Chapter Seven

The rest of the week flew by. Celeste turned in three more stories, all of which had great clicks and earned her a decent commission. She'd managed to avoid Ezra, partly because he hadn't been in the office Wednesday and Thursday.

Friday morning came, and he was back in his seat.

She ignored him and hoped he'd ignore her. But midday he wandered over to her desk and leaned over it the way he usually did. "Got a tip-off for you."

"Go on." She didn't look up from her screen.

"Raif and the nanny are at The Portland, no doubt getting a scan. You might want to let April know."

"What? They are?" Instinctively she reached for her phone. "How do you know?"

"A friend of a friend."

She frowned. "Why are you telling me? Surely you want the story."

"I'm a nice guy." He half-smiled and shrugged. "Thought I'd let you have it. Will be a big one."

She raised her eyebrows at him and tried not to breathe the scent of his aftershave in too deep, it did strange things to her knees and her thinking ability. "Why are you really telling me?"

"You started the Raif Pennington story, you should carry it on."

She frowned at him.

"Celeste, you're a great journalist, you have a really nice style, you deserve to do well."

She was quiet.

"And I am sorry, I'm still sorry for how this all started out." He drew a circle in the air. "Me and you."

She kind of huffed, unlocked her phone, and searched for April's number.

"What do I have to do?" he asked, leaning closer. "Grovel?"

"As it happens, yes, that's exactly what you have to do."

"Wow, okay, at least now I know where I stand."

"If you'll excuse me." She pointed at her phone.

"Sure, but perhaps I could take you out to dinner tonight."

"I'm busy."

"Doing what?"

"Leave me alone, Ezra."

"Do you mean that?"

She spun away from him and stared out the window. No, she didn't mean that. He consumed her thoughts, filled her dreams, and drove her crazy with longing and frustration. He sighed and she watched his reflection in the window walk away.

"Celeste, is that you? What have you got?"

"April … hi, sorry. Yes, I have you something. You need to get to The Portland."

****

Ezra avoided Celeste the rest of the day but that suited her fine. April, being April, had come up trumps and she had a photograph to go with her baby scan story. Raif and the nanny seemed to be posing, they wanted the news out there.

And now it was. Roland had come over to her desk to tell her what a great job she was doing and to keep up the good work. The perfect end to her working week.

Jane ducked out of wine. Her little dog, Arc, had been at the vet's getting some teeth out and she had to collect him. Celeste didn't mind, she was tired and looking forward to a relaxing weekend.

No sooner had she stepped through her front door, there was a knock. Opening it, she found her elderly neighbor holding a bunch of red roses.

"Hey, Mrs. Adams, how are you?"

"These arrived for you, love," she said in her broad Welsh accent. "About ten minutes ago. Thought you might want them."

"Oh, wow, okay, thank you."

"Who are they from? Got a boyfriend now, have you?"

"No. I don't know who they're from."

"Little note there." She pointed at a small envelope. "Says they're from Ezra and he's sorry."

"What?" Celeste wasn't sure what surprised her more, the fact the flowers were from Ezra or that Mrs. Adams had opened the card. "I see … okay, thank you." She took the flowers.

"Strange name that, where's he from?"

"Er, I'm not sure. He lives in King's Cross."

"Rough area."

"I'm not sure if it is anymore."

"What's he do wrong that he needs to say sorry?"

"It's a long story." Celeste paused. "But thank you for taking these in. I appreciate it."

"You been seeing him long, love?"

"I'm really not … and I should get these in water. Thanks again." She closed the door.

"Well, it looks like you're groveling, Mr. Todd," she said to herself and found a vase. The roses really were lovely, deep velvety red buds with glossy green leaves. She looked at the thorns, reminding herself that Ezra might be handsome but he had a prickly side too.

Later that evening her phone pinged with an email from Ezra. She'd been expecting it.

Ezra: Did the flowers arrive?

Celeste: Yes

Ezra: My way of saying I am truly sorry for how I behaved. How about lunch tomorrow if you're free. We'll go somewhere fancy.

She read the line twice, there was a change in his tone, or at least it read that way. How fancy?

There was no reply for several minutes then: Afternoon tea at The Savoy. All booked. 3:30, and I had to pay up front so please please say yes.

"Wow." The Savoy was somewhere she'd walked past often but had never been to. He'd got it just right and was certainly pushing the boat out. She set her timer for thirty minutes, then watched TV. When it went off, she replied: See you there.

