I brace myself for bad news.
I lean against the doorway. “Lay it on me, doc. No beating around the bush. Just hit me with it.”
He stands and motions to the chair in front of his desk. “Lily, please sit.”
I comply. Dr. Baker looks green, which makes me all the more nervous.
He pulls a file from the pile on his desk and opens it. “Based on what you endured and what your tests looked like just a few weeks ago, I expected to find severe damage to your heart,” he says. “I’ve been looking at today’s results over and over and I have to say…”
I flinch, waiting for the bad news.
“Your heart looks pretty good,” he concludes.
I’m astonished. “Say that again? I thought you said my heart is in good shape but the look on your face says I’m dying.”
“I’m sorry. I need to work on my poker face, I suppose. Before you walked in, I got a call that a patient just passed. It has me a little out of sorts.”
I cover my mouth with my hand. “That’s awful.”
He shrugs. “It’s the nature of the business, sadly.” He offers me a weak smile but from the look in his eyes, I can see how hard he’s taking this. He taps his pen on a file. “So, on to you. Looking at these tests, I’d never have guessed the trauma you’ve been through. You have a bit of thickening on the wall of your heart and when your heart pumps the third ventricle doesn’t always get as much blood as it should. These are things we should watch but they may never impact you. I’m not worried about anything I’ve seen here.”
I let out a huge sigh of relief. “Yeah, doc, you’ve got to work on that poker face. You’ll give a girl a heart attack.”
“I’m sorry. I let my guard down around you. Even though we just met, I feel like I know you through Gavin. He talks about you all the time.”
I grimace. “Sorry about that.”
“Not at all. It’s nice to see him so happy. It’s been years since I’ve seen him chuffed. I can’t even remember the last time he didn’t look gray and hollowed out. You must be good for him.”
“Dr. Baker, that warms my heart. He’s done well for me too.” I relax into my chair.
Dr. Baker sets my tests aside.
“With how your heart has healed, I would say he has. And please, call me Alex. So do you have any questions?”
“I’ve been on restricted exercise and activity. Do I have to keep restricting or can I go back to my normal routine?” I ask, hoping I don’t sound too desperate.
A grin crosses his face, and he laughs. “Ah, Gavin’s tirade makes so much more sense now. I’ll have to cut him some slack.”
My face burns up with embarrassment. I must look crimson!
“Oh, I’ve embarrassed you. I’m sorry. I feel for my friend. The answer is yes, Lily. You can resume normal activity. Don’t start running any marathons tomorrow but you can go back to your typical routine.”
Sweeter words have never been spoken!
Alex chats for a bit longer but I have checked out. A nurse comes in to remind him of his next appointment and I get up to leave. I take the Tube, which I’m becoming quite comfortable with, to Oxford Circus to the flagship Victoria’s Secret store. The lingerie store is bigger than some department stores! It takes me a while to wade through the bath and body products, functional bras and panties before I get to the good stuff. Lace, garters, stockings. I pick up an array of bras, thongs, bustiers and teddies, putting a small fortune on my credit card. I know no matter what I wear, I won’t be in it for long but I have fun adding to the excitement.
I wander around the other shops looking for inspiration and I spot a Burberry store. I make a quick, expensive purchase and head back to Gavin’s. After a quick shower, I get dressed. Soft curls and light make up complete the look. After finding a bottle of Vodka in the freezer, I slam back a shot, lock up and make my way downstairs to my waiting cab. Going to his office in the middle of the afternoon without checking with him first is a risk but some risks are worth taking.
When my cab arrives at Gavin’s building, I just about lose my nerve. The very horny voice inside my head nudges me out of the taxi.
The building is bustling with hundreds of people going about their days, looking very professional. I’m wearing a black trench coat, fuck-me heels, and smoking hot lingerie. Gloating in my naughtiness, a smirk crosses my face and I feel a sway in my hips and swagger in my step.
