What is it about Americans and their job descriptions?
“I might not be able to make you go,” I conceded. “But I’d like it if you’d join me.” For the sake of getting my way, I even add a belated, “Please?”
She tries to glare at me but can’t keep a straight face for more than a few seconds. “You really must want me to go,” she says as a smile slowly starts to spread on her pretty lips. “You hardly ever say please.”
“I say please all the time,” I lie. “Anyway, let’s go. We’re wasting precious minutes here.”
“See? That’s the tone I’m used to hearing.” With a dramatic sigh, she pushes herself up from the bed and shoos me back out the door. “I’ll be ready in five minutes.”
“Four minutes.”
“Fine. Whatever. Just go.”
Now it’s my turn to smile as she closes the door in my face. I knew she’d give in. I just hope it’ll be this easy to talk her into coming along for the L.A. trip. God knows I can’t do it without her.
We’re about half a mile into our run when I break the news.
“California?” She shakes her head and immediately stops running. “Why do you want to go there?”
I frown. “Keep jogging. I don’t want to ruin my time.”
She starts moving again but still not as fast as I’d like. “You didn’t answer my question.”
I answer with a question of my own. “Does the reason for the trip really matter?”
“You’ve never mentioned any business dealings in California before. I suppose you probably own another high-rise out there?”
Can’t she ever just say yes to anything the first time I ask? Does it always have to be a discussion? No other member of my staff would even dream of being so argumentative.
Then again, I’m not fucking any of them.
“I hate to disappoint you, but no. I don’t own a high-rise in L.A. We’d be going there to visit an old friend of mine. He’s producing a movie and he wants me to attend the premiere.” We’re slowing down again but I don’t bother trying to prod her to move faster. Getting her to say yes is more important than a fast run. “I’d need to bring a date for the red carpet, of course. And the after-party.”
Her eyes narrow. “Are you trying to bribe me with a date? After all this time, do you really still think I’m some kind of gold digger?”
“Did I ever say that?” Fuck, now I’m starting to get pissed. “Jesus, Ella. Why does it always have to be a fight with you? Most women would be thrilled to get an invitation like this, but you have to second-guess me at every turn.”
“I’m not allowed to ask any questions?” She’s raising her voice to match mine. “This is the problem, Keir. You accuse me of picking fights with you, but you still can’t seem to understand that I’m not one of your little yes-men who follows you around and asks ‘how high’ every time you shout for me to jump.”
She’s so fucking difficult sometimes. And so fucking sexy. Always.
Her brow furrows. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Like what?” I try to school my features but it’s too late. Now I’m thinking about how good she looked lying in her bed this morning—or better yet, lying in my bed the night before—and I can’t be bothered with this stupid argument.
“Like I’m some kind of snack,” she answers, a hint of a smile on her face as I take a step toward her. “You drive me crazy. You know that, right?”
“You drive me crazy, too,” I say, pulling her into my arms until I can feel every curve of her body pressed against me. “Fuck, I keep telling myself not to do this.”
“And we shouldn’t.” Her breath hitches but she doesn’t try to get away from me. “Especially not out here in the middle of a park where people can see us.”
“There’s nobody around.” I don’t know if that’s true. I don’t even care. “Give me one good reason why you don’t want to go with me to California.”
“I can give you at least five reasons off the top of my head.”
“Just one.”
“Here’s a reason,” she draws in a ragged breath as I lean in to kiss her neck. “You’re just making excuses to keep me around and I deserve more than that.”
“Isla needs you,” I counter, my hands sliding up under the back of her shirt. “You know that’s true. And how am I making excuses? I’ve told you all the reasons why we can’t have anything more than this.”
“Yeah, yeah,” she sighs, finally pushing away. “I’m too young and you don’t want to get burned again. I get it. Your family wouldn’t approve. The public wouldn’t approve. I’d get tired of you after a few months—does that cover all the reasons you’ve given me so far?”
I’m not sure if we’re fighting again or if she’s just teasing me. Maybe a little of both.
“Most of them,” I shrug. “And if you didn’t have such a sexy ass, I would have fired you for your bad attitude a long time ago.”
Her mouth falls open and now I’m almost certain we’re fighting again. But no. Instead of yelling, she pushes me with both hands, nearly knocking me onto my ass. I grab her and pull her close again, my hands skimming down to her perfect bottom and squeezing. Hard.
“Let me take you right here,” I growl, tugging at the hem of her stretchy running pants. “Right now.”
“In the park?” She gasps as I grind myself against her. “We can’t. We’ll be… arrested.”
“It’ll be worth it.” I pull her off the path and past a row of hedges into a small clearing, then shrug out of my shirt so she knows I’m serious. “Nobody will see us here. The sun won’t even be up for another half-hour.”
“Are you really that horny?” She doesn’t stop me as I pull her shirt up over her head, leaving her in a sports bra and running pants. “Oh my God, Keir, are we really doing this?”
I nod. “We’re doing it.”
I don’t know why I need her so badly right now. Maybe because she just reminded me of all the reasons why I can’t have her?
Whatever.
All I know for sure is that I want her and she wants me. Isn’t that enough for now?
CHAPTER ELEVEN
ELLA
I can’t stop touching Keir for even one second as he pulls me deeper into the park. I’m desperate to kiss him, to feel his weight against my body, to feel stretched out and used by him.
It’s so stupid, but I’m turned on and horny specifically for this one man. Running my hands over his neck and shoulders, stealing kisses from his lips, clinging to his ribs and abs as he walks me backward.
My ass hits something firm but rough. Keir pushes me against a big oak tree and I pull him closer, desperate to open my mouth under his and feel his tongue against mine.
He backs off, pulling his dark t-shirt up over his head. My eyes widen at his well-built chest and muscular arms. Even though I’ve seen him naked time and time again, I will never tire of staring at him or running my hands over his muscular body. Keir makes me feel like I’m not fully in control of my faculties and I love that about him.