by Ella Miles
“Whoa…slow down there, princess.” He grabs my arm so I can’t move. “I’m not married,” he says slowly, like if he talks slower, it will somehow make his words more believable. “And I sure as hell don’t have four or five kids.”
He cocks his head to the side, like he thinks I’m crazy. Maybe I am. I swallow hard, watching his desire grow in his eyes as he looks at me.
“You’re not married?” I ask hesitantly.
“No,” he says, smirking at me.
“You don’t have kids?”
“No.”
I stare at his lips until they move so close to mine that I can barely breathe. His hands move up to tuck my blond hair behind my ear. I shiver at his touch. He doesn’t kiss me though. He just hovers, obviously wanting more but denying himself what he wants for some reason.
I don’t know what comes over me. I don’t know if it’s the fact that this man has already kissed me, and I already miss his lips. I don’t know if it’s the fact his desire for me is so obvious I can basically feel his heart beating fast beneath his chest because of me. I don’t know if it’s because today is the last day I get to choose who I can and can’t kiss.
Whatever the reason, I kiss him. I grab his neck as I do, so he can’t pull away. My kiss is defiant and carnal. It’s wet and deep and everything a kiss should be—except this time, when I kiss him, he barely kisses me back. Maybe I’m doing it wrong? But I know I’m not. I can feel his erection growing as it presses into my stomach. So, I don’t stop.
It only takes a few seconds more until he is kissing me back with as much hunger as he was before. I smile against his lips as he does. Maybe we will be having sex after all.
Our kisses quicken as we both become more and more desperate for more, for unfulfilled promises from last night. We stumble backward until my body is trapped between him and a wall behind me. It feels nice to be possessed in such a way. When he lifts my body, I wrap my legs around his waist and moan because it’s exactly what I wanted him to do.
I don’t stop kissing him as he carries me back to the bedroom. I don’t stop until he roughly throws me onto the bed.
I smile as he stares at me with those intense eyes that say so much when his mouth doesn’t. I watch as they turn from lust-filled to empty. I run my tongue over my lip, trying to look sexy, but the moment has passed, and I have no idea why.
“You should go,” he says.
My eyes widen, but I don’t ask why. I’m not going to beg someone to sleep with me when he obviously doesn’t want to.
“Okay, help me find my purse.” I must look disappointed as I stand and gather myself from the bed.
“Don’t. Don’t think that. I want you. I’m desperate for you…” He looks down. “I just can’t. I’m not going to be the guy you lose yourself in because you are running away. When I fuck you, it will be because you want me as much as I want you right now.”
I laugh nervously. “I thought we were done after today.”
He looks at me even more seriously, if that is possible. “No. Today is the beginning.”
I try to smile, but I can’t. This man is insane. No, he’s bipolar. One minute, he can’t keep his hands off of me, and the next, he’s a knight in shining armor. I just wish I knew which was a facade and which was the real Killian.
I walk out of the bedroom and back into the living area. I hear Killian following me, but I don’t turn to face him. I just walk.
“Here,” he says, holding out my purse.
I take it from him. I see he is also holding my phone in his hands. He types something in before handing it to me as well.
“I put my number in your phone.”
“What makes you think I want that?”
He cocks his head to the side as he stares at me. “You will. I have a feeling you will want it really soon.”
God, this man is arrogant, but his confidence is alluring. I could use an ounce or two of his confidence, if only for a day. Maybe then I wouldn’t be marrying a complete stranger in six months.
I walk to the door. He follows.
I open the door and stand in the doorway. “Thanks for the wine and—”
His lips crash with mine before I can say anything. He’s promising more, I realize. With his tongue pushing further into my mouth, he’s demanding I call him.
When we finally break away, my breathing is fast, much too fast. I touch my hands to my chest, trying to calm my breathing. I stare at him for a second longer before turning to leave without a word.
“Don’t run anymore. You’re stronger than you think.”
I pause at his words, but I don’t turn around. He doesn’t follow me or say anything else.
He’s left me his number to call. And I will. I’ll call. He knows it as well as I do.
I walk into the elevator alone. I touch my fingers to my lips still tingling from his kiss, a kiss I want more of. Maybe he’s the answer. He’s smart, probably a businessman. He’s older and responsible. There’s not a tattoo or piercing on his body—at least not one I noticed.
What if I found someone capable of running the company on my own? What if I found my own love? Then, I could marry who I wanted while still making sure the company would be in good hands.
I have to find a way to convince Granddad. I need to find a way to buy myself some time. And introducing Granddad to Killian might be the way. I could show him I am capable of dating strong, intelligent men.
Killian might not be the best choice, but right now, he’s my only choice. Maybe he’s the right choice.
5
I step foot back inside the Felton Grand. Even though I was just in the hotel earlier when I was with Killian, this is the first time since my father’s death I’ve really let myself take in the casino. Last night I let Killian rush me to his room as fast as possible. Now, I’m walking slowly, taking in everything.
I notice the gentle calming sound of the expansive fountain at the entrance to the hotel. I see the light twinkling off the water from the large crystal chandelier overhead.
