But hoping. Absolutely hoping.
Five minutes later, it comes. There’s a close-up shot of the clip in her hair, and she’s lying on her bed. I can just make out the pillows behind her, and all I can think is I would love to unclip her hair again, run my fingers through it, tug on it, and plant a hot, searing kiss on her neck. My body throbs with desire.
* * *
Cole: If I were there, I’d have my hands in your hair.
* * *
Sage: We agreed not to do this.
* * *
Cole: We did agree. And yet I love the way your hair feels in my hands.
* * *
Sage: And I like the way it feels when you tug on it. When you smack me. When you talk dirty to me.
* * *
Cole: And when I fuck you hard.
* * *
Sage: I believe we established all of that earlier today in my office.
* * *
Cole: And so many other things about your desires too.
* * *
Sage: But we’re not going to explore them anymore.
* * *
I run my palm over my hard-on, firm as steel in my pants right now. And I reply with a lie.
* * *
Cole: Of course not.
* * *
Sage: Then I should say good night. And thank you again for the thoughtful return of the clip.
* * *
Cole: Good night, Sage. Sweet dreams. Or dirty ones.
* * *
I set down the phone, take my cock out, and get myself off to all the filthy thoughts of how I want to make Sage Carmichael my plaything again. How I want to make her scream, how I want to make her come, just the two of us, and how I want to do it again while Daniel takes her at the same damn time.
This woman is in my head and under my skin.
I both want to have her to myself and I want to share her.
And I’ve never felt that way about anyone.
I’ve never felt this kind of wild desire to have a woman in every possible way and to give her every possible kind of pleasure.
But I want it with her. With a woman I absolutely can’t have.
I do my best to remind myself of that when I see her reply.
* * *
Sage: I have no doubt they’ll be dirty.
* * *
Cole: Those are the best kind of dreams.
* * *
Then I do shut it down. And as I woo Max and Alex throughout the next few days and over the weekend, I constantly remind myself that she’s the competition.
16
Sage
On Monday, as I wait at a restaurant for my lunch meeting, my phone pings with a new email.
From Max and Alex’s managers.
* * *
Dear Sage,
* * *
Thanks again for golf last week—it was great, and we loved hearing more about The Extravagant and think it’s a good fit for us.
* * *
I know we indicated we were ready to sign on, but we’ve had an offer from another casino come through this morning that requires some serious consideration. We thought it only fair to let you know the reason for our delay.
* * *
We’ll be in touch in the next few weeks.
* * *
Regards,
Max and Alex Management
* * *
Damn it.
I throw my phone on the table as the waitress places a jug of ice water down. I’d felt certain Max and Alex were as good as a done deal, in the bag. And with most of the casinos having residencies locked in for the next few months, who else could be courting them?
A sheet of ice prickles my neck.
I know of one man.
One incredibly sexy, passionate, competitive man.
I quickly shoot them back an email and increase our offer just as Eliza walks in, the first to arrive for our lunch with Stone.
As always, my friend is perfectly put together and looking a little bit like a rock star herself, wearing designer jeans, a trendy violet top, and red shoes that I have no choice but to covet six ways to Sunday. They’re adorned with images of female comic book superheroes, and sport red sequins on the chunky heel.
Perfect for her.
Full of personality with a feisty touch.
I give her a hug, then a once-over. “Why do you always have to look so perfect?”
She flicks her silky chestnut hair and juts out a hip. “Because I’m meeting a rock star. Can you believe he’s been friends with my business partner for a few months now, and I haven’t met him yet?”
“Nadia is evil and clearly likes to hoard her