36. Welcome to Chicago

Chapter 36

Welcome to Chicago

Charlie exited the Uber and stared up at the skyscraper looming above him. Steel and glass came together in hard angles and glinted in the late-morning sun. He nearly laughed out loud because this was exactly the type of building he'd imagined Joy living in when he'd first met her.

He strolled inside a palatial marble lobby, where he was greeted by not one security guard but three, all decked out in navy-blue uniforms. Two were seated behind the massive reception counter, and the third one straightened to his full offensive-lineman frame. He eyeballed Charlie from his Merrells to his overnight bag to his earbuds.

"Can I help you?" The guy's voice was a mixture of thunder and gravel.

Charlie dropped his bag and reached for his wallet. "Yeah, I'm Charlie Hunnicutt, and I'm here as a guest of Ms. Joy Holiday in unit 2021." He forked over his ID. The giant man's dark eyes shifted between Charlie's face and his driver's license.

"Not the best picture," Charlie offered, "but then, they never are, are they? "

Gigantor checked something on a computer screen and handed Charlie back his license. "You know the key code?"

"I do. And the elevator code, unless it was changed in the last twenty-four hours."

"Enjoy your stay," the guy deadpanned.

When Charlie reached unit 2021, he punched in the code Joy had texted him and gently eased open the ten-foot door.

"Honey, I'm home." His voice bounced around a cavernous space filled with hard white surfaces and lots of glass.

"Whoa," he laughed. "Also like I pictured, only way bigger and way … whiter. I do believe I've ascended into a fucking ivory tower." He glanced up at the ceiling. "If you're watching me, princess, ignore what I just said."

Removing his shoes, he texted her and began prowling the hand-scraped dark walnut floors, whistling softly at the view from each ceiling-to-floor window. Why would she want you and your old house by a railroad track when she's got all this?

When he found the master bedroom, he fetched his bag and dropped it onto a fluffy white fur rug. He stared down at the thing, wondering if it had come off a polar bear. "Oh, we could have us some fun on that ."

His phone chimed with her reply text. So glad you made it without any problems. Can't wait to see you! Followed by a kissy-face emoji.

Aww.

He set up his computer in her enormous chef's kitchen that looked as though nothing had ever touched its pristine stove … or counters … or any surface at all. His stomach rumbled. It was only midmorning in Colorado, but he checked in with Reece and Shane, and, satisfied that neither job site had experienced any new problems, he struck out to explore the Magnificent Mile and rustle up a meal.

Out on the congested sidewalk, he realized he was in the midst of people rushing around on their lunch hour, and his relaxed gait along North Michigan Avenue did not fit the flow. Damn, this city was crowded! The word "overwhelming" looped through his brain. But the jostling, darting populace gave him an idea.

Ten minutes later, he stood outside a different—though equally impressive—high-rise. Inside the lobby, he located the suite number and the correct bank of elevators that would take him up to C&H Consulting .

"Hi," he greeted the receptionist when he entered Joy's inner sanctum. "I'm here to see Joy Holiday?"

"Do you have—"

"An appointment? No. But I thought I'd drop by on the off chance I could take her to lunch." He gave the woman his best smile.

"Oh my God!" A little shriek sounded from a hallway off to one side. A young woman with auburn hair swept back in a twist gawked at him through her glasses. "You're Charlie Hunnicutt, aren't you?"

"I am." He stepped forward and extended the woman his hand. "I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage."

"I'm Estelle, er, ah …"

"You're Joy's personal assistant. I've heard a lot of nice things about you."

She narrowed her light eyes. "You have?"

"Yeah. You kept things running so she could devote attention to her mother's estate. Thank you for that."

She tittered nervously. "I guess I did at that. Is Joy expecting you?"

"In Chicago, yes. In her office, no. I got in early and thought I'd surprise her, but maybe that wasn't such a good idea." He looked from Estelle to the receptionist, who appeared utterly fascinated by their conversation. "You folks look busy."

"Follow me." Estelle wheeled, and he fell in behind her after sending a wave and a thanks the receptionist's way.

Estelle led him to a conference room with its lights turned off. "If you don't mind hanging out in here, I'll let Joy know you're waiting for her."

"Thank you."

"M-kay. Bye now." She squeezed the door almost entirely shut, though he could still see her mouth and the tip of her nose through the gap. "Bye-bye," she repeated. "So nice to see you in person."

"You too," he replied to Estelle's nose and lips right before the door closed.

The conference room wasn't on the scale of Silver Summit's, but it was equally impressive in its furnishings and its view. Silver Summit had the mountains, but C&H looked out on tall buildings and Lake Michigan.

The door cracked, and Joy slithered through and snapped it shut. Her sherry-colored eyes were wide, and her red-lipsticked mouth hitched up on one side in a tentative smile. "What are you doing here?" she whisper-shouted.

"I wanted to see you. I thought I could take you to lunch. I have a feeling I might've broken a rule, though." He covered the physical distance between them but detected an invisible barrier that made him stop a few feet away.

Her eyes darted around the room. "Well, I'm … That's so sweet, but I …"

"You're busy." He shrugged. "I get it. I had time to kill, and I was out walking around, seeing the sights. I thought I'd give it a try."

"I'd like nothing better, but …"

She was as nervous as a rabbit in the center of a coyote den, and all of him wanted to soothe her. To feel that connection with her.

He took a chance. "Come here."

She inched toward him, her eyes flaring a little bigger. "Why? What do you have in mind?"

