She turned and paused, holding the file to her chest. NYC Youth Arts Initiative was typed on the tab. I knit my eyebrows together. That was Reilly's charity. Or at least the one that he and his wife had been heavily supporting all the time I'd known him.

"That's David's nonprofit, right?" I pointed to the folder.

Her smile froze. "It is. Dermott supports it as well. They're both heavily involved in donor management. Something came up and he needed a quick peek at this."

Just then, my phone rang. I saw Darren's number. Jia offered a small wave as she disappeared out of the office.

I swiped the screen and answered. "Hi."

"Hey, beautiful. Can you talk?"

Even his phone voice was sexy. Like thick syrup over a warm pancake.

"I can. Today's my last day here at the office so I don't have anyone hovering over me for once. What's up?"

"I want to see you tonight."

"Oh. I thought we're going to make plans this weekend."

"I know, but I can't wait anymore." He paused a moment. "Just miss you, red. It's been too long."

The tenderness in his voice tugged at my heart. I thought about him every day. He was the last thought as I drifted off to sleep, and the first that floated into my mind in the morning. I missed him too...more than I'd ever thought possible. But life had kept me too busy to do anything about it.

I'd been waiting until we had time, real time to spend together. But my life was made up of huge blocks of working hours and a scant slice or two of freedom that wasn't overtaken by sleep or other less interesting adult obligations. If I waited for too long though, we'd never spend time together again. My mom's warnings echoed in my ears, and in this moment they rang true. I could lose Darren if I didn't make time for him.

"If I get everything wrapped up here, I should be able to get out on time."

"Great. I've got a couple appointments here at the gym. I can meet you at your place around seven o'clock?"

"That works. I'll text you if anything comes up."

"Perfect." His tone had changed into a happier one. "I can't wait to see you."

A smile tugged at my lips. I closed my eyes, and for a minute, I was back on an island.

"I'll see you soon."

DARREN.

I left the locker rooms, freshly showered and ready to head to Vanessa's. She was running late, thanks to her dick boss sending her on a last-minute errand, but I wasn't going to let that get in the way of the night I had planned.

"Hey, stranger," Raina called out as I passed the doorway to her studio.

I slowed to a stop and backed up. Dread fell like a stone in my gut. My life would be a lot easier if I never had to see her face again. Of course, that wasn't her fault. I plastered on a friendly smile and leaned against the doorway.

"You survive without us?" I teased.

"Without you two brutes? Absolutely." She moved toward me, winked, and then gave me a quick once-over, wetting her lips.

I cleared my throat and tried to burn out the memory of what happened last time she looked at me like that. "I hope you didn't have too much fun without us."

"No," she murmured, coming uncomfortably close. "I figured I'd save all the fun for when you got back."

I nodded, eating all the words I wanted to say. She dragged her hand down my chest, slowing at the band of my jeans. This was escalating faster than I'd expected. Goddamnit.

"Not here, Raina."

I tried to take a step back, but she tucked her fingers in just over the band, effectively holding me in place.

A coy smiled played on her lips. "Yeah, you're probably right. Let's meet up after work."

I swallowed over the knot of regret in my throat. I closed my eyes and took a breath. I'd never been good at this part-the putting distance between me and someone I was over part. Mostly because I never had to be good at it. I'd never done something this stupid. The terms were usually much more clear. This was muddy and all sorts of fucked.

"How about we just keep things casual?" I finally said.

"I'm good with that. Your place or mine?" She slid her hand lower, over my fly, grazing my cock.

Any other day that might have done something for me, but I felt nothing. Suddenly I couldn't put distance between us fast enough. I backed away until I was out of reach.

She frowned. "Is something wrong?"

"This, specifically, is kind of wrong." I gestured between us, cursing inwardly. How had I gotten myself into this fucking mess? "I shouldn't have made a pass at you. I wasn't thinking about how awkward it could make things at work."

Her eyebrows lifted. "Darren, I'm totally fine with casual. I mean, I think I made that pretty clear last time."

I glanced down at my watch, desperate for anything to get me away from her. "Listen, I got to run. I'll see you around, okay?"

She closed the distance between us again. With every step toward me, tension coiled in my stomach. Not the sexual kind.

She grabbed hold of my shirt, tugging it toward her though my body didn't move with it. I harnessed the urge to shove her back. Inherently I hated the idea of being tied to anyone. Now, I only wanted to be tied to one woman, and she sure as hell wasn't Raina. Not remotely. I had no idea how to dash her hopes of hooking up again without it blowing up in my face.

Before I could disconnect her, she was molded against me, planting her lips on mine. Lips, tongue, hand in the hair. I winced against her, masking my disgust as she pulled away.

"Call me later," she breathed, biting her lip as she backed into the yoga studio and disappeared out of view.

I ground my teeth down hard, holding my position and biting my tongue. I wanted to lock her in that fucking room and throw away the key. For someone who touted the spiritual art of yoga and meditation all day long, she was about as intuitive as a brick.

I pivoted to leave, anxious to get as far away from her as possible. Then I froze. Several paces ahead of me stood a beautiful blonde, her eyes narrowed, hands on her hips, mouth agape. My heart thudded in my chest as I walked toward her. A pound of regret compounded onto my growing mountain of self-loathing.

