Seven Nights of Sin (Penthouse Affair #2)

Dominic

The next day, Oliver and I drive out to check on the progress of several new properties scattered across Washington State. By Friday noon, we’ve made our way to Spokane and stopped for lunch at a pub the locals swear has the state’s best pizza. After debating, we agreed that wasn’t quite true, but they were pretty damn close.

We could have planned something more efficient than a multiday road trip, I suppose, but I don’t often get to hang out with my best friend someplace that’s not the office or my daughters’ tea parties. And if I’m being totally honest, I also wanted a chance to clear my head and figure shit out about Presley, which is hard to do when I see her all day, every day, at work.

“What do you think of the town?” I ask, draining the last of my wheat ale. If this place has one thing going for it, it’s the incredible beer.

Oliver shrugs cheerfully. “Seems pretty nice. It’s no Seattle, but then again, I’m biased. With the airport and all the basketball tourism, I think our new location will get more than enough traffic to remain profitable, even with the first hotel already there. Especially since the cheap real estate keeps our expenses low.”

“I see someone read the projections report.”

He scoffs, pretending to be offended. “I’ll have you know I always read everything I’m supposed to.” Then his smile slips a bit. “Listen, can I ask you something?”

Oliver almost never sounds this serious. It instantly makes me suspicious.

“That depends on what it is.”

“I need you to be completely honest with me here, dude.”

“Christ, just spit it out.”

He presses his lips into a flat line, breathing out through his nose, then asks, “Are you doing anything with Presley that you shouldn’t be?”

I hope he can’t see my shoulders tense. “You’ve already asked me that.”

“I know,” he says mildly. “It’s not illegal to ask the same question twice.”

“Well, the answer is no,” I lie.

“Are you sure that’s the story you’re sticking with? I know you want her.”

so obsessed with the idea of me fucking her? How many times

a little too hard and a few drops of beer slosh out. “Dammit, Dom, don’t lie to me. I’m your best friend—some would say

“Hey,” I grunt.

so I need to know whether anything is happening that might fuck up things between our CEO

of my executive staff knew Presley was the right intern for the position, so I don’t think he believes I offered her the job simply because I’m tangled up with her. I wasn’t even the one who recommended her for the spot initially. The others had seen her work, and there was really no question. The rest of the interns did fine, but fine doesn’t win you a midlevel position with a hefty salary and loads of responsibility. Presley was the only candidate

waiting me out, and in his stare is a stern warning. “She’s a good girl, Dom. The kind of girl who will want a

Charming?”

Or at least not when

me. “I know,” I

not fair to let her wait a single second longer on something

When it comes to her, I’m utterly helpless. The more time I spend with her, the more my doubts and fears creep in, but the harder it is to pull away. Why can’t

promise that you won’t

wet my lips.

to finish that sentence, and I’m grateful to be interrupted

less grateful when I

likes and dislikes—probably better than I do, I hate to admit—so it’s rare for her to have a question. Usually, she can handle the unexpected without breaking a

“What’s up, Fran?”

Her voice is frantic and . .

sound of

harm done, and you know me, I’m not afraid of a little mess, so I cleaned it up and put Lacey to bed with some Pedialyte and tried to calm down Emilia, but then suddenly I felt awful, and now I

as soon as I can.” Which won’t be very soon at all, seeing as Seattle is

wrong?” Oliver asks,

“Everyone

home,” Francine is saying, “when you’re out of town

It’s no trouble at all. But it’ll take

Of course this has to happen when I’m on the other side of the

tell Oliver.