Rise - Part One (Rise #1)(23)

He'd pushed me onto his bed flat on my stomach then. He'd licked my back, trailing soft kisses over my sensitive skin before he entered me from behind. He'd f*cked me tenderly at first, whispering in my ear about how my body reacts to his in just the right ways.

I'd pressed against him, levelling my hips off the bed so my fingers could find my own core. I'd circled my clit and as he heard the small whimpers that fell off my lips with each thrust, he had pumped harder and faster until I came. He'd followed with a few deep thrusts as his body emptied its release.

"I've been a little busy since I got here." I run my fingers over his chin. "I should get up and find my phone so I can call him back."

I hadn't wanted to move from the spot on the bed next to him. I know I have to go soon though. Before I knocked on his door, I had texted Lilly telling her I wanted to meet for dinner. I'd typed out the address to Landon's building for her. The plan was that she would call me as soon as she exited a taxi in front of the building. I'll go down and we'll choose a place close to here for dinner.

Since Ansel is set to arrive in New York today, this is the time to tell Lilly about what once existed between me and the man she thinks has the voice of an angel.

I'd postpone my confession if I could. Not because I don't think Lilly deserves to know but because what I once felt for Ansel has disappeared. He's never going to matter to me again but the fact that he once did is reason enough to tell my best friend. The thought of her finding out in a story in some tabloid newspaper or on one of the gossip sites she frequents is almost unbearable. I have to do this and there's no time like the present.

"If it's not your dad, who is it?" He leans back to grab his smartphone from the nightstand. "Who are you keeping a secret from?"

I watch as he tilts it away from me. His fingers race quickly over the screen, typing out a short message. He bites his bottom lip as he looks over the phone towards me.

"Who are you texting?" I ask, knowing that the question sounds territorial.

"It's about work." He places the phone down on the sheet between us. "I'm not a senior pilot yet, so I don’t get first pick at available jobs. I have to trade with other pilots sometimes to get the routes I want."

It's an innocent answer to a question I assumed was about another woman. I can't do this to myself. I can't let my imagination run circles around what is a basic, and uncomplicated, truth.

Landon Beckett is my lover. We haven't set any other parameters for the relationship we share. He hasn't asked me how I spend my time when he's flying to other continents and I haven't asked him if there are other women waiting for him when he arrives there.

"Did you think I was texting a woman, Tess?"

I stepped into this willingly so I can't shy away from it now. "I wasn't sure. I was just curious."

"I don't sleep with more than one woman at a time." He scratches the top of his lip. "I'm not seeing anyone else."

It's direct and even if I didn't think I needed to hear the words, it's a relief. "I'm not seeing anyone else either."

"That's the way I want it. We'll keep it that way, okay?"

I nod just as I feel his soft lips glide over mine. I do want to keep it that way. I want to keep it that way for as long as possible.





Chapter 20


"I thought I'd get to meet the pilot today." Lilly sighs heavily. "I was hoping you'd bring him down to meet me in front of his building."

I had intended to do that. It was one of the reasons why I asked her to meet me there. After I got dressed I had asked Landon if he wanted to ride down the elevator with me to see Lilly, but he'd declined. He needed to shower he told me. He was meeting someone too and he was running late. He'd kissed me softly with words about regret about not being able to touch me later tonight.

After our promise of only seeing one another I knew there was no reason to ask for details. I have friends, he has friends, and if we continue on the path we're on, hopefully in a few weeks, or months, we'll have mutual friends.

"Things are going well with him, aren't they?"

I motion towards the waiter. "You're ready to order, right? I'm so hungry."

She giggles as she munches on one of the dry breadsticks there were sitting on the table when we arrived at this Italian restaurant just down the block from Landon's apartment.

I order the same entrée as Lilly, veal in a tomato based sauce. She orders us a bottle of red wine to share and I'm grateful when the waiter doesn’t turn towards me to ask for proof that I'm old enough to indulge. I've been carded almost weekly since I've moved to Manhattan so it's a treat not to feel as though I'm being viewed as a teenager trying to sneak a sip of alcohol behind her parents' back.

"What did you want to tell me?" she says happily. "I already know that Clive gave you the gala job. He told me himself."

"I'm excited to start planning that," I pause when the waiter arrives with the bottle of wine. He pours a small amount for Lilly. She takes a sip before gushing about how good it is. I wait until he's done pouring some into each of our glasses before I look across the table at her.

"I can help you with anything you need." She picks up the wine glass in her hand. "I mean I know you're the expert, but I love parties. I can pitch in."