Rule's Seduction (The House of Rule 4)

Erin stared at him, a bit shell-shocked. Why was she fighting him? He was awesome—the sex had been spectacular. Maybe her reasoning was because of the superior ‘I know everything and I rule everything’ look in his eyes. And those eyes, even now, were blazing down at her as if she were his for the taking.

“Not going to happen, studly,” she taunted. “This is over, so you might want to chill.”

“Over?” His eyes narrowed. “Chill?”

“You understand the concept, right?” she asked sarcastically.

His eyes blazed into hers. “You’re asking me to chill? You don’t know me—giving up isn’t in my make up.”

“I don’t know you at all and that’s exactly the point.”

Silently, he reared back and gave her a glowering scowl.

Trying once again to gain control, Erin announced, “I think it’s time for me to go.”

“Not happening.” His words were definitive, but Erin was still naked—it wasn’t as if she were going to jump up in front of him this very second to get her way. Staring down at her with a look of impatience, he turned and prowled to the bathroom, coming back a few moments later with his jeans almost secure on his hips, zipped but left unbuttoned. And for the first time, Erin was taking a good look at his chest, and suddenly, she wasn’t far from hyperventilating.

The guy was simply awesome, there was no denying that fact. He was tall—well over six feet of lean, masculine hotness. Well-formed pectorals were sexily defined over six-pack abs. His biceps were defined as well, not bulging, only perfect—as if the muscles he sported were from intense labor and not from a gym workout. The thought sent a streak of heat through her system as her estrogen levels picked up once again. She’d never cared for the look of male muscles that were more for appearance and less for what nature had intended. Oh, yes, she could tell that Max’s muscles were the real thing; they weren’t simply the product of pumping iron merely to stroke his male ego.

Crap. This guy was talking more sex between them? Knowing damn good and well that she wasn’t going to be able to deny her own body, a wave of lightheadedness hit her, making her dizzy. What the hell had she done when she’d allowed her hormones to rule over her reasoning? Now that she knew exactly how good sex with him was—how was she going to say no? More to the point—why should she say no? The sex had been that good.

As she sat staring at him like a complete ninny with no brainpower whatsoever, he strolled over and lifted her chin with one finger. “It’s all good, sweetness.” His eyes seemed to soften and she had enough snap to wonder if his changed demeanor was intentional. “This night is about you and me—about us getting to know each other—doing whatever we want, whenever we want. It’s about cutting loose, Vegas style.” His finger swiped back and forth over her chin in a movement that entranced her, no matter how much she fought against it. “So, how about this?” he continued in a tone that was very obviously meant to seduce. “Why don’t we spend the rest of the night together—have an amazing day together tomorrow, and put a lid on everything that seems to be putting a frown on that beautiful face?”

As his words ended, he bent down and nipped her lips once, twice, and by the time he went for the third kiss, butterflies were banging in her tummy and all concerns fled to the back of her mind.

Nothing mattered anyway—it wasn’t as if she were planning to marry the guy. Another few hours and she’d be completely satiated and ready to go home to St. Louis. So for now, she closed her eyes and decided to take his advice and enjoy Max Santiago for the sheer pleasure of the man he was.

****

Max opened his eyes to the sound of running water. His mind was immediately alert; he knew exactly where he was and remembered exactly what had happened the previous night. A keen spiral of pleasure mixed with satisfaction coursed down his spine.

The girl was damn near perfect. And since his intentions were to make her his own no matter what, he couldn’t believe how goddamn lucky he was that she happened to check off all the boxes that he wanted in a woman. She was enticingly gorgeous. Not in an over-the-top, stop traffic kind of way—no, her beauty was subtler than that. She was pretty—so pretty that it took you by surprise on second glance. Her skin held a golden tone; her features had an exotic appeal that seemed to come from several ethnic backgrounds. Dark brown, silky locks topped her head and fell to mid-back—perfect for when he finally allowed himself to fist that hair in his hands and fuck her as hard as he needed to. That shit would happen soon; he wouldn’t be on this self-imposed sexual leash for long.