“Where is everyone?” I asked.
Vaughn hopped from his side and walked around to let me out of the car.
“Must still be in traffic,” he suggested.
I followed him inside. The door creaked as he opened it. But the house was full of charm. I loved it. The weathered beams overhead. The worn hardwood floors. It was gorgeous.
“Wait here,” he directed. “I’ll check us in.”
I stood by the door as he exchanged information with the man behind the desk and received the key.
“We’re ready.” He dangled it in front of me. “Why don’t you go upstairs and I’ll get the bags?”
“I can help you.”
He shook me off. “No. Go on up. I’ll be there in a minute. There isn’t much to carry.”
I reluctantly turned from him, taking the key, and walking up the staircase that extended from the center of the foyer.
It felt good to stretch my legs. Our room was at the end of the hall on the second floor. I turned the key in the lock. There was a monstrous four-poster bed. Across from it was a fireplace. There was a small fire burning. I walked toward it, feeling the gentle waves of heat floating in the air.
The flames crackled and popped, licking the logs in the grate. I wondered if Vaughn had called ahead to make all these arrangements.
It was easy to feel as if we had escaped the city and all the complications that lived there. It might be for only a weekend, but I could pretend Vaughn had rescued me. H was keeping me safe and protected where the only thing we had to worry about was each other.
A few minutes later I heard the handle click as he pushed it open, dragging the suitcases with him.
“Let me help.” I rushed to take my bag from him. I hadn’t over packed, but I wanted to make sure I had everything I might need.
“What do you think about the room?” His eyes darted from me to the bed.
“It has everything.” My heart did this strange flutter step. The room had everything because Vaughn was standing in it.
“Did you pack anything in there for me?”
My hand froze on the zipper. “Why would you think that?”
Vaughn strolled to a tray of wine and food. He poured two glasses of dark red wine.
“Put it on.” His voice was firm.
The thrill ran through my core. I didn’t hesitate. I gathered the black lace from the bottom of the suitcase and walked to the bathroom, quietly closing the door to redress.
When I emerged, the only light was from the fire.
Vaughn’s eyes landed on mine before trailing my throat and the clear path the deep-V cut to my navel. The sheer fabric stretched between my legs, creating a thong that was attached by a satin ribbon. I’d never bought a piece of lingerie so expensive or so seductive in my life. From his reaction, I knew it was worth it.
“Damn, Em,” he growled, sitting on the end of the bed.
“You like it?” I asked coyly. My nipples hardened under his stare. I knew he could see my every reaction. It made every motion I made feel more alluring.
His hands cupped my face, drawing me toward him.
His mouth covered mine as he held me in the kiss. Our breath was ragged and erratic.
“You wore this for me to fuck you in, didn’t you?” he whispered.
I nodded. God, yes.