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Beep, beep, beep.
Relief floods through me as I cover my ears to shield myself from the sound. I’ve never been so happy to hear a damn fire alarm. I can’t believe this actually worked. Now I have my escape plan worked out; I just have to be convincing. Taking a deep breath, I strip out of my clothes and dunk my hair under the still-running water.
Wrapping a towel around me, I run out of the bathroom, shutting the door behind me. I run into Ryan, who’s standing near the bathroom door, a confused expression on his face. Before he can question me about the steam, someone bangs on the room’s door, causing me to jump.
“Fuck,” Ryan curses, running a hand through his hair.
“I’m sorry to bother you, but we need to evacuate the hotel,” the muffled voice informs us through the closed door.
Thank fucking God.
“I’m sorry,” I mutter, hoping my distress is convincing. I rush to put my clothes back on. “I thought I’d have a shower to freshen up, and I forgot to turn the fan on.”
“It’s fine,” he sighs, ushering me out of the room. “We’ll pick this up later.”
Outside we part ways in the crowd of people. I breathe a sigh of relief. I’m no closer to getting what I need, but at least I’ve given myself time to work out a proper game plan. I speed up my stride and head for my car. My body is still buzzing with adrenaline as I slide into the driver’s seat. Curling my fingers around the safety of the steering wheel, I close my eyes and listen to the sound of my racing heart.
What would’ve happened if the alarm hadn’t gone off? Could I have gone through with it? No. There’s no way in hell I could have done that. But I don’t doubt for a second that my apprehension wouldn’t have mattered to Ryan.
—
“You did what?”
I’m back at Jaxon’s place, explaining to him what just happened. I frown, not bothering to mask my annoyance as Jaxon chuckles. I’m not sure what kind of reaction I was expecting, but this wasn’t it. “I’m sorry,” Jaxon continues between laughs, “but you evacuated one of the most exclusive hotels in LA. That’s quite a feat.”
“I’m glad you’re amused by this, considering I was doing it to help you,” I retort.
“No, you were doing it to help yourself,” he corrects, a twinkle in his eye. “Or more specifically, your career. Besides, what did you think was going to happen? If your plan was to seduce Ryan, you’d better goddamn believe he’s going to expect you to follow through.”
“I wasn’t thinking,” I mutter. Annoyance surges through me. I thought he might be jealous at the thought of me with another guy, but it’s clear he couldn’t care less. Maybe I’m totally misreading him.
“Look, you’re a smart girl, Char, but you need to stop being so naïve.”
“What makes you so sure I wasn’t willing to follow through?” I challenge.
He lets out a low laugh. “You set off an alarm to get away from the guy—which I’m impressed with, by the way. If sleeping with him was no big deal, then you would’ve done it.” He shrugs.
I hate that he’s right. He walks over to me and places his hand
on my cheek. I jump at his touch, my body betraying me yet again. I can’t stay annoyed at him because around him I’m weak. Whatever he wants from me, I’ll do, regardless of the consequences.
“Come here,” he says, his voice laced with affection. I let him pull me close. When his lips touch mine, all I can think about is how alluring he is. Everything about this man intoxicates me.
He guides me backward across the room, his mouth finding mine as we sway. Eventually we reach the bed. I fall back, waiting, as he climbs over me, his kisses slowly becoming more aggressive and desperate.
“I hate how much I want you,” he mutters. He pushes my head to one side and kisses my neck as his hands roam underneath my shirt. I hear the sounds of buttons popping as the shirt is ripped from me. He pushes my bra up, freeing my breasts and massaging them with the palms of his hands. A moan escapes me as his warm, skilled hands work their way back up to my neck.
“Oh,” I whisper, my body aching for him. I arch my back, allowing him to remove my skirt. He grins appreciatively at my lack of underwear as he runs his fingers over my body.
“Close your eyes,” he commands. I do as he asks. My breathing shallows as he grabs hold of my wrist, securing it to the post of the bed with something soft and silky. He does the same with my other wrist, and then each ankle.
I squirm, the anticipation unbearable. I can feel his eyes on me and it’s making me so wet. He moves over me, his breath warm against my naked skin. I gasp when his tongue runs along the inside of my thigh. My body tenses, demanding more.
I wish I had the strength to push him away, but I don’t. I want to distance myself from him, as I can feel him doing with me, but my body and my heart won’t let me. I’m falling further and further into a trap that I can’t see myself getting free from.
Suddenly I can’t breathe.
“Stop, please,” I cry out, my legs tensing as an unfamiliar rush of panic hits me. “Get these off me,” I demand. The soft fibers from the silk burn against my skin as I struggle to free myself. The more I struggle, the worse I panic. Jaxon immediately moves over me, loosening the restraints.
