Dashing: A Friends to Lovers Romantic Comedy (Unleashed Romance, Book 2)

by Kylie Gilmore

  Peter’s brows shoot up. “She said you gave Tank back. As far as I’m concerned, you can keep him. That thing does nothing but whine and drool all over everything. Disgusting.”

  “Great,” I say.

  Peter grabs Tank’s leash from a hook by the door, clips it on him, and tugs him over to me. Tank looks up at me with an expression of adoration before leaning heavily against my leg. He’s tuckered out from all the excitement.

  Amelia appears in the living room. “Dad, no! That’s my dog.”

  He throws his hands in the air and stalks to the back of the house.

  “I’d like to ask you a few questions,” Eli says to Amelia.

  “Actually, I’d like to say something first,” I say. “Amelia, I know you’re desperate, alone, broke, unemployed, homeless, and in a truly sad state. Maybe that’s a natural consequence of choosing to run off and leave everything behind. Some might say that’s punishment enough. Not me. Because not only did you end things in a heartless cheating way that I did not deserve, but then you came back demanding I pretend none of that ever happened.”

  “I said I was sorry,” she whines. “How long are you going to hold this over my head?”

  “I’m done now. We’re done. Forever. And I won’t be giving you a single thing for my dog. Don’t ever come near me or Tank again. I plan to press charges against you for stealing—”

  “He’s mine!” she protests.

  “And for breaking and entering.”

  She crosses her arms and pouts. “The laundry room window was unlocked.”

  Eli adds some of his cop authority. “Still breaking and entering, even if you didn’t break a window to get in.”

  She glares at him.

  I continue. “If you sign something acknowledging Tank’s mine, I’ll drop the charges. Though I’ll still file a restraining order against you. I don’t want you anywhere near me ever again.”

  She bursts into tears. “It’s not fair. I have nothing.”

  “Then you have everything to gain,” I say evenly.

  Eli lifts a brow at me with a small smirk.

  Amelia gestures toward Tank. “At least give me something for him. He’s worth four thousand dollars.”

  “I give you a get-out-of-jail-free card by not pressing charges.”

  Peter walks into the room holding a small notepad that he shoves at Amelia. “Here. Write it out and give him back the dog. Really, Amelia, I don’t know what’s wrong with you lately.”

  She sniffles and scribbles a note. Peter hands it to me and wipes his hands in the air like the business is finished and then walks off.

  I read the note over. She did what I asked. Tank’s all mine.

  “I missed him,” Amelia says in a small voice. “I missed us.”

  “Thank you,” I say.

  And then I hoist Tank into my arms and carry him out to the car with a big smile on my face. He snuffles and rests his head on my shoulder. One door closed permanently. Now to figure out how to keep another door open.

  16

  The next day I’m working on built-in shelves in a mansion in a wealthy town about a half hour from Summerdale. I filled Kayla in on the Amelia incident early this morning and let her know Amelia’s permanently out of my life. We didn’t get to talk long, though, because Kayla was on her way to another meeting at Noon Pharmaceuticals. It’s now afternoon, and time seems to have slowed down as I wait to hear how her meeting went.

  My phone vibrates, and I take it from my jeans’ pocket. My stomach drops at the text.

  Kayla: I got the job!!! Incredible starting salary, benefits, and they’ll cover the cost of the move.

  I swallow hard and text back. Congratulations!

  Kayla: I didn’t tell them yes. I told them I need to think about it and check in with the other companies I interviewed at.

  Relief washes through me. I hadn’t even thought of that. She’s smart, looking for more offers so she can weigh all her options.

  Me: Keep me posted.

  Kayla: I will. I miss you. I’ll be home Friday night. It’s good I stayed to visit Livvie because the VP guy wants me to tour more of their facilities and also invited me to a dinner with more VIPs.

  They really want her. I want her too, but what do I have to offer her? Sure, I own my own house, and she likes Summerdale, but it can’t compare to a flying start at a new career.

  Me: You’ll do great.

