Rise - Part One (Rise #1)(22)

"It was over a long time ago, Clive." I cross my legs, trying to get my body to relax. "Ansel isn't part of my life anymore."

"He's coming to New York." He skims his fingers over his laptop keyboard. "He's set to arrive here on Thursday night."

I pinch the bridge of my nose. I came here to talk about an exciting new project that I thought Clive wanted me to plan for him. Now, I'm learning that he's such a fan of my ex-boyfriend that he tracks his every movement. "How do you know that?"

"He's going to be the surprise guest at a concert on Friday night." He slams the lid of his laptop shut. "I found that out from my wife at breakfast this morning."

I skip past that. I don't want to think about Lilly looking up details about the man I once planned a life with. I know I should tell her. I know that she confided in me about something that shaped her past so I owe her as much. "I'll tell her, Clive. I'll find the right time and I'll tell her."

"She'd be crushed if she knew you were holding back." His voice softens. "Lilly doesn't have a lot of friends. You're the closest one she has and I don't want her to lose that."

I don’t want to lose it either. "How did you know about me and Ansel? Who told you?"

"It popped up when I had an associate run a background check on you."

That's both offensive and expected. I know that Clive is all about security. Lilly has told me stories about how he looked through her personal computer when they first met. It almost tore them apart. The man definitely has trust issues. "Do I pass the test?"

"I want you to work on the gala, Tess. It's not just because of your friendship with my wife or the fact that my cousin's wife is your cousin. I actually think we're related in some abstract way." His mouth curves into a grin. "I want you on board because you're good. I heard about what you did for Liore lingerie."

"I won't let you down." I settle into the chair, the tension in my shoulders finally loosening for the first time since I sat down. "I'll do a great job."

"I have no doubt about that." He glances at me before he looks down at a document on his desk. "There's something else, Tess."

"What is it?" I lean forward trying to catch a glimpse of what's typed on the paper.

"Lilly said you're dating a pilot you met on that flight from Milan." He grabs the edge of the paper before he flips it over quickly. "Landon Beckett? That's his name?"

I study the back of the paper but there's no clue to be found there. Did I actually tell Lilly his full name? "Yes, that's his name."

"How well do you know him?"

I look to my right to hide the surprise in my expression. I don't want Clive to delve into Landon's personal life. I don't want him to run a background check on him the same way he did to me. I want my relationship with him to stay uncomplicated. "I like being around him. It's not serious."

"I've heard good things about his family," he says with a warm smile. "His brother is a stand-up guy."

I don't ask for clarification. I want this conversation to end on the positive note it's at now. "I've heard that too. Should I email you my proposal for the gala or do you want me to come back to go over the details?"

He doesn't flinch even though it's obvious by his furrowed brow that he's not pleased with the sudden shift in conversation. "Put together some ideas, Tess, and I'll call you to set up a time to come back to go over those, and the proposed budget. We can discuss your fee then too."

I push myself to my feet. "I'll do a good job, Clive. Thank you for trusting me with this."

"I trust you, Tess. I trust you with this. My wife trusts you too."

I pivot on my heel and walk out of his office, fully aware that he's given me a silent deadline to tell Lilly about my past with Ansel.





Chapter 19


"Have you ever kept something important from someone you care about?"

Landon swallows as he stares at my face. "Where did that come from?"

I am suddenly overcome with humiliation. I feel embarrassed for asking a question that is too intimate for the relationship we're just beginning to grow. We've only seen each other a few times and even though those moments have been filled with pleasure, emotional discussions and a feeling of peace, we've never defined what we are to one another. "I'm struggling with something."

"You're keeping a secret from someone?" I can hear the genuine curiosity in his tone. "Is it me? You know you can tell me anything."

I smile softly. "It's not you."

"Good. Is it your dad?"

"No," I answer quickly. "Why would you think that?"

He weaves his fingers through mine as he glides his lips over my cheek. "Your dad called a few times since you got here. You haven't called him back."

I barely heard the door of Landon's apartment close behind me before we were in his bedroom. I'd pulled the dress I was wearing over my head just as he fell to his knees and parted my folds with his tongue. He ate me so greedily that I came quickly before leaning back into the wall while he licked me painfully slow until I held tight to his head as another orgasm rolled through my body.