Despite trying to be cool about it, Celeste then jumped up and rushed to her wardrobe. What to wear? Casual? Smart casual? A drop-dead gorgeous dress? She'd sleep on it. See what mood she woke up in.

As it happened, she woke in a drop-dead-gorgeous-dress mood and found herself strutting into the elegant lobby of The Savoy feeling like she was on the red carpet. The pale pink dress was nearly floor length and hugged her curves in all the right places. She'd left her hair loose, the long blonde curls hanging down her back and tickling as the dress was low and her shoulders bare. She'd kept makeup to a minimum, not wanting to overdo it, and sprayed her favorite floral perfume liberally.

For a moment she paused and admired the beautiful lobby. It was grand but not in a vacuous way. It was the elegant furniture, exquisite wallpaper and art, and the decadent flower displays that made it feel so expensive. It also smelled divine, something spicy and rich yet also subtle.

To her right was a plush red sofa, and seated on it was Ezra. He was staring straight at her. And without breaking his gaze, he stood and brushed down the crisp white shirt he'd teamed with dark-gray trousers.

Her heart squeezed and heat spread through her body, settling between her legs. She remembered each of their kisses and the way he'd pressed her into the wall, the feel of his hardness, his need, his desire. She sucked in a breath and clutched her purse a little tighter. She'd come to The Savoy to tick a visit to the five-star hotel off her bucket list, not to see Ezra.

Hadn't she?

"You look amazing," he said, standing in front of her and biting his bottom lip.

"And here I was thinking you didn't like the way I looked." She stuck her left hand on her hip and jutted to the left.

"What?" His gaze dipped down her body and back up again. "Why would you think that?"

"Blonde, pert tits, a simpering smile, and fluttering lashes. Those were your words if I remember correctly."

His gaze slipped to her cleavage, but only for a second, then he seemed to check himself and looked at her face again. "Did I really say that?" He groaned. "Shit, I am so sorry."

"You should be." She nodded down some steps. "Is the restaurant that way?"

"Yes. Please, allow me." He held out the crook of his elbow for her to take.

She did, because her heels were high and the steps made of polished tiles.

"I should explain," he said. "About what I said."

"You don't have to. You're entitled to your opinion."

He stopped and turned to her. "For the record, I think you are beautiful and in that gown … you could grace any catwalk or magazine cover."

That surprised her. "Okay…"

"And my comments, they weren't personal."

"They felt it."

"My ex…" He sighed. "She had blonde hair, a bit like yours, and she was pretty, until she lied and cheated and I found out she was ugly on the inside. I guess I was prejudiced when I first saw you and you had a similar look going on."

"And do I still remind you of her?"

"No." He shook his head. "Not at all. And I don't want to talk about her. I want to talk about you. I want to know everything about you."

She started walking again. "What do you want to know?"

"Where did you grow up?"

"Manchester."

"Nice, you don't have an accent, though."

"No, neither do my parents. They moved there from London, then I came back to London for uni."

"And did you enjoy university?"

"Yes, it was fun. Intense, fast-paced, but fun. I made some good friends."

They entered the restaurant and Ezra gave his name. They were shown to their table. The mirror-strewn walls were high and gilded with gold, and a glass dome on the ceiling let in diamond-white sunlight. The tables were covered with starched cloths and set with golden cutlery. In the center of the room was a wooden structure, like a pergola, that held a large grand piano, also white.

They took their seats in the corner—a secluded table set beside a statue of a Greek goddess—to the tune of Debussy's gentle Clair Da Lune.

"This is nice." Celeste looked around, taking in the other clientele.

"Thank you for coming with me."

She set her attention on him.

"I mean it." He reached over the table and took her hand. "I want us to start afresh. From this moment on I promise you'll see the real me and not a grumpy bastard."

His flesh was warm and his grip firm. She looked at his fingers wrapped over hers.

"I'd like that." She swallowed and looked up at him. He really was damn handsome, easily the nicest-looking guy in the room.

He smiled and drew her palm to his lips, kissed the center.

"Ezra," she managed, a heated trail traveling up her arm and settling in her chest.

"I was awake all night, thinking of that kiss in the storeroom." His voice was low and husky as he went on, "Thinking of you, in my arms, the feel of you against me. Your taste … your—"

"We shouldn't have done that."

"But we did."

