CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

NOLAN POV

Two hours later, I pulled into my home. I drove into the underground garage and took the elevator up to my apartment. I threw my travel bag into my bedroom and headed straight for the kitchen to find something to eat. I made a simple sandwich, grabbed a bottle of beer, and went to the living room. I ate and watched TV, catching up on the latest sports news.

When I finished, I decided to call Watt. He helps me run the gym business.

"Are you still stuck in the snow?" Watt asked the moment he picked up the phone.

"Not anymore. I'm back in the City," I said, leaning back in my comfortable chair and taking a slow sip of my beer.

"I thought you and April were going to stay there for the whole week," Watt replied.

"Something came up, and April couldn't make it, so I decided to come home today." I didn't see any reason to tell him that Gwen did make it, but she left before I did. "Now that I'm back, I thought I'd call and check in. Is there anything big I need to deal with at the gyms?"

Watt let out a big laugh. "It's a good thing I like you, Nolan. Otherwise, I would be insulted! Do you really think I can't run the business for just a few days without you?"

I chuckled. "It's the opposite, Watt. I'm worried that you're running it too well without me. I'm afraid you don't actually need me around anymore."

"Well, that's true," he joked. "But since I enjoy having you around, it all works out. But seriously, no, there's nothing important going on. Everything is running smoothly."

"Good to hear. Hey, do you want to come over for a beer? We can talk about sports and hang out."

"Now you're speaking my language! Give me about forty-five minutes. I'll be there," he promised.

I hung up with Watt and went to check the fridge to make sure I had enough beer. I did. Then, I headed to my home office. Watt is truly a good businessman, and he can definitely run the gyms perfectly fine without me. This is great because it gives me the time I need to manage my other company—the one that sells nutrition products. I quickly checked my emails and looked over a few business reports. Everything looked fine there too.

I went back to the kitchen and gathered some snacks: cheese, crackers, and chips. I waited for Watt to show up. When he finally arrived, we ate the snacks, drank beer, and watched TV.

"Hey, I meant to tell you I've set us up with dates for New Year's Eve," Watt said casually. "I was thinking we could take them to the Club. We can even get a private room."

"I don't need you to find me dates," I replied, feeling a sudden lack of interest. A strange feeling settled over me—I didn't want to be with any other woman besides Gwen. I didn't like that feeling at all.

"Don't worry," Watt reassured me. "She just got divorced and is only looking to have some fun. Plus, she has big tits, just the way you like them."

The memory of my hard cock fucking  Gwen's tit flashed in my mind. Damn it! "I don't—"

"You don't have to sleep with her," Watt cut in. "It's just a fun night out. And it's already done, Nolan. It will be a blast."

"Yeah, whatever," I muttered. I got up and went to the kitchen for another beer.

When I came back, the conversation had changed. There was no more talk about New Year's or other women. I was able to relax and enjoy being with Watt and watching the game. We spent several hours together.

By the time he left, I felt like I was back to normal. I went to bed, hoping that the last few days with Gwen would finally disappear and become just a faint memory. Maybe I'd think of her sometimes when I needed to get off, but I felt sure the connection I had made with Gwen was finally broken.

Well, almost broken.

I woke up the next morning with a hard-on. I took care of it by imagining Gwen on her knees, sucking my cock. As soon as I finished, I pushed her memory away. I got dressed, ate breakfast, and drove to the offices of my nutrition company.

I walked in an hour earlier than usual. I wasn't surprised to find my assistant, Amanda—or Mandy, as I called her—already working hard.

"Anything I should know about, Mandy?" I asked.

"All your messages are on your desk," she said without looking up from her work. Amanda is a tough, no-nonsense woman who makes running the company incredibly easy for me. She can be grumpier and meaner than I am, which is great because she acts as an excellent gatekeeper. Very few people ever get past her. The only people who have automatic access to me are April and Watt. She scares most other people away so completely that they don't even try to come back.

"Thank you. Did you have a good holiday?" I asked politely.

She shrugged. "I'm happy to be back at work and away from the family chaos." She finally looked up from her computer. "And you?"

"I'm happy to be back at work myself." I walked into my office and got started right away.

Around lunchtime, April strolled into my office. My daughter can frustrate me sometimes, but I love her more than anything, so seeing her always makes me smile. I stood up from my desk to give her a hug.

"I brought your present," she said. "I'm sorry I missed Christmas at the cabin."

"It's okay. I'm sorry, I left your present at home," I replied.

She plopped down on the couch in my office. "That's fine. It wasn't too weird with Gweneth, was it? She usually keeps to herself."

I had to swallow hard. I focused on the package April gave me to hide what had happened. "It was fine. What did you get me? Another tie? Cuff links?"

"Open it," she urged.

I ripped the paper and opened the box. Inside were shaving and grooming supplies, along with a massage gun.

"You've seemed so stressed lately," April explained. "I thought a little massage and spa time would be good for you."

I laughed. "I didn't even realize I was stressed."

She looked at me closely, her eyes narrowed. "Maybe all you needed was some time at the cabin. You don't look as stressed now."

Again, the image of Gwen and her naked glory came into my mind. Worse, I started thinking about the things I could do with her and this new massage gun. F*ing hell. Now Gwen was all I could think about, and I really wanted to ask April how she was doing.

"Thank you, sweetheart," I said warmly.

"Of course. Do you have time for lunch?"

"For you, always." I got up from the couch and grabbed my coat. "I assume Gwen got home safely?" I made sure to keep my back turned away from April.

"Yes. She went straight back to her books, of course," April sighed. "The semester hasn't even started, and she's already studying. And don't say you think I should be more like her."

I gave a slight shrug. "A little studying wouldn't hurt you."

She linked her arm through mine. "Dad, I want to start a business. I figure the best place for me to learn is at 'Dad University.'"

Was I proud that she wanted to be an entrepreneur like me and learn everything I could teach her? Absolutely. But that didn't mean I wanted her to stop studying for her college degree.

"How about we go to lunch, and you can tell me all about this business idea of yours?" I suggested.

Her smile was huge. "I have it all figured out."

"You still need to study, April," I reminded her.

She rolled her eyes. "I know. Come on. I want some hot beef stew. It's so cold outside today."

I took April to a cozy pub nearby for stew. I enjoyed listening to her talk excitedly about an idea that involved art and antique collecting.

"So you want to open an antique store? Or an art gallery?" I asked.

She rolled her eyes again, like I was being dumb. "No, silly. Well, not exactly. I want to help people find amazing pieces of art."

"So, an art broker?"

She shrugged. "I guess. I was thinking Gwen and I could do it together."

My stomach tightened. "I thought she wanted to be a teacher."

"She does, but she'll never make enough money to be financially comfortable on a teacher's salary," April explained. "She knows so much about art and history."

I remembered how Gwen easily beat me when we played Trivial Pursuit.

April looked disappointed. "You're just not getting it."

"That's not my fault, honey. If you want to start a business, you need to develop your ideas clearly. Write a business plan. Study the market to know if there are buyers, and if so, who are they and where can you find them? Maybe you should take a business class next semester."

She let out a frustrated groan.

"Enthusiasm and excitement are great," I told her, "but they don't actually build a business."

"Alright. I'll think about it."

"Good." I decided to change the subject. "So, what are your plans for New Year's Eve?"

"Cole and I are going out," she said. "I'm trying to get Gweneth and Cole's brother, Aaron, to come too. They would be perfect for each other. They're both complete study nerds."

A sudden wave of jealousy hit me at the thought of Gwen with another man. mother fucker, damn it. Would I ever be able to get this woman out of my head?