She turned to walk away, but I ran to catch up to her.

"Maya, wait... It's not what it looks like."

I felt her reply first-a hard slap across my face. I reached for the sting that she left, but I had a feeling she was just winding up. She worked her jaw, disappointment so clear in her soft brown eyes.

"I can't believe I told Vanessa to give you a chance. We're not home a week, and I catch you rubbing up on someone else."

"I didn't... I wasn't..."

"No? Then what the hell was Raina's hand doing on your crotch? You're a fucking pig. Cam warned me and I-"

"I made a mistake." I ended up shouting it to halt her rant.

She paused, and we both stopped talking long enough to catch a breath. I shoved a hand through my hair, hating everything about this fucking moment.

"I hooked up with Raina way before the trip, and it was a huge mistake. I have no interest in being with her. I care about Vanessa."

"Apparently not. Looks like she was just another hookup."

"She means a lot more than that to me. This thing with Raina happened before. Things are different now, but I haven't had a chance to talk to either of them about it. I have every intention of being exclusive with Vanessa."

She set her hands firmly on her hips, her expression tight. "Then you'd better come clean with her, or I'll do it for you."

I studied her, gauged if she'd really do that. I couldn't gamble that she wouldn't. It'd be over with Vanessa. I knew it.

"Maya, Jesus, don't tell her about this. It would ruin everything."

"If you care about her, she needs to know what kind of man you are, so she can decide whether you're worth the risk. Because I can tell you right now, she doesn't have time for this shit. And she certainly doesn't deserve it."

"I know what it looks like, but I swear to you, this isn't me."

"Prove it."

"I plan to. Give me a chance to talk to her."

She shook her head, seeming no less pissed than she had a moment ago. "Vanessa is one of my best friends. I'm not going to watch you disrespect her this way, do you understand? You tell her, or I will."

"I will. I will find a way to make this right, but you need to let me do that."

"Fine."

"And Cameron..." I hedged.

"If I tell Cameron, he's going to kick your ass. So for the sake of the business, I'm going to spare him the dirty details."

I nodded, grateful for the sliver of mercy my new sister-in-law offered me. I didn't deserve it, but I was thankful for it all the same.

"Thanks."

Chapter Eleven.

VANESSA.

I'd texted Darren half a dozen times. I was running late. Reilly had sent me on a last-minute shopping errand. Tracking down his favorite designer pens that hit the expense account at four hundred and fifty dollars a pop had taken more time than I'd expected. By the time I finished, it was nearly nine o'clock.

I had to be at the new office fresh the next day. No way could I squeeze in a date with Darren, much as I wanted to.

I turned my key in the door and walked into the apartment, ready to curse for the next half hour straight over a glass of wine. Except Eli's music wasn't playing like it usually was when I came home, and the savory aroma of garlic and butter wafted over me.

I turned past the small hallway into the living room. Darren was lying on the couch, his bare feet propped on one end. He held his phone in his hand and the light glowed against his flawless skin.

I dropped my bags on my orange chair. "What are you doing here?"

He tossed the phone on the coffee table and rose with a dazzling smile. "I was trying to surprise you with dinner. I could have timed it better though. Sorry. It's probably not so great now."

He gestured to a few feet away where the small kitchen table had been set for two. Several bowls and dishes were covered with aluminum foil. A single candle burned in the center of the table.

"How did you get in?"

"Eli. He's sleeping over at Taylor's, I guess." Darren shrugged.

"This is crazy."

He laughed. "Why?"

Warmth flowed through me. I was overwhelmed with the thoughtfulness of what he'd done. And here I couldn't even show up on time for it.

"I'm such a jerk. I feel awful." I brought my hand to my mouth.

He came close, circling my waist with his strong arms. "I think your boss is the jerk. I'm just happy you're finally here."

I sighed and folded my arms around his neck, resting my cheek against his chest. He was so solid against me. Nothing in my world seemed as important when he was near. It was so easy...falling for him. Falling harder, faster.

"Are you hungry?" The quiet murmur vibrated through me.

Truth was I was starving, but Darren's kindness had completely captivated me. No one had ever done anything like this for me before.

I had no words for that.

His eyes glimmered, and my chest ached with all the things I hadn't said. Things I wanted to say when the time was right.

I was too tired to overthink it. I pulled my body-and then my mouth-tight against his. He was in my lungs, all man and musk, his skin heating me through my clothes. Then the taste that was only Darren on my tongue.

The earthy growl from his chest hit my ears and sent shock waves of pleasure straight to my core.

"I'll take that as a no," he said, as he lifted me off my feet and took us to my bedroom.

He lowered me at the foot of the bed. I caressed down his chest slowly, over his pectorals all the way down to his well-defined abdominals. Sliding my palms under his plain white T-shirt, I marveled anew at his incredible physique. And he was mine. This breathtaking man wanted me.

My touch went lower. He was already hard, his arousal obvious through his faded blue jeans. I caught my lower lip between my teeth. Nothing but a layer of denim between me and more pleasure than I'd ever known. I molded my hand over the outline of his erection, and he caught my wrist.