Chapter 18

Chapter Eighteen

T he concierge gave her an envelope with “Muffin” written on the front in a neat, blocky script. She crossed the lobby to a couch outside the restaurant, sat down, and slid her finger under the flap to open the envelope.

She pulled out a single folded piece of paper.

Muffin, take the stairs to the right of the reception desk to the mezzanine level. I’m at a small table in a corner overlooking the lobby.

She glanced up, scanning the railing that wrapped around the mezzanine level. She spotted him almost immediately, watching her. He raised a hand in a subtle wave.

Her stomach tightened with anticipation. She’d considered canceling multiple times. But she couldn’t get him out of her mind—in a good way.

So here she was, wearing the fuck-me heels and a sexy emerald-green cocktail dress she’d dug out from the back of her closet. She’d worn it to a bachelorette party two years ago.

She felt his gaze as she rose from the couch, so she turned in a circle, allowing him to admire the dress that showed a lot of cleavage and stopped mid-thigh. She paused before heading to the stairs and caught his appreciative grin.

He’d no doubt be watching her ass as she crossed to the stairwell, so she made an effort to add a seductive sway, but she was very much out of practice walking in heels, so she didn’t overdo it for fear of stumbling.

The carpeting on the mezzanine level made circling around to meet him slightly less of a slipping hazard. He stood in front of a table that held a sealed bottle of wine in an ice bucket along with two white wine glasses.

She wondered how to greet him— handshake, hug, wave? —when he placed a hand on her waist and dropped a soft kiss to her lips before stepping back and indicating a plush chair.

“You look beautiful,” he said as she lowered herself into the seat.

“Thank you.”

He pushed the chair forward, then took the seat next to her. “Wine?”

She pulled the bottle from the silver bucket and checked the wrap around the cork. She nodded and handed the bottle to him to open.

“Why here and not in the restaurant?” she asked as he performed the chore.

“My family does a lot of business here. I’m known in the restaurant. Someone might slip.”

He was respecting her wishes to keep his identity secret. She appreciated that. Still, that raised more questions. “So why not choose a place where you can be anonymous?”

“Because we do so much business here, I was able to get our usual suite. I’ve decided to stay here instead of with family until after the New Year.”

The Mayflower was high-end, and he said his room was a suite. She’d figured he was in a good financial position, but there was comfortable, and there was ten-days-at-the-Mayflower-when-you-could-stay-elsewhere-for-free level of wealth.

If his family did business here, he must come from money. She brushed aside the thoughts. She didn’t want to know who he was. This was just meant to be fun. An escape.

She didn’t want to know who he was because it didn’t matter in the long run. After the holidays, he’d return to New York—assuming he lived where he voted—and she’d be back in school, sleeping, eating, living, and breathing nothing but theoretical physics.

He filled her glass and his, then raised it in toast. “Thank you for joining me.”

They clinked glasses, and she took a sip. She didn’t begin to know wine—she purchased based on price, in general—but liked the taste of whatever he’d selected. “So what’s the plan for tonight?”

“It’s up to you. There are any number of restaurants within walking distance. Or”—his eyes lit with heat—“there’s always room service.”

She flushed, instantly aroused. She’d been the one to proposition him on Friday night, and yesterday, she’d asked if he’d put out, but the idea that they’d skip the whole dinner in a public restaurant dance and go straight to his suite was…deliciously wicked.

And maybe a little scary.

She hadn’t told Kendall where she was going, and definitely hadn’t said who she was meeting. Kendall could very well know who her date was, and she did not want to think about Kendall telling Brent she was seeing someone she’d met at the party.

She didn’t want to think about Brent or his buddy ever again.

She took another sip of wine, studying him above the rim of the glass. “Does this mean you’ve decided to put out?”

He grinned. “Not at all. It means I want to spend time with you. Get to know you as much as you’ll allow. I’m not opposed to fooling around a little bit. But I’m going to make it clear right now, sex is not on the menu. I’m not that easy.” He leaned forward his eyes lit with humor as he tapped his chest. “You want this cow, you’re going to pay for the milk.”

She laughed. “I’m afraid I can’t afford your milk.”

“All it costs is your time.”

“I don’t have an abundance of time, either.”

“But you’re on winter break.”