  Kayla: Thanks. I love you. And I can’t wait to see you again.

  Warmth spreads through my chest. She’s so affectionate, so open and loving.

  Me: Love you too.

  I put the phone away and let out a long breath. This is my fault. If I hadn’t been so careful to keep my distance, we could’ve been making plans here. She might not even have bothered interviewing far away.

  Now the offer is on the table, and she has something real to lose by being with me.

  Kayla

  I am living the dream! I’m madly in love, finally know what great sex is about, and my career is about to begin. Wyatt advised me on how best to use my offer to get counteroffers, and now I’ve got another offer in Boston, one in New Jersey, not far from where I grew up, and an invitation to meet with a Manhattan company for a third time, which probably means an offer. It’s nice to be wanted.

  I just got home a short time ago. I showered right away, and then I put on my first lingerie ever. A silver satin and lace slip that’s sheer on top and part of the back. Livvie and I went shopping for it. She met Adam when we all went out for dinner and drinks, and she’s thrilled for me. I also got an assortment of cute camis and shorts sets, as well as sexy bra and panty sets in silk, satin, and lace. It was a splurge, but I’ll have a decent paycheck soon. And I finally have someone to show it off for.

  I throw my red dress over the slip, put on black heels, grab my purse, and head out. Time to seduce my man. It was hard to be away from him this week, though I admit I was sore after our weekend together. Probably shouldn’t have had so much sex, but I kept insisting I was fine because I was making up for lost time.

  I make the short drive to his house and ring the bell. Tank makes a halfhearted bark through the window. Oof. I wave at him. I wasn’t at all surprised Amelia pulled a sneaky dognapping move like that. The thought had crossed my mind when I was putting the GPS tracker on his collar. She’s a little off. Thankfully, she’s completely out of the picture. Adam told me he ran into her dad a few days ago, who said she moved in with a friend in Queens. Too bad it isn’t as far away as California, but it sounds like she’s given up on my man.

  Adam answers a moment later.

  I beam. “Hi, lover!”

  His dark eyes smolder into mine as he pulls me inside. My breath hitches. I know that lusty look.

  He shuts the door behind me and pins me against it, his mouth crashing over mine. He missed me. His hard body presses against mine, and then he’s lifting me, grinding against me as he kisses me again and again.

  “Missed you.” Deep kiss. “Kayla.” His mouth leaves a hot trail down my neck. “Love.”

  “I have something to show you.”

  He sets me back on my feet, dipping his head to suck on my neck as his hand slides under my dress. “Later.”

  “It’s for you.” My breath catches as his fingers slide under my panties. He strokes me, his mouth returning to mine, consuming me. My knees weaken, my fingers tangling in his shirt. One finger eases inside me and then another, his thumb rubbing small circles on pleasure central. Everything narrows down to that one spot of sparking fiery need. I clutch his shirt as my limbs weaken.

  He dips his head, whispering urgently in my ear, “Come for me, Kayla. I need it. I need to feel you break.”

  The intensity instantly ratchets up, his fingers working magic, taking me higher. I break violently, shuddering against him. He murmurs praise by my ear. I lean back against the wall, trying to catch my breath, too spent to even lift a hand.

  I hear a zipper, a rustling sound, a
nd then he’s lifting me. My eyes fly open as he lines us up and slowly slides inside me. He was fast with the condom, even faster to join with me. I pant, shocked at this new sensation, taking him from this position. He kisses a hot trail along my neck, murmuring in my ear, “So tight. Relax. I got you.”

  He lowers me onto him, opening me, filling me. My body strains to accommodate him. I moan softly, and his mouth covers mine, kissing me deeply, stealing my breath, my thoughts, as he finally takes me to the hilt. And then he’s thrusting into me, his momentum carrying us both along on an intense ride. I cling to his shoulders as sensations overwhelm me—coiling, hot need, deep pressure, his big hands gripping my hips.

  My body tightens around him, my release close, so close. His mouth covers mine, swallowing my soft cries as my body shudders against him in harsh jerks.

