The organ hidden behind my chest skipped a beat the second my eyes landed on Eloise—the most intriguing and beautiful woman I have met since someone I once thought would be mine forever decided her life wasn't worth fighting for.

Even with Eloise's eye makeup smeared, looking like she had two black eyes, her hair messy, as if she hadn't brushed it in weeks. Bloodshot eyes. And the godawful breath, I wasn't sure if I should hand her a piece of gum or offer her a roll of toilet paper. She was still the most perfect and gorgeous woman to me.

Surprising my girl and seeing her imperfections made it all worthwhile coming here instead of going home first. When I dropped Rory off and saw how Isabelle looked like death had roamed over her, she filled us in on what she, Lilah, and Eloise had done the night before. And when she told me that Eloise was just as goofy as she was the night I carried her out of the nightclub, I knew she'd need me to take care of her.

So here I am, with the girl I couldn't stop thinking about the entire time Rory and I were in San Francisco trying to help a family—during our meetings and as I slept, showered, ate, and drove.

Even though Rory sold me his half of the business to go on his own, we still work together occasionally. And the case we teamed up on in San Francisco was for a family with four young siblings who tragically lost their parents.

Due to the children's medical bills incurred from their stay in the hospital. The medical care they're still receiving from the accident, including mental health care to deal with the loss of their parents, and how they're now familyless and homeless. Rory and I partnered in looking for funds and sponsorship for those kids in exchange for advertisement on our website and marketing ads—making a deal with every corporation we met with.

"How did everything go in San Fran?" a tired yet chipper and smiley Eloise asked.

I smiled, returning my lips to hers, kissing them while doing my best to ignore the foul breath pouring off Eloise's lips. "It went fabulously." My lips curved higher, and I softly chuckled, teasing, "And you thought I had no heart."

She smiled against my lips. "You proved I was wrong. Still, you had no heart when my grandmother passed away."

"I've already apologized for that. Do you need to hear me say it again?"

"Yes," she teased with a grin.

"Eloise McKnight, I apologize for making—scratch that. I apologize for forcing you to work on the day of your grandmother's funeral. It was incentive, cruel, and heartless of me to do. And I will never do that to you again. Ever."

She looked to the ceiling, tilted her head to the side, and bit the inside of her cheek, acting like she was thinking if she should accept my apology.

Her eyes returned to mine, and she finally took the bouquet of roses from me. "I accept your apology. Again."

"Thank you," I replied, trying to figure out how to tell her; her breath reeks like a landfill on a hot summer day.

I followed her into the kitchen, setting the Tylenol and bottle of water on the counter. Then watched her hold her forehead while opening her cupboards, looking for a vase, I assume.

"Why don't you take a couple of headache pills, drink some water, and sit down and relax? I'll worry about the flowers. It's my fault I didn't buy these with a vase. I assumed you had one, or plenty—being a female and all."

She playfully shoved my shoulder. "Just because I'm a female doesn't mean I have a vase or two. Some women out there hate flowers and don't have vases." She smiled. "But you're in luck. Because I'm a sucker for flowers, and I happen to have a few vases. I just can't remember where I put them since it's been over two years since I had a man in my life."

I rested my hands on Eloise's shoulders, spun her around, and started walking her to the living room, grabbing the water and pills on our way out of the kitchen. "Relax. I'll look for them."

"Do you even know how to arrange the flowers once they're in the vase?" she quipped, her lips lightly smirking as she sat on the couch.

"No," I admitted, since I know nothing about flowers, "but it won't hurt me to try."

As I searched her cupboards, I made a mental note, telling myself, from now on, to buy flowers already arranged in a vase. Finally, in the last cupboard, I opened beneath the counter, I found several vases behind her cookware.

It can't be that hard to fill a vase with water and arrange the bouquet as a florist would do.

Can it?

I arranged the roses and baby's-breath the best I could, set the bouquet on the center of Eloise's table, then went over and sat beside her. "How's your head?" I asked.

"It's pounding, but nothing like when I woke up."

I moved her to where she lay between my legs and her head resting against my chest. And as she flipped through the channels, I kneaded my fingers into her scalp, hoping to massage her headache away.