“I’m supposed to pick up shifts at a coffee shop I worked for over the summer.” Although, the shop was overstaffed with other former employees on break from school and looking for hours.

“How much are you likely to make over break? A grand? Two? I could help you out there.”

“I can’t take your money. What would that make me?”

“Sweetheart, I’m the one who’s refusing to put out unless you pay me with your time.”

She chuckled and shook her head. “I think you’re breaking my brain.”

“I highly doubt that. I understand you have an exceptional brain.”

She usually believed that about herself, but right now, she was spinning. She liked this guy. He liked her. He was fun and funny and sexy as hell. All he wanted was to spend time with her, and she trusted him.

And in ten days, he’d be gone. No messy long-term entanglement.

She rose to her feet and picked up her glass and the bottle of wine. “What’s your room number?”

J T followed his gorgeous date into the suite, enjoying both the sway of her ass and her oohs and ahhs as she took in the luxurious room that had an office area, living room, dining room, and separate bedroom.

She set the wine bottle on the table and then drifted from one area in the suite to another, her hand lightly touching the various items that decorated the space.

Much as he’d hoped the evening would go this direction, he hadn’t really expected she’d take the leap. He’d have been content with dinner out and a goodnight kiss at the Metro station, but this was so much better.

She picked up the cordless phone from the desk and quickly dialed a number. “Hey. It’s me. I won’t be home tonight. If there’s an emergency and you absolutely must reach me, you can call this number.” She then read the number printed on the phone, gave the room number, and hung up.

“I like how you made it clear you didn’t want to be disturbed unless it’s an emergency.”

“She’s been known to call because she can’t find her sunglasses.”

“And did you know where her sunglasses were?”

“Well, yeah. I’d put them in the case by the front door where they belong.”

“Have you lived with her for a while?”

She nodded. “My roommate in the dorm freshman year. We’ve lived together ever since.”

He wanted to ask how they were getting along since Friday night, but was certain she didn’t want to touch that topic tonight. This was their fresh start. He wouldn’t blow it.

He stepped in front of her and touched her chin. She lifted her face to his. He stared into those gorgeous blue eyes framed by thick, dark lashes, waiting for permission.

Her lips curved, and she gave the slightest of nods. He lowered his mouth to hers. He started easy and gentle, and she responded in kind.

It was a sweet exploration. Slow meeting of lips and tongues. He could kiss her like this for hours. Which was good, because he intended to only use his mouth to pleasure her tonight. Well, mouth and hands.

Oh, what he hoped to get to do with his mouth and hands.

He raised his head and enjoyed her dreamy expression as she kept her eyes closed. Her lips were open and wet, and he wanted to explore again, but there was plenty of time for that.

“Want to see the room service menu?”

“Do we have to waste time eating?”

He chuckled. “Making sure I get food is part of the cow price.”

Her body shook with laughter. Rubbing against him in all the best ways.“Five magic beans should do it, then.”

He nipped at her neck. “Did you bring magic beans?”

“Sadly, no. I guess we’re stuck with room service.”

“We’ll just have to suffer through it.” He released her and went to the settee to grab the menu.

She made her selection for a main course and nothing else, leaving him to choose appetizers, salads, and desserts. “You okay with something other than a muffin?”

“Of course. But we don’t need so much food.”

“Indulge me.”

She leaned into him and kissed his cheek. “Thank you. I think this date is going really well so far.”

He caught her around the waist and kissed her collarbone. “I think so too.” He cupped her butt. “After I place the order, we’re going to dance.” He stepped back and nudged her away. “Now scoot. I need to place the order, and they’ll probably need me to confirm my name.”

She took off for the bedroom, leaving him alone to make the call. It was strangely hot that she didn’t care to know who he was. He was so used to women only being interested in him for who he was. This was a novelty. He was even blatantly showing her his wealth, and while she might enjoy it tonight, it wasn’t changing her attitude.

He made the call, then went to the living room and set up his iPod in the speaker dock as he called out, “It’s safe to come out, Muffin.”

When she stepped into the room, she wore the complimentary hotel robe, just as she had the other night, but this time, she still had the fuck-me heels on. The robe wasn’t plush like before. It was a soft cotton that molded to her. The cocktail dress had been hot as hell, but this was sexy in a different way.

“What kind of music do you like to dance to?”

