Her eyes darted around the room. The look of embarrassment on her face told me she wasn’t making it up. “I did.”
“Wow.”
“I was worried about you. I did call—a lot.”
“I didn’t have my phone,” I told her.
“I know. I saw it at the bottom of the pool.”
I smirked, shaking my head. “You really were in the house.”
“I was. I saw the phone and got very worried. I went in the house. It looked like you disappeared. I was worried.”
“You said that,” I said, doing my best to hide my smile.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to totally invade your privacy. It’s just, well, when you didn’t answer. I have a very active imagination. I got a little carried away.”
“I appreciate the fact you cared enough to commit multiple felonies.”
“I didn’t snoop,” she insisted. “I didn’t dig through your drawers or anything weird.”
“Good to know.”
“This isn’t my normal thing,” she said, clearly flustered. “I don’t stalk men. I don’t stalk anyone. I was just—”
“Worried,” I finished for her. “You were worried about me and stalked me to try and help me.”
“Yes. That.”
“Thank you. Sometimes, I can be my own worst enemy. At least that’s what I have been told. I’m glad you came.”
“I would do it all again,” she said firmly. “I’m not trying to pressure you into anything. I just wanted you to know I cared and that I can be a friend. A silent one if you prefer. It’s what friends do for one another.”
“I’m lucky to call you friend.”
“Damn right you are,” she said with a bright grin.
“You know, I would not have expected your dad to help you find me.”
She laughed. “You and me both, but I have to say, he was very helpful and very understanding. I did tell him about your brother. He empathizes with you. He’s the one who convinced me to go to you.”
“No way,” I said, not believing it a bit.
“Yes, way.” She smiled. “He was the one to convince me I had to get pushy. Well, him and then Nelle.”
“Then I should thank them both. I’m glad you’re pushy.”
“Me too,” she said with that sexy smile that always hit me right between the legs.
Our meals were delivered, taking my mind off the erection that had sprung to life.
“This is amazing,” I said after taking a bite.
“Yes, it is. It’s nice to share a dinner with you—while it is still hot.”
“I’m glad we decided to come out for dinner,” I told her. “I don’t think I would have been able to think about food with you wearing that.”
“You are too sweet.”
“I’m speaking the truth. You look hot.”
“Your flattery will get you everywhere,” she whispered.
I looked down at her plate, then mine. The meal was great but I was no longer hungry for steak. I was hungry for one thing only.
“Would you like to go back to my room?” I asked. It was a bold question. A question I had no business asking but I would kick myself if I didn’t at least try.
“I would love to go back to your room.”
My arm shot into the air, calling for the check. When the waiter didn’t immediately make his way to our table, I stood up and stuck my hand in the air. I didn’t have a minute to spare. I wanted to leave. I wanted her naked and writhing under me. Now. Not in fifteen minutes. Right fucking now.
When I finally got his attention, I quickly paid the bill and practically dragged her out of the restaurant. I was trying to play it cool, I really was, but the woman was too much to resist. I could smell her arousal. At least I believed I could. I smelled her unique scent mingled with the floral perfume she was wearing. It was intoxicating and arousing.
I held her hand as we walked across the lobby of my hotel. I debated taking the stairs to my suite.
“Relax,” she whispered when we stepped inside the elevator.
I growled and pressed up against her. Her soft curves rubbed against my body, sending me into an absolute tailspin. “I’m sorry,” I breathed.
“For?”
“This,” I said a moment before my mouth covered hers.
I ground my hips against her. Her body was held in place with my pelvis holding her against the wall. I heard and felt her soft moans and swallowed them. When the doors slid open, I didn’t stop. I couldn’t stop.
“Doors,” she whispered.
Her word reminded me of where we were. I would have taken her right there if she didn’t stop me. “Right, sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry, just hurry,” she said breathlessly.
“You don’t have to tell me twice.”
I grabbed her hand and dragged her down to the end of the hall to my room. We burst through the door and I dragged her in with me.
“God, I have been dying to get you out of this dress all damn night,” I said. “I want you out of it, but I want you in it at the same time. I like looking at you in this.”
She smiled, that dangerous twinkle in her eye. It was the look that said she was thinking something naughty. I liked when she was naughty. “I think you might appreciate what’s under this,” she said coyly.
My dick stood at attention. “You’re teasing me.”
“This is not a tease. I assure you, I’m a sure thing. Why don’t you take a seat on the pretty little couch while I step into the bathroom?”
“Evie, you kill me.”
“Oh baby, you haven’t seen anything yet.”
“Go. Hurry.”
She disappeared into the bathroom. I kicked off my shoes and shed my suit jacket before turning off all but the small lamp on the table under the TV. I sat down and waited. My cock strained against my fly. I wasn’t going to strip. If I took off my pants, I would pounce on her the moment she stepped out of the bathroom.
Chapter 52
Evie
I told myself I wasn’t nervous. There was nothing to be nervous about. I knew he liked my body. He wasn’t going to point at the little extra cushioning on my hips that felt extremely exposed and enhanced in the lacy red bit of lingerie I was wearing.
When he invited me to dinner, I’d claimed I needed a dress. I did but then I happened to come across the lingerie and decided to spice things up.
Spicy was one word for it. I fluffed my hair and pulled a few faces in the mirror until I was satisfied I had the perfect sultry pout. I hit the light and opened the door, slowly walking into the small living space with the kitchenette at my right. Xander was sitting in the chair, just as I ordered.
The lights were mostly off and there was soft jazz music streaming through the TV. The man knew how to set a mood. I paused and posed. I watched his expression as he drank in the sight of me wearing the tiny little teddy that had ribbons that crisscrossed over my belly and connected to slightly wider ribbons of lace that acted as a bra. It was definitely on the risqué side.
“Holy fuck,” he breathed. “Have you had that on all night?”