Rocco ran his fingers though his hair and rubbed at the back of his neck. It was a fair point. “Look.” He huffed out a breath and glanced at his watch. “You need dinner. I need dinner. Let’s have dinner.”
It should be here already.
They’d eat. He’d let her talk. He’d listen. He might even be able to help her. He got that she had no control right now and yeah, he didn’t think it was fair either.
He went to the counter and pulled a bottle of iced water from the bar fridge. He twisted the cap and turned back towards her, catching a sight of her just as she—
“What are you doing?” he demanded.
His fingers snapped and the cap shot across the room. She’d taken off her merino sweater. But as she’d done so, the thin tank-top she wore underneath had ridden up. One of the skinny shoulder straps had fallen south—exposing skin. Too much skin. And there was no bra on beneath that skimpy thing?
She glanced over at him, frozen in the act of flinging that sweater to the sofa. “What?”
“Your top.” He practically wheezed. “It’s ridden up.”
“Isn’t it ironic.” Her eyebrows lifted. “All he wants is me naked. All you want is me covered from head to toe.”
“Yeah. Covered. Now.”
“But I’m hot,” she challenged.
He knew that already. He glared at her. She sent the smallest, sassiest smile back.
“Cover. Up.”
The knock at the door startled them both.
“Room service.”
Rocco didn’t move. He kept glaring at her—pointedly. So he saw the moment the idea hit her—the sudden spark that glinted in her eye. Wicked, irrepressible amusement.
She was at the door before he could blink. She flung it open with a breathless laugh. All that luminous skin was still showing—in fact more was. She’d let the strap fall further.
“Rocco, you’re so impatient.” She laughed at him over her shoulder before turning to face the waiter, nothing short of nubile energy. “I thought you wanted to eat first?”
The waiter, generally too cool to smile, stood stock still. Scarlet flooded his face, his mouth hung ajar for three seconds too long.
Rocco wasn’t having him look at Dani like that. And he wasn’t having her think she could score a point without retribution.
“On the table as usual, please Jax,” he ordered coolly.
He quickly walked over to her before she had the chance to dart out of reach. He wrapped his arms around her from behind, sliding his hands over her stomach before gripping her waist and spinning her to face him. Her startled squeak made his muscles bunch. He hauled her against him so hard her soft, unconfined breasts flattened against his chest.
His already awake cock stiffened so quick it was painful.
So close. So good.
“You really are a minx, aren’t you?” he muttered. “You’ve gone too far this time.”
Chapter Six
TOO FAR? Rocco was the one who’d gone too far. He was like some over-zealous prison guard, holding her too tight, too close for too long.
And she was loving it waaaay too much.
She hadn’t realized just how much bigger and stronger than her he was. Her already weak body was now melting at the discovery. But judging by that glint in his eye? This wasn’t for pleasure, this was payback for her lame little tease.
She looked down, not wanting him to see how much his touch affected her.
“You can let me go now,” she said, clenching her hands into fists so she wouldn’t rub her fingers all over his pecs like she itched to. “He’s gone.”
His grip didn’t loosen any, which secretly pleased her. Could he feel how fast her heart was racing? How tense parts of her were? How ready?
“You didn’t tip him,” she added vaguely, trying to act normal. Like she wasn’t burning up, about to do something that she’d definitely regret. “And you’ve made your point.”
Rocco had rejected her once already today. She didn’t need to go for total humiliation by throwing herself at him.
But he was rigid, had spread one hand firmly on her butt, holding her right there against his outrageous erection.
Maybe this wasn’t all about payback.
She couldn’t breathe because when she did, her tight nipples pressed harder against his hot chest. She didn’t dare move. She didn’t want him to move.
He didn’t. Nor did he answer.
She got the courage to lift her chin and look into his eyes again. This time the glint was brighter, harder. Wicked.
Then she felt it. His hand at her waist slid around to her side and trailed higher. His thumb stroked almost idly. A sweep up towards her ribcage.
The smallest spasm hit. Insane pleasure.
She felt his muscles tighten against her. He pushed her very slightly onto him. In reflex she squeezed her most intimate muscles. Her nerves tightened, seeking closer contact. In a flash she ached for the ultimate release.
“I guess you’re happy to see me?” she tried to joke but her mouth had dried and made her voice all croaky.
“One part of me is always happy to see you,” he answered, equally rough. “Just as part of you is always happy to see me.” He applied more pressure, rocking her against him.
“And the rest of you?” she asked, breathlessly trying to retain focus.
“Not happy at all.” He met her gaze intently, brutally. “You need to have dinner. Go to bed. Alone.”
“You say that while rubbing your hard-on against me?” she said. “You really think we can resist this?”
Because she couldn’t. She’d do anything he wanted, right here, right now.
And he knew it.
“We have to,” he said. “So don’t tease me, because I’ll tease you right back.”
“But what if I like your tease?” Her cheeks burned at her boldness. But it was the truth.
She heard his muttered oath and shivered.
“If you don’t want this,” she said. “You’d better let me go.”
“Stop talking.”
Her eyes widened as she read the expression in his—the barely leashed emotion. Instinct told her to push on. To taunt.
To provoke.
“No. I’m going to stay up all night and talk to you.” Sh
e uncurled her fingers and spread them wide on his chest. So hot.
She felt the rough jerk of his arm hauling her closer. Startled, yet exhilarated she lifted her chin to maintain eye contact. But he moved his head in a quick, angled descent. She felt the merest brush of his lips. Her heart seized, she lifted her chin, needing more.
He’d kissed her. Rocco had actually kissed her. But it was far too freaking quick. She breathed in as the disappointment stabbed. For a split second she met his eyes.
Anger flashed.
But before she could think, he kissed her again.
She gasped as his mouth crushed hers. Not gentle. Not brief.
This was what she’d wanted. Rocco holding her so close she couldn’t breathe. Closer still. Devouring.
She opened up and let him. Then sought out what she needed—to discover him. His taste, his heat. She spread her hands, learning the scope of his shoulders. She rose on tip-toe to wind her arms round his neck, pressing her tight, needy nipples harder against him. Thrust her hips in an instinctive dance. She couldn’t get close enough.
He helped. His arms hauled her in tight, yes. But they held. He swept one hand over her curves, rubbing as he drew her closer and closer still, rocking her against him in time to the possessive rhythm of his tongue.
Oh yes.
Lust launched her straight into the heart of a firestorm. She kissed him. Kissed again and again, her tongue tangling with his. But he claimed dominance. Plundered her mouth the way she ached for his cock to take her body, until she melted utterly. Surrendering it all, she let him meld her against his rigid body. Curling her fingers into his hair, she opened up, pouring her energy, her soul, into the kiss. Because he touched so much more than her body.
And she moaned, giving in to the desire to let him inside. All the way. Any which way. She craved for him to take her.
He stiffened. Not in a good way. Abruptly he lifted his mouth from hers.
Suddenly wary, she pushed out of his arms. He released her immediately. He looked—shocked.
“Don’t do this because you think my ego is wounded because Pete said I was too soft in the body to be good for anything other than tittie pictures,” she said, offense her only defense.