"That feels so good," she quietly cooed, tilting her head further back, enjoying the head massage.

"Like I said, I'm here to care for you."

"So, was it Isabelle who tattled? Or did you get a hold of my sister, and her big mouth told you about last night?"

I chuckled at her question. She should know Isabelle said something since I was with Rory.

When I dropped him off, and I noticed how Isabelle looked like death roamed over her, I asked why she looked like she'd been hit by a train, and she told me everything.

"Isabelle looked just as rough as you do. And when I gave her crap about looking like death, she blamed you."

"Me?" she squealed, then got defensive. "It wasn't me who said to go to the club! That was Isabelle and Lilah's doing." She looked up at me. "I only called them over to have a girl's night. Here... to drink, gossip, and do the shit we used to do. But then they wanted to go to the club after seeing it was auction night."

I tilted her head forward and deepened my fingers into her scalp as I moved them down her head, massaging her neck and then her shoulders.

If she thinks I'm upset about her going to the club, she's mistaken. I know I had a fit about it before, but that was when my fucked up ass couldn't admit out loud I wanted us to take the next step—becoming boyfriend and girlfriend.

Now that we've committed to being an item, I won't get on her case about the sex club. And after hearing she insisted on wearing a bracelet, to keep men away from her, it says everything I need to know. And everything I feared, I need to not think about. Because Eloise just proved even more that she's not a strayer.

"At least you had fun. That's all that matters, right?"

"You're confusing, mister Harrison."

My fingers quit moving along her flesh. "I'm confusing? How?"

"Because whenever I went to the club, you'd give me hell for it. You'd have a fit and would order me to leave. Now, you're saying you didn't care I was there and genuinely saying you hoped I had fun?"

My hand formed around her neck, and I moved it up to her chin as I lowered my mouth to hers, kissing her lips. "I was in the wrong, Eloise. And I trust you. You proved that I could trust you numerous times. So why should I get bent out of shape for nothing?"

Her hands raised, and she rested them on top of mine. "Thanks, Callum. Coming from you means a lot hearing that you trust me."

"I should have before. And I shouldn't have acted how I was before. That was wrong of me. I've had much to think about this week and mulled over how I treated you since the beginning. And I want to apologize for my shitty, inhumane behavior."

"Is there something else you'd like to apologize about?"

What else haven't I apologized for?

I thought I'd apologized for everything?

Her grandma's funeral—a few times.

Everything that had to do with Mason—sending Aaron to spy on them, the screws, and transferring him, even though he asked to be. And how I wanted to transfer him more than anything to separate them.

With Aaron—for giving him the remotes and asking that he flirt with her while I kiss her.

For treating her like she's a nobody when she's everything.

For fucking with her after she said her safe word—which still bothers me I broke the safe word code.

And I've apologized for everything else I've done to Eloise when I upset her.

What am I missing?

"What haven't I asked forgiveness for?"

She didn't answer.

When I looked down and saw her eyes were closed, I lowered my lips to her head and kissed it, thinking she had fallen asleep.

But she didn't.

Now I know why she was quiet. She was thinking about what to say. And it made me sigh the second she opened her mouth, saying, "You haven't been apologetic for being tight-lipped about Victoria whenever I bring her up, wondering what happened between the two of you."

I sucked in a breath and leaned back, closing my eyes. Remembering the day I last saw Victoria.

I wrapped my arms around her. "I'll tell you about Victoria another time. It's not something I like talking about," I said carefully, not wanting to upset her while she had a hangover. I also didn't want to make her angry, where we'll fight.

I'm in no mood to argue. And I know Eloise isn't, either.

"I figured you'd say that," she sighed. "Just remember I'm here for you whenever you want to talk about it. That's how relationships work—they talk about things bothering them. They also help the person they care about get through whatever's holding them down and will help lift them back up. Remember that."

I know. I know.

"And also remember. When you asked that I talk to you about anything on my mind, if something's going on with me, even if that problem is about something I'm afraid you'll judge me about, I'd talk to you about it so you can help me. Well, Callum. That simple request goes both ways."

