Page 371 of The Morally Grey Billionaires Boxset

Rick

That was the hottest thing I have ever seen.

Goldie shattering with my name on her lips.

I saw her body tremble as she fell apart.

I felt her fall apart, despite the distance and the incessant drumming of the water from the shower.

I took a step forward, intent on marching over to her and pushing her up against the wall, replacing her fingers with my cock.

A-n-d the only thing that stopped me was the fact that she made it clear there's to be no sex between us.

I’m no gentleman—make no mistake—but she deserves to be treated like a lady.

Until she gives me her consent, that is.

Until she gives me her yes to take from her without her assent.

Until then, I’ll respect her wishes. I can’t take her—not after she revealed that particular secret, which I’m sure she hasn’t told too many others.

She’s vulnerable, and I cannot take advantage of that.

Much as I want to feel her cunt strangle my cock as I fuck her, this isn’t the time.

So, I marched out of there and out of the room.

I could not allow myself to stay there a second longer.

I could not let myself imagine how it would feel to sink down on my knees and thrust my mouth between her thighs, to eat her out and make her orgasm again.

To kiss her with pussy breath, then turn her into the wall and fuck her from behind.

To wrap her up in my arms and feel her shudder and pant and yell my name over and over again.

When I proposed the charade of her being my fake fiancée, I did it, confident it would be just that—a pretense. I didn’t think I’d be tempted to act on the attraction between us and cross the line to fuck her.

When I took on the role of captain, it's because I saw it as my path to redemption. I ran from the Royal Marines, then tried my hand at private security. But nothing has come close to the satisfaction I felt when I played for the NHL. I never thought I’d get the chance to strap on the skates and hit the ice again.

And when Knight offered it to me, I almost convinced myself I wasn't ready. But when he mentioned she was going to take on the role of the PR manager and would work closely with the captain, something inside me clicked into place. Even though I suspected the bastard was trying to manipulate me. I knew this was my chance to get close to her. Also, I didn’t want anyone else spending so much in such close proximity to her, so I made a decision.

No one else would have the opportunity to brainstorm with her, or plan with her—or share a room with her.

No one but me. My subconscious was, once again, way ahead of the curve and waited for the rest of me to catch up.

Of course, it provides me the perfect opportunity to show my grandmother I'm serious about getting married and embracing domesticity.

Everything has come together... but for this all-consuming chemistry between us throwing a wrench into my plans.

I have to resist it, else it could distract me from my goals.

Knight relies on me to lead the team to victory.

It might not be the same as leading a team on the war-front, but the feeling sure comes close.

This is my second chance to prove to myself, I still have what it takes to play professional hockey.

I can do it. I simply have to stay clear-headed and keep my head in the game.

I psyche myself up enough so that by the time I reach the kitchen on the first floor, I almost feel like myself again.

Anyway, I do owe her a meal. She confided in me. In return, I can ensure she's fed. Not that I know how to cook, but a man has to start somewhere. I head for the refrigerator, then pull it open and stare at the contents. Beer, more beer, wine, bread and eggs, ham and cheese, hmm!

"What are you looking for, asshole?" Finn drawls from over my shoulder.

"It’s late; we have an early start tomorrow. Shouldn’t you be in bed, dick-face?"

"If you’re looking to make dinner for her—"

I scowl. "And if I was?"

"I’d say, since your culinary talents are not the best, you should stick to making her an omelet."

I grab the eggs, butter, cheese, ham and straighten, then turn to find him hovering at my elbow.

"You going to supervise?" I scoff.

"When were you going to tell me you two are pretending to be engaged?"

My fingers slip. I almost drop the egg, then manage to hold onto it at the last moment. "What makes you think it’s a pretense?"

"The fact that you didn’t tell me about it earlier? Oh, also, let me see… We worked together on our last project when we were assigned as bodyguards to Solene, and I didn’t see any evidence of the two of you being together."

I slide a skillet onto the range and light the flame under it. "Just because you didn’t see it doesn’t mean we didn’t get together then." I crack the eggs and beat them up. Then begin to dice the ham.

"Considering we were together almost day and night on the job and not once did I see you as much as get on the phone to Gio—"

"That’s Mac to you."

He blinks. "—to Mac, it’s safe to say the two of you have decided to take part in this pretense for a reason."

I heat the butter in the frying pan and when it’s foaming, I pour the egg mixture onto the skillet and cook it until it begins to set. Then I add the cheese and three-quarters of the ham in the center of the omelet.

"And if I were to take a guess, I'd say you decided to help her get revenge on her dick of an-ex."

The cheese begins to melt, and I increase the heat to high and cook the omelet further. Meanwhile, I pop two slices of bread in the toaster.

"You could have told me," he continues in a hurt voice.

"There’s nothing to tell because it’s all true." Goldie’s voice sounds behind me.

I stiffen, but continue to watch the omelet, checking the bottom to make sure it browns. Once I’m satisfied, I fold it, then slide it onto a plate. I sprinkle the remaining ham. Only then, do I turn to find Finn contemplating her.

Goldie looks unperturbed. Her face is flushed from the shower, and her hair is tied up in a pony tail.

Her face is bare of make-up, and she looks fresh-faced and gorgeous.

Also, she’s wearing a silken kimono that comes to above her knees and leaves her legs bare.

I narrow my gaze on her; she tilts up her chin.

Finn looks between us. "You mean to say you’re engaged to this douchebag? You, who couldn’t stand the sight of him?" Finn widens his stance. "If I remember correctly, the two of you could barely see eye-to-eye every time we had a discussion about Solene’s security detail."

She waves a regal hand in the air. "That was foreplay."

I cough.

Finn seems taken aback.

"Ever hear the old enemies-to-lovers adage? That’s us. We were enemies—"

"—but now we’re lovers," I pitch in helpfully.

Finn barks out a laugh. "You expect me to believe that?"

She arches a shoulder. "Honestly, it’s none of your business, and I don’t care what you believe. But because Rick’s your best friend, I understand you feel a little left out. Maybe this will convince you."

She glides across the floor in her red ballet flats. When she reaches me, she rises up on tip-toes, wraps her palm around the back of my neck, and urges me to lower my head to hers.