Sleeping With The Enemy

by Parker, Ali

  “No thanks. Maybe another time.”

  She got off the stool and attempted to grab the bulk of her luggage.

  “Let me help you,” I insisted.

  “I got it,” she answered, promptly dropping her laptop. “Shit.”

  “I’ll help you,” I said, taking the suitcase from her hand.

  “Thank you.”

  I walked with her to the check-in desk and waited a few feet away. I didn’t want to crowd her. I wanted to work my way back into her life, but it was going to take some time. I needed to take things slowly. I occupied myself by looking around the opulent lobby.

  “Excuse me?” I heard Mae’s voice rise.

  I turned my focus to her to see what was wrong. “I’m sorry, ma’am,” the woman behind the counter said.

  “Don’t you have anything else?” she asked, her voice on the edge of hysteria.

  “I’m very sorry, but we are completely full.”

  “What’s going on?” I asked.

  “They gave my room to someone else!” she practically shouted.

  “Is there another room she could have? Upgrade to?”

  The woman looked at me and grimaced. “I’m sorry, Mr. Helms. We have nothing left.”

  “Stay with me,” I said to her.

  Her brows shot up, her eyes widening. “What?”

  “Share my suite. There’s plenty of room.

  “I can’t,” she whispered.

  “You can. I’m guessing you won’t find another room in the city at such a late hour.”

  She sighed and turned to look at the clerk once again. “Is that true?”

  “I’m sorry, but there are several festivals and conventions happening this weekend. It is very likely the other hotels are booked as well.”

  She growled and stomped her foot before turning to look at me. “Fine. I guess I really don’t have another option.”

  I wasn’t going to take offense at her obvious reluctance. I would take what I could get. I picked up her suitcase and led the way to the elevator. She followed behind me, complaining under her breath the entire time. Again, I wasn’t going to take it personally.

  I opened the door and gestured for her to go inside. The room was grand, but it wasn’t the typical suite with more than one bedroom. “I can take the couch. I think it’s one of those fold-out kinds.”

  She let out an exasperated sigh. “Whatever. It’s bullshit they gave away my room.”

  “I’m sorry. It has happened to me before as well.”

  “I paid for the room. How can they do that?”

  I could see she was agitated and decided another drink was in order. I walked to the small, very small, mini bar and opened one of the bottles of scotch. I poured her a glass and then another for me. I handed it to her and watched her drink it down in one long gulp. “Another?” I asked her.

  She handed me the glass. “Please. I know these bottles must cost a small fortune, but I guess you can afford it.”

  I ignored the dig. “I can send for more. The good kind.”

  “You don’t need to do that. The last thing I need is to get blackout drunk. One more and that’s it.”

  I twisted the top on another bottle and refilled her glass. “Here you go.”

  I took a seat in the chair, making sure I stayed far away from her. She looked beautiful as always. She did look a little tired but still beautiful. I didn’t think I would ever not want her. I always wanted her. She was the woman I dreamed about. The woman I wanted always and forever.

  “Are you trying to get me drunk?” she asked.

  I laughed. “Absolutely not. You looked tired and stressed. I know when I’ve had a long trip, the best cure is a stiff drink.”

  She finished the glass and got to her feet. I watched as she walked to the minibar and dug through the remaining bottles. She struggled to twist the top of the one she had chosen. I walked over to help her.

  “I can do it,” she mumbled.

  I was a little worried she was getting drunk, exactly what she didn’t want. “Why don’t I mix this one for you?” I suggested, taking the bottle from her hand.

  Our hands touched, and for a brief moment, there was nothing else that mattered. She looked up at me and I could no longer hold back. I reached for the back of her head with my hand and pulled her face to mine. I kissed her as if I would die if I didn’t. My mouth worked over hers. I was ravenous. It had been too long since our last touch.

  I nearly swallowed her whole, sucking her tongue before pushing mine into her mouth. It was the oldest dance in the world and yet it never got old. Being with her would never get boring and tiring.

  Chapter 29

  Mae

  A million thoughts ran through my head, telling me to stop. Go back. Walk away. He would only end up hurting me. I didn’t give a damn. In that moment, the very last thing he was doing was hurting me. He was giving me everything I wanted and needed. I couldn’t walk away from him. I wanted to believe it was fate that landed me in the same hotel as him. Fate and a well-calculated guess, but all the same, I was in his arms and I didn’t mind staying for just a bit longer.

  “I need you,” I moaned. His hand dropped to my waist, pulling my body against his.

  “I want you so bad,” he groaned with his mouth pressed against my neck. His hot breath washed over me, sending shivers of delight up and down my spine.

  “Clothes,” I gasped as his teeth grazed my flesh.

  “Off,” he answered.

  “Now.”

