Page 15

Fourteen. All up in my content

Vera

A s my eyes open, the first thing I realise is I’m not alone in bed. The arm around my waist tightens, followed by a deep rumble and I smile as last night flashes through my mind.

It had been one of those days where everything was going wrong and the work kept piling up. I could have delegated, but some of it required a gentle touch. The only downside to being the boss is some clients insist I do all the heavy lifting—everything from overseeing the pitch to tweaking plans according to their feedback. I try not to let this happen too often. But on some days, like yesterday, I end up hunched over my computer late into the evening while ignoring everything else.

So when Elias showed up, I was confused. But having him in my office, in the one place I never let non-family members visit, felt good. Especially since he brought me pizza and wine. I rarely use the couch in my office for casual situations, but it was the perfect excuse. We finished every slice and got halfway through the wine before sleep started to win.

Elias sent Kuriakose off and drove my car home. In an effort to keep me awake for the journey, he talked non-stop, picking up where we left off in my office. I looked my name up once after I started Lucky Shot and there were less than nice things posted by a bunch of idiots I worked with in the past. That was my sign to never do it again.

A few years ago I was featured in a top business magazine and they included my total net worth. Now, that information is available publicly and I hate it. I never know if someone is interested in me for who I am or how much I earn. I’d like to think Elias doesn’t care about that, but I wish he hadn’t looked me up.

To most people being called a millionaire is probably a good thing, but I don’t want the title or anything to do with it. Not only because being a wealthy woman in a male dominated world puts a target on my back, but on account of being perceived a certain way. I didn’t work this hard to get a label attached to my name.

More than anything, the world’s most famous millionaires are monsters and I don’t want to share that title.

When my grandfather gave me the seed money to start Lucky Shot, he made a request—donate my first paycheck to a charity of my choice and provide annual contributions depending on what my revenue was. My grandfather is long gone, but I haven’t stopped doing what he asked of me. Helping foundations across the country to provide education to young girls and jobs for women will always be important to me.

Hearing Elias praise my successes was flattering. And exhausting. I hoped he didn’t think because I had this fancy job and title I was still settling for him. Over the years, I’ve heard the standard criticism—too accomplished, too educated, too smart, too much —and knowing they’d never say the same about a man pushed me to keep going. None of my wins fell into my lap; I earned every single one. A steady income and a full bank account is great, but I also genuinely enjoy my work.

After extracting myself from his iron grip, I work at my dining table. By the time Elias surfaces hours later, I’ve replied to emails, lurked on a client presentation and finished two proposals. His boxers are low on his hips as he stretches, stumbling slightly as he walks out of the bedroom. I press my lips together to hide my smile at how cute he is all rumpled and still half asleep. He doesn’t see me at first, one hand rubbing his eyes while the other adjusts himself through his underwear. When he’s finally steady, he focuses on me and a smile lights up his face.

“Morning, peaches,” he rasps.

The nickname makes me blush as I nudge the coffee pot towards him. “You might need to make more coffee.”

“Or you could come back to bed with me and give me the jumpstart I need.”

He comes around the table and drops a kiss onto my forehead, down the side of my face before he’s nuzzling into my neck. A giggle escapes me as he breathes against my throat before his mouth is covering mine. I’m very aware we’re breaking all the rules of a friends with benefits arrangement with a sleepover and cute behaviour, but I don’t want it to stop. I like being nuzzled by the man.

“Mmm peaches ,” he whispers, licking along my jaw.

“Go,” I tell him, despite the shiver running through me, “so I can finish work and take you back to bed.”

“Work? Isn’t it a Saturday?

“CEOs never sleep.”

He rolls his eyes and takes the coffee pot to the kitchen where I can hear him making a fresh batch. Even though he’s only been in my apartment once, I like that he feels comfortable enough digging through my cabinets to find everything he needs.

Even though it’s the weekend and I should have switched off the minute I left the office, there’s just so much pending work. Even with the late nights and the exhaustion seeping into my bones, I have to get stuff done. I do believe in the concept of nothing is urgent , but completing my checklist allows me to ignore everything else for the rest of the weekend.

