But I did also think you were perfect. I kinda like seeing you not perfect.”
I watched Beck cross the yard.
“I kinda like everything that’s happening right now in my life,” I admitted. For the past week, Beck and I had been drunk on each other. At night, he picked me up from Wild Heart on his motorcycle, drove me to my mansion and we fucked each other until dawn. Our appetites were insatiable—Beck was insatiable. He didn’t just fuck me, it was an endless, erotic exploration with his hands, his palms, his fingers, his tongue. He sent me to space and brought me back down to earth. In between, we’d eat snacks and tell stories and swim naked in my warm pool beneath a canopy of starlight.
And I woke every morning with a hard, naked Beck melded to my back, kissing my neck and stroking my hair.
I’d been late to work every day this week. But I wasn’t able to conceal my silly, light-hearted smile. It was constant now, and Beck was the source.
“I told you,” Jem said.
I gave Penelope another treat for being cute. “Told me what?”
“Second chances. You got one and you didn’t fuck it up.”
I reached over. Squeezed her shoulder. “It was touch and go there for a while. Wild Heart’s going to be in financial trouble for a long time until I can re-right the ship.”
Jem was silent, watching me.
“But, yes,” I finally said, “I didn’t fuck it up. You were right. Plus, I got Beck out of it.”
I flashed her a goofy smile. She surprised me with a hug, wrapping her arms around my waist. Penelope barked happily as I squeezed Jem around her narrow shoulders.
My throat tightened.
It was more than Beck that I’d gotten.
“Hey, can I ask you something random?”
“Sure,” she said, stepping back from me. “What is it?”
“The day we filmed Jimmy’s adoption video, what did Beck whisper in your ear? To you and Wes?”
“Oh,” she said. “He said…” She tapped her lip, thinking. “I’ve always seen your value.”
My chest constricted. “I do too.”
“I know,” she said. “You see everyone’s value. That’s who you are as a person.”
I looked at my fingers, now absent of my ever-present and very on-brand, gold rings. I had sold them yesterday, was sending the money directly to the elephant sanctuary where my parents were volunteering. I never wanted to be ashamed of earning my billionaire status. But I was pretty sure I didn’t need to be adorned with jewelry that cost such a hefty price.
“Did Wes ask you on a date?” I whispered, changing the subject. Jem shook her head.
“No, but I asked him. We’re going tonight.”
I gave her another squeeze before letting go. “Your eyeliner is flawless.”
Jem touched her cheeks. “Thank you. And, uh, I’ll go put in a good word with the boss about your application to adopt Penelope.”
My heart lurched forward. I looked down at the dog I loved.
“Thank you,” I said. Watched her walk away and give Wes a very romantic-looking high five.
“Luna.”
I turned around to find Beck, by himself, grinning at me.
“Mr. Mason,” I said. No one was around, so I wrapped my arms around his waist and let him give me a giant, Beck-sized bear hug. His fingers found my ponytail, tilted my head back.
Claimed my mouth with a kiss that was a bit too filthy for the workplace.
“I missed you,” he said.
“It’s only been eight hours since I saw you this morning,” I teased.
“Feels like longer.” He ghosted his lips over my temple.
“Remember when I told you we could start going to events together and you could be my date?”
“Where are you taking me?” he asked.
“I’ve been asked to fill in last minute as a keynote speaker at an event tonight honoring women business leaders in Miami.”
His eyebrows shot up in surprise.
“My thoughts exactly,” I mused. “Want to come and watch me give a speech?”
“Of course,” he said, although an odd pause preceded the words. A hesitation. “I won’t embarrass you?”
“What? Of course not,” I said, tilting my head. He hadn’t asked me a question like that in a week. I was hoping we were both working past the frequent impasses we’d had when we first met. “I happen to think you’ll be the hottest guy there in a suit.”
“Those places have people that aren’t always that welcoming to a guy like me.”
“I guarantee you’ll be a better person than most of the people on that beach,” I said.
“Wait, where is it?” he asked.
“Middle of Ocean Drive, on the beach.”
His