I walk through the long hallways filled with shops and restaurants. The hallways are calm. It’s early, and only a few people have woken up to enjoy breakfast at one of the many restaurants. I smile as I look up and see the details of the arched ceiling overhead. When I was a kid, I used to lie on a bench in the hallway and stare up at this beautiful ceiling.
I walk to the casino floor. I take a deep breath. I feel my father all around as I walk past the flashing lights of the slot machines. This is where my father spent most of his time—here on the floor of the casino, mingling with guests and making sure everything was running smoothly.
I walk off the casino floor to a door that says Employees Only. I flash my card on a sensor and watch as the light changes from red to green before I open the door. I enter and take the stairs up to the second floor.
I take a right and head down to my father’s office at the end of the long hallway. I take the key out of my pocket and unlock the door. I push it open, and the smell immediately overwhelms me. It smells like expensive cologne and cigars. It smells like my father.
I miss you, I think as I walk in and close the door behind me.
Tears fall fast as I make my way over to my favorite couch on one side of my father’s office. I let them. I cry. I let everything out. I let go of the pain. I let go of the guilt. I let go of all of it. It all comes out.
When the final bits of pain and guilt have washed away, all I’m left with is anxiety over speaking to Granddad. I begin pacing back and forth in my father’s large office while I wait for my grandfather to arrive.
I can do this. I can do this. I can do this.
I try to keep my eyes on the ground instead of looking at the numerous reminders of my father.
I don’t have to look up to know a picture of Dad and me is sitting on his desk. I was five, riding on his shoulders. There’s another of the whole family sitting beside it.
I don’t have to look up to know the most comfo
rtable couch on the planet is leaning against the far wall. I have fallen asleep on it countless times while reading a book, waiting for Dad to take me out to dinner.
I don’t have to look up to know a considerable stack of every magazine I modeled in is piled in the corner.
I don’t have to look up to know a picture of my first modeling job when I was twelve is in a frame on the wall.
Instead, I try to rehearse what I’m going to say when my grandfather gets here. Granddad, I love you and respect you, but I’m an adult. I can make my own decisions in the best interests of myself and this company. I’ve already found someone who I think would make a good candidate, and with time I know I can find the perfect man…
I keep repeating the speech I practiced all night, but my mind quickly goes back to Killian. I bite my lip, remembering how his lips felt on mine, how he pulled every emotion out of me. I tuck my hair behind my ear, recalling how his touch against my neck sent shivers all over my body. My heart speeds up as I think about how I had the most explosive orgasm of my life with his tongue buried inside me.
I try to stop thinking about Killian, but I can’t. I haven’t called him yet. It’s only been a few hours since I saw him, but I have a feeling I’ll be looking for something comforting after this meeting, and I will need someone to talk to. No, I’ll need someone to help me forget. I’ll text him this afternoon. It won’t hurt to ask if he is free.
“You’re on time,” Granddad says as he walks into the office.
“Yes,” I say as I stop pacing. I immediately forget about Killian. I know my face is flushed, so without having to look up, I walk to the corner of the room where there is a container of water. I take one of the white plastic cups and fill it with water before walking slowly to a chair in front of the desk.
I slowly sip my water, trying to drain my face of its overly pink color, while stalling from giving my speech. I’ll wait just a few minutes longer—no need to rush the speech and get it wrong.
“He should be here soon,” Granddad says, staring at his watch, as he sits behind the desk my father used to.
I don’t think I could ever sit there. That’s Dad’s chair, not his.
“Last time I spoke with him, he was just wrapping up a meeting.”
I nod and drink my water faster. I don’t have much time then.
“Granddad, I’ve been thinking. I, uh…?” I start talking, but I have no idea what I’m saying. “I, um…I don’t think marrying whoever is going to walk through that door is the best idea. I think…I think I should have a say in who I marry.” I make the mistake of looking up to see Granddad frowning at me with his eyes raised, but it doesn’t stop my mouth from spilling every dumb thought on my brain. “I think I’ve already found someone whom I could fall for. He’s smart and handsome, and I think you will like him. He’s a businessman. And he’s a great kisser.” Damn it, why did I say that?
“Hush, girl,” he says.
But I don’t hush. I keep talking. “And I don’t think I even want to get married anytime soon. I want to find more men to kiss. I’m young, much too young to get married this year. I need to live a little first. And if I’m honest, I think I could run the company by myself without a husband by my side. I think that’s what Dad would have wanted.”
“Hush,” he says more sternly this time.
I stop, mainly because I can’t believe the words that just came out of my mouth. What the hell has come over me? I don’t want to run the company myself, do I?
I grab my cup of water sitting on the edge of the desk with shaky hands. I take a long sip, waiting for the lecture.
But it never comes.
I hear a deep voice clear his throat from behind me. I don’t have to look up to know the man I’m supposed to marry is standing in the doorway. I just hope he wasn’t standing there long enough to hear that embarrassing speech.
“Come on in, son,” Granddad says, standing from the desk with a massive smile on his face.
I’m screwed. He just called this man son. He’s probably more in love with this guy than he is with me. And after my epic speech, I have no doubt I’ll be marrying the man behind me.
