Chapter 11
366words
Blake actually smiled—a rare sight—and tapped my nose: "Let me get you some actual water."
Then Blake whisked me to his penthouse suite. Of course—the Hayes family owned this hotel too.
Before we reached the elevator, the vodka hit my system like a truck, and I swayed against Blake's solid frame.
I grabbed Blake's face between my hands and slurred: "You magnificent bastard!"
Then I bit his jaw—hard.
What followed is a blur. I only remember feeling like a woman dying of thirst finally finding water. His lips trailed fire down my neck, each touch igniting something primal within me.
When consciousness returned, I found myself tangled in Blake's silk sheets.
Blake was propped on one elbow, watching me with hooded eyes.
I pressed my palm against my throbbing temple. Vodka and orgasms—dangerous cocktail.
Blake captured my hand, pressed his lips to my palm, and held it against his stubbled cheek.
For a heartbeat, something fluttered in my chest, but I quickly squashed it.
As I gathered my clothes, I said: "Not our first rodeo. For that performance, I'd say you've earned $500."
I reached for my phone to Venmo him, only to find it dead.
To cover my awkwardness, I cleared my throat: "I'll have to owe you. Cash or credit next time?"
Blake's eyes danced with amusement: "So when is the boss lady planning to book my services again?"
"That depends on your performance review."
With that mic drop, I made my escape.
After our hookup, Blake began showing up at my boutique regularly, pretending to order a wedding dress for his "fiancée." On days he couldn't come, expensive flower arrangements arrived.
Following my "never turn down paying customers" policy, I'd escort him to the VIP room to "discuss his order."
Blake would just stare at me before blurting out: "What do you think of us?"
"I think you should find the exit and use it."
That night, scrolling through Instagram, I saw breaking news: Blake had officially become Hayes Group chairman, and his grandfather had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
So his story wasn't just convenient fiction?