  “Yes,” he says fiercely by my ear, pumping deep once more. I gasp, and he rocks against me as his own release hits. He holds me tight, breathing hard.

  A long moment later, he lifts me off him and wraps his arms around me. I rest my head weakly against his chest. I realize suddenly that he gets off watching me get off. He said he needed to feel me break. Everything that happened between us before wasn’t as one-sided as I feared. My pleasure was his pleasure too.

  I lift my head and smile. “I think I need to lie down. My legs are sort of wobbly.”

  He steps back and adjusts his jeans, zipping and buttoning. “I couldn’t wait. I’ll go slower next time, make it better for you.”

  I laugh a little. “That was plenty good.”

  He scoops me up, cradled in his arms, and carries me upstairs. I spot Tank curled up on the sofa, sound asleep. “Guess we just looked like animals doing their thing to Tank.”

  “He’s tired out because I made him take his walk.”

  I play with the hair at the nape of his neck. “Guess I didn’t need the lingerie to seduce you.”

  “Only need you. What kind of lingerie?”

  “You’ll see. That was an interesting position. It felt like I was riding a giant pole.”

  He sets me down in the hallway and grins. “A giant pole, huh? I like the comparison.”

  “It was hard to take you at first, but then it was really deep and good.”

  He pins me against the wall and kisses me, his fingers tangling in my hair. When he finally lets me up for air, he murmurs, “Sweetest dirty talker I ever heard.”

  This pleases me. I had no idea I knew how to dirty talk.

  He takes my hand and guides me to his room. It’s my first time seeing it. The furniture is gorgeous, I’m sure made by hand. A king-size bed with a light wood curved headboard, matching nightstands, and a dresser with elegant curved lines and scrolled legs. The comforter is royal blue, standing out against all the light wood.

  “I love your room,” I say.

  “Show me your lingerie.”

  I pull my dress off, take the time to set it neatly on the dresser, and turn back to him. “Do you like it?”

  His gaze smolders. “You’re so beautiful, Kayla. I can’t believe I waited so long for this.”

  I rush into his arms. “We have it now. That’s all that matters.”

  He cups my jaw, his finger stroking along my neck. “I don’t want you to leave Summerdale, but I can’t ask you to stay.”

  “You wouldn’t move for me?”

  “I love where I live. All my clients are here, my family too. I’d have to start my business from scratch somewhere else.”

  “I love it here too.” I consider us and my future prospects, and it’s just not clear to me at all. “I think we need to be practical and table that discussion until we know all of our options. Worst case, we can visit each other.”

  He frowns.

  “Please. Let’s not talk about the future until we have all the facts. I still have one more interview before I make a decision. I feel so good right now here with you. Come to bed and cuddle me.”

  “I’m not a cuddler,” he grumbles. “Give me a few minutes.”

  I nod.

  He goes to his en suite bathroom.

  I flop back on his bed. Oh, it’s so comfortable. I get under the covers and wait. Then I turn on my side to make it easier for him to spoon me.

  I hear the bathroom door open. “Ready for my spooning.”

  He slides under the covers and spoons me from behind. “I’m telling you right now this spooning won’t last long.”

  “Why don’t you like cuddling?”

  He rocks his hips against me. “You turn me on too much.”

  My lips curl up. “How did you resist me for so long, then?”

  “Many showers.”

  “No wonder you always smelled so fresh and clean.”

  He whispers in my ear, “I imagined your plump lips around me, fucking me with your mouth.”

  I turn in his arms. “Let’s do that in the shower. I want to make all your fantasies come true.”

  He groans and turns me back, his hand sliding from my stomach up to cup my breast. “I’ve got a helluva lot I want to show you. I hope you can spend the whole weekend.”

  My breath hitches as he caresses my breast, my nipple tightening. “I took off the weekend so I could rest up after my trip. I’m ready for the Adam sex tutorial.”

  He bites my neck, and my breath shudders out. “You won’t be getting much rest.”