“I would like to introduce you to my granddaughter, Kinsley,” he says, as he walks toward the man behind me.
I take one last sip of water before I plaster on the biggest fake smile I can manage while I turn to meet my future husband. I wonder if he knows. Has he already been told to get complete control of the company, he is going to have to marry me? Or is he blissfully ignorant to that fact?
I bring my eyes up to face my future husband. The man standing in front of me isn’t my future husband. He isn’t a complete stranger. It’s Killian.
I choke. That’s what stupid thing I do in response to seeing the man who had his tongue down my throat only hours earlier. I cough and choke on the remnants of the water still clinging to my throat. That’s what I do while I watch my grandfather place his hand on the shoulder of the man who just gave me my first orgasm that wasn’t given by a vibrator.
“Are you okay?” Killian asks.
I nod as I choke again. I grab my throat, trying to get it to stop. It doesn’t, not until I get three more coughs in, causing my cheeks to turn an even brighter shade of pink.
When I finally lift my eyes back up, I see two pairs of eyes intently staring at me. One pair looks at me with concern, the other looks at me with shame.
I try to recompose myself by bringing back the smile I wore moments earlier.
“Let’s try that again,” Granddad says. “I would like to introduce you to my beautiful granddaughter, Kinsley Felton.”
“Kinsley, this is Killian Browne.”
Killian steps forward and extends his hand to me. I slowly place mine in his, already anticipating how his firm handshake is going to start tiny fireworks inside me. It does the second his hand touches mine.
“Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Felton.”
I narrow my eyes but nod anyway. He’s not going to let on we have already met. I’m grateful.
I notice Granddad smiling brightly behind him at our encounter.
“Please take a seat. We have lots to talk about,” Granddad says as he retakes the seat behind the desk.
I walk back to my chair, aware of Killian’s eyes taking in all of me from my high heels to my knee-length high-waist pencil skirt to my magenta top.
I sit down and glance at him sitting in the chair next to me.
Killian looks much the same as he did last night. He’s in a nicely fitted suit with a blue tie. His hair is gelled slightly to keep it spiked to the side. The only difference is his five o’clock shadow is gone.
I look back to myself. I look entirely different from the last time he saw me. I’m no longer wearing casual attire. Makeup covers every flaw I showed him before. My long, hair is perfectly curled into flowing locks free of the frizz from our night together.
Does Killian know why he’s here—to marry me? Is that what he was referencing this morning when he talked about family obligations? Is he being forced to marry by his family? Did he know when he saw me at that table last night I was whom he was going to marry?
No, there’s no way. He would have said something. He wouldn’t have led me on like that.
“You both know why you’re here, so let’s get started on some of the details.”
I nod and see Killian nodding stoically next to me. So, he does know he’s here to marry me?
“My son and I thought you two would make a perfect match. Kinsley is about to graduate from Yale. She’s an experienced model. She’s beautiful.”
Killian nods, but he doesn’t say anything as Granddad tries to sell me to him.
Granddad turns to face me now. “Killian has been working for the company for five years. He graduated from Harvard. He is our current VP of Casino Operations. He’s intelligent, ambitious, confident, focused, decisive, and professional.”
I nod at my grandfather, disappointed he’s listed several positive perso
nality traits of Killian’s, while I only got beautiful. That’s all I am to these men.
I watch as he digs in the desk drawer before pulling out a stack of papers. He hands one stack to me and one to Killian.
“These are the terms of Robert’s will. It includes everything the two of you need to do to inherit his shares of the company. There is also a copy of my will and what you will need to do to get my shares as well. It includes what we expect before we’ll make you CEO, Killian,” he says, staring at Killian now.
Killian nods.
“Both of you need to read it over in the next couple of days, so you understand everything.” He focuses his attention on Killian, like he is the only one who gets a say in any of this. “You have one month to decide. That’s all I can give you. I’ll need an answer then.”
“Of course,” Killian says. He glances down at his watch. “I’m sorry to cut this meeting short, but I have another meeting I need to get to.”
Granddad stands, smiling. “Don’t worry, Killian. I’m having Tony cover the meeting today. Instead, I have a reservation for you two at a restaurant downstairs.”
“Sir, I’m not sure Tony is the best man for the job. He’s not up-to-date yet on the new systems.”
“I agree, but this”—Granddad points to me and then back to Killian—“is a more pressing issue at the moment.”
Killian glares at my grandfather but doesn’t argue again.
He turns to me. “Would you like to have lunch with me?”
“Yes.” My answer isn’t forced. I want to have lunch with Killian.
I have a lot of questions for him. Why the hell did he agree to marry a complete stranger? Did he know who I was when he stared at me from across the blackjack table? Did he know when he got me into his bed and fucked me with his tongue? I’m afraid Killian’s answer to all those questions will be a resounding yes.
6
I stare down at the menu. I haven’t said a word since we left my father’s office. Killian hasn’t either. I think he’s giving me time to process everything. I try to look at the menu to at least make up my mind on what I’m going to eat. Then, I can focus on what just happened.