Chapter 25

Chapter

Twenty-Five

Olivia

T he city pulsed with energy and noise, but I heard none of it as Ruune kissed me. I let myself sink into him, his lips moving hungrily against mine as I moaned. My entire body thrummed with desire as I wrapped my arms around him to keep from melting into the sidewalk.

He tasted so good and felt so right, even if everything about him was fake. That didn’t matter

All that mattered was this moment, right here, right now. With Ruune.

When he tore his lips from mine, his breathing was ragged. I cut my gaze to the hotel towering above us and grabbed his hand, pulling him toward the entrance.

“Olivia.” Ruune tried to slow me as we walked quickly through the lobby where people were still toasting and embracing and the strains of “Auld Lang Syne” wafted in the air. “Where are we going?”

“My room?” I shrugged as we stepped into the elevator. “Your room? Either one.”

He eyed me as realization hit him. “Are you sure?”

“I’ve never been surer of anything or anyone.” I pivoted to face him, surprising myself with the steadiness of my voice. "For the first time in a long time, I’m completely sure I’m doing the right thing, and I feel free.”

His brow furrowed in that adorable way it did when he was confused. "Free?"

I nodded, pressing the button for our floor. "Free from expectations. Free from trying to be someone I'm not. Free from the rules.”

The elevator dinged, and we stepped into the plush hallway. Ruune took my hand and led me to his suite, scanning his key card with practiced ease. The guy was adapting fast.

He held the door open for me. “And what would make you happy right now?"

I stepped inside and turned to face him, my heart pounding. "You.”

His eyes widened, and I saw a flicker of desire there before uncertainty clouded his features.

I held up a hand. “Before you ask, I only had one glass of champagne, so I know exactly what I’m doing.” I stepped closer to him, close enough to feel the heat radiating from his body. "Unless, of course, you don't want this?”

“Of course I do," he stammered, his usual smooth demeanor faltering. "But the rules…"

I reached up, tracing the strong line of his jaw with my fingertips. "Screw the rules," I whispered. "I don't care about the rules, or what happens after tonight. I only care about right now. Right now, none of this is fake. Got it?”

Ruune swallowed hard, his gaze intense as it met mine. “Got it.”

In response, I grabbed the lapels of his jacket and yanked him into the room, kicking the door shut behind us. “Good. I like a fast learner.”

For a heartbeat, we stood there, the air between us electric with tension. Then Ruune moved faster than I thought possible. His arms encircled me, pulling me flush against his body as his lips claimed mine in a searing kiss.

I melted into him, all thoughts of parents and parties and pretense evaporating like mist. There was only the heat of Ruune's body, the taste of his lips, the intoxicating scent that was uniquely his.

We stumbled further into the suite, neither of us willing to break the kiss. My hands roamed over his broad shoulders, marveling at the strength I could feel beneath the fabric of his suit. His fingers tangled in my hair, cradling my head as he deepened the kiss.

When we finally came up for air, I was dizzy with desire. Ruune's eyes were dark, his chest heaving as he looked at me with a mixture of awe and hunger.

"Olivia," he breathed, his voice rough. "You are so beautiful.”

I smiled at him, feeling more confident and desirable than I ever had in my life. "You're not so bad yourself, alien boy."

He chuckled, the sound sending shivers down my spine. "I believe the term you used earlier was 'big guy'."

"Mmm," I hummed, running my hands down his chest. "That you certainly are."

I stepped back, my fingers finding the zipper of my dress. Ruune's eyes followed the movement, his breath catching as I slowly lowered the zipper.

The dress slipped from my shoulders, pooling at my feet in a puddle of sequins and beads. Ruune's gaze traveled over me, his expression one of reverence.

"You are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen," he said, echoing his words from earlier. But this time, there was no one else to hear, no pretense. Just raw, honest emotion.

I closed the distance between us, my hands working at the buttons of his shirt. "Show me," I whispered against his lips.

He needed no further encouragement. In one fluid motion, he swept me into his arms and carried me to the bed. As he lay me down gently, I marveled at how safe I felt with him, how cherished.

Ruune hovered over me, his blue skin practically glowing in the soft light of the room. As I lay back in nothing but my black lace thong, I propped myself on my elbows and hit him with a look. “Strip for me, big guy.”