I know it does.

I guess now I understand what the meaning behind her text messages was. She was trying to hint that she'll catch me when I fell.

"Trust me when I say this, but when I'm ready to talk about Victoria's death, I will. But, as of right now, I'm not ready."

***

Trent: Are you busy tonight?

"There's been a change in plans; I'd like to leave Wednesday morning instead of Friday morning. That is, if that works out for you, of course."

"I return to Chicago tomorrow night, so Wednesday morning will work for me. What time were you thinking?"

"It all depends on you," I told my pilot.

"How about nine in the morning?"

"Works for me."

"Any special requests for the flight?"

Since it'll be a morning flight, I'll go for spoiling Eloise differently instead of ensuring the usual scotch whiskey is stocked. "Champagne, orange juice, strawberries, and for breakfast, I'd like them to make us Hong Kong French Toast."

"Sounds good, sir. We'll see you Wednesday morning."

Tonight.

What am I doing tonight?

Eloise asked me to come to her place, saying she wanted to cook for me. But something tells me Trent has something important he needs to discuss with me.

Me: Eloise had plans to make me dinner tonight. Why, what's up?

Trent: I received more information on the Playground and was curious if you'd like to meet me at Lucky's tonight to review the details.

Me: Can't that wait until I return from New York?

Trent: It could. But if you're serious about purchasing Erotic Playground, you might want to jump on it before they sell it to someone else.

Me: It's been on the market for eight months. I highly doubt it'll sell within the next week.

Trent: They lowered the price this morning.

Now that piqued my interest.

Me: Oh? By how much?

Trent: Five hundred grand. Apparently, they're eager to sell since they discovered his wife was pregnant with triplets.

I dragged my fingers through my hair, blowing air out of my lungs. I've been interested in buying this club since I stepped foot in it a year ago. It's similar to Trent's club but bigger and busier.

So when I got word that the club was for sale, anytime I flew to Minneapolis for a meeting, I'd make a pit stop at Erotic Playground and walk around, watch, and inspect. The club interested me, but I didn't care about the asking price. I thought they were asking too much, and any offer I'd make, they'd turn it down. Saying he was adamant about the price.

So for Arnie to lower the club asking price by five hundred grand is huge. An area closer to the price range I was hoping to buy it for. And if he's that eager to sell, I'm sure I can talk him down even more.

Me: What time?

Trent: How does eight sound?

Me: See you then.

Eloise is going to kill me. I know she was looking forward to tonight. And so was I, as I was curious to see what kind of cook she was. But, even though they say a way into a man's heart is through food, that isn't what Eloise needs to do—she's already found and buried herself in a spot deep in my heart.

From: Callum
To: Eloise
Subject: I'm sorry

Eloise,

I have to apologize. Something has come up, and I hope you'll be okay with this, but I'll have to take a rain check on that dinner tonight. I know Mondays are your night with Lilah, anyway. So would it be okay if we do this tomorrow night?

Also, I just spoke to my private pilot. He agreed to fly us to New York on Wednesday morning instead of Friday. So, it may work better if you came to my place tomorrow night instead, made dinner, and spent the night. Then, we can leave for the airport from my place.

Again, I apologize.

Sincerely,
Callum

I could have just gone to Eloise's office and told her about the change in plans instead of emailing her, but this morning when I drove us to headquarters, she asked that I not bug her all day long by entering her office whenever I felt like it. So this is me trying my hardest not to enter her office. Because if I do, I'll do what I've wanted to do to her since I installed the new camera system—bend her over her desk and fuck her.

From: Eloise
To: Callum
Subject: Re: I'm sorry

Callum,

There's no need to apologize. Do what you need to do. I need to talk to Lilah, anyway. So don't feel guilty about canceling. As for tomorrow, I'd love to see your place, so making dinner for you there will work out fine.

And what's the reason for flying to New York on Wednesday when we don't have to be there until Friday?

Eloise

Okay, woman. I'm not conversing with you through email anymore, even if that's how we have communicated these last six and a half months. Now I need to see your face. Hear your voice. Smell your coconut-scented shampoo and the paradise fragrance perfume you've been wearing lately, reminding me of when we were in Hawaii.

