Relationship.
Is that what this had become? Things had moved so quickly, but it certainly felt like something more than a fling. But a relationship required more than just attraction and compatibility. It also required trust. She wasn’t sure that she had much left. Wade had damaged it pretty badly. Whatever ability she’d regained after several years had been shattered by Ryan. Was trusting a man even possible? And trusting a man like Wade Mitchell? That seemed out of the question. Even with their past resolved, he still wanted her property. That hadn’t changed.
Taking a sip of her champagne, she realized how badly she wanted to trust him. This had started out as a game between them. A battle of wills to see who would crack under pleasure, so to speak. But now…she feared it was her. Wade seemed as though he’d put the game behind them, as she had, but she couldn’t know for sure. She wanted something more between them. Tori wanted to build her dream house. And if she was honest with herself, she wanted Wade living in it with her.
The thought made her champagne hard to swallow.
How had she made that kind of leap in just a few short days? Maybe it wasn’t much of a leap. She’d wanted him years ago. Fantasized about more. Perhaps that was why his supposed betrayal hurt her so badly. The feelings had remained, buried under her anger and rushing to the surface the moment the barricades were brushed away.
“I’m starving,” Wade said, oblivious to the thoughts running through her mind.
She forced the champagne down her throat to respond. “Me, too.” Better for her to focus on food than on her dangerous thoughts.
Wade made them both plates, and they sat eating quietly. They’d spent so much time together in the car on the drive down that they were clearly out of small talk. That left only serious discussions. She wasn’t sure either of them was ready for that.
Tori was biting into a chocolate-coated strawberry when Wade set aside his plate and looked down at his watch. “It’s getting close to midnight,” he said. “We don’t want to miss it. I’ll pour more champagne.”
Tori nodded and accepted his hand to stand up. She went to the window. The dim lights in the bedroom suite allowed her to see everything outside. The lights and activity in the square were stunning. It was amazing that so many people could be in one place at one time. Crowds were gathered around stages where musicians performed for broadcast specials. The sound was probably deafening, yet not a peep made it through to their room. She had seen this scene on television every year, but somehow looking down on it was a completely new experience.
As was the warmth at her bare back as Wade came up behind her. He brought an arm around her to hold out her refilled glass of champagne. On a nearby table, he’d set down the platter of strawberries and chocolate.
His hands gently swept her hair over one shoulder. His lips seared a trail across her bare skin, sending a shiver of anticipation down her spine. It didn’t matter how many times she’d had him, she wanted more. Her need almost seemed to get worse, like an escalating addiction. Her body reacted in an instant to his touch. Her breasts tightened within the confines of her gown. Her belly clenched with need.
Wade’s fingertips sought out the clasp of her dress at her neck. With a snap it came undone. The fabric slipped over her skin, gliding to the ground with the heavy thump of beads. Tori kicked the dress aside and placed her drink on the table with the fruit. He followed suit, obviously needing both of his hands for what he had planned.
Grasping her by the waist, he turned her to face him. “We’ve still got a few minutes,” he said. “Plenty of time for some dessert.”
Without his powerful green gaze leaving hers, he plucked a strawberry from the platter and dipped it in chocolate. He held the fruit in front of her lips, but before she could bite into it, he dropped it to her collarbone. He dragged the berry down her throat to the hollow between her breasts. It left a warm trail of chocolate in its wake. The plump, red fruit circled one breast, teasing at her aching nipple, then traveled to the other. Nearly devoid of chocolate now, the strawberry made its way back to her lips.
She took a bite, the sweet juice instantly filling her mouth. Tori chewed and swallowed as Wade patiently held the rest of the berry for her to finish it. “Don’t you want any?” she asked.
“No,” he said with a wicked grin. “I prefer the chocolate.” Wade set the rest of the berry aside and leaned in to kiss her. His lips tasted of champagne. He buried his fingers in her hair and moaned against her mouth. Tori drank him in, feeling a touch light-headed from his kisses and the alcohol.