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A genuine smile at last. It brought out her dimples.
Switching to a less jovial tone, Xavier added, “Is this another role?”
“This time, it’s one I think we’ll both enjoy. Your detailed little speech has given me an idea. I have a particular role in mind. I want to take you somewhere very quiet and tell you…” Her lips brushed the edges of his mouth softly. Her voice low, she whispered, “…everything you’re going to do to me. You’ve told me, in intimate”—she let loose the tiniest of moans—“detail what you’re capable of, and I plan to take advantage of your experience. Only one proviso. We’ll be following my instructions and mine alone,all night long.” Her ruby lips met his earlobe for the briefest moment before she asked, “What do you say?”
“I say I have a hotel room next door.”
She threw her head back and laughed, the throaty sound drawing indulgent glances from nearby patrons. “Then let’s do this, my friend.”
Reaching into his pocket, Xavier placed a key card in her palm.
“Room 2102. The Manchester.”
“I’ll be there in half an hour.”
“Half a–why?”
“You agreed to let me be dominant, remember? You said my rules? There are some things I need to pick up. Then the night is ours.”
“Ours,” he repeated.
“I like the sound of that.” A flash of doubt sped across her face so quickly he wasn’t sure he’d even seen it. “I should say mine, shouldn’t I?”
“Oh, definitely yours,” he replied as she stood and shrugged into her coat. “Wait, what do I call you?”
Hesitating, she finally said, “Hope.”
It seemed appropriate, since he was suddenly full of it.
A tentative knock sounded at the door. From inside, he shouted, “I gave you a key.”
Her voice was muffled through the wood. “I know, I just…”
He heard her try the key and then a pause so long the door relocked itself. A curse came through, loud and clear.
Not for the first time in the last half hour, Xavier wondered what the hell he’d been thinking. A one-night stand less than three days after Beth had walked out on him? He wasn’t the guy to revenge fuck. It wasn’t his style. Then again, neither was backing away from a challenge. This woman undoubtedly presented one. He had to ask himself what drew him to her. He still couldn’t put his finger on it.
To be honest, he was amazed the woman in red had even turned up. He mostly expected her half hour break hadn’t just been foroptions, but to give her time to reconsider. Despite theirplayful interaction and her request for dominance, an uncertain vulnerability radiated from her.
For some reason it seemed important for her to make the choice. Generally, his competitive nature wouldn’t have given her the chance to back out. He would have insisted she not leave his sight. Why was he treating her differently? Why was it important that she come to him?
He’d assumed once Hope had time to think, she’d hail the nearest cab and head home for a warm bath and a bottle of wine.
Not so. More clicks, negative beeps, and curse words emanated from the other side of the entrance. He smothered a smile.
No boundaries. That was what they’d promised. Unbridled fantasy with no strings, no guilt. That wasn’t something to be taken lightly, and light years beyond what he’d hoped when he’d first approached her.
The door unlocked with another faint click, and she appeared. He’d ensured the room was dimly lit, seductive.
“Trouble with the door?” he asked softly.
“No, I, just…” She pushed the glasses back on the bridge of her nose.
He detected the slightest slur to her words. As though she’d spent at least a few of the past thirty minutes imbibing a little Dutch courage. He could hardly blame her. He’d done the same himself. “It’s okay.”
He sat in an overstuffed leather chair, facing her by the entrance, near the bed, and what a bed. King size and then some.
She stalked towards him, but as she cleared the entrance, she became distracted by the hotel room.
