Fake Empire(110)

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE





SCARLETT





Crew is acting strange. He came home distracted, but on time, missing Sophie and Nadia’s visit by only a few minutes. Pet Teddy and kissed Elizabeth before they went to bed, but it was autopilot. The same actions he does every night when he returns from work.

I watch him check his phone in the mirror’s reflection. Glance out the window. I set down the tube of lipstick.

“You know…we don’t have to do this tonight.”

That jerks him out of his reverie. Crew glances over, looking surprised. And confused. “What? Why?”

“It’s been a long day. And you seem…I don’t know, out of it. We can reschedule.”

His eyebrows rise and a touch of amusement reaches his lips. “Reschedule? It’s our anniversary.”

“I know, but it’s just a date. Our track record with annual holidays or celebrations or whatever isn’t great. And shouldn’t we celebrate our marriage every day, not just the day we got married?”

A full-blown smirk is his response to that comment. “Who knew you were such a romantic, Red?”

I roll my eyes. “Shut up. I’m serious.”

“I am too. So finish getting ready so we can go to dinner.”

“Hungry?”

“Yeah.” He slips his phone away, studying me with the expression of a sinner, not a saint. “For dessert. I’ll be downstairs.”

We’ve fooled around like horny teenagers since Elizabeth was born, but sex hasn’t happened. And if someone had told me at my wedding a year ago I’d be leaving my newborn daughter at home to go to an anniversary dinner with Crew Kensington with full confidence we were in a monogamous relationship, I would have laughed in their face.

Yet here we are.

I spray on a perfume, grab a pair of Louboutins from the closet, and head downstairs. My mom has made herself comfortable on the couch. Her enthusiasm toward being a grandmother is nearly as surprising as the state of my relationship with Crew. I was mainly raised by nannies. But my mother dotes on Elizabeth every chance she gets. Even my father has surprised me on occasion, asking to hold her or offering up a genuine smile when he sees her. He’s not here tonight, and I don’t ask why. My parents’ relationship isn’t for me to control or judge. Most importantly, it has no bearing on my marriage.

Crew is leaning against the wall next to the elevator, staring off into space. He straightens when he sees me coming, his blue gaze darkening with lust.

I smirk at him before greeting my mother. “Hi, Mom.”

She smiles as she looks me over. “You look beautiful, Scarlett.”

“Thank you. Do you need anything before we go?”

“No, no.” She waves a hand toward the entryway. “You two have a lovely evening. If Elizabeth wakes up, I’ll be here.”

“Okay.” I hesitate for a few seconds, even though she’s already turned back to the book open on her lap. Then, I walk over to Crew.

“Ready?” he asks.

“Ready,” I confirm as we step into the elevator.

“How was work?” he asks.

“Good. July issue is all set, and the summer line is sold out.”

He smiles at me proudly. “Congrats, Red.”

“Thanks. How was your day?” Kensington Consolidated has officially weathered the storm. The investigation ended without charges. Stock has risen. Being the CEO of a Dow company isn’t your typical nine to five though.

We sound like we’ve been married for decades. Crew is talking about some deal Oliver wants to take as we walk from the elevator to the bay of the garage for the penthouse where our cars are kept. We climb into Crew’s Lamborghini.

Impulsively, I lean over and unzip his pants. He stops talking immediately, zeroing on my hand palming his cock. The growl of the metal teeth parting is the only sound in the car.

“Did he show you their deliverables?” I ask, tracing the outline of his erection with my fingers.

Crew’s breathing is fast and ragged. “I can’t even remember what we were just talking about, to be honest.”

I laugh a little before I tug his cock out and lower my head, running my tongue around the crown.

“Scarlett.” My name comes out in a garbled groan, full of grit and gravel and want.

The garage lights are motion-activated. They flick off, plunging the car into near darkness, not shadows. The lack of light feels taboo and erotic. Heat pools in my stomach and dampens between my legs, making me feel needy and desperate. I clench my thighs together.

I suck him deeper, hollowing my cheeks and grazing the underside with my teeth, the way I know he likes it. I’m rewarded with a husky growl. One hand glides into my hair and tugs. “God, you’re the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen, Red,” he rasps. “You suck me so good, baby.”

I moan around him, knowing the vibrations will travel down his shaft. His hips jerk, telling me he’s close. Heavy breathing fills the car before he groans and fills my mouth. I swallow and lean back, letting his half-hard dick go after a final, wet suck.

Crew’s head is tilted back. He rolls it to look at me, his eyes lidded and hazy with pleasure. A lazy, satisfied grin on his lips. His cock still out. Still hard. Every woman’s fantasy.