She squeezed my arm. “At least it ended well.”

  I glanced into her eyes and knew I would do anything for her. “Maturity helped straighten me out.”

  She shrugged and put her seat belt on. “We were all kids once. Let’s finish the small jobs now so we can head home.”

  “Sounds good.” I blinked. Giving her my heart wasn’t too risky.

  25

  Warren

  The air smelled of her perfume as we ascended the stairs.

  Kerry—and how I wanted her again—had been on my mind as we worked. Last night replayed in my mind as I unlocked the door.

  She walked away from me and said, “I’ll start dinner.”

  She went to the refrigerator, but I followed her and put my hand on the door to keep it shut. “Wait.” My heart hammered. All I’d wanted since we’d met was her.

  She pivoted, and her gaze met mine. “Did you want something specific?”

  “You.” I lowered myself to kiss her. Her lips tasted better than cookies. I’d wanted to hold back, but her lips on mine made me forget everything.

  The world was composed of just us. She was everything, and I lifted her onto the kitchen counter then tossed my clothes in a pile on the floor. She laughed, and her smile was captivating, but then she unhooked her bra, lifted her shirt, and tossed her clothes with mine.

  My muscles tensed, ready to pounce as I glanced down at her. Her nipples were like pebbles that I needed to taste.

  She seemed ready for me.

  My mind cautioned that I’d wanted to seduce her slowly and ensure that she and I were on the same page, but my body was hard and ready. She snaked her hands through my hair and kissed me again.

  My intentions disappeared into the passion of her mouth on mine. The world evaporated into nothingness in the moment.

  She ran her hands up and down my chest, though her knees were just as close. Then she tugged me closer and squeezed my ass as she pulled me toward her center.

  Fuck. I couldn’t wait. I was breathing too quickly. She could have me anytime, anywhere, and I grabbed a condom and slipped it on as her tongue and mouth teased my overly sensitive neck.

  Once it was on, she opened her legs even wider and wrapped them around me, directing me inside her.

  I followed her direction. As I entered her core and found my rhythm, one final thought hit me hard—I was falling for her, and it was more than just sex.

  As her eyes began to roll back in her head, I continued and found my own release.

  Finally, we belonged to each other.

  26

  Warren

  My mind and body were lost, though collapsing on the floor with her wasn’t exactly romantic.

  Once my head cleared, I offered my hand to help her stand.

  She stood with a huge smile on her face.

  I massaged the back of my head. “I wanted to take my time.”

  She placed her hand on her hip, kissed my cheek, then sauntered away. “I didn’t, but let’s go into the bedroom.”

  Her emerging confidence struck me. I followed her as I drank in every graceful step she took. “Sounds good, sexy.”

  She turned on her heel and quirked an eyebrow. “I’m not sexy.”

  She didn’t have a clue. Inside, my heart thundered. Should I continue to make love to her? I came closer, and my skin buzzed with anticipation as I said, “You’re the sexiest woman I’ve ever met.”

  She laughed, and the sound only made my hair stand on end. Then she asked, “Do you want to take a shower?”

  I traced her shoulders. “Later. I’m ready for more of you first.”

  “I’m all yours.” Her lips met mine.

  She had no idea how much I loved her.

  27

  Kerry

  The moon was high in the sky, but I couldn’t sleep. Warren rested on the bed, but I headed to the kitchen to retrieve our clothes then placed them in the hamper in the bedroom.

  I didn’t bother with getting dressed. I knew he would wake in a few, and my heart thundered. I wanted more.

  His kindness despite his burning ambition might have been what I’d noticed first about him. He might not have been rich, but he was absolutely the only man I admired and believed in.

  We were building something from nothing, and it felt great. As I came back, he started to sit up in the bed. I dropped the clothes on the floor and sat beside him. He took my hand and asked, “Where were you?”

  My heart pounded. He was the only one I wanted. I swallowed then scooted next to him. “I was watching you.”

  His eyes widened. “Yeah?”

  I kissed his forehead and traced his body with a hand. Then I brushed his ribs under his right arm. “Where did you get this?”

  He shrugged. “It’s a bruise.”

  I kissed it. “You never complained.”

  His face darkened, and I saw his cock grow as he said, “It’s no big deal. I dropped a sink that I didn’t have a good grip on and then tried to catch it. What you’re doing is nice.”

  I used my lips and tongue on his muscles and chest as I climbed on top of him. I saw how he wanted me, but he let me lead. “Next time,” I said, “tell me all the places you might need kissing, and I’ll make it all better.”

  I felt powerful and in total control. I tossed the sheets so nothing was between us. Then I traced his body and rubbed my core against his dick.

  He grabbed a condom, which I took from him and rolled on. He squeezed me and said, “I need you now.”

  “Good.” I invited his member inside me as I arched.

  Hot and wild didn’t begin to describe how being with Warren made me feel, but there was more. With him, I was completely myself, and I loved it.

  28

  Warren

  The sun was out, and Kerry was curled beside me on the bed. I’d had her in more ways than I could have imagined, and I was happy.

