he’d never let that stop him before. She was unpredictable and if the media suspected he was having a fling with her, they’d dig deep into his past. Then again, her father’s status was well known even here and he could work that to his advantage. He had no doubt she could be charming, he just had to keep her in check.
She laughed. ‘I don’t think so.’
Ric shrugged. ‘Then I’ll be happy to call security and have them hold you until the police arrive.’ Her brows drew together and Ric continued. ‘If you really are press worthy, I’m sure I can arrange for one of the reporters to shoot the story.’
Fear flashed in her eyes, but it was gone in a heartbeat. She smirked at him. ‘I’m going back to my room.’
Irritation warred with amusement, but in two steps he was in front of the elevator doors.
She glared at him, then turned back to his apartment. ‘Fine, I’ll take the stairs.’
‘Good luck with that, the door is locked.’ He smirked at her and slid his phone from his pocket. ‘Last chance.’
Her eyes widened, but she straightened her shoulders. ‘You wouldn’t.’
He lifted an eyebrow and hit speed dial, then the speaker. The ringing sounded in the room.
‘Hola, Señor Castillo,’ a voice answered. Alexa paled.
Ric lifted the handset closer to his mouth.
‘Fine, I’ll go with you.’ She glared at him.
He smiled. After telling security they weren’t required, he disconnected the call. ‘Good choice. It won’t be so bad. Fine dining, champagne and I’ll even buy you a new dress.’
She crossed her arms and his gaze dropped to her cleavage. ‘I have my own party clothes.’
An image of her in her usual style, a barely-there concoction of silk, flooded his mind and his whole body heated up. His gaze snapped to hers and he glared right back. ‘It’s formal, Alexa.’
Puffing out a breath, she stepped closer. ‘I can do formal. Do you know how many corporate affairs my straight-laced father, Robert Green, has dragged me to over the years?’ She poked a white tipped finger nail into his chest. ‘Far too many. And it better not be as boring as those.’
He grabbed the offending finger, used it to haul her body against his, lowered his head and whispered in her ear, ‘the night will be as fun as we make it.’
He released her trembling frame, took a step back and hit the button for the elevator. After a lingering glance at her almost-naked body he pulled his t-shirt over his head and handed it to her with a shred of regret. Alexa’s mouth fell open as she fixed her attention on his chest. Ric smirked as she accepted the shirt with a shaking hand.
‘Put this on.’
Alexa obeyed slowly, as if the sight of his naked skin cast a dreamlike spell over her. Ric couldn’t believe it, but in his shirt she looked even sexier than she had in her underwear. Legs that went on forever held his gaze and, even though he knew what was under the white cotton, he wanted to rip it off and find out all over again.
He cleared his throat. ‘A limo will pick you up out front at seven. I’ll meet you at the event.’
Alexa startled out of her trance. ‘But where are we going? How long will it take?’
A ping announced the arrival of the elevator and Ric gestured for Alexa to enter. She did, then held her finger on the open button, her eyebrow raised in question.
He tried not to smile. He’d given her an ultimatum she couldn’t refuse, yet she wouldn’t admit defeat.
‘Do you like surprises?’ he asked.
Alexa pressed her lips together as if considering his question. ‘Not the kind that lead to a party with the atmosphere of a wake.’
He chuckled again, wondering whether she had a brain-to-mouth filter at all. ‘You’ll just have to hope it’s something better.’
She folded her arms and pouted at him. He smiled as the doors began to slide shut.
‘Don’t be late, Alexa. And remember, it’s formal.’
The clink of metal slamming together halted her not-so-innocent reply.
After the lift had disappeared, Ric headed for the bathroom, intent on taking the cold shower for as long as he could. Alexa fired his blood like no woman had in a long time and she would no doubt look spectacular all glammed up by his side.
But he’d need to make sure he kept a stranglehold on his libido. Falling into bed with Alexa—as tempting as it had been tonight—wouldn’t be a smart choice. The girl was wild, unpredictable and far too irresponsible. He knew he was walking a fine line using her status to tempt guests to the ball, but dating her crossed it completely. That would draw the kind of attention he didn’t need. Especially if the media dug too deep into his past…
Wild. Daring. Completely bonkers.
Alexa had been accused of all these things, but it didn’t bother her. Ric’s accusation that she was childish hit a nerve. She twisted the knob and threw the door open. Jenna yelped into the hotel phone, while Sarah paced the living room. They both turned to her with wild, worried eyes.
Alexa shut the door behind her. The gymnasts in her tummy felt more like heavy weight champs. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘Where have you been, Alexa?’ Sarah stomped towards her, a frown marred her brow.
‘It’s okay, she’s back now,’ Jenna spoke into the receiver then hung up. She glared at Alexa. ‘We’ve been worried sick.’
Hugging her stomach, she swallowed. ‘The dare didn’t go as planned. I ended up in Enrique Castillo’s penthouse.’
She was rewarded with wide eyes and gaping mouths. Jenna recovered first. ‘His t-shirt?’
Alexa nodded, her eyebrows pulled together. ‘He blackmailed a date out of me too.’ The arrogant, pushy, git. She shook her head in exasperation, who’d have thought he’d actually back up his threat? If it was her father, he wouldn’t want bad press for his hotel. Not Castillo. ‘Tomorrow night. Some mortuary gig.’
Well, not quite. But it didn’t sound promising. Formal, in her opinion, meant boring and there was nothing she loathed more than boring. Except having to call her father to ask him to bail her out of a Spanish prison. She shuddered at the thought.
‘A date?’ Sarah perked up, skipping over the fact Alexa had said blackmailed, and clapped her hands like a loon. The shiny diamond on her ring finger sparkled in the light.
Alexa quelled a grimace as a chill ran through her. Why her friends felt the need to settle down so young was beyond her. Then again, they hadn’t been brought up by her father.