  17

  Adam

  After an extraordinary weekend together, the following week went by faster than I’d like. Isn’t that always the way when you’re dreading something? Kayla has to give her answer to her multiple job offers on Monday. Today, Friday, is her final interview in Manhattan. She’s an impressive candidate. Brilliant, multiple research papers to her credit, enthusiastic, and a team player. I’m sure they see her as a good long-term investment.

  I’m meeting her at a nice restaurant in the city for dinner for one important reason—I’m taking myself out of the equation. She can choose whatever job she believes suits her best without a single worry about me.

  That’s how much I love her.

  Kayla

  If I could whistle, I’d totally be whistling a jaunty tune as I walk to the seafood restaurant in Manhattan to meet my dreamy boyfriend for our date. My interview today ended with an on-the-spot offer. I’m excited, but I want to sleep on it before giving an answer to all of my job offers. I have four now to consider. I crunched the numbers immediately after, and when you consider salary, the various benefits, and cost of living in the different areas, they’re all roughly equivalent. It really comes down to where I’ll feel most comfortable.

  I spot Adam standing on the sidewalk outside the restaurant, wearing a dark gray suit with a tie too. He got a haircut, though he still has the light scruff on his jaw that I love.

  “Adam!” I practically run into his arms, as well as I can in my pumps. I’m still in my smart light blue interview suit—blazer, silk shell, skirt, and pumps.

  He hugs me and pulls back, looking serious. “How’d it go?”

  “They made me a sweet offer.”

  He smiles, shaking his head. “I knew it. You’re a dream candidate.”

  I blush. “You’re biased. I’m sure I’m not everyone’s dream candidate.”

  “Four offers.”

  I grin. “There is that.”

  He opens the glass door for me, and we head inside the restaurant. It’s two levels of seating with cool glass sculptures hanging from the ceiling that look like sea plants, seahorses, and fish. Sconces on the wall provide soft romantic lighting. The tables are dark glossy wood, along with the hardwood floors, the walls a pale aqua.

  Adam gives his name to the guy at the front desk, and we’re taken up to the top level to a back room with a window view. It’s still light outside, so we can see the city clearly, all the hustle and bustle of people and cars.

  The host pulls out my seat for me at a corner table for two. I sit down. “Thank you.”

  He hands me a drink m
enu. “You’re welcome. Enjoy.”

  After he leaves, I lean across the table to Adam. “It’s so nice. How did you hear about this place?”

  His eyes shift toward the archway leading to the other room. “I looked it up online.”

  I scan the drink menu. “I feel like getting something special to drink.”

  “How about champagne?”

  I beam. “Would you drink some with me?”

  “Absolutely.”

  I put the menu down. “Great. So how was your day?”

  “Good.” He glances toward the other room again.

  “Are you looking for the waiter?”

  “Yeah.”

  “You must really be hungry.”

  He studies me. “How are you? Are you tense from a long afternoon of interviews?”

  “Not at all. It was fun. There’s no pressure when I know I already have job offers in my pocket.”

  He takes off his blazer, hanging it on the back of his chair, and tugs at his tie. “Do you want to take off your blazer?”

  “Sure.” I take it off mostly because I think he wants to see more of me. I’m wearing a white sleeveless silk shell under it. His gaze tracks from my bare shoulder to my arm back up to my exposed collarbone, my neck, and finally my mouth. Lust rushes through my veins. The man can do that with only a look.

  He lets out a breath; then he wipes his brow. He’s sweating.

  “You look like you’re overheated. Were you walking around the city in your suit for a while this afternoon?” It’s July. That would overheat anyone.

  “No, I—there he is.”

  The waiter arrives with two glasses of champagne, smiling at us. “As requested.” That’s strange. We didn’t order yet.

  “Thanks,” Adam says tersely.

  I smile at the waiter and turn to Adam, confused. “How did he know?”

  The waiter disappears just as quickly as he arrived.

  Adam takes a deep breath. “Kayla, I know you have so many great opportunities ahead of you, and I never want to be the person who holds you back. You won’t need to give me a second thought. I’m taking myself out of the equation.”