When I arrive at Gavin’s office, I spot Snooty Smythe, Gavin’s assistant. She looks exactly like I expected her to—plump, silver hair, and tough as nails. If my plan’s going to fail, it’ll fail here.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Smythe. I stopped in to surprise Gavin. Is he in?” I ask.
She stares at me blankly. “And you would be…?”
How many American women stop in to surprise him? Wait, I don’t want to know the answer to that question.
“Lily Clark. We’ve spoken on the phone.”
“Oh, yes. Ms. Clark, he has a very tight schedule. I’m not sure he has time for an unauthorized visit. Perhaps if you’d rung and made an appointment, I could have saved you the trip.”
Listen, bitch, I came here for something, and I’m not leaving till I get it and get it good.
Deep breath and sugar sweet smile. “Could you possibly check with him to see if he could spare a few minutes? He had to miss an important appointment today and I’m sure he wants to hear all about it.”
“Certainly. If you have a seat, I’ll check. Shall I take your coat?”
“No!” Get it together, Lily. “I mean, no, thank you. I’m a bit chilly.”
I notice she doesn’t call Gavin to see if he’s free, so I take matters into my own hands and text him.
I left a package for you with Mrs. Smythe. If you have a minute, you should go get it.
Gavin: I’ve been going mad waiting to hear about your appointment with Alex. He wouldn’t tell me a bloody thing. I’m finishing a meeting. I’ll get it in a moment. What did Alex say?
I decide not to answer and let him stew a bit. Ten minutes later, Gavin and a group of suits exit his office. The groups clamors around him, like puppies following their master. Each person hanging on his every word. His suit jacket is off, his sleeves are rolled up and his tie is loose. His hair looks as if he’s been running his fingers through it all day. The whole look is slightly disheveled but so hot.
“Mrs. Smythe, did Lily drop something by for me?” he snaps.
She lets out a huff and glares at me. “Ms. Clark is here, Mr. Edwards. The remainder of your day is booked solid. You have less than ten minutes to speak with her before your next appointment.”
Ten minutes. I can work with that.
He gives me a curious look. I walk over to him and he kisses my cheek while pulling me into his office.
“I thought you said you left a package,” he says as he closes the office door. His phone dings and he looks at it while walking to his desk. “Sorry, I’m a bit distracted, luv. Crazy, crazy day. Major crisis here. Are you going to tell me what Alex said or do I have to guess?”
While he searches his desk for god knows what, I let the trench coat fall to the floor. I don’t say a word, waiting to see how long it’ll take him to notice. I can feel Snooty Smythe’s clock ticking down and my opportunity slipping away. He looks tense, stressed and still a bit angry. I seem to have chosen a horrible time for an afternoon delight. By the time I’m standing in front of him, he still hasn’t looked up at me.
“Gavin, do I need to get on your desk to get you to look at me?”
“What’s that, luv?” He looks up, and his jaw drops. Papers fly everywhere when he drops a stack of file folders.
“Mrs. Smythe said you have ten minutes. You’ve wasted three. What can we do in seven minutes, Gavin? Any thoughts?”
I’ve rendered him speechless. Thankfully, the stun wears off and Gavin jumps into action. “You minx.” He crashes into me with a desperate kiss.
His hands roam my bod
y as of his is on fire and touching me is the only thing to calm the flames. My hands go directly for his belt. Foreplay is all well and good, but we’re on a clock and I’m not letting this opportunity pass me by.
When I get his belt undone, he stops kissing me. “The door. I’ve got to—”
“Took care of it when we walked in. We’ve got five minutes.” Buttons go flying when I pull his shirt apart. He groans as I attack his neck with kisses.
“Fuck that.” He pushes a button on his intercom. He clears his throat, then says, “Mrs. Smythe, something has come up. I need you to push my next meeting.” He pulls his arm back, and in one sweeping motion, he clears everything off his desk and lays me down on top of it.
Holy hell. That was hot.
“You look so fucking sexy. I can’t decide if I want to tear this off of you and fuck you or just stare at you,” he whispers.
I push him back onto his chair. “I can always put this back on later. Right now is not the time for staring.”
