“Have you thought any more about coming back to my bed?” I ask.
“I don’t want to talk about that here,” she says.
“Why?”
“Why? Because we’re nearly screaming at each other to be heard above the band.”
She’s exaggerating a bit, but I’ll indulge her. “Let’s go out to the lobby, then.”
“I can’t. I have to watch Tessa’s bag.”
“Tessa’s bag will be fine. If it’s not, I’ll replace everything in it.” I rise. “Come on.”
“She’d never forgive—”
“For God’s sake.” I reach for her hand and tug her behind me.
We walk along the outer edge of the ballroom to the entrance and then through the hallway into the lobby.
“Why did you come here, Braden?”
“I already told you. To keep you from getting into someone else’s bed.”
She tilts her chin upward. “Why is that any of your concern?”
“Because I want you in my bed, Skye. Haven’t I made that clear? And I’m not very good at sharing.”
“What about what I want? Has that occurred to you?”
“You seemed to have a good time in bed with me.” I’m tempted to mention her first orgasm, but I keep that to myself.
She doesn’t reply.
“You’re not denying it,” I prod.
“No, I’m not. The actual act itself was…acceptable.”
I let out a boisterous laugh. Acceptable? Given her responses and reactions, I’d wager it was way more than simply acceptable. I’ve got to hand it to Skye, though. I’ve never met a woman yet who can hurl it back at me as well as she can. I never realized I’d find that trait so attractive.
I finally curb my laughter. “Acceptable? You’re something else, Skye.”
She crosses her arms. “Making fun of me again?”
“No, I’m not, actually. You are a challenge, Skye Manning, and I never back down from a challenge.”
Never have I meant words as much as I mean the ones that just left my mouth. I will have Skye Manning. She will submit to me.
It’s just a matter of when.
“The act itself was acceptable,” I continue. “Are you saying something else about our time together wasn’t acceptable?”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying.”
I smile. “Don’t leave me in suspense.”
She clears her throat. “Fine. I didn’t like how it ended.”
“I seem to recall it ended with both of us climaxing. What was wrong with that?”