The Grand Pact (The Grand Men #1)(47)

“So, knowing if Miller brought me to orgasm.” I give him a pointed look. “That was a want or need?”

“That was research. For your benefit, I might add.”

Everything south flutters, arousal igniting from his words. “Go to sleep. Sex fiend.”

“Good night, princess.”

“Good night, Elliot.”





14





Elliot





“I’m fucking around with Luce.”

Mason looks up from his computer as I walk into his office. His dark brow pulls low, and I know he’s heard me. “Fucking around how?” he questions.

“I’ve spoken to her every day since she left. Pretty much every night.”

“You’re in two different time zones, though.”

“Yeah, I’m fucking fucked.”

He shakes his head at me as I slump down onto his sofa on the far side of his office. My head hits the soft cushion, and I close my eyes. “Order us in some lunch, will you?”

I hear him tut before he lifts the phone. “Jasmine, could you have something brought up for lunch, please? Something for yourself and George, and if you could have something sent to L&M for Nina also.” There’s a pause, and I smile. “Thank you.”

“When did you become so nice?” I ask once he hangs up.

“Shut the fuck up,” he mutters. “The hell are you doing to Lucy? Nina will come for you if you hurt her.”

“No, she wouldn’t. I’m pretty sure your wife likes me more than you. She gives me the eye all the time.”

When a stapler hurtles towards my head, I duck and hold my hands up. “Calm down.”

“Why are you here?”

“I want your opinion.”

His brows drop lower. “On the Lucy thing?”

I tip my head in response. “She’s too fucking good for me, yet I know I could have her. I’ve already done too much.”

“What like?”

I push back into the seat and spread my arms wide across the back of it, pushing my feet into the ground. “Any other woman, I’d tell you, but not Luce.”

His bottom lip protrudes as he nods, seeming happy with that answer. “So what do you want me to tell you? That you’re good enough? That I think you should bone my son’s auntie? My wife’s best friend.”

“That’s exactly what I want you to tell me.”

He stands and walks to the opposite sofa, resting on the back of it. “She’s in New York.”

I shrug. “I could be there by dinner, balls deep by—”

He regards me with a hard stare, and it unnerves me more than it should, being that he’s my best friend of thirty-plus years.

Mase knows who I am better than anyone does. My emotional onslaught over his opinion tells me more about my feelings than I care to admit.

“No. I don’t think you should.” My stomach sinks to my ass. “Not because you’re not good enough for her. That’s just bullshit, and you need to get over the mindset that you’re this notorious cunt. Have some balls and be a man about not wanting to fuck around anymore. But don’t go jetting off to New York and mess with the girl’s feelings before you’re sure it’s what you want. Have you thought long term? What happens if shit gets serious?”

“I never think long term,” I reply honestly.

“She’s just got there and started a new job. Her dream job. The least you could do is give her a chance to find her way before you sweep her off her feet with your cock.”

“Always did have a way with words.”

“Learnt from the best,” he shoots back.

I scrub my hands over my face and groan. “Fuck it, you’re right.”

It’s just not what I wanted to hear.

“Has she mentioned a Maxwell to you?” he asks after a beat and with an interest that has me sitting a little straighter.

Maxwell. “The guy she met on the plane?”

Mason nods. “He showed her around her first day. I was listening when Nina was on the phone with her.”

“She mentioned him the once, said he was a friend.” And now I’m wondering if I asked enough questions.

A look passes between us—an unspoken conversation and acknowledgement.

“I want to know who he is,” Mason voices, and never in my life have I been happier to have such a controlling prick as a best friend. He’s doing what I shouldn’t. “I’ve already got Vin on it. He asked Scott to get back to me.”

“You’ll let me know,” I tell him.

He dips his head in answer, and then the door opens.

“Hello, gents! Are we all in here for lunch today?” George asks in his usual singsong tone.

“No. I have work to do, so I can leave early this evening.”

I look at Mason and snigger. “Come on, George. You can eat in my office. Leave this grumpy prick to eat his lunch alone.” I give Mason a smirk. He knows I’m fucking with him. He has to drive over an hour home every day to get to the estate. I understand his need to get back to his family.

“Elliot,” Mason calls.

I turn as we reach the door

“Just give it a bit of time.”