  She blinked and stared up at me. In my eyes, she practically shone with sweetness. She looked like she would taste better than chocolate croissants. “Good morning,” I said.

  “Morning.” She stretched. “Guess it’s time for coffee.”

  She loved it, and I loved watching her drink her favorite drink. “Thank you for trusting me,” I said as she stood. I moved to follow.

  She shook her head. “Don’t. I’ll get us breakfast.”

  I needed to tell her about my family. I needed for us to be honest and real. Maybe my brother had been right. “Wait.”

  “We have a day to start,” she said, tossing some clothes at me. She disappeared into the bathroom.

  I sank back on the bed, unsure how to get her to talk to me. A minute later, she emerged, and I jumped up. “Kerry, I hope you can trust me. I want you to be my girlfriend and maybe one day my wife.” The words flew out of my mouth without a filter.

  She went white and headed out the bedroom door. “No. Let’s not discuss the future.”

  I needed to tell her I had money. My secret wasn’t a big deal, though, and she could have half of everything. I followed her. “Why not?”

  She filled the water in her pot for coffee. “I’m not ready.”

  I took her hand. “I know you were just divorced. And I know from the little comments that you weren’t happy, but can you tell me what happened?”

  She stared down as our hands touched. Her warmness filled me, but she just sighed. “My ex… he was a doctor, a man celebrated for his money and status.”

  I brushed her hair away so I could see her, but her head was still down. “I know the type.”

  Finally, she glanced up at me. “No, because behind that, he was a real asshole.”

  My eyes widened, and my lips curved into a smile. “Wow, strong language.”

  She shifted her chin in defiance. “Don’t make fun.”

  I held my hand up as if swearing in court. “I’m not. I approve. Either way, tell me more.”

  She took the bread out then put two slices in the toaster. I didn’t say anything or move. Finally, she turned and said, “He tried to choose my clothes, my friends, and my words. He didn’t want me. He didn’t love me. He couldn’t. He wanted a Stepford Wife he could control.”

  I’d avoided anyone who might have been anything like a trophy wife or who was angling for the position. I swallowed and asked slowly, “So that’s why you were being medicated into oblivion?”

  She wiped her eyes as if swatting away tears. “I’d never taken anything in my life, but his friends prescribed pills to take the edge off. Next thing I knew, I was in a haze as I waited for him, and I had no ambition. One night in the car, I’d had enough. He yelled at me for wanting to drive and enjoy the road instead of flying. And I couldn’t take it anymore.”

  I wished I’d known her years ago. Maybe I could have protected her. She had my heart. “Do you know what you want next?”

  The toast popped up, and we jumped as if it was the most important sound in our lives, though neither of us moved to collect it. I waited.

  “I love how your mom adopted you and your brothers and had her own kids,” she said. “She sounds like an amazing person I’d like to meet because it seems like she knew who she was and could share that.”

  I rubbed her back, only seeing how perfectly she fit in my life. “Maman is the best.”

  She cupped my face and took a deep breath. She obviously trusted me, and I didn’t want to scare her. She smiled. “And I like being part of a team and our partnership. For the first time in my life, I’m part of something, and I want our company to succeed.”

  We needed the paperwork to make our partnership legal in every sense. “I believe in you. Call Jeff and have him file corporate documents with our mission in place today where we’re both partners in this.”

  She nodded. “I just can’t promise to be romantic in the way you want, but I will be the best partner you’d ever want.”

  “You already are. I love you.” I kissed her soft lips. The words were true because she was the only woman I would ever want in my life from then to forever.

  29

  Kerry

  I rocked on my feet, thanking goodness he’d gone to take a quick shower. My heart raced.

  I’d almost told him the same, but it was impossible. Blood rushed through my veins.

  He loved me? He couldn’t love me. He couldn’t know me. I wasn’t even sure who I was.

  I fixed his breakfast and lunch. When he came out, I pivoted, and he came right over and kissed me.

  Steam rose through me, and I forgot my fears in that second.

  The moment ended, and I stepped out of his arms. “Look, I’m not capable of loving you right now. I can’t be who you want.”

  He tilted his head and glanced at me. “You already are.”

  I swallowed and bounced on my feet. “I’m… hoping you and I can keep whatever this is between us as only physical right now.”

  I couldn’t offer my heart to love him back when I wasn’t sure I was built to feel those things or how I would be if I did. He cared about me, but thinking on that was like touching hot stones.

  He hugged me. “I’ll give you whatever you want, and I can wait for more.”

  “I’m a mess, Warren.” I met his gaze. I didn’t pull away. I couldn’t. Then my eyes fluttered closed, and my lips tingled. His lips met mine, and I forgot the world.

  “I love you.”

  I trembled but tugged him into the living room. The Berber rug was all we had, and it was fine. I stripped off our clothes.

  As he brushed against my chest and kissed my nipples, I realized it was impossible to bottle my feelings. Tears formed in my eyes.

  He said, “I’m making love to you.”

