Page 57 of Sexting His Son's Ex
“Let me go,” she demands through clenched teeth, trying to yank herself out of my hold.
“Never.”
Terrance swings open the front door. “Sir. Madame,” he greets with a small bow.
“Terrance, where are my sons?” I ask, the door closing behind us with a loud echo.
Jovie studies the lobby in awe, staring up at the polished chandelier and matching twin staircases on either side of theroom. The room is painted in dark emerald, green, the tile floors black and white marble with gold leaf grout.
In the middle of the room, on an antique coffee table, is the last of the bouquets Jovie sent me.
“Omar is staying at the apartment you have on the west side near the docs. There is word that Bianchi is trying to build new docks there to expand transport.”
“That’s against the agreement,” I snarl.
“That’s all Omar heard. He is going to stay there for a few days to gather information. He is safe. He has a team with him. Luca is with him.”
“The two are together? That should be interesting. We’ll be in my bedroom. Under no circumstances are we to be interrupted. Someone better be dying if you have to.”
“Yes, Sir.” Terrance steps to the side, folding his hands in front of himself and looks forward, a statue of professionalism.
It’s why he is about to get a promotion.
“You’re good at your job, Terrance. Keep up the great work.”
His mouth opens in surprise before he rights himself. “Thank you, Sir.” He swallows. “I appreciate that.”
I don’t go out of my way to compliment my staff, but I want to. If they know they are appreciated, then they will be more loyal to me. I can’t give my men any reason to turn their backs on me and go to Bianchi.
Strolling to the staircase, I tug Jovie behind me, and of course, she fights me every step of the way. So feisty. Learning that about her only has me fall in love with her more.
“Let me go!” She demands again, doing her best to yank from my hold.
We’re almost at the top of the steps when I sling her around and press her against the wall, pinning her hand above her head that I refuse to let go of.
I bombard her space, pressing my body against hers. I drag my fingers up the soft skin of her arm, her eyes dropping to my lips.
“Let’s get one thing perfectly clear, Jovie. I’m not going to let you go. Stop asking. It isn’t going to happen. Follow me into the bedroom where we can talk. If we talk and we both decide that being near one another is a bad idea, then so be it. Not until I get you alone.” I bend down, brushing my lips against the shell of her ear. “Do I make myself clear?”
She smells so good. I close my eyes, breathing her in, wanting her scent to embed into my DNA.
Lilies.My favorite.
Her hands push against my chest, shoving me backwards. She isn’t strong enough to move me. I step back anyway, wanting to give her the space she needs.
“Crystal,” she replies with a curl of her lip.
Without saying another word, I drag her down the hallway, passing expensive pieces of art lining walls that are probably worth more than any amount of money Jovie has ever seen.
Stopping at the door, I press my thumb against the scanner, and it swing open automatically.
My space is boring in comparison to what she’s probably used to. My room is large, yet empty. So much more could be in here.Love fills a space. Love for more than a job or children. Love for something personal, a hobby, for example. I don’t have one. I’ve spent so many years working that I’ve lost track of what I like or enjoy doing. That doesn’t matter. That doesn’t make money.
But it would bring happiness, a rarity that perhaps I’m not allowed to indulge in.
I shrug off my blazer and fold it in half, hanging it over the back of a chair near my closet. The motion-censored lights come on, illuminating the empty, yet clean space. Jovie stands awkwardly against the wall, twisting her fingers together in nerves.
Unbuttoning my cufflinks, I set them inside the jewelry box and roll up my sleeves to my elbows.
