Chapter 26

26

WILL

Alast-minute trip to DC was not on my agenda today.

In the early hours of the morning, before the sun even rose, I kissed Amelia goodbye intending to head straight to the office. Instead, my phone rang non-stop in the car. It started with our legal team in panic mode over a breach of contract. Then it snowballed from thereon.

I detoured straight to JFK, thankful once again to have a plane on standby. As we begin to ascend, I close my eyes to ease the strain from a stressful morning, tilting my head from side to side with a slight crack to loosen my tense muscles.

The last few days are even better than I could have ever possibly imagined. To have Amelia back in my life is all I ever wanted, and to have her in my bed belonging to only me—the icing on a very delicious cake.

However, with this newly found bliss, we are forced with the reality of trying to make it all work. The drive between Amelia’s condo to the city is tedious and I’d only driven it four times so far. I could have been selfish and asked Amelia to stay in the city, but she had classes and I didn’t want to disrupt her schedule, especially because she is almost done for the year.

I knew Amelia felt the pressure, too, unsure of how we are to make this work. One thing is certain—we both craved each other, and I’ll be damned if I’m forced to sleep a night without her.

The meeting in DC is longer than anticipated. Five days off the grid, and you’d think people didn’t know how to do their fucking jobs. I’m reminded of why I never vacation or spend any time away from work—paying the price at this very moment.

“Listen, Romano, are we doing this or not?”

I tap my fingers against the table as all eyes are on me. With so many things on my mind, I clench my jaw annoyed I’m here doing the job myself when I should be back in the city.

“I’m not satisfied with what is being produced. Your numbers are low, and frankly, I’ve got better things to focus on than you trying to waste my time with a product which isn’t performing.”

“Should we be taking our business elsewhere?”

I raise my brow, amused by his threat. “Please, be my guest. Let’s see what happens, shall we?”

Silence falls over the room as no one else dares to challenge me. When it came to business, I’m ruthless and will not be threatened by anyone. In this case, the Jamison Group needs me more than I will ever need them. The only dark cloud hovering over me is the takeover with Lau. Perhaps, it’s this back-and-forth negotiating and playing the waiting game, leaving me less patient and irritable.

When all is said and done, I walk out of the room without a goodbye and fly straight back to JFK. With barely any time to spare due to a delay on the tarmac, my driver makes a quick stop at the Four Seasons so I can quickly shower and change. Dressed in my black tuxedo, I splash on some aftershave, style my hair, and then quickly head back to the car waiting downstairs.

We pull up to Ava’s apartment where Amelia insisted, I pick her up from. It had something to do with borrowing a dress from Ava because Amelia didn’t quite enjoy shopping. The exact opposite to Ava, of course. I ask the driver to wait while I head inside the building and up to the penthouse suite.

I knock on the door while fixing my cuffs. When the door opens, I raise my eyes to a radiantly beautiful woman who is all mine. My lip’s part to release an appreciative sigh. I fucking missed her, and it’s only been ten hours since I saw her last.

The long-beaded gown she wore is all black, making her emerald eyes stand out.

“You’re late,” she gripes, unimpressed.

I pull her toward me, inhaling her perfume as I place my lips on her neck. “And you are beautiful.”

She lifts her hands to straighten my bow tie. “You scrub up well. I mean, you look just as good naked as you do in a tuxedo.”

“Are you trying to say you want to see me naked right now?”

“Um, can we cue the dirty talk?” Ava yells from the sofa. “My Uber Eats is just about to arrive, although he looks lost. Jesus Christ, Tim, next building over! Anyway, I want to be able to eat dinner without thinking about the both of you naked.”

“You need to get laid,” Amelia shouts back to Ava. “There’s a guy in my class who is single. Really cute and is just your type.”

“Is he your type?” I ask with slight annoyance.

Amelia purses her lips while eyeing me. “My type is jealous billionaires who turn up late for a night out in which they suggested.”

“I’m sorry. I had to work.”

“Of course. Story of my life,” she mumbles beneath her breath.

“Have fun, lovebirds and Millie, send me his Insta handle so I can check this hot nerd out.”

“I never said he was a nerd,” Amelia drags.

“Don’t burst the bubble,” Ava complains openly. “The nerds are the wildest in the bedroom.”

Amelia pulls me out of the apartment and closes the door behind us, eager to leave.

“So, what, you’re friends with this guy online?” I question.

“Yeah, I’m friends with a lot of students online.”

I remain quiet, keeping my opinion to myself, and try my best to cue the jealousy growing inside me. It shouldn’t bother me, but it does. Amelia has a whole other life on campus, with men her own age. This whole age gap issue comes roaring back to life, bringing back my insecurities.