“What have you got?”

“Everything.”

Her brow furrowed skeptically. “Everything?”

He pointed to the white iPod 2 that was about the size and thickness of a deck of cards. “Pretty much.”

He ran his finger over the touch wheel and selected the seduction standby, “The Way You Look Tonight,” sung by Frank Sinatra, and held out a hand in invitation.

She laughed and took his hand, and then they were dancing. More of a slow sway than any actual dance moves, but it was just his speed when all he wanted was an excuse to hold this woman close and make her smile.

T he feel of his hard body against hers as they swayed to one romantic song after another was pure magic. Time folded in on itself, each moment a mix of bliss and anticipation, with the pull of gravity and the momentum of a rocket.

New math would need to be invented to understand how a single moment in time could feel infinite.

They were probably on the third song when their mouths followed the pull of gravity and came together. It was so natural, so gradual, it felt like a tide coming in. A slow rise of the waterline without the drama of crashing waves. His mouth was hot earth that baked in the afternoon sun, while she was the cool sea that heated the instant water met land.

They swayed as they kissed, the music the only reminder that time moved forward as she floated in the moment. After an endless—or maybe it was only an instant—interval, he raised his head, releasing her mouth.

She opened her eyes to meet his hot gaze. Her arms were around his neck as he held her at the waist. Their eyes were level, thanks to her heels.

A slow smile spread across his face, lighting yet another fire in her belly.

“Tell me your name,” he whispered. “Lie. Make up a nickname. Just give me something that is more you than Muffin.”

She understood. She wanted something more him than Pumpkin also.

“Please?”

She considered the question. What name could she give him? She always insisted her fellow students call her Alexandra, while Alex was her barista and informal work name. Friends like Kendall called her Alex. But Alex was too close to who she was. It wasn’t a name just for him.

She ran a hand along his neck and up, cupping his cheek, then she leaned forward, pressed a kiss to his lips, and said, “Lex. You can call me Lex.”

His brown eyes lit, and he grinned. “Lex.” He touched her forehead, tucking a loose lock of hair behind her ear. “Lex,” he repeated. “I like it. It suits you. Does anyone else call you that?”

“Not really.”

His voice was a low, sexy rumble. “I like that even more. It’s my name for you. Just mine.”

“You have to give me a name too, then.”

He ran a calloused finger across her cheekbone, along her jaw, over her chin, his toughened skin tracing her features with a gentle touch.

She shivered at the thought of how that rough finger would feel elsewhere, and he must’ve felt her reaction because his eyes flared with heat.

“Okay, Lex. You can call me Jay.”

“Does anyone else call you that?”

“No. Say it. I want to hear it from your lips.”

She ran her hands down his chest as she said in a husky voice, “Jay.” She kissed him, whispering the name against his lips. “Jay. Admit it. You like that we’re keeping this mostly anonymous.”

“A little. It’s hot as fuck. But I know it’s not going to be enough for me. I like you, Lex. I think this could be something special.”

“But if it’s not…if this …doesn’t live up to the anticipation, you can disappear without apologies. Same for me.”

“When it exceeds expectations, what then? Are you still going to vanish?”

“I don’t know. I’ve worked my whole life to get where I am. I’m not going to screw it up with distractions.”

He stepped back and took her hand, leading her to the table where their half-full wineglasses waited. “We have now. Tonight.” He nodded toward the couch. “Let’s relax. Enjoy the wine. Room service will be here in another twenty minutes.”

Alexandra had never actually had room service. She grew up in a comfortable middle-class household, and her parents indulged in some areas, but even when they stayed in hotels with room service, the surcharge was never deemed worth the convenience. She understood. Her parents were smart and responsible. They’d raised her to be the same.

Ordering the bottle of champagne on Friday had been a wild rebellion—but not one aimed at her parents. Far from it.

Now, she anticipated her first real room service meal, and she had a feeling it would ruin her for all time. In the same way Jay might ruin her for other men.

Dinner arrived, and she was right to think that no other room service would compare. They ate a slow, lingering meal, laughing and talking as they enjoyed eating in no particular order, given that everything had arrived at once.

Alexandra ate a little of each dish but not too much of anything, even though it was delicious and so tempting to eat until her belly ached.

She hoped to convince him to change his mind about not having sex and wouldn’t ruin it by overindulging in food or wine.

