Page 85 of The Heartbreak Hotel

Her cougar guide could surely only benefit her.

“I did have the feeling you’d be a bird.” A warm, silky voice sounded in Ella’s ear as Riley nestled in the space beside her.

Ella let out another laugh—she’d been doing that a lot tonight—and squeezed her new totem between her fingers. “Does this mean I can’t eat them anymore?”

“Probably not. Cannibalism is frowned upon in most countries.”

Ella snorted, shifting her body so that she pressed her shoulder to Riley’s. Heat burned through the touch, and Riley leaned into it. As much as the dynamic between the two of them was fun, Ella couldn’t wait to be in the open with her. To be able to touch her, and hold her, and kiss her without consequence.

Just one more day.

She exhaled, catching the whiff of food being served at the other end of the courtyard.

“Anyway, what’re you doing over here?” Riley asked, a teasing lilt to her voice. “Tonight’s about celebrating.” She took a step forward and held out her hand.

Ella hesitated. What about all the watchful eyes?

“A dance isn’t going to get us thrown into jail, Ells. Come on.”

Ella took her hand, and Riley pulled her right into the centre of the dancing bodies. She shrieked, unable to help it, as Riley guided her side to side, dropping her hands to clap to the beat and picking them up again as they glided across the floor. How was this woman so good at everything?

“I thought you weren’t supposed to have favourite guests,” Ella said, as Riley tugged her into a spin.

“Well, I do.” She ducked in close to whisper in her ear. “And this dress is also a new favourite of mine. You look incredible.”

New heat prickled the back of Ella’s neck and chest, and she bit her lip, suddenly hyperaware of Riley’s strong hands commanding her body.

A small woman playing the cavaquinho, which Ella understood to be a small Portuguese guitar, stood from her stool and dived into an enthusiastic solo. The crowd roared, hungry for more, and the other band members brought their hands above their heads to encourage the clapping.

But Ella wasn’t focused on the music anymore—just the fire that Riley ignited in the places the other couldn’t touch. Adrenaline fired through her veins, and she slid her arm around Riley’s waist. “Just how much do you love this dress?”

Riley took in Ella’s cleavage and her exposed neck with hungry eyes. “So much.”

Ella wet her lips, and Riley caught the movement. A throbbing need grew between her legs, stirring up an intoxicating ache. “Show me.”

The rhythmic clapping continued around them, building, echoing, beating along with Ella’s heart as she watched the realisation wash over Riley’s gorgeous face. Her lips parted slightly, mouth pulling into a sexy grin that brought out those dimples. Then Ella was being pulled away, out of the crowd and the heat of the fire, away from the upbeat music.

They giggled like teenagers, hand in hand, running deeper into the night, the moonlight guiding them along the darkened paths. Ella had no idea where they were going, but with her fingers threaded through Riley’s, she didn’t care.

Riley lifted Ella over a gate just off the main path, and she squealed, legs kicking the air. Riley’s mouth covered Ella’s as she landed, her strong hands steadying her as their kisses quickly became frenzied. She guided Ella into a wooden shack in the field, kicking open the door and pushing her inside. A lone window cast moonlight into the space, and the earthy scent of straw filled her senses.

“Is this…a barn?” Ella asked, glancing around but not seeing much.

“Sort of. It’s only used for the goats in winter. More just for storage now.”

Goats. Of course. Ella laughed, and Riley pulled her back, keeping her hands firmly planted on Ella’s hips, gripping the creases of her dress.

“Is that a problem?” she asked, tightening hold of the fabric. Her voice lowered, reaching new, deep, sexy levels. “Because I really do love this dress.”

Ella shook her head, her heart stuttering at the dreamy look swirling in Riley’s irises, which were deep midnight pools in the lack of light. Her stomach pulled, heat spreading between her thighs with an all-consuming longing. “Only a problem if you don’t make me come, ’cos I fucking need you right now.”

Wasting no time, Riley lifted her dress, bunching it behind her back while sliding her other hand into her damp underwear.

Ella let out a groan as their hands and mouths came together desperately, their cries of pleasure lost to the crowd of guests as they partied in the courtyard.

When they came apart, gasping, sweaty, and satisfied—even with a little bit of straw-burn on Ella’s thighs—they ran back to the party, finding it still in full swing.

They rejoined the festivities, laughing and dancing under the moonlight until the very last ember in the fire burnt out.