Gentleman Nine(32)

She pulled me into her, and we kissed as I tried to calm down, caressing her back. Emily was rubbing her bare skin against me. I knew I could have slipped inside of her in two seconds flat and that she’d be wet and welcoming. But for some reason, instead of relaxing into everything that was happening, my muscles tightened. I realized in that moment that I was resisting. Why? Why was I moving away from this when my body was turned on? Something was off.

Threading my finger through the back string of her thong, I pulled on it and closed my eyes, determined to let myself get lost in her tonight. The thong made me think of Amber’s lingerie. Images of her underwear laying on the grass of the Boston Common flashed through my head. All of my thoughts then moved to Amber. My heart was now palpitating because suddenly the ass I was gripping was Amber’s. At least, in my mind it was. And I was getting harder.

To get lost in Emily was what I wanted, but it wasn’t what I needed. It started to hit me all at once: Amber was showing up to a hotel to supposedly fuck a stranger tomorrow. Tomorrow. But she didn’t really want him. She wanted me. Why couldn’t it be me? I was leaving town anyway. Why couldn’t I be the one to give her what she needed in the meantime? Either I was losing my mind, or this was making a lot of sense. I couldn’t figure out which option was correct.

And now, I was painfully hard thinking about this. Shit. I was in no state to be screwing Emily when all I could think about was sex with Amber.

Prying myself away, I said, “I don’t think I can do this tonight.”

She looked shocked. “What? Why?”

“I’ve got some things on my mind that I can’t shake. I’m really sorry, but I think I need to go home.”

The mood was understandably awkward for the next several minutes as Emily got her clothes back on.

“Will you call me when you’re feeling better, then?”

“Of course. I just need a little time to sort some stuff out.”

Everything was suddenly very clear to me. Before I could focus on anything with Emily or anyone else, I had to get Amber out of my system.





CHAPTER TEN




* * *



AMBER




Annabelle picked up. “Hey. Are you on your way?”

My legs felt wobbly as I walked down Grove Street in my heels. “Yes. Can you remind me what the hell I was thinking? Now that this day is actually here, I’m seriously considering backing out.”

“You can’t back out. You just paid a ton for a Brazilian wax. You need to show that shit to someone.”

“Okay, if it doesn’t work out, I’ll come over in a trench coat and flash you before I drink the night away.” I sighed. “I just need to remember to breathe.”

“Where are you now?”

“I’m just walking up to the entrance of The Peabody.”

“Make sure you call me the second it’s over, okay? Even before that if you need me.”

I blew out a shaky breath. “Okay. Thank you, Annabelle.”

“You got it, friend. Take care of yourself.”

With its dark wood décor and elaborate crown moldings, the historic Peabody Hotel was a place of rich architectural beauty. A beautiful Asian woman was playing the harp in a corner. G9’s choosing this place meant he had good taste.

My palms were sweaty as I entered the dark lounge, which was located diagonally across from the opulent front desk area. Red tablecloths were draped over the tables, and a massive chandelier shimmered from above.

At the very least, if he never showed, I could just have a drink and leave.

Remember, you don’t have to do anything you’re not totally comfortable with.

Looking around anxiously, I searched for a man in a black polo shirt.

My heart was pounding, and goosebumps peppered my skin. The room felt freezing cold.

Then, the feel of three fingers tapping on my shoulder caused me to jump before turning around.

That was the moment my heart nearly stopped. His familiar scent wafted in the air, as arousing as ever despite my nerves.

“Channing!”

Channing?

What was he doing here?

This was bad. I couldn’t let him find out about this. Gentleman Nine would be here any minute.

“You look beautiful, Amber.” He didn’t seem as surprised to see me as I was to see him.

Gentleman Nine and Channing could not meet!

On the verge of a panic attack, I stuttered, “Um…thank you. What…what are you doing here?”

Fiddling with his watch, Channing looked nervous—very unlike the cool and confident man I knew.

“That’s a great question.” He let out a single laugh as he gazed at the ceiling. “A great fucking question.”

“Are you meeting Emily?”

“No, no, I’m not.”

“What are you doing here, then?”

“Can we sit down somewhere, please?”

What was I supposed to say?

No, Channing, actually, I’m meeting a male prostitute for sex, so there’s no time to sit and chat.

“Um…sure.”

“I’m just gonna go get you a glass of wine,” he said before he swiftly made his way over to the bar.

I grabbed a seat. Stretching my neck, I kept looking around the room in search of black polo man. There was no sign of anyone who met that description. At this point, I was relieved he wasn’t here because I couldn’t imagine having to introduce him to Channing. That would have been totally awkward.