“I’m sorry,” she says self-consciously.
“I didn’t mind.” I shrug. “I think we’ve established that my body is here for you any time you want it.”
Her face flushes, and like the last time I alluded to sex, she changes the subject. “Are we almost there?”
“We’re about to land.”
We talk little during the drive to the hotel. When I ask, she tells me it’s her first time in the city. She takes in the sights, avoiding looking at me, and I let her be.
We are staying at the Rosemont Royal, where the manager is waiting. He leads us through the luxurious hotel, up to the penthouse suite. Once he leaves us, I again consider asking if she’s changed her mind, but I decide against it. I won’t put any pressure on her. If she wants to go on with our arrangement, she will come to me.
Having made that decision, I focus on settling in and showing her around while efficient hotel staff bring up our things.
“Service elevator and fire escape are through that door.”
Her eyes follow my directions, but she stays silent.
I gesture around the suite. “Do you like it?”
She gives me a look that suggests I might be insane to ask. “I think it’s gorgeous.”
Good. “There’s a library too. I’m sure you can find a poetry book or two.”
She responds to my teasing with a smile. “Thanks.” She looks around. “So, I take it you’ve stayed here before.”
“Whenever I’m in the city, yes.” I open the doors that lead out to the terrace. The view from there is exceptional. It’s not lost on me that soon, the Rosemont Royal won’t be my preferred accommodation anymore. It will be competition.
Rachel comes out to join me on the terrace. “It’s a lovely view,” she murmurs.
The slight wind is playing with her hair, making tendrils dance around her face. Out here, she’s almost breathtaking in her loveliness. I want to kiss her. I want to tease the sensitive spots I’ve already discovered on her body and maybe find a few more. I step toward her then stop myself. Reaching out, I stroke her cheek with my finger.
“I’m sure they’re done unpacking,” I murmur, referring to our luggage. “Let me show you to your room.”
Her face registers bewilderment, but only for a moment. I lead her through the suite, now empty but for the two of us, to a bedroom with a beautiful four
-poster bed.
“Wow,” she says breathlessly, stepping past me into the room. She walks over to the bed and runs her fingers over the soft sheets then turns back to the door and gives me a suggestive glance that sends all my blood rushing into my cock.
“Aren’t you going to come in?” Her voice is soft and inviting.
I want to. I want to do things to her on that bed that will leave her panting for more, but I won’t. If she is considering changing her mind, I will not be the pushy bastard who gets in the way.
Even so, I can’t resist going to her and placing a kiss on her lips. Just one.
“You must be tired,” I murmur, savoring the taste of her lips on mine. “And you have a lot of work to do tomorrow. I’ll see you in the morning, Rachel. Good night.”
I can feel her eyes on me as I walk away, and I almost say what the hell and turn back, but I’ve already decided to wait, and I know, when she comes to me, her capitulation will be so much sweeter.
Chapter 9
I sleep little. My dreams make sure of that. The second time I’m awoken from seeing my mother’s face and hair catch on fire, I abandon any hope of sleep and spend the next few hours working instead. Some nights are worse than others, and this seems to be one of the bad ones.
I try not to think about Rachel, asleep, a few feet from me. Holding back has its costs. I’m in a restless state of semi-arousal, tortured by the expectation I saw in her eyes last night and the surprise when I left her alone.
Now, it doesn’t seem like the best decision to wait until she comes to me. What if she never does?
It’s entirely possible I’ve overestimated the intensity of her desire for me. I can live with that. It would be hard, but hard things are doable.