Identity Risk (The Billionaire Experience #3)

Chapter Ten

Jessie woke slowly, feeling the warmth of Mac’s large body pressed against her back and his arm draped over her waist.

She blinked, momentarily disoriented, before smiling as the memories of the previous night came rushing back.

Every moment had been unforgettable—Mac had worshiped her body with a tenderness and intensity that made her heart race. He knew exactly how to touch her, how to make her feel cherished, and the things he whispered in her ear still sent shivers down her spine. It had been fun, exhilarating, and filled with so much pleasure that she hadn’t wanted the night to end.

But then came the thoughts that had kept her awake. The fears that crept in as soon as the euphoria faded.

What if the threats came back? She had barely escaped the last time, forced into hiding to protect herself from a vengeful client who hadn’t stopped until she disappeared. Would someone else come after her because of her status at the firm? And if they did, would the FBI make her leave again, tear her away from her life and from Mac just when she’d found her way back to him?

Her heart ached at the thought. She turned to look at him, his face peaceful in sleep, and her chest tightened. God, she loved him. She loved him more than she could ever put into words. The other issue they were facing was how they would navigate their professional lives. Her company was in New York, and his was in Florida—both of them tied to their businesses, both owners with lives and responsibilities that couldn’t just be abandoned.

Jessie felt the weight of it all pressing down on her. Could their love survive the distance, the chaos, the constant fear that something could tear them apart again? The thought of losing Mac was unbearable, a pain she didn’t even want to imagine. Losing him would break her heart all over again. But how could they make it work when everything seemed determined to pull them in opposite directions?

Behind her, she felt a subtle shift in Mac’s breathing and knew he was awake. But she chose to ignore him as the thoughts in her mind started to take over.

She tried to slip out of the bed quietly, but Mac’s hand tightened around her waist, stopping her.

“Where are you going?” he murmured, his voice rough with sleep.

She froze, closing her eyes for a moment before turning to look at him. His blue eyes were wide open, searching her face. She could tell that he saw right through her. He always could.

“Shower,” she replied, trying to sound casual and not give away that she was freaking out. “I need to get up. I have an appointment in a couple of hours.”

He frowned, clearly not buying her lie. “Bullshit, Jess. You’re running. Why?”

She tried to give him an icy glare. She tried to stand her ground, but she felt herself faltering. “I’m not bullshitting you. I do have an appointment.” She didn’t tell him it was just an appointment for a pedicure. “Plus, don’t you remember the rules of this date?”

His eyebrows shot up.

“What rules?”

“The date rules . ‘One and Done.’ ” she told him. “The rules state no contact afterward.”

He stared at her as if she had grown two heads. Then he burst out laughing. Damn, even his laugh was sexy as hell.

She glared at him and pulled the sheet off the bed to cover herself. But that wasn’t the best idea because it left him uncovered. His morning wood was on display, standing at attention like a good little soldier. Well, his more like a big soldier.

He smirked at her blatant stare, then pulled the blanket over his lower half, blocking her view. He slipped out of bed with the blanket still wrapped around him. Walking around the bed, he stopped in front of her. His strong, towering stance was a little intimidating.

“Let’s get something straight. Rules are made to be broken. In fact, I’ve already broken several when it comes to One and Done. Plus, we are anything but done. We are just getting started. Consider us Unlimited and Available .” He paused for a few seconds before continuing. Though his voice was a little softer. “Look, Jess. I know last night came as a complete shock for you, and things moved rather quickly. But I don’t regret one second of it, and I don’t believe that you do either. Now, be honest with me. What’s bothering you?”

She had called it—nothing got past him. She swallowed hard and licked her dry lips as she tried to figure out how to explain to him what she was feeling.

“You’re right. And I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you think that last night meant nothing to me.” She placed her hands on his bare chest. “Last night meant the world to me. It was beautiful, and I promise that I have no regrets. But as you said, things moved really fast last night, and waking up this morning left me with some questions that I need to find answers to.”