They sat at the table, lingering after they’d both finished eating. She rose and picked up the wine bottle. “Shall we move to the couch?”

He grabbed both their glasses and led the way. She waited for him to sit, then set the bottle on the coffee table and joined him on the couch by straddling him.

His arms went around her as he let out an amused laugh that cut off when the robe split open and her center settled on his growing erection.

It was a shame she wore underwear. A bigger shame he wore slacks.

His hands slid around her waist inside the robe, those rough fingers warm on her bare skin. “This is sudden.”

“Not really.”

“No. I suppose not. But still a surprise. I thought I’d have to work a little harder.”

She rocked against him. “Getting there.” She let out a soft moan. “You lied about your rusty ballroom.”

He laughed again, rocking his hips in a perfectly wonderful way. “Don’t get too excited, Lex. This is all the attention you’ll get from my cock tonight.”

His mouth explored her neck as his hands slid up, over her ribs, then he cupped her breasts, which were unfortunately covered with a satin-and-lace bra. She knew she should have stripped down to nothing but the heels and robe.

His thumb brushed over her nipple as he licked and sucked along her throat and collarbone. He spoke between kisses. “You…can have…my mouth…my hands. I give you free rein to use me for your pleasure… But my cock is not joining in the fun. Not tonight.”

She whimpered at the feel of the one body part he was denying her. She wanted him inside her. Now.

One large, rough hand slipped inside her bra and pushed the cup aside, freeing the full, large mound to his gaze and touch. He licked her breast as his hand cupped her and squeezed. “Fucking magnificent,” he murmured as her nipple peaked. He licked again, then sucked her into his warm mouth.

As he teased one breast, he freed the other, then his mouth moved, giving attention to the newly bared breast as his thumb took over teasing her abandoned nipple.

She groaned against him as his play caused a tightening in her pelvis. “Please. Fuck me.”

“I will. With my tongue. Now, promise to abide by my rules, or I’ll stop.”

She clamped her mouth tight against more begging. If he stopped now, she might implode.

His mouth left her breasts and moved up her neck until he found her lips. The kiss was deep and carnal. His tongue made promises as his hands moved down to cup her ass. He rose from the couch, lifting her as he did so.

She was no featherweight, and the smooth action turned her on even more. He carried her to the bed, raised a knee to the mattress, and leaned over her as he set her down. He then released her and stood, gazing at her with smoldering eyes.

“You look so fucking amazing on my bed. Tits out and legs spread, waiting for me.”

The belt of the robe had loosened. It was open but still tied. She reached for it as she said, “Don’t make me wait long.”

He held her gaze as he unbuttoned his shirt, a slow striptease as she slipped her arms from the robe so she could unhook her bra. When she sat up and reached behind her back, he stopped her. “Let me.”

She lowered her arms, and he was against her again, arms going around her. He smelled so good. A musky scent mixed with cologne.

She was hit by a wave of emotions. They were just fooling around, she knew, but this was—or it could be—so much more.

It struck her for the first time that she could fall in love with this man.

Another reason to keep names out of it until she knew him better.

He unhooked her bra, but before he could move back, she placed a hand behind his neck. “You’re pretty fucking amazing yourself.”

He grinned. “Sweetheart, I haven’t even gotten started.”

She laughed and flopped back, now naked except for panties and heels, and watched him finish removing his shirt and the T-shirt he wore beneath. Next, he removed his shoes and socks. Then his watch, which he tossed on the floor with his clothes.

Slacks and belt remained.

“At least remove the belt. For comfort.”

He shook his head. “Consider it a chastity belt.”

She snickered. “Pretty sure your slacks have a fly.”

“Maybe I sewed it shut.”

She didn’t believe that for a second, but she knew the rules, and she would not blow it by pressuring him again. “Come here and kiss me.”

“Where do you want me to kiss you?”

Her pelvis clenched. “Everywhere.”

He reached for her hips and pulled her to the edge of the bed. “You need to lose the panties, then.” He tugged them down.

She braced herself for the inevitable comment about her being a natural blonde. She understood why men said it, but still, it sometimes felt like finding out if the carpet matched the drapes was the point. Like fucking a natural blonde was on some secret bingo card and they’d just won a round.

So when Jay said nothing, she was…surprised.