  One-word answers were all I could muster. My mind felt muddled, intoxicated by lust. When I saw him sitting at the bar, I couldn’t believe my luck. I told myself to walk away, but damn if he didn’t look handsome as hell sitting there in the dim light. His hair was a little messy, a chunk of black hair hanging against his forehead. He looked like a rogue. Like the bad boys good mothers warned their daughters about.

  He jerked at my shirt, tugging it up my body. His movements lacked his usual finesse, telling me he was just as hot and horny as I was. I couldn’t help getting his clothes off with my arms pinned above my head. He stopped my shirt halfway up, locking my arms up as his mouth plundered mine once again.

  I made no attempt to pull my arms down. Instead, I pushed my breasts against his chest. “Hurry,” I breathed when need for him flooded my veins.

  He finished taking off my shirt and tossed it to the floor before attacking my elastic waistband and pushing my panties and leggings down in one hard shove. I barely had time to kick off my shoes. While his hands worked at my bra, I used my feet to pull off the pants and kick them to the side.

  In a flash, my bra was on the floor and I was standing before him completely nude while he stood completely clothed. He looked at me with hunger in his eyes. “Damn if I don’t want you.”

  I felt shaky as I stood in front of him. His gaze dropped to my chest, staring at my breasts like he wanted to devour them. His eyes moved lower, his gaze locking on the apex of my legs. I was on the verge of climaxing with just his heated looks.

  “Tyson,” I whispered.

  His eyes met mine once again. “Yes?”

  “You’re not naked,” I pointed out.

  He looked down as if just realizing he was still fully dressed in his black slacks and tan shirt. “Oh.”

  I waited for him to take care of the problem. When he made no move, I stepped forward and undid his pants. He stood, arms hanging at his sides while I unbuttoned the shirt. I pushed it off his shoulders, tossing it on the floor in a heap. He quickly kicked off his shoes while I pushed his pants down. Seconds later, he was just as naked as I was, and the world couldn’t have been any more perfect in that moment.

  “Damn,” I said as I studied the beautiful erection.

  He groaned. “Mae, you can’t look at me like that.”

  “How else am I supposed to look at you?” I teased and stepped forward to wrap my hand around him.

  “When you look at me like that, I can’t control my response.
It’s like a fire running through my veins. I want you so bad it hurts. It physically hurts.”

  I squeezed once, pulling a loud gasp followed by a grunt from him. “What do you need?” I teased.

  “I need to be buried inside you. I want to be balls deep inside your body. I want to hear you whimpering and begging for more. Scratch that. I need all of that. I need you.”

  It was really all I needed to hear. Hell, I didn’t need to hear anything. His physical reaction to my touch was all I needed to feel to know how turned on he was. “Tyson,” I said as I gently stroked him with my hand.

  It was a strangled groan I heard in response. I moved my hand up and down his shaft. “Mae, I’m going to fucking die if this doesn’t move along.”

  I softly giggled. “You’re so hard.”

  “You have no idea,” he whispered. “I’ve been dreaming about you for weeks. My balls ache, longing for you.”

  I released him and reached for the balls he spoke of and cupped them in my palm before giving a gentle tug. His body jerked forward, and then next thing I knew, I was practically flying through the air. He carried me to the bed, dropped me on the mattress, and spread my legs with his hand on the inside of my thigh.

  I barely had time to think, blink, or breathe before he was over the top of me. His dick pressed at my opening, demanding entry before my body yielded to his demands. I cried out as the orgasm tore through my body, easing his way inside me. My back arched, my hands reaching for his strong body and my fingertips digging into his flesh.

  “Oh god!” I cried out loud and proud without giving a damn about anyone hearing me.

  “That’s it,” he coaxed. “Give me all of it.”

  My body didn’t stop giving him exactly what he demanded. He seated himself deep inside my body and went completely still. My body spasmed around him, pulling little gasps and whimpers from me.

  “Holy shit,” I breathed out the words when I could finally think enough to speak coherently.

  He grinned, his eyes full of mischief and desire. “I don’t think I was the only one suffering. I think maybe you needed me just a little.”

  I smiled and reached up to touch his cheek. “I can admit to nothing.”

  “You don’t have to admit to a damn thing. Your body said it all.”

  He began to move. I closed my eyes and got lost in the feeling of him inside me. His motion was slow and purposeful as if the heated need from earlier was gone. I knew he was still just as eager, but he was drawing it out. I wasn’t sure if it was for his sake or mine, but I sure as hell didn’t mind it one bit.

  “Don’t stop,” I said, opening my eyes to find him looking down at me.

  “Your turn.”

  “My turn?” I asked with confusion. I was pretty sure I already took my turn.

  He dropped to the bed and rolled to his back before reaching for me, lifting me like a rag doll and dropping me on top of him. “Your turn,” he said again.

