doors pinged open and she jumped away from Ethan. The hotel manager dragged the gate open then made a show of bowing and clasping his hands. ‘Je suis désolé. So sorry for the inconvenience. Electric. Thunder. Kaput.’
‘Merci beaucoup. Ce n’est rien.’ It’s nothing. She chanced a glance at Ethan, who was trying hard not to laugh. ‘No inconvenience at all.’
What had they just done?
How had they gone from a simple conversation to the most sensual sex in her life? It was as if there had been some sort of weird inexplicable force pushing them together. Or it might just have been the Aperol.
She sneaked a look at him and her heart slipped into tachycardia. He really was the most gorgeous man she’d ever seen, all mysterious and a little pent up. How interesting it would be if she could spend more time peeling those emotional layers away, but it had been fun to help him unwind; he certainly looked a lot more relaxed now. Smiling, she tried to get rid of the hotel manager as quickly as possible.
A million apologies and handshakes later she was alone once more with Ethan.
Floor Ten
Say something.
Floor Eleven
The gates rattled closed behind them and he slipped an arm around her shoulder. ‘You want a nightcap?’
Yes. And whatever that led to. Every part of her craved more of his touch and it would be so easy to take him up on his offer, but she couldn’t let herself do this. No more. It was over before it had begun. It had to be. She was starting a new life of independence and the last thing she needed or wanted was to fall for a man who could take that away from her and then leave her with nothing but a smashed heart. She’d been there before and there was no way she was going back.
Claire was going forward.
She took a deep breath and gave the only possible answer. ‘No, thank you. I’ve got a big day tomorrow.’
‘We could just sleep.’
‘Somehow I doubt that.’ Images of waking up to that mouth and that body had more heat swirling round her veins. She tugged out from under his arm but tiptoed back to kiss his cheek. ‘I want this to be my perfect memory. Just this. I don’t want morning breath or regret. I don’t want things to be awkward over breakfast or to sneak out in the early hours as if what we’d done was somehow shameful. I don’t want to ruin this with mundanities or disappointment.’
‘That would never happen. Not after one night. I don’t think you and disappointment could be in the same sentence, Claire.’
You don’t know my ex. ‘I’m not taking that chance. But thank you, that was amazing. I have a very nice memory to take away with me to sea.’ Her smile spread through her body. God, this take-charge thing was a really positive boost to her confidence. Tonight she was amazing Claire. Tomorrow she was going to try to emulate that in her new job, in her new life, where she knew there’d be no chance of losing her heart. ‘Goodnight, good knight.’
‘I never thought I’d enjoy being stuck in a lift but I certainly did.’ Ethan grinned, although the smile looked as if he wanted more too. More sex, more of her. More of her. She liked the way that made her feel, that there were men out there who wanted her. Sexy men. Strangers. Ethan... Who was he really? Who was the man who could melt her with one look? Her heart contracted and she wondered...another time, another life? No. Don’t spoil it with wishes. One last smile from his sexy mouth. ‘Goodnight, Claire. Have a good adventure.’
‘I intend to.’ I just did.
Mentally fist pumping, Claire smiled to herself as she slid her key card into the slot and crept into her dark hotel room.
Day one of her new life. Freedom, excitement. Adventure.
Mission accomplished.
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