  I nodded and knew that was the truth. He put on a condom, and as he entered me, I arched to let him go as deep as he could. We both knew we belonged together.

  30

  I’m on a secret project that is taking me away from home, but I promise I’ll reveal what I discovered soon, and my next blog should be full of the juiciest secrets ever.

  Gossip and burn the rich.

  Yours truly,

  Regina, your gossip goddess you can’t escape from.

  Warren

  The sun shone on my face from the plastic vinyl shades that had been bent in the corners. With Kerry in my arms, the day felt perfect. I held her as we lay on the floor.

  The laptop was in the corner of the room, and the sunshine bleeding on it from broken shades meant I was late for work.

  I had the world I wanted. Since starting my adventure, I’d spent the days working with my hands and my nights with the sweetest woman I’d ever know. It was time to tell her who I was, though.

  I held her tightly, but she snored, so I picked her up.

  She deserved the bed. And soon, she would have sixteen-hundred-thread-count cotton sheets and everything she ever desired.

  She didn’t stop me, and I deposited her on the bed.

  She sighed, and when her eyes batted open, I grew hard again. “Kerry, you’re awake.”

  She kissed my cheek. “You’re a sweetheart, Warren.”

  Part of me wanted to stay and have her again. I needed to show her how much I loved her.

  If I told the truth immediately, we would have the time to forget the world. My skin burned. “I have a job to get to.”

  She sighed, let me go, and stretched as she stood. “I remember. I make your schedule. I’ll scan for any last-minute stuff to add, so keep your phone on.”

  We headed to the kitchen and made new toast for her. I took the dry bread for myself. “Tonight, we’ll go out to eat,” I said.

  “I’ll cook something here.” She grabbed my arm and held up her hand. “I packed your lunch.”

  I finished my toast and poured us both coffees. I made an exception just to taste her coffee, as it was what she loved most—I wanted it on my lips when I was away. “You spoil me.”

  She laughed and filled a plastic bento box she’d picked up somewhere. “I’m just happy you eat what I prepare and don’t think everything a chef does is superior to home cooking.”

  She trusted me. I hugged her waist. “Well, a night out with you would be fun too.”

  She put the box on the counter and curled into my arms one more time. Then she said, “True, but we’re on a mission.”

  She didn’t know my true mission. She only knew some of it, and making her mine took priority. I let her go and said, “I wanted to talk to you this morning.”

  Her phone dinged, so she went to the bedroom.

  My heart pounded. It was time to tell her I was a Norouzi, the heir to trillions.

  She came out and wiggled her phone. “Oh, this job would fit perfectly in your schedule for today. Let me write this email.” She typed on her phone.

  Proving I could make a business work to show myself worthy of my father’s trust was still a goal. “Okay, but when I get home, we’ll turn off our phones and just have the two of us.”

  She glanced up, done with her message, and nodded. “Sounds wonderful.”

  I headed to the door, but she hooked my arm and tugged me back. A moment later, she kissed me, and my hair stood on end as my muscles tensed.

  If I hadn’t had to work, I never would have left her bed. As the kiss ended, I still tasted her on my mouth.

  I headed out the door with the expectation that when I got home, we would make love again.

  My first job was the biggest, and the kitchen cabinets went in well. In two more weeks, I’d have earned my twenty-five thousand and have the down payment to close on my own land-development project.

  The thought of Kerry and our bed drove me to work faster, and I finished the installation with sweat and two hours to spare.

  I jumped into my truck and headed to my two small jobs. The first listed any time as an option, so I quickly called the easier job and got permission to show up early.

  On the drive there, my phone rang. For a second, I thought the client was calling me back, but then I saw the number and answered. “Dad, you still have your mind-reading abilities? I was just thinking of you.”

  “Good. Your mother isn’t the only one who worries about you.”

  I rocked in my seat. “I’m doing well. There’s nothing to worry about.”

  “Your mother reads the internet, and we still haven’t figured out who’s writing these things about us.”

  “That’s never mattered to us, and idle gossip isn’t worth worrying about.” I rubbed the back of my head, unsure what to say. “And I’m fine. My business is growing.”

  “Your brother informed me that one of his staff revealed your location to a blogger. I made our fortunes on following my instincts and believing in myself when no one else did. My gut is rarely wrong, and you being away from your resources doesn’t sit right with me.”

  We’d never taken cues from gossip. Maybe old age was getting to him. I shrugged and drove onto the side street where my next job was. “Doesn’t matter. It’s a gossip site.”

  “Listen, I want you to consider forgetting the plan and just coming home.”

  I turned off the engine. I wouldn’t go anywhere without Kerry. I stayed still and said, “I’m not giving up now. For the first time in my life, I’m happy, and it has nothing to do with sitting at a desk, making money.”

  “I’ll be sending security for you and your new girlfriend.”

  I made a mental note to check the nonsense website once I finished work. “Let me figure out my end first. Everything is fine here.”

  “Your last name is a blessing and a curse. I won’t let you be without a guard.”