“Because I don’t live here,” he says and kisses me again.
I nod my understanding, remembering he told me earlier he lives in New York. But inside, I’m disappointed, wishing he lived closer. I guess this really is a one-night agreement.
He pecks me again before pulling me into his chest and hugging me. I’ve never thought much about hugging because I’ve simply never had it. I haven’t been held or cuddled since I was a baby. I’ve had one serious boyfriend, and he wasn’t affectionate after sex. So, this is strange, but comfortable. The beating of his heart under my ear has a calming effect on me and makes me want to stay like this forever.
“Why are you here, then?” I ask.
“Work.”
“What do you do?”
“Design.”
I suck in his scent, which is spicy and earthy. It’s exactly like him, sexy and tantalizing.
I’m about to ask him what type of design he works in, but he distracts me when his hand moves up and down my back, stoking it with care. With nowhere to go, I don’t move, soaking up every second. Yeah, I can ask that question later.
The feel of his toned body wrapped around me has me wanting to explore him further. One night suits me. If that’s all I can have with him, then that’s what I want. “I’m okay with just the night.”
He shifts, and it causes me to lift my head off his chest so I can peer up at him. He kisses my forehead and whispers, “You don’t have to.”
“I know, but I want you.”
He smiles, and it makes my heart race.
“I want you too.” He moves to kiss my lips this time. A slow, long kiss that has my toes curling.
When we pull apart, he says, “I need to move for a sec. Hold on.”
I look at him, puzzled.
“I need my phone to message my assistant. She can find us somewhere to stay tonight.”
I shake my head. “No need. There is an empty bedroom upstairs. Just stay until you can get a flight out of here.”
His face lights up with a wide grin before he kisses me softly. “Sounds perfect. But I’ll message her anyway, because I need her to organize a new flight.”
He has an assistant. Well, his work in design must be higher up. I could tell from his designer clothes and shoes he wasn’t average but having your own assistant—that’s fancy shit.
I pull away reluctantly, wishing I didn’t have to stop touching him. He grabs his phone and texts while I admire him before I shake it off and walk back to the bar to refill our drinks. But on the way to turn down the lights, leaving a soft warm glow over us, changing the music to a soft hum as I do.
I’m lost in the cocktail mix and swaying of my hips when I look up and freeze. He walks around the counter to join me behind the bar, stopping right next to me with an intense stare.
His brown eyes are now darker and hooded. A new determination.
“So, you agree, then?”
“To what?” I ask, totally confused.
“One night.”
Ah, I get it.
I nod.
“The words,Bella.”
I swallow the lump in my throat but roll my shoulders back and put my game face on. This is what I want. I want him, and I’m about to have him.