I’m contemplating everything I want to say to her the next time I see her.

I snatch my phone up and gaze at the screen.

It’s well past midnight, and it’s been less than twenty minutes since I last looked at it, but there are still eight new notifications. I search through them, hoping to spot the name of the only person I want to communicate with right now, but I come up empty.

The text message I sent to Opal shortly after nine is still unanswered.

It was simple and straightforward.

William: How was the dinner?

I know it’s not the decent thing to do, but I type out another text message and press send.

William: I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you, Opal. If you’re awake, I’d love to call and say goodnight.

I sit down on my couch and stare at my phone’s screen. I’ll wait here all night if that’s what it takes to hear from her. Hell, I’d wait forever if need be.

She’s worth the wait. She’s worth everything.

* * *

Hours later,I walk into my office and find Lola staring straight at me. “Did you sleep at all?”

I shake my head. “Not a damn wink.”

“Sex is great and all, but sleep has its perks.” She points at my face. “Including not looking like that.”

I know what I look like. I saw it all in the mirror when I was brushing my teeth. It’s apparent that I skipped sleep last night. Unfortunately, it wasn’t because I was balls deep inside Opal.

I stayed awake, waiting for her to respond to my text message. It’s now shortly after nine, and it’s still unanswered.

“It’s not that.” I shake my head. “I couldn’t sleep.”

“What’s wrong?” she asks. “Tell me what it is, William.”

I’d confide in her, but that would mean Aleena and Sheila will have the full scoop within the hour. I cherish my relationship with all of them, but the amount of advice they’d toss at me would be too much.

Showing Opal that I’m worth the risk is my job and only my job.