Inside the car, I distract myself by burying my lips in her neck, careful not to ruin her lipstick. My hands wander up the slit of her dress into her panties as she moans while my fingers brush against her clit.

Our heated exchange is interrupted by the incessant ringing of my phone. Out of breath, I quickly check who it is.

“Do you have to answer that?”

“It’s Harry. He is my top executive.”

She releases a sigh before shuffling out of my grip, turning her face toward the window.

“Harry,” I greet, clearing my throat.

“I’ve got Lau’s team on the line.”

“Now?” I ask, annoyed. “What’s the verdict?”

“Are you seated?” Harry begins, then stalls. “Lau’s final counteroffer if seventy percent share Rockford and thirty Lexed.”

My teeth grind on their own accord while I shut my eyes to try to calm down. “Why won’t this fucker give up?”

“Edwards has agreed, if you do,” Harry reveals, cautiously, knowing this is not the news I want to hear.

My pride is in the way, and under different circumstances, I would have fought this battle until I won. But as I look over at the woman beside me, the reason I breathe, the fight is well over. My energy is pulled toward her, and reluctantly…I call defeat.

“Fine.”

“Fine?” Harry repeats, stunned. “Wait a minute, have I missed something? I thought you want nothing to do with Edwards?”

“Things change.” I lower my voice while hanging my head. “Tell him I’ll sign tomorrow.”

I hang up the phone, but my mood is less than eager to attend a god damn ball after this outcome. The only reason why I’m invited to events such as this is because of the rather hefty donation. The event itself is just people climbing up my ass wanting money for their charities or to invest in their companies.

We arrive at the ball later than the other guests though some are still arriving. The street is still crowded, lined with limousines and luxury vehicles. Flashes are going off right, left, and center. The paparazzi are scurrying around, trying to snap something exciting. I exit the car first, reaching out for Amelia’s hand while trying to avoid anyone photographing us. The last thing we need is for our personal lives to be splashed online.

The grand ballroom is enormous. Its size big enough to hold all of the elite in New York City and then some. The tall ceilings are covered in rows of draped sheer organza fabric, but my attention is directed to the large chandelier hanging from the middle. Its crystals are reflecting light which shimmers on the dance floor.

There’s a band wearing black and white tuxedos, perfectly positioned on the stage playing soft swing music, their hums and beats drowning in the noise of the growing crowd.

We are shown to our seats, which, fortunately—is seated beside a relatively affluent couple. After a few introductions, it turns out Amelia had met them through her parents. They got to talking while I was pulled away to talk business, of course, until a seven-course meal was served.

I expected Amelia to stay by my side throughout the night, but she knew more people than she cared to admit. This is Lex’s circle, older gentlemen and women who were tied to him somehow. It began to bother me since I invited her here as my date even though I’d barely spent any time with her. When she managed to break free and find me at the bar, I’d already finished four bourbons and just ordered my fifth.

“How do you know these people?” I question, trying not to sound irritated.

“Unfortunately, I’m Lex Edwards’ daughter. Some lady, Carol, gave me a jewelry box when I was like six. Considering I hated wearing anything feminine, I have no recollection.”

I chuckle softly, feeling like an idiot for my behavior. “What did you say?”

“I said it was a lovely gesture, and I still have it back at my parent’s place.”

“Do you?”

Amelia’s lips press into a hard line. “Sure, in the attic, if you search under Ava’s childhood memories.”

We both laugh until another couple walks past us. They recognize Amelia, once again, then drag her to their table to say hello to their own daughter, who apparently Amelia used to play with as a kid. As they walk off, Amelia turns around and shrugs her shoulders, having no recollection of any of these people.

My bourbon is served when Easton Parker Jnr, a well-known club owner, stands beside me. This guy is a fucking joke, funding his clubs on his parent’s money with his sole purpose to bring young women upstairs to his office so they can suck on his dick. At one point, he boasted about several of them waiting in line.

He is younger than me, maybe just shy of thirty. We went to the same school, and he earned himself a reputation. When it came to women, he is cunning in his pursuit. However, as an entrepreneur, the guy had no idea how to run a business.

“Romano,” he greets while extending his hand. “Long time no see.”

I reluctantly extend my hand to shake this. “It’s been a while.”

“Did you see Edward’s daughter is here? It’s made my night all the more interesting. Wasn’t sure who I would try to fuck but ding ding ding.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“C’mon, Romano. Who can resist a sweet pussy like that? I bet she gives great head.”

My hands clutch into a fist; anger roaring through me like a vicious wave ready to crash on the shore.

“If you ever speak that way of her again, I swear to God I will end your fucking life,” I grit, ready to smack his face.