I kick off my heels and place my foot between his legs. My toes gently rub against his growing bulge. His breath hitches as he watches me unhook the garters, and slowly roll down my stockings. Once both stockings are off, I remove my bra and toss it aside.
His intercom keeps buzzing but he makes no move to answer it. He kisses my leg from my ankle up toward my knee. The damn buzzer keeps going, distracting me and killing the mood.
I slap my hand on the desk. “Gavin, you’ve got to answer that.”
“What!” he says through gritted teeth after he presses the button.
“Mr. Edwards. I heard a crash. Is everything all right?” Snooty asks.
“Everything’s fine. Something fell off my desk. No interruptions for the next hour. Understood?”
He tosses the intercom on the pile on the floor. He lays me down and toys with the small fabric of my g-string. He kisses my hips along the strings of the tiny underwear before pulling it down. After tossing it aside, Gavin runs his tongue from my calf to my core. He teases me by kissing me everywhere but where I want him to.
I just can’t take it.
I squeeze his head between my thighs. “Gavin, we have had weeks of foreplay. I can’t stand one more second. Either make me come or I’ll do it my damn self.”
He smiles and says, “Yes, milady.”
My head falls back as he devours me. I had forgotten how masterful he is with his tongue. In moments, I feel the heat build and the wave takes over. I hold my hand over my mouth to muffle my screams when I come. Normally he would stop and plow inside me but he keeps going. Every nerve ending feels raw and exposed. He laves my clit and I feel electrified. The intensity is too much, I don’t think I can take it. I pull my hips back.
“Get back here,” he growls and pulls my hips back toward him.
He attacks me. His assault teeters on the razor sharp edge of pain but Gavin won’t relent. Pain turns into pleasure as another orgasm builds. I come so hard my whole body quakes. Electrical pulses run through me as he keeps going.
“I want you inside me. Please,” I beg.
He leaves a trail of kisses up my stomach. Stopping at my breasts, he lavs and sucks my nipples. It drives me crazy but doesn’t fill the void I’m feeling.
“Gavin, please. I need you. Now.”
He kisses up my neck to my ear and whispers, “Gentle or hard?”
Lost in a post-orgasmic haze and filled with too much wanting to decipher what he is asking, I say, “What? What are you talking about? Please. Now.”
“Do you want me to fuck you gentle or hard?” he whispers again.
“Hard. Now,” I demand.
He flips me over, bending me over his desk. As he pushes into me, I dig my nails into his desk. I’m tight from weeks of abstinence but I’m so aroused he slides right in. I feel his body shudder as he enters me.
He releases a deep, slow sigh. “Fuck, I forgot how good you feel.”
He drives into me and it’s glorious. Not wanting to scream but unable to contain myself, I bite my lip. Each time he slams deeper into me, my nails dig deeper into his desk. When he pulls my hips to reach his, I leave claw marks in the wood. He hits me in just the right spot and I feel another orgasm building.
I contract around him. He pushes deep into me and stops thrusting. When my body stops pulsating, he starts back up harder and faster.
I’m lost in the whirlwind of pleasure. Gavin reaches between my thighs and rubs my clit.
“No, I can’t.” I can’t possibly have another orgasm in me. I try to push his hand away but he holds firm.
“Trust me,” he moans.
He massages me while he thrusts into me. In a few moments, I’m building again. Gavin speeds up.
I’m pushed over the edge just as he screams, “Fuck!”
We collapse onto the floor, panting and breathless. He pulls me on top of him and kisses me. “I never want to go that long without having you ever again.”
“If that’s what it’s like after weeks of abstinence, it might be worth it. That was pretty….. There aren’t words for what that was.” I’m still trying to catch my breath.
He brushes a stray piece of hair out of my eyes. “Luv, we’re always bloody spectacular together. It has nothing to do with the time apart.”
Consumed in the afterglow, we lose track of time. The intercom buzzes again, forcing us back to reality.