"What if we'd…?"

"Gone all the way?" He released her hand and leaned close. "You would have been one very satisfied lady, that's what would have happened, Celeste."

"Bit cocky of you." She had to stop herself from squirming on the seat. This new Ezra was hot, and the look in his eyes had her thinking of sex, now, with him. Hard and fast. Doing everything. Every position until they were sated and exhausted.

"Sir. Madam." A waiter appeared and placed down two flutes of champagne. "Your afternoon tea will be served momentarily."

"Thank you." Ezra sat back. "I thought we'd have the deluxe menu, comes with bubbles and tea."

"Very nice." She took a sip and hoped he couldn't see the sudden longing in her eyes. She glanced down, yep, her nipples were pressing at her dress. Damn it.

Luckily a three-tiered serving platter covered in tiny finger sandwiches and delicate cream cakes of every description appeared, along with a fine china teapot and cups and saucers.

"Dig in," Ezra said.

"I don't think this is the type of food you dig into." She took a cucumber sandwich. "But, thank you. It's lovely."

"Least I could do." He popped a beef sandwich in whole. After he'd swallowed, he spoke again, "Tell me, what's the best scoop you've ever had?"

"Oh, that's hard to choose. Perhaps the Tony Barton story last year, when he was caught spying through his ex's fence."

"Oh, yes, that was funny."

"April got the shot."

"She's great. How long have you known her?"

"We met at uni, she was doing photography, obviously. But we became firm friends. And as long as I've got the budget to pay for pics, she offers them to me first."

"I think she's a great asset you've brought along with you."

She tipped her head and studied him. "Thank you."

"And I think you're a great addition to the team." He moved onto a small cream cake, having eaten the sandwiches.

"I've been waiting a while for you to realize that."

"I have realized it, believe me."

They chatted a while longer, picking at the tasty morsels of food and listening to the pianist. They drank their champagne and then two cups of hot tea.

When they'd finished Ezra sat back. "That was nice, not as filling as steak and chips, but good, you know."

"Are you saying you're not totally satisfied?" Her heart sped up as she held his gaze. She wasn't going to deny herself any longer. She wanted this man. She liked this man, he intrigued her … he'd redeemed himself.

And it had been so damn long since she'd had sex. What was there to wait for?

"I guess there is only one thing that truly satisfies a man," he said quietly and held her gaze.

"And what's that?" It was as though the rest of the room had faded away. Even the tinkling of the piano had quietened.

"The love of a good woman."

"Love." She wiped her mouth and set her napkin aside. She'd finished eating.

"It's a nice life goal, don't you think?" he asked her.

"Yes." She nodded at the door. "Wanna get out of here?"

He swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing. "And go where?"

"Back to mine?"

A muscle flexed in his cheek and he leaned close, touched her jawline, stroking gently. "Or, I could see if they have a room here."

She laughed, almost nervously. "I don't think the Savoy rents rooms by the hour."

"Who said hour? I figure it'll take me all night to make it up to you properly and show you who I really am."

A thrill caught in her chest. Lust shot into her veins. "You're going to use sex as an apology for your bad behavior?"

"Seems like a good plan at his point." His eyes sparkled and he licked his lips, leaving a damp sheen.

She tipped her head and studied him. "I think three orgasms should do it."

For a second, he looked surprised then he chuckled. "Three. Yeah, we can start with that." Suddenly he stood and took her hand. "Come on, the bill's prepaid."

****

Five minutes later they were stepping out of an elevator onto the fourth floor having secured Room 110. Celeste had no idea of the price. Ezra had literally slung his credit card at the receptionist.

As the room came into view a tumble of nerves collided with Celeste's desires. She was about to fuck her boss, was that sensible?

He tapped the key card on the door and let them in.

"At work…" she managed. "What will we…?"

"Nothing, until we want to tell anyone we're an item."

"We're an item?"

"I intend us to be. Yeah."

They stepped in and the door closed behind them.

Celeste didn't have a chance to admire the spacious room because suddenly she was in his arms and he was kissing her.

There was an urgency to his embrace, his breaths were fast. She clung to him, relief washing through her. No longer denying herself, she'd take what she wanted.

"Fuck, you're gorgeous," he murmured, kissing down her neck. "It's been driving me crazy not being able to touch you, to be with you."

"You can now, I'm here … I'm yours."

