Playing Pretend by Cassie-Ann L. Miller

Forty-One

Liam

I stretchout spread-eagle on my plush king-sized bed, enjoying the relaxed sensation in my muscles. Not only do I feel amazing physically, but for once, I don’t jump out of bed, pissed off with a mile long list of projects to tackle.

Sure, the work is all still there waiting for me. But this morning, it doesn’t weigh me down. I’m content to let it all wait a while longer.

I crack a lid open, disappointed to see that the other side of my bed is empty. The feeling lifts somewhat when I smell the intoxicating aroma of bacon and coffee wafting into my room.

Since my bed buddy is absent from my twisted sheets, I only need one guess who’s in my kitchen, making herself at home.

There’s a smile on my face when I climb out of bed. I stroll into the kitchen and the sight that greets me doesn’t disappoint.

Eliza is leaned over the counter, looking absolutely fuckable in tiny black panties and one of my Paragons T-shirts that she’s knotted at the side. Her wild blonde mane is a perfect mess as she jabs at buttons on the coffee maker.

She spins and hits me with a killer grin. “Hey, you. I hope this is okay.” She gestures to the spread on the island where an open bagel is sitting on a sheet of foil.

“It’s perfect.” I snatch a slice of bacon and down it in two bites.

“I sent you a draft of the next iteration on the Varner contract. It came in this morning from their office.” She drops three heavy slices of heart attack onto the bagel, wraps the sandwich in foil, then sets a stainless steel to-go cup of coffee in front of me. “And you have an 8:20 with the legal team, so if you grab breakfast to go and drink this on the way, you should have a few minutes to spare for reviewing the meeting agenda.” She sends a sultry wink at me.

She turns and busies herself with cleaning up the kitchen. She keeps rambling like she doesn’t need oxygen to survive.

Christ. This woman.

I stalk toward Eliza. My hands bracket her tiny waist and I pull her delicious body against mine. “You are so fucking smart. It turns me the fuck on.”

I inhale deeply, my nose buried in her hair. Even after a wild night in my bed, she still smells like herself.

She spins around to face me, her cheeks flushed. “Liam…”

I kiss my way down her neck and she shivers.

“You don’t have time for fooling around.” She squirms around against me, her breathing getting heavy. “You really need—oh my god—” she groans when I bite her throat. “—to go over—” She involuntarily rotates her hips. “—the meeting agenda.”

I mumble against her skin. “Cancel it. All of it.”

She giggles and then she moans. “You’re being a pig.”

When her fingernails dig into my chest, my whole body rumbles. “Cancel my morning meetings, Eliza.” My order comes out low and guttural. “Then meet me in the bedroom.”