When she drew close enough, he pounced. "This." With one hand, he cupped the back of her head while the other one reached around and smoothed over her ass, giving it an extended squeeze before he plastered her against him, locking her in place.

"So much better," he murmured before his mouth took hers, hot and greedy. His tongue dipped, swept, claimed.

She responded with a hunger of her own, gliding her hands up his chest, around his neck, plowing her fingers through his hair, digging into his scalp. He slid his hand from her head down her back to join the other one, yanking up the hem of her skirt and diving below the waistband of her panties.

"Fuck yeah," he hissed. He kneaded her bare flesh roughly, and she gasped out a moan of longing.

There was his girl.

He lifted her, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. Vaguely, he heard a shoe drop. He spun them and slammed her back against the door, making it judder in its frame. One hand supporting her, he rocked his steely length against her core while he worked her pearly top buttons loose. His eager fingers pulled at her bra cup, wrenching it down, and began stroking her tight peak.

Fingers clawing at his shoulders, she whimpered into his mouth .

"You like that, don't you, baby?"

Another whimper, this time forming a "Yes."

His fingers continued to tweak and toy as he laid a trail of kisses along her neck, up to her ear, nipping and sucking as he went. "Have I told you how hot you look in your suit?" he mumbled against her skin.

"No."

He lifted his head and drilled his gaze into orbs the color of dark maple syrup. A wildfire had ignited low in his belly and raced through his veins. His dick throbbed and strained. "'Course you're even hotter out of it." His voice came out as a scratchy rasp. "I'd love to strip you down, spread you across that table, and eat you like a buffet … then fuck you long and dirty. What do you say?"

"W-we can't." She looked scandalized, which only fueled his lust, making it burn hotter.

"Why not?" He dropped his mouth to her bared breast, flicked her nipple, and sucked hard, the way she liked it. His fingers worked a few more buttons open, and soon he had the other bra cup pushed out of the way. His mouth moved to that side, and her fingernails bit into the muscle beneath his shirt.

Seducing her was a highlight of his life.

"Because we're at my office!" Her voice was a breathless plea.

He let her go with a soft pop and watched her peaks pucker into tiny pebbles as cool air rushed over her wet skin. Raising his head, he let a lazy grin spread. "I'm flexible. We'll leave most of your clothes on and skip the smorgasbord. I'll bend you over the table instead, lift your skirt, and take you from behind, hard and fast. I'm so turned on right now it won't take long, but I promise I'll get you off at least once." Taking one of her hands from his shoulder, he placed it on the hard bulge behind his zipper. "You feel that? That's what you do to me."

"You're incorrigible." Her voice had dropped into that husky, fuck-me-now range that scraped his nerve endings raw. She bit down on her lower lip.

"Yeah, and you're so fuckable I'm about to explode. I'm dying to bury my cock so deep inside you we both see stars."

A knock came at her back. "Joy, you in there?"

Joy's limbs jerked. "That's Estelle!" she croaked .

She squirmed, but Charlie held her fast. The more she panicked, the more unhurried he grew. His eyes took a deliberate tour of her chest. God, the sight nearly undid him.

"Mmm, mmm, mmm," he hummed. "Most beautiful tits I've ever seen. I want to eat 'em up." He latched on to one, showing no mercy.

Bucking against him, she breathed, "Oh God, that feels sooo good!"

"Oh yeah. My dirty girl." Keeping his voice a low rumble, he moved to the other side.

The door pounded behind her. "J-just a minute," she squeaked. "Be right out."

"Well, hurry it up," Estelle hissed. "Sterling's looking for you, and he's headed this way."

Joy placed her palms against Charlie's chest and tried to push him away. He leaned in harder. "Stop!" Her voice came out in a strangled laugh.

"I need one more taste to hold me until I can get you alone and naked." He bit down firmly, once on each side, and released her. Then he handed her her shoe, leaned back, and braced his hands against the table, watching as she tried to button herself back up. Her fingers shook.

"Why aren't you helping me instead of watching me?" she admonished.

"And ruin this view? Oh hell no."

Somewhat put together, she smoothed her clothing, her hair, and closed her jacket. She couldn't hide the heat in her cheeks, though, despite the layers of makeup. Her eyes caught on his boner, which was currently making a tent big enough to house a platoon. She raised her eyes to his. He cocked an eyebrow and smirked.

"Joy?" a man's voice thundered beyond the door.

She yanked it open, and Charlie sprang to his feet, shoving his hands in his front pockets. Framed by the doorway was none other than Sterling Fucking Calloway.

Joy motioned him out, and they stepped into the hallway within punching distance of Calloway. With her hand held out Vanna White-style, Joy made the awkward introductions—again. Well, awkward for Calloway, but Charlie enjoyed a smug sort of amusement.

Yeah, buddy. Every nasty thing you're imagining right now was happening on the other side of this door. And there's going to be a helluva lot more of it too.

Calloway didn't extend his hand, instead sputtering, "Welcome to Chicago, Mr. Hunnicutt. "

"Thank you. I'm enjoying a very warm welcome so far." He slid Joy a side-eye, but she wouldn't look at him.

Joy closed the conference room door while Calloway muttered something about a meeting. She turned pleading eyes to Charlie.

"I'll see you later tonight, princess." With a discreet wink, he wheeled and headed through the reception area, throwing Estelle and the receptionist a cheerful wave. He whistled the entire way back to Joy's condo.