12. Blair

"Eden loves her cocktail hours."

The hotel is thrumming with people. Eden rented out the entire rooftop terrace tonight for another cocktail hour. I've started to recognize some of the people here, but mostly, everyone has kept to themselves, even after being here for a week.

"Are you saying you don't like free drinks overlooking Milan?" Raven asks. Her hand is linked with mine as we stand on the edges of the crowd.

From the moment her hand grabbed hold of mine tonight, I've been on edge. Every nerve in my body is clamoring to feel her touch.

After sharing such an intimate night with her at the church with Da Vinci's painting, things shifted between us. No matter how many times I keep telling myself this is all fake, my body isn't getting the memo.

I take a dramatic suck of my drink—a Campari Spritz—and turn my eyes to Raven. The lights reflect back to me. "I will never turn down one of these."

"Or a night with you."

Heat blazes in Raven's eyes. Even out here in the dark, it's apparent.

"Raven—"

"Can I interest either of you in pesto raviolis?" The waiter interrupts our conversation.

"Thank you." Raven grabs one, popping it into her mouth. "Oh my God. You have to try that."

She moans around a mouthful.

Does she not realize she's driving me crazy?

The sounds coming from her are sinful. Pair those with the simple black dress she's wearing, and I'm ready to jump into the pool to douse the inferno ripping through me.

"That's good," I agree, trying to temper my body.

"C'mon, let's go mingle some more."

I trail after Raven, watching as she works the crowd. She's a natural. I can see why she's the CEO of her own company. Everyone is enthralled with her. Wanting more.

The same as me.

The more time I spend with her, the more I want to be around her.

"Sorry."

Someone bumps into me from behind. Instead of falling, I catch myself on Raven. Face to face, I feel her curves under my hands and the way her fingers tighten against my biceps. Her tongue peeks out to wet her bottom lip.

Fuck.

I'm done waiting.

If this short amount of time here is the only time I get with her, I want to make the most of it.

Grabbing her hand, I lead her toward the elevator and find a quiet spot away from the noise.

"Blair, what are you?—"

Pushing her against the wall, I seal my mouth over hers. I swallow her gasps as I push my tongue into her mouth.

She meets me stroke for stroke. Cool hands drift under my coat, pulling me closer. I thrust a leg between hers, deepening the kiss.

Every moan, every whimper I devour.

This kiss is everything I imagined it would be. I tear my lips from her mouth, trailing kisses along her jaw. Sucking at the soft skin of her neck.

"I want you." I tug her earlobe between my teeth.

"Blair," Raven whines, pulling my mouth back to hers. She flips us, pushing me against the wall. "Yes."

She slants her mouth over mine, trailing her hands lower, dipping into the waistband of my jeans. The heat coming off her is burning me alive.

"I'm tired of denying myself this."

Raven clutches my coat, holding me to her. Her lips are slick from my kisses.

Fuck, wanting her like this only makes me more wet.

I trail a finger up her arm. Goose bumps break out in its wake. She feels this too. Thank God, because if it were only me, I don't know what I'd do.

"Do you want to go back to the room?"

Her eyes are glassy as she bites down on her bottom lip. "Yes. Now."

The command in her voice is there. It's the Raven I've gotten to know in this short time.

But tonight? I'm taking it back from her.

Leading us to the elevators, I keep her at a distance. There's people coming and going, and the last thing she needs is to be found in a compromising position.

I don't want to do anything to jeopardize why we're here.

I keep my hands to myself as the elevator carries us to our floor.

Raven waves the keycard over the lock and pushes into the room.

"Stop." My voice echoes against the walls of the space.

Raven stands still in the middle of the room. The soft glow of the lights make her look otherworldly.

"Do you have any idea how much you've been driving me crazy?" I tell her, stepping up behind her.

The cool silk of her dress catches as I drag a finger down her side.

"I can say the same for you."

"You're always in control." I nip at her neck. "The CEO."

She nods.

"Not tonight." I lick a path up her neck. "Tonight, I hold all the power."

The snick of her zipper echoes in the large room as I pull it down. The fabric sags as I expose more of her skin. Each delicious inch has my mouth watering.

"I can't wait to have my way with you tonight." I press a kiss to her shoulder.

I push her dress off her shoulders, strip her of her bra and underwear and drink my fill of her bare body.

"You are fucking gorgeous."

I trace her curves with a fingertip. From her full, round ass, around her hip, and to her front.

Raven's eyes are dark and wide. Her skin is pebbled from the cool air of the hotel room. Her teeth dig into her bottom lip.

Yes.

This is exactly how I want her.

"Are you wet for me?"

She nods.

I lick a trail up the gentle slope of her neck to her ear, tugging the lobe between my teeth. "Use your words, Raven."

"Yes."

"Have you been like this all night?"

I drag my finger lower, hovering above her bare pussy. Teasing. Edging. Wanting to increase her pleasure.

"Mmm-hmm."

I slide my finger lower before reversing and trailing back up toward her beautiful breasts.

Her nipples are diamond hard.

"Do you want to come?"

"Yes." Her breath leaves her in a gasp.

Raven West is the sexiest woman I've ever laid eyes on. She's power and strength bottled up. One not to be messed with.

But right now? Right now, she's giving herself over to me.

And I can't wait to take everything from her.

Not yet.

Tonight, she's my plaything. And I want to have my way with her.

"Go to the bedroom. Lie down and spread those legs for me."

"Yes."

She spins on her red-soled heels. There's a sway to her hips that is absolutely captivating. I can't wait to sink my teeth into her tonight. To let her come on my tongue.

I'm aching—soaked—wanting to have her.

"Oh, and Raven?"

She stops, throwing a coy look over her shoulder.

"Keep the heels on."