Jimmy wanted to savor every moment while it lasted. Drinking the champagne off Tate's gorgeously smooth skin was a fantasy come true. Never had he had foreplay like that, and he had lots of foreplay. Lapping from her gorgeous back held an intimacy he had never experienced.

He dated women, but not for long. One or the other needed something and once the need was granted the romance fizzled. He was not afraid to use sex as a negotiation tool. His reputation was true, and he earned every rebuke he received. It was a miracle his mother still loved him.

Tate Kane needed nothing from him except a distraction, but he didn't seduce her for selfless reasons. Jimmy Sinclair was rarely selfless. At least the public Jimmy. The real Jimmy would do anything for the people he loved. Tate was right he would save them all, but he learned at six it wasn't possible. Losing his brother, Matty, when he was so young and helpless left a mark on his family. The only thing that held them together was love. Money didn't help grief.

He flopped on his back hoping the angel beside him would wipe away his dark cloud. If only they weren't so stubborn, because they understood each other at a level no one else ever could.

She climbed on top, and frowned. "Don't go there. Not now when I'm so aroused."

He laughed. Her sweet voice pushed the clouds away. "Baby, have your way with me."

Christ, she did, and he was the one who rode horses. He imagined her long hair flowing behind her as they raced side by side across the field. He would save that fantasy for another day while he savored so many others finally coming true. The number of times he jerked off to thoughts of her riding him was staggering. Most often, he was alone in a hotel room wishing he had something to go home to besides a butler who refused to smile.

When the knock on the door filled the room, Tate was lying on top of him with her chest heaving. She giggled and stood up. "Just leave it. Thank you." Then she whispered, "I'm famished."

They had eaten only a little of the cake, but had destroyed most of it in the box and on the table. Some chunks were on the rug. He would pay for the damages. A narrative which hid his involvement formed in his head.

Tate put on the hotel bathrobe to step into the hall for the room service cart. He stood and found his boxers. Sitting in a hotel chair ass naked didn't suit a Sinclair. Knowing Tate, she would keep her robe on to eat. Some things were ingrained deeply and their backgrounds were the same.

He looked at the cart. "Why three?"

She shrugged. "One was too lonely and two was a reminder so I blurted three."

He smiled. "So this is what I missed."

She frowned. "It isn't very special. It looks like Saturday night in any ballroom in Boston for name that cause."

Jimmy laughed and cut a piece of beef. "It's good though. Why?" He shook his head.

"Why what? I think we're past small talk."

"Fine. Why him?"

Tate stabbed an asparagus spear with enough force to kill. "I don't know. Yesterday I did, but I suddenly forgot. I'm furious and humiliated."

"It's not your fault."

She shook her head. "I chose him. I should blame Kasper. He encouraged me."

"Baxter didn't."

"I should have listened to the right brother. He can't know about us. He might get righteous and try to kill you."

Jimmy laughed. "I won't tell him I violated his little sister fifty different ways."

She looked into his eyes. "I don't feel violated."

"Good, because I have more positions to try."

She laughed. "Only you would memorize the Kama Sutra."

He winked. "Baby, I don't need a book."

She cleared her throat. "It tastes alright for standard fare."

"How do you like working for your brother?"

She laughed. "I can do small talk. It's good. Unfortunately, I'm about two levels below him."

"But it won't be that way forever."

"There are a few toes I would need to step on and shoulders to climb over."

"Would you ever leave Kane?"

She shook her head. "No, it's my legacy. You understand."

"I do. Believe me, I know the pressure to succeed. Baxter feels it."

"He hides it, by acting like Baxter the almighty."

Jimmy laughed. "That's a new one. Which twin made it up?"

"I did just now. Did he take over today?"

Jimmy shook his head. "We all pitched in, but your father made the announcement."

"Was he smiling?"

"No, and Baxter wasn't either, not even when he escorted your not future in-laws to the door."