“Bloody hell,” Gavin yells as he smashes his fist on the floor. He drags his fingers through his hair. “Some days I hate my job. There’s nothing I would rather do than continue to lie here with you and maybe go for another round. Unfortunately, someone in my company seriously buggered up a program and we’ve been spending all day trying to figure out if it can be fixed. Millions of pounds are at risk. I have to get back to work.”
I pat his chest lightly. “Gavin, I still can’t feel my legs. Go back to work if you have to, but you can’t do it here. Don’t you have a conference room you can use or something?”
He kisses my neck. “Lily, I can’t leave you like this.”
“You got all caveman and needed to try to break the orgasm record. Well, this is what happens afterward. Go do whatever it is that you do and leave me to my post-orgasm bliss.” I close my eyes. “All your tension is killing my buzz.”
He picks up his shirt from across the room, then slides it over my shoulders. “If I don’t cover you up, I’m likely to try to go back for more.”
I shoo him away.
He calls Snooty and tells her to have the team meet him in another office. I fade out of consciousness until he brings me back with a deep kiss. Opening my eyes, I see he has showered and put on a fresh shirt. No one would guess he just spent an hour fucking my brains out. Unless they heard us, that is. Just the thought of being heard by his stuck up secretary makes me tuck my head and blush.
He crouches lifts my chin and kisses me. “I don’t want to leave you.”
I smile. “You have a company to run.”
He leans his forehead against mine. “Luv, I don’t know when I’ll be done today,” he says. “I may be working well past midnight.”
“Gavin, I’m a big girl. I got here by myself; I can leave by myself.”
“I feel awkward. I don’t want you to feel…”
“Tawdry? Please, I came here for one thing and I got it. Don’t feel guilty. I sure as hell don’t. We can cuddle and play kissy face later.” I slap his ass. “Now get out of here and play CEO. It’s kinda hot.”
He kisses me and laughs until the door closes behind him.
When I come down from my high, I collect my lingerie and try to put myself together. Gavin strolled out of here looking perfect but when I look in the mirror I see I’m a wreck. My lips are swollen and my makeup is smeared. I clean up as much as I can but I still make a beeline for the elevator when I sneak out of his office. Snooty says something, but I ignore her.
When I get in a cab, I text Gavin. That was my first walk of shame. Totally worth it. See you
at home.
Gavin: That breaks my heart. What we did was too amazing to have shame attached to it. Plus, I own the building. If I want to shag in the middle of the day, I will. Everyone else can piss off!
Gavin: I’m thrilled you called the flat home ☺
Chapter Ten
Gavin doesn’t get in until after one in the morning. I’d been dressed in another sexy outfit and hoping for round two, but I fell asleep reading my latest book long before that.
The next week is full of marathon days for Gavin. He wakes up early to roll around in the sheets with me and then works for fourteen hours. I’m still not entirely sure what went wrong, but it sounds catastrophic. I wish we could spend more time together, but he’s needed there.
The little time we do get together is frantic. The press is the third wheel in our relationship. Everywhere we go, they’re there. Fortunately, their coverage has been kind. I’m doing my best not to fight them because I know if I do, they’ll turn ugly real fast.
Greene and I touch base every other day. He still hasn’t gotten word from Max. With each passing day, my nerves flare and my heart shatters a little bit more. If they know who he is, they’ll torture him and then kill him. Once they’re done with him, I’ll be next. Green swears the FBI is doing everything they can, but it doesn’t set my mind at ease.
Greene calls me early Tuesday morning, which makes it middle of the night for him. When I see his number on the caller ID, I panic. He’d only call at this time if something bad has happened. “What happened?”
“We’ve heard from Max. I can’t go into it, but he’s safe.”
I jerk upright in bed, knocking my Kindle on the floor. “You have to get him out of there.” I reach down to pick it up, and bump my head on the nightstand on my way back up, spilling my water in the process. Rubbing the egg forming on the back of my head, I walk to the bathroom to get a towel.
I look through the cabinets under the sink, looking for paper towels. “Lily, he’s refusing to come out,” Greene replies.
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