Reluctantly Yours(78)
I nod. That means a lot. It’s the reason why I’ve been working so hard all these years to put SCM on top. To honor my father’s legacy. I’m realizing that I want a legacy of my own. It has nothing to do with business and everything to do with Chloe.
CHAPTER 24
Chloe
The only thing sexier than a man reading a book is a man reading a book to a child. A sweet little redhead toddled up to Barrett and plopped herself down in his lap during his story time reading. He glanced down at her for a moment, shifted the book to keep it in the camera frame and continued on. How the hell am I supposed to resist that? It’s not possible. I don’t even want to try.
I’m so entranced with Barrett’s story time delivery that I barely notice Emma approach.
“He must have a thing for redheads,” she says, her gaze on Barrett and the little girl.
“I really like him,” I gush. I’m a cartoon character with hearts for eyes. “Like a lot.”
She laughs. “He’s your boyfriend, that’s normal.”
“Right.” I nod, because while Barrett and I have been getting to know each other the past few weeks, to the outside world we’re already a done deal. Feelings revealed, everything sorted, when in fact nothing is obvious, except for the fact that if we don’t have sex soon, I’m going to spontaneously combust.
My underwear is already wet thinking about our hook up in his office this afternoon. I still can’t believe I burst into his office in the middle of the day and demanded to suck his dick. Who does that? Fake girlfriends who are dying to suck their fake boyfriend’s dick, I guess.
And then he wouldn’t let me leave without feeling me come on his fingers first. My clit throbs recalling his demanding words. While I’m not usually a fan of him telling me what to do, bossy bedroom Barrett is my favorite.
Oh God, now I’m thinking about his hard length pressed between us. Wondering what it would feel like if he pressed his thick crown against me. If I slid down onto his length.
“I’m dying to know more details about that look on your face,” Emma smiles mischievously, then scrunches her nose, “but also not because Barrett’s like my brother.” She looks around. “Is it too late for you to date someone else? Someone we can gossip about without me feeling weird? I can introduce you to other successful, workaholic businessmen if that’s what you’re into.”
I laugh quietly, making sure I’m not disrupting Barrett’s reading.
“It might be too late,” I say. It’s definitely too late for me to reconsider having sex with Barrett. While not executed yet, that decision has been made. It’s happening.
I quickly tamp down my lustful thoughts when JoAnna walks over.
“Everything turned out wonderful, Chloe,” she says, giving me an air kiss on both cheeks. “I really appreciate all you’ve done with the Books 4 Kids launch. I know it wasn’t easy with you also taking on Lacey’s workload.”
I smile, but it wasn’t easy. This week was overwhelming, but helping me through it was Barrett. The orgasms were amazing, but also how attentive and sweet he was. Helping me with the Books 4 Kids bags and taking Baxter for walks when I was working late. It made me wonder if that’s how he would be as a partner, if we were really together.
The three of us watch Barrett continue to read the book.
JoAnna leans in and whispers to me, “I’d ask how you got him to do this, but I already know.”
“You do?” I ask, wondering exactly what it is that she knows.
“It’s obvious.” She smiles at me, then turns to watch Barrett. “The only reason a man does something for a woman that he wouldn’t normally do is because he’s in love.”
My heart skips a beat at JoAnna’s statement. And I have to restrain the nervous laughter that wants to bubble out of my throat. Barrett in love? With me?
For a moment, I let JoAnna’s wild assertion fester in my brain. What would it be like to be Barrett’s, for real? To be by his side because he wants me there, not because he needs a fake girlfriend for a business deal. Weeks ago, I would have laughed at the thought. Now, it doesn’t seem as absurd.
I can see it clearly. Time together spent cuddling on the couch, weekends strolling the city with Baxter and of course, lots of hot, passionate sex.
Sex with Barrett. That’s a fantasy I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the past few days. I’d like to make that fantasy a reality as soon as possible.
But, as much as I’ve gotten to know Barrett, I still have to wonder what is real and what is part of our arrangement. He’s still focused on his deal with Fred and our relationship is a part of that. We’re not a real couple. Yes, we’re hooking up now, but orgasms don’t equal love.
While JoAnna’s words are tempting to consider, I remember the real reason Barrett is here. I put it on my list. JoAnna thinks it’s because we’re together and all I had to do was ask. That’s the furthest from the truth. Maybe his reluctance to make this appearance has eased since we’ve been hooking up, but I doubt he would be here if I didn’t make it one of my conditions to continuing this fake relationship with him.
He's given me no indication that this is anything more than a business arrangement with benefits.