Page 28 of A Million Times, Yes

“One of what?”

“One who wears a suit to work and has a slew of employees reporting to you and an office bigger than my apartment and makes more in a week than I do in a month.”

“Maya, are you telling me you don’t like those kinds of people?”

I slowed as I reached the upcoming intersection. “It’s not that I don’t like them. My life is just completely opposite from theirs.”

“Opposites attract, don’t they?” He grinned.

“In this case, no. The people who own corporations whose sole purpose is to get richer and richer are the kind of people who made my mom and me homeless when I was a kid”—I held up my hand before he could say anything—“I’m not saying this to make you feel bad. I’m just saying it so you understand. There’s me and the life I’ve built that I love so much and I’m so grateful for, and then there’s them.” I paused. “I hope you’re not one of them, Jordan ...”

There were several feet between us, and he closed that distance, his hands going to my face as though he was claiming this spot on my body. But even though his hands were large and my face wasn’t, hispalms fit perfectly. “I just realized what it is about you that I can’t seem to get enough of.”

I stared into his eyes, a green that sucked me in and wouldn’t let me go. “And that is?”

“I can’t get enough of the words that come out of your mouth.”

Once again, I didn’t have the chance to comment, because he kissed me.

Hard.

Fierce.

And with a level of passion that could have stripped off my clothes right here on this sidewalk and I wouldn’t have stopped him.

Chapter Seven

Jordan

Me:1 Rowes Wharf is the address to the hotel. It’s right on the harbor.

Maya:What time do you want me?

Me:Right now.

Maya:Now? But I thought we discussed I’d be arriving around dinnertime?

Me:You asked me what time I wanted you. I gave you my answer.

Maya:Lol. You’re one insatiable man, you know that?

Me:You’re learning quickly.

Maya:Is 7 okay?

Me:It’ll work. Room 1212.

Maya:See you soon.

Me:Not soon enough.

The room my assistant had booked was at a five-star hotel, one of the highest rated in the city, with a view that overlooked the harbor. It had been semi-upgraded to a top floor, a downgrade compared to the presidential suite she normally reserved for me. Still, going this route was risky, but there was just no way I could spread Maya’s naked bodyacross an uncomfortable bed with a scratchy blanket and a pillow that felt like fucking lead.

By bringing her here, was I giving Maya more fuel to believe her life was completely opposite from those kinds of people? Was I showing her that I was one of them, a question I’d avoided during our last run?

What she didn’t know—for now—wouldn’t hurt her.

Or maybe she’d never know. I’d get this ache out of my system by finally getting to taste her, and then I’d be able to move on. That would also mean I’d have to change my morning run so it wouldn’t overlap with hers.