Chapter 11

The next week passed in a blur of stolen kisses and lingering touches. Despite their busy schedules, Hendrix made time for Chloe, whether it was a quick lunch date or an impromptu visit to her shop while it was being renovated. Chloe found herself growing more comfortable with their new dynamic, though there were still moments that left her breathless with want.

On Friday evening, Chloe was organizing the storage room at her store when Hendrix strolled through the front door. “I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d see if you were free for dinner.”

Chloe set aside the box in her hands, pulse quickening at the sight of him in a charcoal gray suit that emphasized his broad shoulders. “I just have a few more things to take care of, then I’m all yours.”

“No rush.” Hendrix leaned against the doorframe, watching her with a heated gaze. “I enjoy watching you work.”

A blush crept into Chloe’s cheeks as she straightened. “Is that so?”

“Mmm. You’re in your element here.” Hendrix pushed off from the wall and came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. He pressed a kiss to the side of her neck, the rasp of his stubble sending a shiver down her spine. “Confident, efficient, sexy as hell.”

Chloe laughed, tilting her head to the side to give him better access. “You’re terrible for my productivity, you know that?”

“I can stop distracting you if you’d prefer,” Hendrix murmured against her skin. His hands slid under the hem of her shirt, splaying across her stomach.

She covered his hands with her own, holding them in place. “I didn’t say that.”

Hendrix nipped at her earlobe, eliciting a soft gasp. “Just let me know when you’re ready to get out of here.”

Chloe bit her lip, desire simmering low in her belly. At this rate, she’d be lucky if she got any more work done today. Not that she was complaining. Spending an evening with Hendrix, indulging in this newfound passion between them, was far more appealing than organizing inventory. She turned in his arms and looped her own around his neck.

“How do you feel about takeout?”

A knowing smile curved Hendrix’s lips. “I was thinking we could stay in tonight if you want to close up early.”

“I like the way you think,” Chloe purred, pulling him down for a searing kiss.

Hendrix deepened the kiss, his hands sliding down to cup her backside and pull her hips against his. Chloe melted into him with a soft moan, desire igniting in her veins like wildfire.

By the time they broke apart, they were both breathing heavily. Hendrix rested his forehead against hers, a smug smile on his face.

Chloe nipped at his lower lip in retaliation, her own lips curving into a smile. “You drive a hard bargain, but I’m willing to be persuaded.”

“Is that so?” Hendrix murmured, brushing his nose against hers in an affectionate nuzzle. “Well then, allow me to make my case.”

He captured her lips again, kissing her with a slow-burning heat that made her toes curl. Chloe clutched at his shoulders, caught between wanting to sink into the kiss and push him away so she could actually breathe.

When Hendrix finally pulled back, Chloe was dizzy with desire. “You’ve made a very compelling argument,” she managed, her voice coming out breathless.

“Excellent.” Hendrix pressed a quick kiss to her forehead before stepping back, though he kept their hands linked. “Now, why don’t you close up shop? I’ll pick up dinner and meet you at your place.”

The thought of an evening alone with Hendrix, no work or responsibilities to distract them, sent a thrill through Chloe. She squeezed his hands, already impatient for the rest of their night together. “It’s a plan.”

Hendrix grinned, giving her hands one more squeeze before letting go. “See you soon, beautiful.”

Chloe watched him go with a smile, anticipation simmering in her veins. This thing between them was new and thrilling and more than a little terrifying, but in that moment, she wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Chloe hurried through, closing up the shop, nearly vibrating with excitement. By the time she made it to her apartment, Hendrix was already there with bags of takeout and a bottle of wine.

“Perfect timing,” he said, pulling her in for a deep, hungry kiss. Chloe melted into him with a sigh, the tension that had been building all day erupting into an inferno.

When the kiss ended, they were both breathless. Hendrix rested his forehead against hers, his hands cradling her face. “You drive me crazy, you know that?”

Chloe huffed a laugh, sliding her hands under his shirt to caress the hard planes of his chest. “The feeling is mutual.”

Hendrix made a low sound in his throat, capturing her mouth again. Chloe pushed his shirt up and over his head, breaking the kiss just long enough to tug it off before their lips met again.

Her own shirt soon joined his on the floor, followed by the rest of their clothes. Hendrix lifted her into his arms, carrying her to the bedroom, where he laid her out on the bed like an offering.

Chloe reached for him, desperate to feel his skin against hers. Hendrix settled over her, kissing a heated path down her neck and chest. “So beautiful,” he murmured, hands roaming over her body like he couldn’t get enough. “So perfect.”