Elias returns a few minutes later, still adorably mussed up, and sits in the chair beside mine. In the short time we’ve known each other I’ve learned he’s big on physical affection. I’m not. However, when his hand squeezes my bare thigh before his head lands on my shoulder, I find myself leaning into him for more.

“Don’t you get tired of working so much?”

I laugh and highlight the paragraph I’ve been staring at for the last fifteen minutes. “I don’t know how else to be.” Ever since my first job at twenty-two, I haven’t flipped the switch to off . I’m better at taking mental health days of late, but I’m always connected to the job. Being a CEO means even when I’m on holiday, I have to be available.

“Maybe I can help,” he mumbles.

“How?”

His hand slides higher up my thigh and under my robe, fingers dancing over the crotch of my sleep shorts. I bite my lip and try to focus on my work, but it’s totally pointless. He returns to nuzzling me and I finally give up on getting any more work done by slamming my laptop shut. Elias laughs, a warm puff of air brushing against my neck before our lips are connected. He cradles the back of my head and pulls me closer, dragging one of my legs over his lap. Coffee, work and everything is completely forgotten as his hands start wandering under my clothes, trying to reach all the other parts of me. I grunt when he cups my breast through my thin tank top and it turns into a moan when he pinches my nipple.

“Back to bed,” I manage to mutter.

We rush into the bedroom where he tosses me into bed while stripping me of my layers. It’s probably the fastest I’ve ever gotten naked and when my legs are draped over his shoulders, I’m not complaining.

“Holy shit,” he pants, collapsing on his back as I work to catch my breath.

“I agree.”

“I don’t think bodies are supposed to do that.”

I laugh at his breathless words and scoot closer, draping one leg over his waist. While I’ve never decided to work from home for the sake of sex with my fuck buddy before, I’m glad he distracted me. His fingers trace my side, along the six lines of Malayalam.

“What does this say?”

“My family’s names,” I explain, remembering how emotional my mother was when she saw it. “My parents, siblings and Tamara.”

He hums and drags his fingers down my spine. “And this one?”

“My star sign and a few of my favourite things.” The thin line runs from the nape of my neck, all the way down to my tailbone. In the centre of my back are minimal tattoos of flowers, the sun, waves and the Gemini symbol.

As he continues to touch my bare skin, goosebumps follow his touch. I snuggle deeper into his side, lips ghosting over his shoulder in soft kisses. I’m still exhausted, but now it’s a pleasant kind of worn out.

“Where did you learn those moves?”

“Yoga,” I mumble.

“No fucking way.”

“Haven’t practised it in years, but my body can still bend in all the right ways.” I shift, ready to get up, but he grabs my chin and directs my mouth to his. The kiss sends electric sparks through me, making me shiver. Every touch and contact since we met has felt this way, so I shouldn’t be surprised. I’m still wary though. It’s easier to keep someone at a distance with sex than give them everything else and be left in the dust. Again .

“Where did you go?” he asks softly and realise I wasn’t reciprocating.

“Sorry, making lists in my head.” It’s the dumbest excuse, but I’m not ready to tell him about my past.

“So sexy,” he mumbles and captures my mouth again, grabbing my ass in the process. I gasp when his finger dips between my thighs to tease me. “And still so fucking wet.”

“I can’t,” I whine, rocking against him anyway. I’m so sore and need a moment to catch my breath before he destroys me again. As horny as I might be, Elias’ ability to bounce back so quickly is havoc on my health.

So I nudge him away and sit up, gathering my hair into a messy bun. He’s watching me, but I don’t look because he’ll distract me again. My focus right now is washing up and getting something to eat. Robe on and libido under control, I turn to the bed and he’s watching me with an infuriatingly sexy smirk.

I laugh and flip him off. “Get up. I need to change the sheets.”

Reluctantly, and very dramatically, he obeys and tosses the condom away. I strip the bed and carry everything to the utility area, adding it to my very full machine before turning it on. When I return, he’s standing in the middle of the room, still smiling.

“Shower?”

“No funny business.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m the picture of innocence.”