He cupped her cheek. “Can I help answer any of these questions of yours?”

She sighed. “Eventually. But right now, I just need a little bit of time to think.”

He leaned forward and kissed her forehead before pulling her into a hug.

“Take all the time you need, sunshine. But know that I’m not going anywhere. You and I are in this together.”

She smiled, wrapping her arms around his waist. “I think we make a good team, too. I just don’t want to lose you again.”

With those spoken words, she felt him relax.

“You won’t. I can promise you that. If I have to handcuff you to me, I will.”

She laughed, feeling a little bit lighter with being honest with him. Though she knew there was a lot they needed to talk about.

His phone started ringing. He sighed.

“That’s my office. Let me answer it real quick,” he told her, kissing her forehead before releasing her.

He walked to the pile of clothes on the floor and pulled his phone from one of the pockets.

She listened to him answer. He was quiet at first, but then he looked annoyed as he listened to the person on the other line.

“He specifically asked for me?” she heard him say.

“When?”

“Tonight?!”

He got quiet again and then let out a frustrated huff.

“Fine. Call him and tell him that I’ll be there. But also let him know that this is going to cost him extra.”

“Alright, just send me the flight information.”

“Later.”

Jessie nibbled her lip as she listened to the one-sided conversation. From what she heard, it sounded like he was leaving.

When Mac disconnected the call, he threw the phone on the bed and then ran his fingers through his hair, which was a sign that he was definitely frustrated.

“Everything, okay?” Jessie asked, stepping toward him.

He reached for her and pulled into a hug.

“No. That was my office manager. There is a situation that I need to take care of, and as much as I don’t want to, I need to fly to Detriot tonight.”

She looked up at him.

“Tonight?”

He nodded. “I’m sorry, Jess. If I could send someone else, I would.”

She shook her head. “Mac, again, don’t apologize for doing your job. How long will you be gone?”

“It depends. My guess, though, is two or three days. The guy is an asshole, but his contracts bring in a lot of money.” He hugged her tighter. “I promise, once I take care of the issue, I’ll be back.”

She wrinkled her forehead. “Don’t you need to get back to Florida?”

He gently gripped her chin and tilted her head so she was looking at him. He grinned. “That’s the best part of owning a business that doesn’t require my presence in the office all the time. I can work from wherever. And right now, I belong here with you. So, this is where I’ll work from here. Unless work calls me away like this asshole in Detroit.”

She chuckled, then looked into his eyes.

“I’ll miss you,” she told him, then kissing his lips.

He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her body flush against his. Thankfully, their bodies were pressed together tight enough to keep the sheet and blanket covering them in place.

Before things got out of control, Mac pulled away first. He smiled and winked at her, making her stomach do flip-flops.

“I’ll miss you, too, sunshine. I better let you get ready, or I’ll be tempted to take you back to bed and keep you there all day. Plus, I need to swing by the hotel and pick up my things before I catch my flight.” He kissed her forehead. “I’ll keep in touch while I’m gone.”

“Okay,” she said. After last night, two or three days away from Mac were going to be torture. Luckily, she had BOB to keep her company until he returned.

As if reading her mind, Mac leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Nobody touches that sweet pussy of yours except for me. That includes you and BOB.”

Jessie gasped as her mouth opened, but no words came out. How in the hell did he know about BOB?

Mac chuckled. “Nothing gets past me, sunshine. Now, get your sweet ass in the shower before I join you. But if I do, I can guarantee that we both will be late.”

Jessie gave him one last kiss, making sure to make it last before they said their goodbyes, promising to call each other and FaceTime whenever they could.

As she made her way into the bathroom, she laughed. There was no way she would last three days without a release. How would he know anyway? What was that saying? When the cat is away, the mice will play.

She giggled to herself, feeling naughty thinking about breaking his rules.