Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 20243 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 101(@200wpm)___ 81(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20243 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 101(@200wpm)___ 81(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
“For you, I insisted on only the best.”
“That does smell nice,” Cole murmured. He and Spencer were close enough to hear each other’s whispers. “I don’t think I’ve seen this brand before.”
“Well, here you’ll find we have exactly what you’ve been looking for, Cole.”
Spencer slid the length of the cigar beneath Cole’s nose. He inhaled the robust scent of the premium tobacco, allowing the enticing fragrances of fig, vanilla, and cedar to flood his senses.
They held eye contact for a long moment, letting that loaded statement linger between them.
Spencer expertly clipped the cap of Cole’s cigar, then removed a Zippo lighter from his pocket.
Spencer readied it for him like a professional, rotating and toasting the foot before he eased the head between his full lips. Once it was lit, Spencer took a long, alluring puff, watching Cole through the thick plume of smoke.
Fuck. Me.
Spencer licked his bottom lip, then placed the cigar between Cole’s thumb and finger. He took his own shallow puff and let the smoke linger in his mouth before he exhaled it in the opposite direction of Spencer’s face.
“Thank you. It tastes amazing,” he sighed after another inhale.
“Do you taste the clove and the sweetness on your tongue?” Spencer asked, watching him beneath hooded eyelids.
Does smoking turn you on, baby?
Cole played up his pleasure. “Mmm, I do. I prefer sweet over spicy.”
Spencer smirked. “You look the type.”
Cole laughed, feeling more relaxed than he had in years. Since his big brother had passed away in a helicopter crash two years ago, he hadn’t smiled or laughed much.
His brother, Coleman the Fourth, had been the face of the company, the wonder boy. He would’ve loved this fucking place; his big brother had often indulged in the finer things in life.
Cole had been the creative genius behind the scenes, holed up in his New York loft, designing some of the rarest collections of jewelry in the world.
They’d been a kickass team until an intoxicated helicopter pilot had destroyed it all in one night.
“Now, have a sip of this.” Spencer smiled, shifting Cole’s mind to a better place.
Lyndon appeared again, this time with a tumbler of amber-colored liquid swirling in a unique pattern at the bottom of the glass.
“It’s Frapin XO, a rare cognac with extracts of brown sugar and chocolate. Try it after a couple exhales. It’ll embolden the flavor of the cigar.”
“Holy shit, that’s good.” Cole frowned. “I don’t think I’ve tasted anything so delicious.”
Spencer’s smirk was tempting and mischievous. “Isn’t that a shame.”
Spencer
Spencer was nervous to return to the back of the house, where he was sure most of the staff were gossiping about his behavior tonight. It’d been a long time since they’d seen him work on the floor and even longer since he’d cozied up to a customer.
Poor Lyndon must have been bombarded with questions when he’d gone for pickups, poor thing. It was amazing he was still hitting his points on time.
The staff was allowed to eat and drink with the customers in moderation. It made them seem more like company instead of waiters.
Spencer sat in comfortable silence with Cole, sharing the delicious cigar and the expensive rum.
Cole set the glass on the table and watched some of the customers conversing near the professionally decorated Christmas tree, but Spencer’s attention was locked.
The owner of the largest jewelry company ever was sitting beside him and, dare he say, showing real interest, but Spencer’s heart was battling with his mind.
He’d inched so close he could smell Cole’s expensive cologne, the powerful scent blending with his dark liquor in the most intoxicating way.
He shouldn’t be getting so personal again nor skirting the line of separating business from pleasure. For the last four years, Spencer had kept his work strictly professional in the lounge—until Cole.
He was handsome and charming, like a lot of men Spencer saw on any given weekend. But after sitting with Cole for a couple of hours in companionable silence, he also saw humility in him.
Cole wasn’t flaunting his station by demanding better seating in platinum VIP or making outrageous requests even Sergio couldn’t meet. Instead, the business tycoon sat relaxed and seemed content with what he had.
“So, Mr. Burbank, tell me some—”
“Please, just Cole,” he reminded him.
Cole brought his finger up and touched it to Spencer’s parted lips. “My older brother, Coleman, was Mr. Burbank. He was the best CEO, and to me, he always will be.”
“They were big shoes to fill, Cole, and you’re doing a great job,” Gerald chimed in on their conversation. “You honor his name every day.”
Spencer had forgotten again that he and Cole weren’t alone. It wasn’t like him, neglecting his other customer, but he was grateful when he saw Lyndon massaging Gerald’s shoulders, keeping him satisfied.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up a sensitive subject.” Spencer blinked at the emotion he saw in Cole’s eyes before he had to look away. “I didn’t mean to—”