Page 61 of By Invitation Only

“Before we conclude the meeting, I just wanted to update everyone on the race to partner,” Mitch stated at the end of the meeting.

My eyes shot up to him.

“Sure,” Clint responded, and I nodded in agreement.

“As you know, we only have two more months until the decision is made, and you two are still neck and neck.”

Clint grinned at me, and I rolled my eyes.

Fucker.

“Keep up the good work, fellas.”

“Thanks,” I replied, and everyone stood.

I needed to step up my game.

You’d think I wouldn’t be nervous going over to mygirlfriend’sapartment, but I was nervous as fuck. I hadn’t had a serious girlfriend in—well, ever. I was playing the field and focused on school and then my career before I wanted to settle down. I wasn’t scared because I was going to see Peyton. I was looking forward to it. She was like the color of my world. What was bothering me was the fact that I was starting a relationship when I needed to spend every waking hour at work. I wanted to see her every night. Fuck, I wanted to. But I also wanted to make partner, and that fucker Clint was still on my arse.

I rode up the lift to Peyton’s floor. Tonight I wouldn’t think about work. I truly missed Peyton, and it had only been a day. Tomorrow I would figure out a plan, but tonight I needed my fix.

After I’d stepped off the car, I walked down the hall toward her apartment number. Just as I was lifting my hand to knock on her door, the one next to hers opened. The sound caused my hand to still mid-air, and out of instinct, I looked and saw some wanker stepped out. When he turned to lock his door, he saw me. It was a few seconds, but we made eye contact. This was Peyton’s neighbor, and I needed to be polite, so being the gentleman that I was, I gave him a head lift.

“You’re… You’re going to Peyton’s?”

I furrowed my eyebrows, my hand still raised to knock. “Yeah, mate,” I replied. So much for hiding our relationship.

He puffed up his chest causing me to do the same as my hand came down.What the fuck?

“Just a word of advice, bro. The walls are super thin.” He gave a chin lift and left.

Did that mean he’s heard Peyton fucking before?I finally knocked, and the door swung open. “Hey, gorgeous.” I stepped forward and wrapped her in my arms.

Peyton’s arms went around my waist, and she murmured against my chest, “Hey.”

I sniffed the air. “Something smells good.”

We broke apart. “I didn’t know—”

She didn’t finish her sentence as my lips came crashing down on hers. An hour was too long to go without kissing her, and it had been about forty of them. Her mouth opened for me, and I got a taste of wine as my tongue met hers. She tasted fucking good.

“And you taste good,” I said when we pulled apart.

She blushed then closed and locked the door behind us.

“Don’t want me to escape?” I teased.

Peyton laughed. “No, it’s just a habit.”

“A good one to have.”

“I hope you like chicken piccata.” She smiled.

“Yeah, gorgeous. I like most everything.”

“Good. Would you like a glass of wine?”

“Sure,” I replied, following her to her kitchen. I would tell you that I took a look at her apartment, but I wasn’t looking anywhere but her arse as it swished in her tight jeans. I’d never seen her in jeans before. It made me want to grab a fist full of her arse and squeeze.