Zephyra's POV We were spared further conversation with Scottie and her date when the emcee took to the stage to talk about the schedule for tonight, which included numerous courses of food and a lot of mingling, followed by the silent auction and then dancing. A casual Friday night for billionaires. Once everyone was seated, the first course was brought out. It was caviar, artfully dolloped on some fancy-looking lettuce leaves. I tried it because I’d never had it before, then did my best not to screw up my nose. I quietly panicked. Was it considered rude if I didn’t eat it? Lirael’s thigh pressed against mine as he murmured in my ear, “Don’t eat it if you don’t like it. It’s an acquired taste.” “Let me guess.” I tilted my face up to his. “You’ve acquired it?” He shrugged. “I wasn’t given much of a choice when I was a child.” I looked down at the pile of shiny black fish eggs. “I can’t believe your parents gave this to you as a kid. I used to kick up a fuss when Mom made me eat my

Lirael's POV As soon as the car pulled up outside the hotel, I hustled her out and up to my room. Even as the door swung shut behind us, my hands were cupping her ass, and I was taking her mouth again. I couldn’t seem to stop. The way she moaned had me deepening the kiss. She tasted so sweet. If I were any other man, I might get addicted. I lifted her and pressed her against the wall, rocking into her, pressing my cock against her pussy. She whimpered and bucked against me. Her dress was pushed up, and she wrapped her legs around my hips. My need to devour her flamed higher as her nails dug into me, holding me close. If she was worried I was going somewhere, she shouldn’t be. There was nowhere else I wanted to be. I lowered her to the floor, letting the silky material of her dress fall around her legs. “All the way down,” I growled as I unzipped my pants and pulled myself out. She looked at where my fingers were wrapped around my aching shaft, and understanding flared across her fac

Lirael's POVFirst thing Monday morning, Nathan asks me to come to his office. I drop into one of the chairs on the other side of his desk and grab a chocolate chip muffin from the tray his assistant lays out for him every morning. He Never eats any of it.“I’m assuming you want to know how the trip to Chicago went?” I say when he doesn’t look up from the papers in front of him. It’s a classic Nathan power play that he learned from Dad. I became immune to it long ago.He finally looks up. “Among other things, yes.”“The site is good,” I say. “Zephyra had some thoughts on maximizing the view.”His cool gray eyes take me in. “She did, did she?”I meet his gaze unflinchingly. “Yes. She’s a very talented architect.” “I’m sure it’s her architectural talents you’re interested in.”I won’t confirm I’m sleeping with her, even if he suspects it, but I won’t let him disparage her skills, either. “She’s excellent at what she does, and you’d know that if you bothered to look at any of the plans.”

Alex puts down her wineglass. “You turned down a night in a billionaire’s penthouse for me? I’m flattered, but you shouldn’t have.” “Yes, I should,” I say, taking a sip of my wine. “He’s very . . . overwhelming, you know? I mean, doing something like this in the first place is not like me. I can’t let myself get completely sucked in by him, because he’ll just chew me up and spit me out. I also really can’t afford to screw up this job.”Freya’s brow crinkles. “Then why are you doing it?”I run my finger around the rim of my glass and let out a sigh. “I’m not sure. I’ve never felt anything like this, you know? I’ve never been . . . swept away by anything or anyone. I’ve always done the smart thing.”I’ve spent my life achieving one goal after another, but there’s a price for that level of commitment. One I wasn’t sure I’d thought twice about paying until the first night Lirael touched me. He showed me another side to life I’d been missing in my single-minded drive to secure financial fu

Lirael's POVI tie a knot in the condom and drop it into the trash. As I turn to leave the bathroom, I glimpse myself in the mirror. A fine sheen of perspiration coats my body, and the satisfied gleam in my eyes has everything to do with the orgasms I’ve had over the last two hours. And even more, the ones I’ve given Zephyra.Although I came only a few minutes ago, the thought of her lying stretched out and naked in my bed has me hardening.It’s late and she’s probably tired, but I think I can drag another orgasm out of her before I send her home. I exit the bathroom, only to stop when I see Zephyra standing by the side of the bed, pulling her skirt over the curve of her ass.She already has her bra on, and as I watch, she reaches for her blouse.I cross my arms and lean my shoulder against the doorframe. “Going somewhere?”She glances at me over her shoulder, a tentative smile playing on her lips. “I think five is probably my limit. And I didn’t want to . . .”“What?” I ask.She turn