Page 95 of That Fake Feeling

Shit.

“Doyou need to get that?”Rosebreathes against my lips.

“Hell, no.”

Ilock our mouths together, but she eases away. “Areyou sure it won’t be important?”

Ipull her back against me. “Don’tcare if it is.”

I’mnot giving up this woman for anything.Sheis my priority now.Screwthe phone and whatever irritating business call it probably is.Itcan wait tillMonday.

“I’llworry, though,” she says. “Idon’t want you to miss an important call because of me.”

Isag my shoulders and pout. “Seriously?”

“Youcould just see who it is.”Sheplants a gentle kiss on my protruding lip.

Inod and pull the phone from my pocket. “It’sJorge.Thechairman of my board.”

Shesmiles and leans back in her chair, putting way too much distance between us. “Thenyou’d definitely better take it.”

Istand up, answer the call with one hand, and adjust the disappointment in my shorts with the other. “Jorge.Hi.”

Iwander past the fire and pool to the other end of the deck and look out to where the ocean ripples in the darkness.

“Connor.Goodevening.I’llkeep it brief.First, so great to be able to get a hold of you on a weekend evening.Orany evening, to be honest.”

Patronizingasshat.

Ibite my tongue and wait for him to say his piece soIcan get off the phone and go back to wrapping myself aroundRose.

“Ijust wanted to tell you how very pleased we are with how well you’ve been doing with thisPRexercise.Iknow we planned to go over the latest numbers onMonday, butIspoke with the other board members earlier, and we’re confident the analysis of the recent upturn in sales shows it’s a trend and not just a blip.”

Atleast they’re happy with somethingI’vedone.AndIdon’t recall the last time that happened.Otherthan whenIgave them jobs at one of the world’s greatest toy companies.

“So, yes,” he continues. “Justwanted to say well done, good work.Andalso, perhaps this change of, er, lifestyle might become a habit.”

Ilook back atRose, who’s picking up the wine bottle to top up our glasses.

“Youhave no idea how addictive it is already,Jorge.Noidea.”

Rose’sshorts ride high on the backs of her legs as she bends over to pour the wine, giving a tantalizing glimpse of butt cheek.Fromthat first day in my dining room, her bare legs have had an effect on me like no other legs that have gone before them.

Mydick shifts again—and that’s not somethingIever expected to happen during a call withJorge.

“Icould not be happier to hear how wholeheartedly you’ve taken to cleaner living,Connor,” he says. “Weall look forward to seeing you onMonday.”

Can’twait.

“ButIcan tell you now,” he continues, like he’s promising a child an ice cream, “you’re no longer in danger.Restassured your position is well and truly safe.Welcomeback on board for the rest of your life.”

Hiswords hit me likeI’veswallowed a brick and it’s fallen straight to my stomach.

Therest of my life.

I’venever thought about it that way before.

I’vealways known it wasn’t whatIwanted to do.ButI’venever really processed it to the ultimate conclusion—that running this company would be whatIwould do every day until the end of time.