She stepped out of the elevator and her wedge heels sank into thick carpet. Ahead of her, double doors stood open and she walked into a living area furnished in sleek leather and polished wood. The lamps may have been on a dimmer switch since the light was muted and atmospheric. Floor-to-ceiling windows looked out on the lights of Jackson and shadowy mountains in the distance. “This must have cost a fortune.”
“I don’t care.”
She glanced at a wet bar on the far side of the room. Champagne sat in an ice bucket on the granite counter, along with two crystal flutes and an elegantly arranged cheese-and-fruit platter. She turned back to him. “Seems a shame it’s only for one night,” she said softly.
He dropped the bags at his feet and sent his hat twirling toward a lamp. It landed precisely on the finial. He walked toward her, his gaze intent. “Then we’d better make the most of it.”
If she’d been prone to swooning, she might have done it then. No man had ever treated her like this, as if she were everything he ever wanted, as if every moment they were together was more precious than his next breath. Such a fantasy couldn’t last, of course, but it might hold up for a few hours. Then she’d have her unspoiled memory to relive as she reentered the real world.
She spread her arms. “I’m yours for the night. What do you want to do first?”
He laughed. “If you have to ask, then you haven’t been paying attention.”
“I don’t have to ask.” If he could act with flair, so could she. “Stop right there.”
He paused. “I had in mind something involving bodily contact.”
“Me, too, but let’s build up to it.”
“I’ve been doing that ever since you agreed with me in the restaurant that this is the perfect time. Before that, if I’m being honest. When you came into the barn this morning you mentioned that Regan and Drake wouldn’t notice if you ran around naked.”
“I guess I said something like that.”
“You said exactly that, and immediately I pictured you that way.”
The luxurious setting, the stress of the past eight months and the gorgeous man standing before her made for an electric combination. She was ready to kick over the traces. “Then let me make that picture a reality, cowboy.”
He started forward. “I can help.”
“No.” She held up her hand to stop him. “You’ll get the full effect if you stay where you are and watch.”
He swallowed and clenched his fists, as if he had to do that to control himself. “Okay.”
Knowing how much he wanted to touch her gave her courage to put on a show for him. She’d never felt inclined to do that for a man. But Zach, with his classy ideas and his passionate kisses, inspired her to new heights of sensuality.
Standing in the living room of this expensive suite made the adventure even more exotic. She wasn’t in a bedroom doing this, but in an elegant living area with floor-to-ceiling windows. They were too high up for anyone to see in, but stripping down here felt much more risqué than if she were in a smaller room with the drapes closed.
She started by untying her shirttails. She didn’t rush it, either. From there she unfastened the mother-of-pearl buttons down the front. Although she’d had the blouse for a long time, she’d never appreciated the sensuality of sliding those buttons free, one by one.
Zach’s chest rose and fell more rapidly with each button. When at last she slipped the blouse from her shoulders and let it drift to the carpet, he moaned. That sound caused her nipples to tighten.
Instinct made her touch herself through her black lace bra. She stroked in a circular motion and watched his eyes darken to the color of storm clouds as he focused on her lazy caress. Then she cupped her breasts and in one dramatic gesture, opened the front clasp and shrugged out of the garment. It, too, fell to the floor at her feet.
The sound of his ragged breathing filled the silence, but he stayed where he was, muscles rigid and hands fisted at his sides. The material of his fly strained over his growing erection, and his gaze was so very hot.
She’d never felt so powerful in her life. She nudged off her shoes and unbuttoned her pants. Her hands trembled, not from nervousness, but from the adrenaline rush of knowing she was driving Zach crazy.
She was no expert at this striptease routine, but it didn’t matter. For one night she could do anything and be anything she wanted. Just as he’d said in the restaurant, it was their business. Nobody else’s. That kind of freedom was a whole new experience for her, but she was catching on fast.
Peeling down her pants, she eventually kicked them aside and stood before him wearing only a tiny scrap of black lace. His attention was riveted on that lacy triangle. She knew he wanted it off, but she had other ideas.
She’d never done this, either. But she’d never have a better reason than now, in this luxury suite with this fascinating man who was almost a stranger. She slipped her hand inside her panties.
Zach sucked in a breath.
“I won’t make myself come.” She hardly recognized her own voice. It was low and sultry, the voice of a temptress. “I’ll let you do that.”
“Please.” He sounded desperate.
She continued to fondle herself. “Tell me what you want.”
“You know.” The words came out tight and hard.
“Tell me.”
“I want to put my mouth where your hand is. I want to make you come. God, Jeannette...”
“That could be nice.”
His jaw tightened. “I promise it will be.”
She withdrew her hand and deliberately licked her fingers. “Will I get to return the favor?”
He groaned. “Yes, so now can I—”
“Yes, you may.” And she slipped off her drenched panties and kicked them away.
He wasted no time. In two strides he was there, kneeling at her feet, splaying his hands over her bottom as he nuzzled his way to the epicenter of all her pleasure. She’d known from the way he kissed that he’d be amazing at this, too.
But as he loved her, as her legs threatened to give way and she clutched his shoulders for support, the word amazing didn’t begin to describe the sensations rocketing through her. He took charge once more, and she was helpless to control her response.
Her gasps became whimpers, and her whimpers grew in volume. When he paused, she wailed in frustration. His soft laughter told her he was teasing her, testing her. She failed the test because she shamelessly begged for more.
He gave more, of course. He was only giving as good as he’d gotten, gently torturing her as she’d tortured him. But in the end, he finished what he’d started and she came in a glorious cascade of pleasure. So good. So very good.
He guided her trembling body