He pulled back, his cheeks a little flushed. "And I'm yours." And then he was kissing her again, his right hand cupping her breast and his body pressing into hers.

She groaned as heat flooded her pussy and her skin seemed to fizz with longing. His passion was intense and his hunger obvious.

"Hey…" She pushed at his shoulders and broke the kiss.

"What?" He frowned. "You want me to stop?"

She shook her head and exerted pressure on his shoulders. "Down, boy."

"Down, boy?"

"Yes, on your knees, you can get to work on orgasm number one."

Amusement flashed in his eyes, briefly, but then he nodded and sank before her.

She pulled up her dress and he slid his hands beneath it, rubbing up her thighs until the dress was bunched at her waist. He kissed her mound over her panties. She moaned softly and gripped the desk she found right behind her.

And then her panties were off and he was parting her thighs, exploring her with his tongue.

She gasped and ran one hand into his soft strands of hair. "Yes, like that."

He found her clit, rotating his tongue over it. He reached up and clasped her breast and she arched, wanting everything he could give her.

And boy, he could give it. Celeste wasn't sure if it was because the chemistry between them had been bubbling or if it was because her sex life had been on a dry patch, but before long the pressure was building and the need to release building.

"Oh, please," she gasped, "I need … oh…"

Luckily, he seemed to guess what she needed to tip her over the edge, and he found her entrance and pushed two thick fingers inside her.

She clamped around him. "Yes. Yes … don't stop."

He didn't. He worked her with skill and determination and soon she was ready to topple into ecstasy. She could smell her own arousal and hear the sexy wet noise of his tongue on her pussy. His fingers fucking her added to her excitement.

"Oh, fuck … yes." She dragged at his hair, curled her toes, and held her breath. The bliss was there for the taking, and after a few sweeter than sweet moments, she let it sing through her body.

Her pussy spasmed, squeezing and releasing his fingers. A gush of moisture seemed to rush from her and her heart beat so hard in her chest it stole her breath. Damn, he was good. And he stayed with her, eeking out every last shred of pleasure.

She opened her eyes, panting, and released her hold on his hair. It had been quite the grip.

He looked up at her, his mouth shiny and his pupils wide. "One down, two to go."

"It was a good … start."

He slipped his fingers from her and stood. "You're so fucking sexy when you come, you know that?"

She scrabbled with his shirt, yanking it from his pants. "Take this off."

"Yes, ma'am." He quickly discarded it. "And this." He reached for her dress. "Also needs to go."

Quickly she turned. "There's a zip."

But he'd already found it and was drawing it down. The material slackened around her ribs and she wriggled to shimmy it down her legs. Then she turned to him, utterly naked.

"Lord, have mercy." He scraped his hand through his hair and let his gaze drop down her body. The admiration and desire in his eyes stole any embarrassment she might have had—he clearly liked what he saw.

"I don't deserve you," he muttered.

"No, you don't." She undid his belt. "But, luckily for you, I'm a forgiving woman and you have a second chance."

"I appreciate it." He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and ran his hand over the curve of her waist to her hip. "And as per the deal, you are due a second orgasm."

Celeste wasn't sure if she was ready for another just yet, but Ezra clearly had other ideas.

He tugged her to the bed, kicking off his shoes as he went, and then shucked his pants.

Celeste did the same then lay on the sumptuous covers and pulled him to her.

His kiss tasted of her and his solid weight created a new pull of desire. Spreading her hands on his shoulders, she ran them down his back, learning his heat and shape and the smoothness of his skin.

"Do we need a condom?" he asked.

"I'm on birth control." She squeezed his butt over his boxers. Perfectly peachy. "And I'm a good girl getting checks at the doctor's regularly."

He hesitated. "I don't, not recently anyway, but…"

"But what?" She stilled and stared up at his face.

"But it's been over two years since I … what with my mother being sick and splitting up with … and … I guess I haven't had the time or the inclination, or met the right girl."

"Two years without sex, wow."

"So, don't expect my stamina to be great. I'm so damn hard for you I feel like I could explode like this."

"There'll be no exploding until I say so." She raised her eyebrows.

He chuckled. "You seem to forget who is boss."

"Right now, here, it's me." She shoved him, turning him over until he lay on his back. "You owe me that."

"Celeste." He stared wide-eyed up at her, his arms spread to the sides, almost sacrificial.

She sat astride him, her wet pussy directly over the length of his cock pressing through his boxers. "You ready to break the drought?"