I poke his stomach as I head into the bathroom and turn the shower on. I toss my robe to the side and step under the water. My muscles sigh at the hot temperature and I turn around to see Elias frowning deeply.

“You okay, superstar?”

His forehead smoothens and he nods. “Dreading the idea of leaving your flat.”

“The idea of putting on work clothes makes my skin itch, too.”

“Maybe we can stay in for the rest of the summer and never go anywhere.”

“I would honestly love that, but…”

“You’re the boss and you’ve gotta make the big bucks.”

With a slight tilt of my head, I say, “And you need to get back on the team.”

He nods, but it feels so halfhearted, alarm bells start going off in my head. I grab his chin to get his attention.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Don’t you want to get back on the team?”

He sighs, squirting shower gel into his hands and soaps himself up.

“I do, but sometimes I feel like I’m going to be in PT forever.”

“I thought you were improving and it looked like you might be back on the pitch soon.”

“I am and my shoulder is stronger, but whenever I ask them, they don’t seem to know.”

I frown at the tone of defeat in his voice and poke him in the chest. “You can’t give up.”

“What the fu— ow ,” he says when I poke him again. “Jesus, stop with those weapons of mass destruction.”

“Promise me you won’t give up.”

“What if everyone else is giving up on me?”

There it is .

Ever since that morning in Mumbai, I’ve been thinking about his words. I know this setback has made him question everything and doesn’t see himself as being good enough or worthy. I wish I knew how to help him see what everyone sees, because he’s brilliant. The injury did shake his confidence, but the team would be stupid to let him go. However, there’s so much more to all of this than he’s willing to share with me.

“Nobody’s giving up on you,” I say with certainty. “As long as you don’t give up, you’ll be back on the field in no time.”

His lips twist to the side and he nods slowly. I rinse us both off and hand him a towel before drying myself. His jaw is tight and shoulders are pressed to his ears.

“Elias.”

He hums and wraps the towel around his waist. “You’re so fucking beautiful,” he whispers.

“As are you,” I remind him and he smiles, a real one but also a little sad.

“I’ll keep working my ass off, I promise.”

“I know you will, because this sport means everything to you. Don’t let a bunch of people tell you that you’re not ready when you know you are.”

“Am I?”

“You manhandled the heck out of me hours ago. I think you’re ready to whack a few sixes for your team.”

He smirks and pulls me towards him. “You’ve been watching my plays, huh?”

“I’ve been reviewing content my team’s been collecting. Don’t flatter yourself.”

“Spending a little more time with my content, huh?”

“You wish.”

“I do, actually,” he growls, pressing his forehead against mine. “I wish for you to be all up in my content.”

A loud snort escapes me. “Wasn’t that what I was doing earlier?”

He grins and tilts his head, pressing a kiss to the corner of my mouth. I definitely lost track of the number of orgasms he delivered this morning, but I made sure to return the favour as well as I could.

“Thank you for believing in me, peaches.”

“Not sure about the nickname, but you’re welcome.”

“What does everyone else call you?”

I shrug. “Vee. Vera.”

“Exactly. Peaches is just for me.”

“Okay,” I whisper and kiss him properly, his hands sliding down to cup my ass. “I’ll make a deal with you.”

“Another one?”

Chuckling, I nod. “Get back on the team and I’ll spend lots more time with your content.”

“What…wait.” He leans back and stares at me. “You’re saying…”

“Minimal benefits until you’re back on the team.”

“Vera...”

I step out of his arms and shake my head. “ Peaches . And look, I know you’re doing your best, Elias. But you’re also giving up too easily. Fight for it. Go out there and take what’s yours.”

With hands on his hips, he frowns and weighs my words. I won’t let him throw his entire career away because it’s easier to give up. I could use my own life experience as a lesson, but I won’t. Because he gets it. He’s been complacent and taking things at their pace. Elias is worth so much more than being a benched player or being sidelined. He’s the best on the team and they know it, but they won’t ever say it.

“Back on the team and back in your bed, right?”

“Yup,” I say, grinning as I hang up my towel and leave the bathroom. “I believe in you, superstar.”