I took in a deep breath and stepped off the elevator. I knocked quietly on the door of Room 4709. Immediately, the door opened, and he stood there with a smile on his face.

“Please come in,” he said. “I wasn’t sure if you’d show.”

“I wasn’t sure if I would either,” I said as I stepped inside his room.

“Would you like a drink?”

“No, thank you. I’ve had way too much already.”

The corners of his mouth curved up when I said that. “Is that so?” he said as he walked closer to me, took my clutch from my hands, and threw it on the chair. He stood in front of me, and as I looked down, he cupped my chin in his hand and lifted it up until I was forced to look at him.

“Someone as beautiful as you should never be looking down.”

As I took in a sharp breath, he took his finger and ran it across my jaw line. “You’re so stunning. From the moment I laid eyes on you, I wanted you. I know you felt it too. I could tell by the look in your beautiful blue eyes. Did you feel something?”

I nodded my head lightly as his gaze held mine.

“Say it. I want to hear you say that you felt something when you saw me.”

“I felt something,” I whispered.

He leaned closer to me, gently nipped my bottom lip, and then looked at me. “Do you want me to fuck you? Because I’ve wanted to since the moment I saw you,” he said as he traced my lips with his finger.

The words wouldn’t escape my lips, so I nodded my head.

His mouth crashed into mine as my lips parted slightly, allowing his tongue to explore my mouth. Once he had me against the wall, he cupped me below, feeling my soaked panties as his fingers pushed them to the side and he inserted his finger inside me.

“I knew I turned you on,” he said as his lips pursued my neck.

While I ran my fingers through his hair, he took down both straps of my dress and let it fall to the floor. “I want you to leave your shoes on,” he commanded.

His right hand kneaded my breast as his left ripped the panties right from me. I gasped as he dipped two fingers inside. He moved them in and out of me while he unbuttoned his pants with his other hand and took them down. My breathing was rapid and my moans became louder as he inserted himself into me. He was rock hard and so strong that each time he pushed deeper into me, he sent my body into convulsions. I wrapped my legs tightly around him as he held me up against the wall and continued to thrust in and out of me.

“Oh my God, oh my God,” I yelled as my body shook and he brought me to an amazing orgasm.

“That’s right. I want to feel your pleasure all over me,” he said as he forcefully pushed himself into me one last time and I felt him explode inside of me.

With my legs still wrapped around him, he looked at me and kissed my lips. “Well played, Mrs. Black.” He smiled.

“Touché, Mr. Black.” I laughed.

I unwrapped my legs and he gently put me down. “Please say you’ll stay with me tonight instead of going back to your room. I don’t want to sleep alone.”

“Of course I’ll stay here. I love you so much, Connor,” I said as I wiped the sweat from his forehead.

“And I love you, Ellery.”

We climbed into the luxury bed and Connor wrapped his arms around me.

“Did you know I was here? I asked.

“No. I had no idea you’d be here. I had a Vegas room set up in the suite for Henry’s party and one of the other guys arranged the strip club. When the elevator doors opened and I saw you standing there, you took my breath away, and I felt like it was my first time ever seeing you. That’s why I wanted to pretend that I didn’t know you, and when you played along, that’s when I decided to play it out.”

“We should do this more often.” I smiled as I rolled over and his arms tightened around me.

As he softly kissed my back, he whispered, “We’re going to have a little talk in the morning about that dress you were wearing.”

I smiled as I closed my eyes and fell fast asleep.

Connor

One month later…

“I don’t give a shit if his wife left him. You tell him that the Chicago building better be ready next month for the inspection. I’ve paid him good money to see that it gets done, and it better be ready! Because if it’s not, you tell that son-of-a-bitch that I’ll see him in court,” I yelled as I threw my phone across the desk.

“What’s going on?” Ellery said as she walked into my home office, carrying Julia.

“Just people not doing what they’re supposed to be.” I sighed as I got up from my desk and walked over to her.

“Is it the Chicago building again?”

“Yeah, baby, it is, but I don’t want you worrying about it,” I said as I kissed her head and took Julia from her. “Have you finished the last painting?”

“Yes, I have. I just finished it a few minutes ago.” She smiled.

“Great. I’ll have them wrapped and shipped to the gallery. They’ll be there just in time for the opening next week.”

I looked at Julia and she stared at me with her big blue eyes as I talked to Ellery. She was growing so fast. Ellery had started her on baby food and she’d learned to sit up by herself.

“Peyton and Henry come home today from their month-long honeymoon,” Ellery said.

“They had a great wedding. I can’t believe how fast it came and went.”

“I know. Time is going by so fast. Look at how big Julia is getting already,” she said.

We heard the elevator doors open and Mason announcing that he had arrived.

“Are you ready to hit the gym?” I asked Ellery.

“You bet I am. Let me go and grab my bag.”

We walked out of the office and I handed Julia over to Mason. “There’s the little princess.” He smiled.

While Ellery grabbed her bag, I took mine from the hall closet and grabbed my keys. “I forgot to tell you that I’m driving us today. Denny called me this morning, and he’s not feeling well.”

Ellery turned and looked at me. “What? What’s wrong with him?” she asked with concern.

“I’m not sure. He just said he wasn’t feeling well and that he’s sorry, but he couldn’t work today.”

“Denny is never sick,” she said.

“I know. I’m a little worried about him, but I’m sure he’s just picked up a bug. People at the office are sick.”

“I hope he feels better soon.”

“Me too, baby,” I said as I put my arm around her and we headed to the gym.

After our workout, Ellery dropped me off at the office and took the Range Rover with her. I told her that I’d catch a cab home this evening. Valerie followed me into my office, rattling off all the meetings that were scheduled for today. As I sighed, I set my briefcase down on my desk and looked out the large window that overlooked the city. My mind wouldn’t stop thinking about Denny. In all the years I’d known him, he had never once been sick, and I was concerned.

“Mr. Black, are you all right?” Valerie asked.

“I’m fine, Valerie. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a couple of things to do before my first meeting.”

She nodded her head and walked out of the office, closing the door behind her. As I turned my computer on, the screen displayed a picture of Ellery and Julia. After a few minutes had passed, Phil and Paul walked into the office, summoning me to the meeting. I left my phone on my desk and grabbed my files.

While I sat in the board room on a conference call with Sakura Nakamora, CEO of Takashi Enterprises, a Japanese company we were trying to negotiate a contract with, Ellery came through the door. As I saw her, I jumped out of my seat.

“Ellery, what’s wrong?” I asked, as I could tell she looked panicked.

“Connor, I’m sorry, but it’s Denny.”

“Finish this meeting without me,” I said as I looked at Paul and Phil.

I placed my hand on the small of her back and led her out to the hallway. “What happened?” I asked as we walked to my office.