"Hell, yeah."

She reached between their bodies and freed his hot hard cock. She held it firm and hovered over it. She was so damn wet for him.

He moaned and looked at where they were about to join. "Do it. Fuck. Please, do it. Now."

She did, sitting onto him, stretching around him, inch my inch. He was big, she had to go slow, and when she almost had him at full depth she tipped forward, resting her hands on his chest.

He gripped her waist and pressed his head into the pillow. "You feel so hot and tight. Damn, I've missed this."

Her breaths were coming hard and when she rocked forward and her clit grazed his body she gasped. "Oh yeah … fuck…"

"Come again," he whispered hotly. "Before I do. Please…"

"Yes. Yes." Quickly she found her rhythm, rocking on him and stimulating her clit. Being so full of hard cock added to the bliss and she stared down into his eyes.

Clearly, he was battling the urge to flip her over and fuck hard and fast, she could see it in his steely tight features. That knowledge thrilled her more, to know he was having to exert such self-control. Part of her wanted to tell him to do what the hell he wanted, another part of her loved being on top of him.

"Come," he said, "Celeste … come…" He found her mouth, kissing her, and with his left hand he caught her right breast, tweaking her nipple and twisting it.

She groaned, her nipples so sensitive. Soon her second orgasm would be there.

On and on she rode him. He was so hard inside her, she was sure he was close. And then it was there, the pressure about to erupt. She broke the kiss and arched her back, sped up the urgent rocking of her hips. Rubbing on him just right, her pussy tightened and a dense pressure told her the climax was waiting.

Crying out, she let it steal her away, spreading white-hot fingers of bliss around her body. She bucked and tensed, ecstasy owning her.

Then suddenly everything changed, she was on her back, he was over her, his arms locked. His cock had barely slipped from her and he was driving back in, his hips curling until he could go no deeper.

She clung to him, wrapping her legs around his, and clutching his thick biceps. This new position was incredible. He felt incredible—big and determined and so damn sexy.

Their flesh was slicked with sweat and their urgency seemed to press inward, eating them, owning them. He thrust and pounded, giving into what he'd been resisting.

"Fuck, I'm close, so close," he said, his voice strangled.

"Come…" she managed.

"Not … until you do … again."

"It's okay…" She stared up at him.

His hair hung forward, his brow was shiny, and the tendons on his neck strained. "No. I promised you … come again, a third time."

The pressure in her clit was still there, he was grinding against it with skill.

She bit on her bottom lip and concentrated, waiting for the first spark of another orgasm to show itself. It didn't take long. She was so turned on, so caught up in the moment, and so full of desperately hard cock.

"I'm coming, Ezra … come with me." She caught his face in her hands. "Oh, yes … now…"

"Thank fuck."

He stared into her eyes and she allowed herself, finally, to get utterly lost in them, drown in them. She saw the ecstasy rip through their depths as it tore through hers.

He let out an animal-like groan and his body turned to concrete.

At the same time her pussy pulsed with bliss, hugging and releasing him, satisfaction spilling from her pelvis into every corner of her body.

He thrust again, another long groan, then collapsed on top of her. Only just holding his weight from crushing her, he buried his face in her neck.

"Ezra," she managed, wrapping him in a tight embrace. "You okay?"

"Never fucking better," he murmured, his fast breaths blowing like a storm. "God, that was good."

She didn't answer, just kissed his ear and held him tighter as aftershocks rippled through her pussy. Perhaps she had just made the biggest mistake of her life, sleeping with her surly, pain-in-the-butt boss. Or maybe she'd just made the best decision possible.

Ezra was sexy and sweet and said what he thought. Spending time with him would never be dull, she was sure of that.

He lifted up and looked down at her. "You got your three, right?"

"Hell, yeah." She giggled.

"So, am I forgiven for being a dickhead?"

"I think that should just about cover it." She smiled and pushed his hair back from his face.

"And here I was, hoping you'd want more orgasms for me to get into your good books."

"Oh, you're in my good books, but that doesn't mean I don't want more orgasms."

"Excellent, because we should definitely make the most of this fancy room, we've got it for another seventeen hours."

"A lot can happen in seventeen hours." Her heart soared at the idea of having all that time stretching ahead of them. Alone. Together. Naked.

"Tell me about it … fancy a shower?" He pulled her close. "I reckon we could have some serious fun in there."