She covered her face. "I'm so stupid. I hated Sherry. Dickie wasn't so bad."

"Any grown man who goes by Dickie deserves to be hated. What's his business?"

"Dawson Sports. I'm sure you've never heard of it."

The name sounded familiar. He tucked the information away for another day. "This is not your fault. He sold you a bill of goods. He reminds me of the guy my cousin married. If you ask me, you got lucky."

"Has he cheated on her?"

"If he has, I don't know about it. He is alway asking me to invest in some scheme or another. I worry for Shaun and her daughter, because he spends money faster than she makes it. Like I said, you'll be glad when it's not so raw. Plus, you ate cake with me."

She laughed. "I did more than that. I can't believe I should be married by now."

He smiled. "But you had sex with me instead. There are a few more positions, if you're done eating."

"Are you?"

He winked. "The beef. I haven't eaten you." Her gasp and pink cheeks were worth his comment. "Are you leaving tomorrow?"

"I'm going to the Caribbean alone. Why should I give up a perfectly wonderful vacation?"

Throwing back his head, he laughed. That's my girl.

Jimmy woke and grabbed his phone. The battery was almost dead. It was five am, seven am east coast time. When he traveled, he was like an old man and avoided the time change. Next to him, Tate was asleep, breathing softly. He tried to wear her out so she would sleep. He looked at her peaceful face before quietly climbing out of the bed.

It took some effort to find his clothes in the dark. Smiling, the room looked like a rock band had partied in it, not a jilted bride. Once dressed, he slipped out. His own room was on the same floor. There was no chance of running into Kasper carrying his shoes and suit coat. The twin would never wake early enough to see his walk of shame. Jimmy never understood the label. It was the first time he felt shame. Had he taken advantage of her situation? If Baxter knew. Jimmy would have a black eye and a public drink wouldn't fix their friendship. Damn social media. Hopefully, no one saw him slink out of the bridal suite into his own room.

Instead of taking a shower, he put on workout clothes and hit the gym. He had taken part in stress releasing activities, but his workout routine kept him sane. It had been a long time since he spent the night with a woman. Tate was the first woman he trusted in a few years. He dated a woman who posted pictures of him sleeping. The sheet hardly covered the family jewels. The last thing he needed was his dick for the world to see.

Tate wouldn't let anyone know about their escapades because she had been engaged when she woke that morning. Smiling, he would check in on her after he showered. Hopefully, she didn't have regrets. Aside from timing, their past was a landmine on the way to a repeat. He closed his eyes. It just might have been the best sex of his life. Even better than the girl he paid for at twenty-one.

After a six-mile run on the treadmill. He took a long shower. Melancholy overwhelmed him as he washed her scent away. Dressed in jeans, with his hair towel dried, he knocked on the door to her suite. A woman with the housekeeping uniform opened the door.

"I'm looking for Ms. Kane."

"Checked out. She left this behind." She held up the white dress.

"I'll take it and give it to her brother."

After depositing the dress in his room, he went to speak to the manager. His story was straightforward. The woman was a little older than him. "Is everything okay, Mr. Sinclair?"

"Yes. I stopped by to check on Ms. Kane but she had left. I saw the condition of her room and would like to pay for any damages. The last thing Ms. Kane needs is her father to foot another bill. In addition, keep the condition of the room confidential. I'll hold you personally responsible."

"I assure you our staff has the utmost confidentiality. I'll add the damages to your bill. Will she be alright?"

He nodded. "In time."

Once back in his room, he texted Martin, his pilot, to prepare the plane. He had hardly unpacked. His suit needed to be cleaned. He considered throwing his shirt away, but made the mistake of putting it to his nose. It held her fragrance. The mound of white sat on his bed. Instead of searching out Kasper, he somehow shoved it into his suit bag.

As he waited for his car, he noticed some snow had fallen overnight. If the parking lot was clear, the runway would be as well. He wanted to get the hell out of Colorado, so he could go back to work.

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