His gaze ran all over her, from head to full breasts that relaxed to her sides without the bra for support, to her belly and downward. Through it all, his eyes lit with appreciation.

When he got to her hips, she spread her legs slightly in invitation.

“Oh, Lex, the things I’m going to do to your body. The way I’m going to make you feel.”

The way he was already making her feel. She was on fire for him.

She opened her legs wider.

He leaned down and licked her. His hot tongue stroked across her clit, and she let out a gasp and sigh at the glorious attention.

He leaned in and licked harder, and she bucked against him. So good. So very, very good.

He pulled her to the edge of the bed and dropped to his knees. “So this is how fast you want it? I was going to explore every part of you first.”

“Start here. Explore later.”

“Dessert first? That’s not how you ate dinner, even though you could have.”

“If I’d had my way, we’d have done this before dinner.”

He nodded. “True enough.” He leaned down and licked her again.

She cupped a hand behind his head and held him there, crying out as every touch elicited pleasure. His hands ran along the inside of her thighs, then those wonderfully rough fingers joined the play. He ran his thumb over her clit while his tongue found her opening and dipped inside her swollen sex.

“You taste amazing.” He fucked her with his tongue while his thumb worked magic on her clit.

Just when she was getting close, he slowed down. His touches and teasing tongue moved more lightly along her folds.

She would complain, but she didn’t want to come that quickly. Not when she knew she wouldn’t get to play with his cock in the same way. She wanted this feeling to go on and on forever.

She ran her fingers through his hair as his tongue returned to her clit, stroking more leisurely now. Like she was a lollipop, and he was in no hurry to get to the candy center.

A finger slid inside her with the same savoring pace. Her entire body focused on what he was doing to her with finger and mouth, and she relaxed into the sensual touches. He kissed. He sucked. He teased.

He raised his head. She met his gaze through slitted eyes, lost in the sensation of him.

“I could do this to you for hours.”

“Please do.”

“Okay, then.” He returned to her wet center and took her clit into his mouth and sucked.

She jolted. A pure flash of electric current pulsed from her center. He then returned to the licking and stroking, but now she was winding up again. Needed more. Harder. Her fingers curled in his hair, and she surged, pressing herself to his face.

He laughed. “So not hours, then?”

“Minutes. Maybe only seconds.”

“Is that what you want, Lex? You want to come now?”

“Yes, please.”

“Well, since you said please.” He slid two fingers inside her as his tongue again found her clit, pressing harder this time, giving just the right friction.

Still, he kept her on edge, giving just enough to keep her on the brink.

She loved every moment. Every lick. Every stroke.

“Please. Jay. Please.”

He increased the speed and pressure. She tipped over the edge. Pleasure rippled outward in wave after wave as his tongue pressed her clit.

Finally, spent, she pulled back, gasping as she caught her breath. She’d been very vocal as she came. Her voice might even be hoarse after that. When she could speak again, she said, “I really hope these walls are soundproof.”

“Pretty sure we’re fine in a room this large. And I loved every gasp and scream.”

She flopped back on the bed, wishing desperately for him to let her take him into her mouth. But instead of voicing her desires, she tugged at his shoulders. “Lie down with me?”

He nodded, and she scooted up on the bed. He settled beside her, and she kissed his chest and neck, and finally ran her hands over his bare skin.

She kissed, and he kissed her back. A slow, easy caress that wouldn’t work either of them up, although, from the feel of him against her hip, he was plenty aroused.

“Will you stay the night with me?” he asked.

She nodded. “I won’t use you and run.”

“So my plan is working.”

“Was there ever any doubt?”

“You have me questioning everything, Lex.”

“I do? How so?”

“Like I wonder how I can be so crazy about a woman I barely know. Who won’t even tell me her name. How can I be so certain you’re going to wreck me?”

Her heart squeezed. “Wreck in a good way?”

He shrugged. “All I know is I’m too far gone already. I have ten days to convince you I’m worth taking a chance on.”

She’d assumed this was just a game for him. Entertainment while he was in town. His interest would only last as long as she kept secrets and distance.

She studied his face now, and what she saw made her believe this could truly be more for him. He was doing everything he could to win her over, all while complying with and respecting her rules.

She owed it to him to open herself to the possibility this could be more for her too.