Scents I believe she's purposely dousing herself with to drive me crazy.

And if it is, I should tell her it's working.

"Knock, knock," I said, knocking on Eloise's door as I opened it.

She smiled, shaking her head. "You can't help yourself, can you?"

"What?" I asked stupidly.

"You couldn't even last a day without coming into my office."

"I'm not going to discuss this through email."

"Why not? It's how we talked since I started working for you. So what changed?" she asked, amusement heavily playing on her lips lined with shiny pink lip gloss.

"I'm in the office today. So why talk through email when we can talk face to face?"

"Because the last time you were in the office when I was here, you fucked me on your desk."

"And now I'll fuck you on your desk," I said, my lips curling into a massive grin as I headed to her. "Actually. I want to break the desk in your office by you riding my face while I lay on it."

She aimed her finger at me, tsking while trying to hide the smirk that formed on her face. "There will be no fucking inside this office, mister."

I wedged myself between the desk and her, crossing my arms. "Are you sure about that?"

Instead of answering me. Eloise changed the subject, asking, "What did you need that you couldn't send in an email?"

I kicked my leg over the other and smiled. "I needed to see your face, hear your voice, and smell your amazing body."

"And you couldn't have waited for any of that until the day was over?"

I shook my head. "Nope." I bent down, pressing my hands on the arms of her chair, then pushed her back and dropped to my knees. Raising my hand, I wiggled my finger at her. "Come here, baby girl. I know you're not wearing panties, so lift your skirt for me and sit on my face," I commanded, resting my head on the desk.

"How do you know I'm not wearing panties?"

I lifted my head, grinning as I admitted, "I watched your ass when you walked and didn't see any lines appearing in the fabric of your skirt."

She playfully arched a brow. "I could be wearing a g-string."

I chuckled. "You're not," I countered, snapping my fingers, urging Eloise to get to her feet and give me what I wanted—her delicious pussy.

"I'm expecting a phone call from Mack."

That made me groan.

Fuck that.

"That asshole can wait."

"Asshole?" she asked, surprised. "Aren't we supposed to meet with him and Melanie on Friday?"

"Yes, asshole. You told me Mack asked you to leave Chicago to work with him at my New York office. So that makes him an asshole. And it makes him an even bigger asshole by asking my girlfriend to go out on a date when he knows damn well you'll be attending the gala with me. Also, it's not Melanie. It's Marissa."

Eloise stood, then towered over me, running her fingers through my hair. "You know, if you had asked why he was calling, I would have told you that he's returning my call, letting me know where, when, and the time; we'll," she emphasized, "be meeting him and Marissa for dinner to go over the final details of the gala."

"Still. Mack can wait. Pleasuring my girl and satisfying her pussy is more important right now. Now lift your skirt and give me those lips."

***

Of course, I'm late meeting my brother. But hey, what can I say? I've got a woman now that I can't seem to get enough of whenever I'm around her.

I went from wanting to be at the office to not wanting to be at work, avoiding it altogether by traveling all over the states, to going back to wanting to spend all my time at the office and not traveling at all.

Just so I could be with Eloise and see her whenever I wanted.

So before dropping my girl off at her sister's and giving her my credit card to pay for their dinner and drinks, I gave her some more orgasms to think about. She also insisted on giving me a blow job in the driveway at her sister's house, which is why I'm late. I couldn't deny her giving me something she wanted to do.

Especially her mouth wrapped around my cock—worshiping it.

"I was beginning to think you had second thoughts and decided to back out," Trent said as I approached the table.

"Since I canceled our plans to meet with you, I wanted to make sure Eloise was happy and satisfied. If you know what I mean," I said, flashing him a grin that said, don't even say it.

Instead of him saying atta boy, you finally figured out how to jump a hurdle; Trent surprised me when he asked, "Did you tell her you were meeting with me?"

Confused, my brows formed together when I asked, "Was I supposed to?"

He shrugged. "Well, since you and Eloise made things official, I figured you stepped up, and you're telling her everything now."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked as the waitress came over, setting a drink in front of me.

