Page 91 of Over the Limit

“Sure. Yes.” By the tone of her voice, she’s clearly distracted now. “I knew you would. Cheers, darling. Off to Ibiza now.”

Monica ends the call and I look over to Lachlan.

“What?” he asks with a cheeky smile.

“I’m mad at you.”

“What did I do?” He chuckles. “Were three orgasms last time not enough and you want to go for an even five this time?”

“Five is not even.”

“But it made you smile,” he says as he moves toward me, his eyes questioning as he tries to figure out what’s wrong.

“How many times have you ‘hung out’ with Zola?”

“Twice. Why?”

“Twice?”

“Yes. You’ve known each time. The yacht and then we met up for coffee. Well technically three times because there was the dinner date before the yacht party, but that’s semantics. Oh, and she told me there might possibly be one more time. Some dinner event coming up. I don’t know. We both have to go so we figured since clammy-hands Baron will be there, that maybe I could go with her and save her from that and her mother’s pushiness.”

I feel for Zola. I truly do. But . . .

“Well, for the record, it looks like you two have sold it so well, Monica is believing it.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” How can his smile be so disarming? He really has no idea how good-looking he is. “Their family’s ties to the von Steubings have Baron and Zola’s wedding planned. Has been for some time.”

“Ugh,” I say as he puts his arms around my waist and pulls me into him. I feel an automatic security in this. In him. And I let him comfort me in a way I’ve never let anyone else. It’s like with each passing day, the time we’ve spent together should be catching up with the strength of our feelings, and yet there’s nothing stopping this freight train of emotions I feel for this man. “She is planning, Lachlan, and her planning isn’t always a good thing.”

“How about she plans me up a contract with Gravitas so I can stop stressing about it?” he jokes into the crown of my head.

“Oh, she said something along those lines too. She’s giving away her daughter with a contract, apparently,” I say sarcastically.

“No, more like a contract with her daughter thrown in,” he says, but I’m beginning to think it’s not so much of a joke. “But hell, I’ll take her help any way I can get right now.” And I know he’s joking, but a small part of me knows he means it. I’ve watched him go through the gamut of emotions over the past few weeks. Excitement to despair to frustration have been a constant as he takes calls from his agent and is rushed off to secret meetings here and there.

“I feel bad for Zola.” I look up at him, and he brushes my hair off my forehead.

“I do too. Why do you think I’m helping her? She’s a great person. Always been a good friend to me.” He shrugs. “And she’ll probably end up with Boring Baron, but she wants more time to live her life first.”

How depressing.

“Then I guess I’ll let her keep borrowing you in public so long as I get to keep you in private.”

“Lucky for you because the private part is so much better.” He runs a thumb over my lower lip before he leans in and brushes a kiss to it. “Six is a good even number, don’t you think?” He flashes a grin.

“Stop trying to distract me with multiple orgasms talk.”

“But it’s so much more fun than talking about Monica and Zola and expectations I can’t control.”

“And yet they’re still there.”

“And so is the chance this association might help me get a deal with Gravitas, according to what you’re saying. Is it a cheap shot letting Monica think Zola and I are together? I don’t know. Everyone is playing the game and if I don’t, then I’m out. What matters most is that Zola knows the truth and that she gets what she needs out of this.”

And there he goes trying to be the hero and save the day for another woman.

“Why do you have to make so much sense?” I roll my eyes.

“Because it’s how I keep you mine. Sense, great wine.” He lifts his chin toward the food and bottle of wine on the table. “Incredible sex and multiple orgasms.”