“Hey, what’s your problem?” The fucker laughs. “Oh, look, she must have sensed it. She’s walking over here.”

Amelia places her hand on my arm, instantly noticing my tensed muscles where her eyes fall upon. “Is everything okay?”

Parker extends his hand. “I haven’t introduced myself, Easton Parker, Jr. I’ve met your father before.”

“You and the whole world,” she mumbles, then smiles politely, shaking his hand.

Amelia moves closer to me, weary of his sleazy grin. Still trying to control my anger, I pull her into me, which Parker notices straight away.

“Right, so you and Romano are what, fucking? Bit of an age gap. Sure you don’t want someone your own age?”

My lips pull back, baring my teeth as my pulse begins to elevate. Every sense is heightened, increasing my strength as I prepare myself to knock him to the ground.

Amelia turns to me, placing her hands on my chest with a steady plea. “Let it go, walk away.”

I turn to look at her, confused. “Are you kidding me?”

She turns back around. “Listen, Easton, was it? If I wanted someone my own age, it sure as hell wouldn’t be you.”

Amelia grabs my hand, attempting to drag me away, but I stop just shy of Parker to lean into his ear. “You will pay the price for your careless comments. Watch your back. I will destroy you.”

I follow Amelia until we are out of the room. Angered by the whole night, I let go of her hand and begin walking away until I push open the door to an empty ballroom, needing to be alone.

“Why are you letting him get to you? He’s a jerk who gets off riling people up.”

I pace the area, wringing my hands. “It’s not just him, okay? People have an opinion of our age difference and think I’m fucking you to get Lex.”

“So, let them think that, who cares?”

“I care,” I shout, my voice echoing in the empty room.

“Well, you shouldn’t! What you should care about is what I think, the woman you’ve professed your love too. God, Will, all night, you’ve had this chip on your shoulder. You were the one who wanted to take me out in public for the first time, and now what, you’re regretting being seen with me?”

Amelia’s eyes widen with a pained stare.

“No, it’s not that, okay?” I take a deep breath, trying to control my anger. “Just before the Hamptons, I went to Hong Kong to close what will be the biggest takeover for Rockford Technology. I thought I had it in the bag. I got the call tonight of the final offer, and they will only sign over if Lexed is involved. I’m frustrated, Amelia. I didn’t work this hard to compete with Lexed. During the call in the car, I was told Lex is ready to sign.”

Amelia crosses her arms with a steady gait. “It sounds to me like my dad is extending an olive branch, but your pride is in the way.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“Well, tell me, what will this takeover do for you and your company?”

“It will strengthen our position in the stock market and create thousands of jobs. We have big plans to shake up the industry, just like many platforms had years ago when social media wasn’t even a thing.

“Right, so all that is worth giving up because you won’t work with my father, is that what you’re saying?”

I bow my head until she closes the distance between us and raises my chin gently with her hand. As our eyes meet, something changes inside me, the anger slowly subsiding and replaced by the warmth of her deep stare.

“Will, it’s time to the let go of the past. I know it still hurts, but we’re together now.”

“You’re right.” I sigh, placing my hands around her waist and drawing her body in flush with mine. “But I have the right mind to go punch that fucker’s lights out. He cannot talk that way about you or us.”

“Hey,” she murmurs, stroking my cheek. “This jealousy thing, we need to control it, okay? This isn’t the first time, and it probably won’t be the last. But none of it matters. I’m with you, and it’ll only ever be you.”

“You promise that?”

She places her lips on mine, kissing me at a teasingly slow pace. Fuck, how does she make me hard this quick?

“I promise you that,” she murmurs, moving her hands toward my belt. “And I’ll even show you…”

“Here?”

With a naughty grin, she whispers, “Why, are you scared?”

My lips fall onto hers, tasting her tongue with a sense of urgency.

“Always the daredevil,” I tease, lifting her dress and pushing her against the wall. I clutch her panties into my fist, sliding it aside while she unbuckles my belt and pulls my boxers and pants down. Without any hesitation, I slide myself in, groaning at the warm sensations wrapping my cock.

“It’s why you’ve always loved me,” she moans, her body begging for more.

I still my movements, catching my breath while I stare deeply into her eyes. Slowly, I ease my mouth onto hers without the rush. As I come up for air, I run my thumb along her bottom lip.

“And I will always love you. This is what I want…” I trail off, pumping into her, watching her crumble beneath my touch. “No one else will ever make me feel the way you do.”

“Then own me,” she begs, moving faster. “Own all of me because I’m all yours, Will. I always have been.”

And as our bodies become one, we both come together.

A beautiful finish with the woman who owns me.

Amelia Edwards.

Soon to be Romano if everything goes to plan.