"I hope this was what you wanted," the cute and very young waitress said, proudly smiling like she had done good work by remembering what I ordered whenever I came here. "I remembered that you always order Johnny Walker Blue, neat, measured by three fingers."

That's impressive. Especially since I only come here about once a month, sometimes once every two months.

"Thank you," I acknowledged with a friendly smile.

I returned my gaze to Trent when she left. "Anyway. What were you saying?"

"About Eloise?"

"Yes."

He took a drink of his scotch, set the glass on the table beside the file he brought along, then eyed me. "Since you finally acknowledged Eloise as your girlfriend, I figured you're now telling her everything—meaning everything... like Victoria, everything..."

"Eventually, I will tell Eloise about Victoria." I took a small sip of my scotch, relishing the smooth taste, then continued, "What's it to you, anyway?"

He leaned back in his chair and folded his arms against his chest. "I have to confess that the gig in Minneapolis isn't the only reason I asked to meet with you tonight."

"What?"

He unfolded his arms and leaned closer to me. "I also wanted to talk to you about Eloise. And to let you know that I talked with her the other night when she was at the club. She's a stunning woman, Callum—extremely stunning. And after seeing her in person and talking to her, I felt the need to tell you not to screw up this thing you started with her."

You've got to be kidding me.

I frustratedly shook my head, raising my voice, "You what?"

Looking pleased with himself, he responded, "Look, Callum. When I saw she was sitting with Aaron and Isabelle and heard Lilah was her sister, I asked to speak with her. And you're right. She's a feisty one. But that woman, wow. She is just the person you needed to enter your life at the time when she did. She's perfect. She's also a woman with a good head on her shoulders—someone you need. So don't do anything where it'll fuck up whatever good thing you have with her."

What the fuck...

"Don't look at me like you're about to kill me, either," he commanded with furrowed brows. "I didn't tell her about Victoria, even when she asked if there was something she needed to know about her. I told her that you'd tell her everything. So, please. For your sake and everyone else's—tell Eloise what happened to Victoria so she can help you get through this fucking shitshow you've put yourself through since she passed away. Especially since you won't let anyone else help you get over her. Let Eloise be the one to get your mind back to where you were before Victoria left this wonderful thing called life."

I'm going to kill him.

And why didn't she tell me Trent pulled her to the side to talk to her? About me!

"You look like you're about to put me six feet under."

"It's what's going through my mind, yes. And the other thing I'm wondering is, what the fuck, Trent? What the fuck did you two talk about?"

"Being the big brother I am and wanting to be sure my brother's heart wasn't about to be broken again, I asked her some things to be sure she wasn't about to do to you as Victoria did. And now I'm here to relay those answers she gave me to you. And you'll be happy to know she doesn't have cancer. She doesn't have any incurable diseases. She's very healthy. And she promised that if she needed your help with something, she'd come to you."

"Jesus, Trent," I irritatedly groaned.

Now I really know what the meaning behind her text messages meant.

Trent put her up to it.

"I know you're angry with me right now. But I had to do it. I had to be sure another woman wouldn't ruin my brother again. And you know what? I'm not sorry about drilling her with what I asked her. She answered everything I wanted to know without a fight. And I'll tell you what. That woman thinks the world of you. She'd never betray you. Ever. You know I'm good at reading people, and I can honestly tell you, she's the real deal. You allowed the right woman into your life—so don't fuck it up."

Trent may think he did something good for me. But I'm still going to kill him for going behind my back—again and questioning Eloise like she's being interviewed for a damn job.

Eloise is my girl, not his. And it's my problem to deal with the one I chose to be a part of my life, not him, either.

So what the fuck was he thinking?

"Did Arnie even lower the price of the sex club? Or did you just tell me he did, so I'd agree to meet with you tonight?"

His lips happily curved upward. "Oh, he did. But I just wanted to start with the more important matter first. Now that you know your girl isn't going to screw you over, we can go over the details of the sex club Arnie offered to sell to you, and you only."

I hope you enjoyed the chapter!! 🤞🤞