Chasing Desire (Chasing Love 3)

She nodded.

He took her hand, and his thumb ran over her knuckles.

“I hope that’s enough time for what I have planned,” he said.

…

Autumn walked into Mr. Sexy’s hotel suite. The living room had a single lamp on, illuminating the entire area. A soft-looking blue couch and two matching chairs were positioned around a dark wood coffee table. A soft glow came from around the corner—where she guessed the bedroom was.

Wow, impressive suite. She didn’t want to think about how much this had cost. Her single room on the second floor barely had enough room for the bed but had cost a pretty penny. Whatever this guy did, he seemed to be successful.

I wonder if his bathtub’s big enough for two…

“Would you like anything to drink or eat?” he asked. She looked at him, at the shadows playing over his chiseled jaw. He was quite a sight. Over six feet tall, since she had to look up at him, which was awesome.

But what had taken her by surprise a bit more was his demeanor. He’d asked her questions, like he actually gave a damn, or at least understood her on some level. Which was crazy, because they were strangers. What did he care? Her ex had known her for years and had never thought she merited more than polite inquiry.

But the look in this man’s eyes said that even if this was just for one night, he wasn’t her ex. The moment of silence that had passed between them when they’d both admitted to their shortcomings in so many words had been…

Heartbreaking.

No, she wasn’t broken. Refused to be. She could take care of herself. Things would be fine.

People fucked her over all the time. This wasn’t news. She just hadn’t lost so much in such a short time before.

Stop.

She’d spent too much time steeling herself against the truth of the world. Tonight, she needed to get lost from reality for a while. And she knew the perfect way to do that.

“What I’d like is for you to take your shirt off,” she said.

He looked at her, gauging her seriousness. Oh, if only he knew how serious she was. She raised a brow and stepped back, getting a better view of his entire body.

“Yes ma’am,” he said. He reached behind his neck and grabbed the collar of his shirt, then tugged it over his head, down his arms, and off. Just the motion of him taking off his shirt turned her on. But what lay beneath? Iceberg didn’t begin to describe it.

“Wow,” she whispered, taking in both his sheer size and perfection. The tattoos that she’d gotten a peek of took up the entirety of his biceps and even crossed into his chest. Every inch of him was chiseled muscle. His torso had the finest set of cut abs she’d ever seen, leading to low slung jeans and a worn black leather belt.

And the piercings she’d been so eager to investigate? He had studs in both of his nipples.

Yeah…wow indeed.

And she wanted to get lost in that wow.

She took a couple of steps forward and stopped in front of him. “Stay still,” she commanded, and he obeyed. Which was amazing, because she could feel the alpha dominance rolling off of him. Yet he let her lead. And she so needed to lead right now.

If this was a sign of how in sync they’d be in bed, tonight was going to be full of fireworks.

She ran her hands up his torso. Every part of him was hard and grooved. When her palms brushed over his nipples and the silver barbells in them, he sucked in a breath. She made a note that he was sensitive there.

She continued the trek upward, feeling his shoulders and arms, tracing the ink that lined them. His chest rose on heavy breaths and his green eyes seared hers. Even in the dim light, they shone bright like emeralds.

She wove her fingers into the back of his hair and massaged his scalp. A small moan escaped his mouth, and she zeroed in on the action, wanted to taste that moan.

“Woman,” he rasped. “I’m tired of staying still.” He sounded as if it were a chore. He was flexing, his fists balling at his sides like it was a struggle to keep from touching her. A nice thought.

She leaned in, brushed her lips against his, and traced her tongue along the seam.

“Tell me I can move now,” he said in a harsh whisper.