Page 64 of Mr. Wilde

“Yeah, I can tell.” I snort.

Her giggle trails after me as I walk into the bedroom and shut the door. What is it about having her here that relaxes me so? I was worried the close proximity would have me tied up in knots.

Or wanting to tie her up in knots.

Yet the evening has been easy. The more time I spend with her, the more attracted I become. It’s not only her physical beauty, but everything about her. Her genuine kindness. Her dedication. Her intelligence. Fuck. The harder I fight this pull to her, the deeper I fall.

Thankfully, the messages sent from Loretta and Yamila are of no urgency. More status updates on our newest client. I return to the front room prepared to escort Cassidy to her car when I find her slumped over the desk. Coming closer, I realize she’s fast asleep, arms crossed under her cheek, a fine, stray hair dancing with each exhale.

Looking at my watch, I note the time. It’s after midnight. Damn, I’m an asshole. Sure, she probably keeps late hours working at the club. But I should’ve checked with her to see when she needed to head back. Does she live far from here? Hell, there’s no way I’m waking her up at this late hour to send her home.

I head into the bedroom and pull back the covers. Returning to Cassidy, I carefully scoop her into my arms and carry her to bed. Sure, there’s another bedroom in this suite, but it’s closer to the front door. I wouldn’t want her to wake up in the middle of the night if she hears noises in the hallway and get scared. This room is quieter. I’ll leave the door cracked so she can see the light from the dining area and office and will hopefully not be alarmed when she awakens to strange surroundings.

She instinctively curls her arms toward her face, one hand tucked under her cheek like a cherub.

Unable to stop myself, I push a lock of hair back from her face before making myself walk away from her. I wouldn’t want her to open her eyes and find me staring down at her like a creeper. But stare I do.

Fuck, she’s beautiful.

I can feel my resolve slipping. Between the calming effect she has on me and the undeniable physical chemistry between us, I’m fighting an uphill battle. This night may have backfired on you, Max.

26

CASSIDY

I stretch my arms up over my head, trying to shake the overwhelming fatigue from my brain. I’m so tired I can barely open my eyes. Jeez. What was in that cocktail Max made me to go with dinner last night? Or maybe the longer than usual night staring at the computer is causing me to feel more tired than normal.

Rolling on my side, I try to crack one eye narrowly. At least I thought I had. But it appears I must still be waking from my usual morning dream. That Criminal Minds episode that I can’t seem to get to last long enough to get to the good stuff. The corner of my mouth curls, taking in the sight in front of me. But my delicious mind has swapped that delectable cyber billionaire for Shemar Moore’s character. Can you swoon while asleep? I let out a giggle.

The image of that sexy CEO with a towel slung low about his hips is front and center now. He’s even wearing dark, horn-rimmed glasses. I drag my tongue across my lower lip, this fantasy is better than any that has come before it. Who knew lean, Eddie Bauer model-looking Max was hiding an eight-pack under his business casual? His chest is free of tattoos. There’s only the slightest dusting of dark chest hair.

Rolling back on my back, I let out a groan. Why couldn’t I have been able to see the rest of this dream? Does he come over to me? Does he drop the towel? Is he asking me to join⁠—

“I’m so sorry, Cass.”

My eyes spring wide. What the—? I bolt upright, looking in the direction of the voice that isn’t part of my usual morning ritual.

Holy shit. This is no dream.

Max stands before me with a guilty look on his face. My mind instantly races to the night before. What the hell happened? “I was hoping I could get in and out of the shower without waking you.”

“Where am I?”

“You’re in my hotel room.”

“I’m… what?” My thoughts are so muddled. Jeez, had I slept with him? And missed out on the whole damn thing?

He comes closer, which isn’t helping the situation.

I try not to look. There’s no doubt my face is on fire at the sight before me. This man does something to me when he’s fully dressed. The sight of Max standing here in nothing but a towel is making me squirm.

The bed shifts, and I look up to find him beside me. At least the concerned expression emanating from those beautiful blue eyes has distracted me from reaching out to touch his pecs and abs. “We were working well into the night. I didn’t realize how late it had gotten until I came back into the room to find you asleep on the keyboard. I didn’t have the heart to wake you, so I carried you to bed. You never even stirred.”

Slumping back against the pillow, I stare at the ceiling as the events from the night before become clearer. Working on that stubborn phone data. The bright yellow lighting up the screen as it does when I’m narrowing in on irregularities. So close to a breakthrough, yet it never came. That incredible dinner of shrimp and steak. “Did we play chess?”

A chuckle rumbles from his mouthwatering chest. God, I want to lick it. “Yes. I keep it on hand in case I need to focus on something else. Believe it or not, Gianni is a chess master.”

“Wow. I would’ve never pictured that.”