Arousal coiled tight in Chloe’s belly, the tender praise only stoking the flames of her desire. She whimpered softly when Hendrix’s mouth closed over one nipple, fingers twisting and plucking at the other.

“Please,” she gasped, hips arching off the bed in search of friction. “Hendrix, please.”

He raised his head, eyes dark with lust and affection. “I’ve got you, baby.” Hendrix shifted, nudging her thighs apart and settling between them. “Just feel.”

Chloe cried out at the first thrust, her body stretching to accommodate his. The ache of it faded into pleasure as Hendrix began to move, his rhythm as unhurried as the kisses he pressed to her lips.

She clutched at his back, meeting each slow roll of his hips. The world narrowed to just the two of them, their harsh breaths and quiet moans, the slick slide of their bodies moving as one.

When her release came, it was with a sob, pleasure crashing over her in relentless waves. Hendrix followed soon after, burying his face against her neck as he found his own climax.

They lay there for a long moment, limbs entwined and hearts pounding. Chloe stroked a hand down Hendrix’s back, pressing a kiss to his temple.

“I think you’ve made your case,” she said, a thrill running through her at his answering chuckle.

This thing between them was complicated, but in that perfect moment, it was simple: two souls, two hearts, forever entangled.

The next morning, Chloe woke to sunlight streaming through the windows and the warmth of Hendrix’s body curled around hers. She smiled, snuggling deeper into his embrace and pressing a kiss to his bare chest.

His arms tightened around her in response. “Morning,” he rumbled, voice rough with sleep.

“Morning.” She tilted her head up, meeting his gaze. “How did you sleep?”

“Better than I have in years.” Hendrix brushed his lips over hers, a feather-light touch that still sent a spark of heat through her veins. “You?”

“The same.” Chloe traced idle patterns over his skin, hesitating before adding, “Last night was...”

“Amazing,” Hendrix finished for her. “Incredible. Mind-blowing.”

She laughed, swatting his chest. “I was going to say ‘special.’”

“That too.” His expression softened, all humor fading into tenderness. “You’re special to me, Chlo. You always have been.”

Chloe’s heart clenched.

Hendrix kissed her again, slow and deep, and she could feel the truth of her words echoed in his touch. They’d been dancing around this for so long, too stubborn and afraid to see what was right in front of them.

Now, there was no more hiding. No more running from the love that had always been theirs to share.

Chloe broke the kiss with a gasp, eyes burning. “Promise me this is real. Promise you won’t disappear on me.”

“I promise.” Hendrix cupped her face in his hands, gazing at her with fierce devotion. “I’m yours, Chloe.”

She smiled through her tears, heart overflowing. “Forever, then.”

“Forever,” Hendrix echoed. And with that single word, he sealed his promise.

Chloe traced her fingers over the lines of Hendrix’s palm, marveling at how perfectly their hands seemed to fit together. “So what now?” she asked softly.

“Now...” Hendrix pressed a kiss to her hairline. “We take things one day at a time. We learn how to be together, really together, without hiding from each other or ourselves.”

“And we go on dates,” Chloe added. “Real dates. Ones where we actually leave the house.”

Hendrix chuckled. “Whatever you want, sweetheart. You name it, and it’s yours.”

“Within reason,” she teased. “Don’t go buying me my own island just yet.”

“I’ll do my best to restrain myself.” Hendrix paused, a new light entering his eyes. “How do you feel about Paris?”

Chloe blinked at him. “Paris? As in, the city of light, Paris?”

“One and the same.” Hendrix grinned. “I have a meeting there next month for a new hotel acquisition. I was thinking, if you wanted, you could join me. We could spend the weekend exploring the city together, drinking wine, getting lost in the Louvre for hours...”

“You had me at ‘join me,’” Chloe said, unable to contain her smile. A trip to Paris with Hendrix—it was almost too good to be true. “I’ll have to move some things around at the shop, but I’m sure Sasha would be willing to cover for me.”

“Really?” Hendrix looked thrilled by her answer. “You’d come to Paris with me?”

“A chance for a romantic getaway with my gorgeous billionaire boyfriend?” Chloe teased. “How could I possibly refuse?”

Hendrix kissed her soundly, the joy emanating from him in waves. “This is going to be the best trip ever,” he promised. “You and me in the city of love—we’re never going to want to leave.”

“Good thing we have forever, then,” Chloe said softly.

Hendrix’s smile was like the sun breaking through the clouds—warm, bright, and all-encompassing. “That we do,” he agreed, and sealed his promise with another searing kiss.