Koda cared about people. He stopped and spoke to everyone. Koda asked the receptionist, Mike, about his dog that had recently eaten a poisonous plant. He listened as the guy who worked in editing talked about his kids. Koda knew all of their names. It hit Felix. Koda really had been right here all along. In the background. Never getting the attention he deserved. Felix wasn’t sure he would forgive himself for that lapse.
Then Koda’s face turned Felix’s way, as if he knew Felix stood there watching him. A small smile touched Koda’s sexy lips. Felix could barely breathe. He knew how those lips tasted. Felix wanted more. Koda wore a black button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and the top three or four buttons were undone. A pair of black pants molded to his skin, shaping his round ass to perfection. Felix’s mouth was dry as the Sahara.
“Hey, Koda.”
Something wicked crossed Koda’s features. “Hey.”
Felix had to take a breath. He wanted Koda… bad. “Do you mind if I talk to you for a second before you jump in the booth? I have a few things to go over with you. Last-second changes and whatnot.”
Koda crossed the room. “Sure thing.”
Felix inhaled Koda’s scent as he passed. He smelled sweet yet spicy. Felix needed to taste him. He closed the door, shutting out the world. “Goddamn. You look sexy as fuck today.”
Koda smirked. “I like to think I look that way every day, but thank you for noticing.”
Felix couldn’t stop himself from crowding Koda’s space. “Let’s do something after you finish up today.”
“What would you like to do?”
You. Felix fought hard to keep that thought to himself. “Anything at all as long as we’re together.” He rubbed Koda’s sides, drawing him closer. Felix couldn’t tear his gaze away from Koda’s face. “Is it strange that not seeing you for two days has been hell? I shouldn’t miss you already, but I do.”
“We should remedy that.” Koda’s hand came to rest on Felix’s shoulder. He slid his hand up until he cupped Felix’s jaw and his thumb caressed Felix’s chin. A smile exploded across his face. “You have a slight dimple in your chin. Adorable.”
It struck Felix. Koda had no idea what he looked like, yet he still let Felix touch him. It was humbling and flattering. He liked how that knowledge felt in his chest. “Is it okay if I kiss you?”
Koda’s smile slipped away. His expression turned heated. He took a step closer. His body collided with Felix’s. Before Felix could claim Koda’s lips, Koda took charge. He opened his mouth over Felix’s bottom lip and sucked. Felix’s knees weakened. Everything about Koda turned him on. He had so much confidence. Koda possessed this unmatched surety that he was wanted by anyone he chose. It was sexy in a way Felix couldn’t describe. Felix’s body burned as Koda curled his tongue around Felix’s and stroked.
Koda took a step back. “Let me get through my workload and we’ll get out of here.”
Felix nodded. He was dazed from Koda’s kiss. All he could do was watch as Koda let himself out. He closed the door behind him. Felix stared at the closed door. A tiny whimper escaped him as he reached down and readjusted his erection. The last few months had been hell. His heart was set on Koda. No one else could satisfy him.
Felix tore his gaze away from the door and circled his desk. He dropped into his chair. While Felix didn’t think taking Koda straight to bed was a good idea, he didn’t know how much longer he could resist.
A light tap on the door pulled Felix from his thoughts. Hope surged in his chest that Koda had come back for more. “Yes?”
The door opened and Koda’s mom poked her head in. “Hey there. I hope I’m not bothering you.”
Felix shot to his feet. “No. Come in.” He circled the desk again and met her halfway.
Elena hugged him and kissed his cheek before he knew it would happen. “Thanks for making time for me.”
Even though Felix was confused, since it wasn’t like they had an appointment, there was no way he would make Koda’s mom feel unwelcome. “Have a seat. I always have time for you.”
With a grateful smile, Elena claimed the chair across from his desk. Felix chose the one beside her rather than the one behind his desk. He didn’t want to make her feel like she was at a business meeting.
Elena patted his arm. “I had so many guests this weekend, I don’t feel like I got to properly meet you. Since I brought Koda in today, I thought I would pop in and try to do better.”
Felix waved off her concerns. “Think nothing of it. I crashed your party. You didn’t have to entertain me.”
She flashed him a bright smile, and it hit Felix how much Koda looked like her. They had the same dark hair and green eyes. Their lips were shaped the same, and they smiled alike. He immediately warmed to her.
“Koda tells me you got him on a boat on Sunday.”
Felix’s smile slipped away. “Yeah. I wish I hadn’t. Until we were out on the water, I didn’t realize how terrified he was. I should’ve been more observant.”
Elena nodded. “I’ll admit, when I first heard, my stomach dropped. But he says you took good care of him, and he trusts you completely. He’s always been an amazing judge of character, so I know I can trust you to take care of my baby.”
“I would never let anything happen to him.” Even Felix heard the vow in his tone.
Elena nodded, looking serious, as if she too understood how important Koda’s existence was to Felix. “I’m glad to hear it. He’s incredibly stubborn. He got that from his dad.” A smile snapped to Felix’s lips, but Elena wasn’t finished. “You’ll have to be a fighter to hang on to him. He’s the most independent person I’ve ever met. But he needs love, even if he doesn’t want to accept it. Hell, after he lost his sight, even I had to fight to keep him from shutting me out. He doesn’t like to look weak. For whatever reason, he’s convinced himself that loving anyone weakens him.” That sounded like Koda to Felix. Elena shook her head. She looked at a loss. “Honestly, it’s been frustrating as hell, watching him convince himself no one wants him for more than one night while knowing he’s the one who pushes people away. From what I hear, you’re pretty stubborn too. I think you’re probably the only person who can actually win him.”
There was so much pride in Felix’s chest, he could barely breathe. He knew he should be slightly insulted she had heard stories about his mulishness, but no. She thought he could win Koda. That was exactly the confidence booster Felix needed. “I’m not going anywhere. He’ll have to hire a tow truck to move me.”
A bark of laughter burst from Elena. She slapped his knee. “Good. That’s what I like to hear.” She stood. “Now, I know you’re a busy man, and you’re likely to have tons of work to do. But I conned your receptionist into clearing your schedule for the next two days.” Before Felix recovered from that high-handed announcement, Elena handed him a piece of paper. “I’ve made reservations for two at a bungalow in Santa Barbara for two nights. You also have dinner reservations. It’s all on the itinerary and a champagne basket will be waiting in your room. Have fun.” She pointed at him and her expression turned serious. “Whatever you do, do not tell Koda I was here, or that I had anything to do with this. You take the credit and it’ll be our secret.”