Chapter 34

Birthday countdown: 29 days

Since meeting her: 17 days

Company takeover: 36 days

The limo pulls away. It’s quiet; the streetlights light her face briefly as we pass under them.

“Everything okay?”

“Perfect,” she says with a smile, but I can see her. The real her.

“You’re a terrible liar.” I shake my head and chuckle.

“I’m a great liar. You’re better at reading me than most of the population.”

I swipe my thumb across her cheek and meet her eyes. “Raw truths, Lexi. What’s going on?”

She sucks in a breath. “I didn’t like seeing you with someone else.”

I understand what she’s going through. I felt the same way last night, when I saw her ex, knowing his mouth had been on hers.

“Says the woman who encouraged me to date others while our arrangement was in order. Am I understanding this correctly?”

“That was before …” she whispers.

“Mmm?” I want her to continue that statement.

“Before I cared,” she says confidently.

“There’s only you, babe. You’re it.” I give her a half grin, moving close to her mouth.

Our lips crash together and I fist my hand through her hair.

“Who was she?”

This makes me chuckle. “She thought I was Weston. I don’t recall her name. I warned you about this. It happens frequently.”

“Now, I feel stupid.” A blush hits her cheeks.

“Don’t.” I shake my head. “I couldn’t handle watching another man touch you, Lexi. If you think I’d have sat there and watched that …” I shake my head. “The moment he approached you, I’d have been by your side.”

She smiles. “Helicopter boyfriend.”

“Oh, you thought that was acting?” A laugh releases from me. “I’ve never had to with you.”

The car rolls to a stop and the door opens. We step out and Lexi looks up at the building.

She laughs, covering her mouth. “Empire State?”

“After you,” I say as we walk through the doors.

We’re led to the elevators, and we take one to our first stop, then another to the very top. One of the security guards nods at me, and our private guide stands over to the side.

Lexi turns to me. “You did this?”

“For us,” I say. “Want to go outside?”

“Yes,” she tells me, and I push open the door.

The summer wind surrounds us and she smiles so fucking wide that the whole city sparkles.

She shakes her head. “I can’t believe this.”

I press my hand on the small of her back. “Are you happy?”

Her eyes look up into mine, then down to my lips.

“Yes. Are you going to kiss me?” she whispers.

I take a step forward, tracing her mouth with mine. “Do you want me to?”

“Yes,” she desperately says.

Her hands fist my shirt and I slide my tongue against hers. My name is breathless on her lips as our worlds collapse and crumble together. We will destroy one another.

“Fuck, Lexi,” I mutter.

She takes a step back, glancing down at the ring. “Why didn’t you tell me this was your grandmother’s?”

“I knew you’d find out when it mattered.”

“Easton”—her voice is quiet—“I can’t accept this.”

“You’re being humble.” I tilt my head at her, wishing she knew how priceless time was with her.

“No.” She twists it around on her finger. “I heard what Weston said. This should’ve been reserved for her.”

“It was,” I say without hesitation, knowing damn well the person who’s meant to have it is wearing it.

She shakes her head and laughs.

“Why do you think it’s impossible for me to want you? I don’t understand.”

“Because we’re not the same,” she says.

“Ah. Explain it to me,” I urge with a smile. “Tell me how we’re different. Without the bullshit, Lexi. List the differences that matter.”

Her mouth opens and closes like she understands.

“Last time I checked, we were equals.”

She laughs. “I’m not your equal.”

“You are,” I say. “So, start acting like my queen if that makes you believe it’s true. Act like the woman you think I should be with. Because I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but I just want you. That’s it. No one else. Lexi Matthews, the girl who wears graphic tees in public and politely tells people to fuck off. Lexi Matthews, the woman who snores like a princess when she’s exhausted. Lexi Matthews, the smut queen who also has a weird fucking obsession with billionaire books. I think that’s who I’m supposed to be with, but I don’t know; you’re convinced there’s someone else who’s more deserving of my attention.”

“I’m insecure when it comes to you. I feel like an imposter. That’s the truth.”

“And you think I’m not? Babe, I know you don’t give two fucks about materialistic things. So, tell me, how do I give a woman everything who doesn’t need anything, not even love? That’s what I’m trying to figure out.”

“You’re right. Things aren’t my love language, but experiences are. You know that. Otherwise, I doubt we’d be here. You’ve already got me figured out, and you know exactly what I need and want.”

“There’s the truth I’ve been searching for,” I say. “Welcome to the party. It’s fun here, where we don’t give a fuck and we can be truthful about what’s going on.”

She shakes her head.

I check my watch, then meet her eyes. “I’m waiting for you to finish.”

“You know I’m falling for you, Easton.”

“Oh, I know; I wanted to hear you say it.”

I tilt her chin upward and meet her eyes.

“In a crowded room, the only person I’m looking at is you. You’re the last thing on my mind when I close my eyes at night and the first person I think about when I wake up in the morning. I thought we’d cross the line and I’d get you out of my system, and things would go back to how they were before I met you, but that didn’t happen. Every time you touch or kiss or fucking glance at me, it makes me think about our future.”

She looks out at the city as I steal glances at her. I wish I could read her mind.

“This wasn’t supposed to happen,” she whispers.

“Let me guess … bad timing?” I ask with a laugh.

“Always. I just … I had aspirations. And it wasn’t to be Mrs. Calloway.”

“So, make your dreams come true. I’m not stopping you whether you have my name or not.” I shrug. “I believe in you and your dreams, whatever they are.”

Our mouths magnetize toward one another again and I tuck her hair behind her ears.

“I’m serious.”

“I know,” she whispers. “God, I need you,” she says desperately, and it almost comes out in a plea.

I laugh against her hair. “I kinda like it when you call me God.”

As I drop to my knees, I look up into her eyes.

“This was written in invisible ink on my bucket list.” She chews on the corner of her lips.

I flip the red skirt of her designer dress over my head. When I see her bare pussy, I rub my face across her.

No panties.

“I was prepared,” she whispers.

“Mmm. My bad fucking girl.”

I rub my hand against her thigh, lifting her opposite leg over my shoulder. She willingly gives me access to her beautiful cunt that’s dripping wet for me. Lexi leans against the wall, and I take my time, worshiping her the way she deserves, exactly how she likes.

My greedy fiancée rocks her hips against my mouth, riding the scruff on my chin.

It doesn’t take long before whimpers release from her, and it’s like music to my goddamn ears. I can tell by how she tastes and how her muscles shake with anticipation.

“I’m insatiable for you,” she whispers.

“Enjoy it, darling,” I say, giving her a finger.

Time stops as she teeters on the edge.

“Easton,” she softly cries out, the orgasm bolting through her.

I laugh against her, not stopping until her pussy quits throbbing.

When I pull away, I reposition her dress but stay on one knee. As I look into her eyes, I place my fingers in my mouth. “I fucking love the way you taste.”

She pulls me up toward her and our lips crush together.

“Can we get married tomorrow?” she asks. “Just me and you. Our moment. No one else’s.”

“Are you serious?” I search her face, needing and wanting confirmation.

She nods. “Yes.”

I smile against her lips. “I’d burn the world down for you, Lexi.”

She grabs the lapel of my suit coat. “That’s what scares me the most.”

“With great power comes great responsibility.”

“We’re so fucked.”

I kiss her forehead, and then we finish the circular path around the top before going inside. We hold hands as we ride the elevator down.

A small smile plays on her swollen lips when I meet her hooded eyes. And I realize I’ve never been in love before.

Not until now.