The corner of his mouth quirked up with amusement. "I'm flattered," he said. "But what on earth makes you say that?"
"Well, you're gorgeous, for one thing."
"I'm glad you think so. I've been thinking the same thing about you all night. How stunning you look in that perfectly tailored skirt. And how exceptional I'm sure you'd look out of it."
It was Amanda's turn to be amused. "Not bad," she said, then slipped her foot out of her shoe and rubbed her toes along his ankle. "But if you think a lame compliment like that is going to get me into bed, you're going to have to try harder."
He'd just lifted his whiskey glass to his lips. Fortunately, he hadn't taken a sip, because a low, throaty laugh bubbled out, the sound deliciously sexy. "Noted," he said. "I'll work on my pick-up lines."
"You do that." She took a sip of her own wine to hide her smile. She wasn't entirely sure what was going on between her and this guy, but she did know that she enjoyed his company and his sense of humor. Somehow--she honestly wasn't sure what the trigger had been--they'd slid from polite date talk into teasing sexual innuendoes during their walk to the hotel.
Under any other circumstances, she would have put the brakes on that right away, even with the sexual chemistry that crackled between them. She had her rules, after all. But this guy, with his out of town address and departure date of tomorrow, seemed like a safe bet. A good risk.
More important, she wanted him.
And it had been a long time since she truly, really, fully craved a man.
"Also," she said, her toes on his ankle again, "I think you need to lose a few points for that lame attempt at avoiding my original question."
"I'm not a movie star," he said. "That wasn't a serious question, was it?"
She lifted a shoulder. "Ever since we walked into this hotel, the staff's had their eye on you. And the service is excellent. You must be somebody."
"Oh, I am."
"Who?"
He leaned forward, his expression so intense it made her heart skip a beat. "I'm the man who's going to make you beg."
Her mouth went suddenly dry. "Oh."
She swallowed, her entire body flush with desire. She wanted to melt right then. To tell him to take her to a room and prove all his big talk.
But Amanda also didn't like to lose, and what had started out as teasing now felt like a game. A decadent, seductive, fabulous game. And she knew exactly what her next move was.
Slowly, she eased her foot up his leg, her eyes never leaving his until her toes were resting between his legs, his cock getting stiffer by the second. Their small table had a cloth, so her ministrations were hidden under white, draping fabric. But anyone looking at his face could make a good guess as to what was happening under that curtain.
"Poor thing," she said, faking a frown. "All trapped inside there. Maybe you should unzip and let him come out and play."
She watched him catch his breath, then sit up straighter, obviously working for control. "You're cheating," he accused.
Amanda lifted her brows. "How?"
"If I could think right now, I'd tell you."
She laughed, completely surprised. "I like you." She spoke without thinking, but what the hell, it was true. Then she picked up her glass and tossed back her wine. "And oh, look. I'm all finished with my drink."
He did the same, setting the empty highball glass back on the table with a bang. "What do you know? I'm done, too."
With a wicked smile, she pulled her foot away. "I guess the question now is, which one of us is going to beg. And for what?"
"I have no shame," he countered, taking her hand and gently stroking her thumb. "Come to my room with me. I'm begging you."
"You talked me into it," she said, melting from the sensation of his thumb brushing her skin.
"Come on." He slid out of the chair, and she dipped her eyes to his package, then flashed him a completely unapologetic grin.
"We should get you to a room."