his hand back, the feel of her satin skin still on the tips of his fingers. How long had it been since he’d wanted to touch someone? To feel something? Right now, he’d never wanted anything more. He flexed his hand then gripped the empty beer bottle.
Her phone vibrated again, immediately grabbing her attention. She relaxed, transformed from sexy to sweet by the all-encompassing smile on her face. “It’s Bibi,” she said.
“Bibi?”
“The one who set this up.” She tucked that piece of hair behind her ear again, unknowingly taunting him. “She told me to behave.” Her brown eyes met his.
“What are you telling her?”
“Not likely,” she murmured, her voice breathy.
“Here you go.” The waiter placed their drinks on the table. “Your steaks will be out shortly.”
There was no mistaking the desire in her eyes as she rasped, “Can we get that to go?”
Patton’s pants grew painfully tight.
“To go?” the waiter asked.
“To go,” Patton affirmed. The sooner the better. At the moment, he was seriously contemplating breaking a few laws about what should or shouldn’t be done in public. It was crazy, he knew it, but he didn’t care.
“Of course.” The look of confusion on the waiter’s face as he left was comical.
“Unless you have plans?” she said with a coy grin. “I thought I’d be going to bed early tonight.”
“Oh, you are.” He couldn’t resist, or hold back the smile.
She laughed. “You’re a surprise, Patton.”
He was a surprise? He shook his head.
Their waiter returned long enough to place their to-go bag on the table, setting the small black bill binder on the table. “It was a pleasure serving you this evening.”
Patton pulled his wallet out, tucked several bills in the binder and stood. He came around the table and slid Cady’s chair back for her.
Cady stared up at him. “I knew you had it in you to be a gentleman.” She stood, leaning closer and lowering her voice. “I’m not really looking for a gentleman tonight.”
Patton stared down at her. “Good to know.” The few inches between them was charged with undiluted hunger. He couldn’t resist. His hand cupped her cheek, his thumb tracing the fullness of her lower lip. The simple touch had her leaning into his hand and him leaning into her. When her lips fastened on his thumb, his breath escaped on a hiss. She smiled up at him, the thrill of power in her gaze a challenge he’d gladly accept.
He took her hand and led her from the restaurant. He had no idea where they were going. It would take too long to get to his place, and he didn’t want to wait. Once they were outside the restaurant, he sized up their options. They were downtown, a place he tended to avoid. But there were perks. Like having two hotels to choose from within walking distance. He picked the closer, heading in that direction. Her fingers twined with his, inflaming and soothing him. He glanced at her, taking in her flushed cheeks and accelerated breathing. She felt it, too.
It took ten minutes to check in to the upscale hotel.
He took the key card, and Cady tugged him into the elevator. He waited until the doors closed behind them before grabbing her around the waist and lifting her to sit on the wooden railing that lined the elevator.
She reached for him, threading her fingers in his hair. “Kiss me.” It was part plea, part demand—the hitch in her voice telling him everything he needed to know. She wasn’t as in control as she pretended to be.
Neither was he.
He bent his head and her fingers tightened in his hair, pulling him close. He angled his head, dragging his nose along the shell of her ear and the arch of her neck. Her scent wrapped around him, drawing him to her. He tilted her head back, his mouth grazing her skin where neck met shoulder. She shivered, her skin contracting beneath his lips.
The elevator dinged, forcing them apart. He helped her from the rail before an older couple and several teenagers joined them. She stood in front of him, the curve of her hip resting against the ridged length of his arousal. His hand skimmed along her hip then slid around her waist to rest against the lower part of her stomach. He could feel each unsteady breath.
The ride to the eighth floor took too freaking long.
The elevator dinged, and Cady pulled him from the elevator. She turned into him, knocking them into the wall as she stood on tiptoe to kiss him. He caught her, his hand cradling the back of her head. Her lips were soft, welcoming him, opening to him. Her breath, her tongue... When his hand slipped to the bare skin of her shoulder, he couldn’t stop his groan from spilling out into the hallway.
The elevator dinged again behind them, reminding him that they still hadn’t reached their destination. He read the small room number plaque, gripped Cady’s hand and led her to their room. She opened the door and he kicked it shut behind her.
She pulled off her sweater, wriggling out of her gray skirt and heels before he’d caught his breath. And seeing her, in barely-there black panties and a bra that left little to the imagination, knocked the breath out of him again.
He shook his head. “Cady—”
She launched herself at him, pressing those silky curves against his still-dressed chest. He didn’t argue when her hands tore open his shirt, sending buttons flying all over the room. He didn’t give his scars a second thought as he yanked off his undershirt; shedding clothes was the only thing that mattered. He wanted to feel all of her against all of him.
His mouth devoured hers, nipping her lower lip, sucking it into his mouth and sealing them together. She swayed into him but he held her up. He couldn’t get enough of her, deepening the kiss until he was dizzy with the taste of her.
They stumbled across the room to the massive bed, hands and mouths exploring. She lay back on the bed, breathing hard.
“You’re beautiful,” he rasped, meaning it.
She rested on her elbows, staring up at him. “So are you, Patton.” She sat up then, her fingers trailing down his shoulders. She paused at the sight of the scars, but not for long. Then her fingers were stroking down his chest, to his stomach. She tugged his boxer briefs down and smiled, falling back onto her elbows again. “This night just gets better and better.”
He choked on his laughter when those dark-blue-tipped fingers wrapped around his cock.
“Wow,” she whispered.
He knelt, tugging her panties off and throwing them over his shoulder. She watched as his hands explored the dip of her hip, the curve of her thigh, the soft thatch of hair between her legs. Her legs parted for him and he stared up at her. She had no inhibition... And it was sexy as hell. He kissed her stomach, licking her belly button while his hands ran back up her stomach to the satin of her bra.
“Patton,” she whispered. “Please.” She buried her hands in his hair, tugging him up.
His