  I smiled. “My turn. I hope you’re ready for this.”

  “I’m so ready.”

  I began to move, teasing him by barely allowing the tip of his cock inside me. I couldn’t resist my own desire and found myself sliding down his hard length until I was once again impaled by him. I didn’t move, taking a few moments to stare down at his body beneath mine. It was a great view. My hand traced over the tattoo of an Egyptian hieroglyphic on his chest. It was sexy and different and so perfect for him.

  “Do you work out?” I asked and immediately heard the question and decided it was totally goofy.

  He grinned, one of his big hands reaching up to cup my breast. “I do.”

  “I like it,” I said as he squeezed my breast.

  “Then I’ll keep doing it.”

  I wanted to laugh but there was a far greater emotion demanding my attention. It was need. Desire. I had the man between my legs, deep inside me, and my body was reacting as if I didn’t just climax five minutes earlier.

  The lighthearted moment vanished and was replaced with something far more intense. I got tunnel vision. My sole focus in that moment was bringing us both pleasure. I started to move and didn’t stop. His hands dropped to my hips, squeezing the flesh and digging in with his fingertips as he jerked my body forward before shoving me back. Over and over. I was tiring quickly. The furious pace was robbing me of the ability to breathe. I didn’t stop. I couldn’t stop. All I could think about was reaching that glorious climax with him.

  When the first twang of ecstasy rocketed over my body, I went perfectly still. He didn’t let me stop. “No,” he gasped. “Not yet.”

  He jerked my body forward, thrusting his hips upward at the same time. I held on to his chest. I could hear myself crying out his name over and over as the orgasm washed over me. He roared, his body bucking so hard he nearly sent me careening into the wall. He stopped moving and I collapsed onto his chest.

  “Holy shit,” I managed to get out in between gasps for air.

  He groaned. “I’m going to die an early death if I do that again.”

  I slapped my hand against his chest. “But what a way to go.”

  “No kidding. I’m good with that.”

  I laid atop him for several minutes while we both recovered from what turned into a very violent climax. My body felt wrung out. I slid off him, slithered more like, and curled against him. “This wasn’t supposed to happen,” I told him.

  “Who says? Maybe Fate thought otherwise.”

  “I don’t believe in that. I had a few drinks. You had a few drinks. Circumstances put us in this room together and that is that. Nothing more.”

  He turned his face to mine, brushing my hair back. “If it’s nothing more, then I am damn well going to take full advantage of these circumstances.” He looked at the clock on the bedside table. “I’ve got a good eight hours to do exactly that.”

  My body shuddered at the thought of spending a night with him having lots and lots of sex. “I have to get up early. I need my sleep.”

  “You can sleep on the way home,” he replied.

  “Not all of us have a private plane. If I fall asleep and drool on the guy sandwiched against me, it isn’t going to end well.”

  “Fly back with me,” he offered.

  It was certainly an appealing offer, but not one I was going to take him up on. I reminded myself why I was there. I did a replay of the events that led me to Rome. The last thing I wanted to do was get caught up with the man that was intent on breaking my heart. If he didn’t have it, he couldn’t break it. He was too damn tempting to keep it out of his hands if I saw him all the time. That meant I needed to keep my distance.

  Starting tomorrow.

  “All right,” I said.

  “All right what?”

  “I’ll give you three hours.”

  He chuckled, rolling onto his elbow with his head propped up on his hand. “Look how many times I made you orgasm in thirty minutes. You are in for a very good night if I do say so myself.”

  I grinned. “I’ll be the judge of that. We’ll see if you can back up that claim.”

  He bent low, kissing my pert nipple before looking at me with those dangerous eyes. “I think we both know I can, and I will. Before we get to all that, let me order some sustenance. I plan on working very hard and I’m going to need the fuel.”

  I believed him. The man had some serious stamina. I just hoped I was up for the challenge.

  Chapter 30

  Tyson

  I woke up bright and early, anxious to see Mae. I knew it was early without needing to open my eyes. I inhaled deeply, smelling the scent of her in the room and smiling. It was the scent I would never forget. I was certain it was imprinted on my very soul. I reached out to touch her, a little bummed when I didn’t feel her head on my chest. When I realized she wasn’t in the bed with me, I opened my eyes and looked around. “Mae?” I called out. There was no answer.

  I sat up, blinking to clear my vision. I looked around the room that was still fairly dark
and didn’t see her. I rubbed my face, trying to clear the cobwebs from my brain. I didn’t get much sleep. I knew she didn’t either. I felt a tiny bit guilty for keeping her up so late when she said she needed to get up early. I got up and knocked on the bathroom door.

  “Mae?” I whispered before it dawned on me that was stupid. She wasn’t likely to be asleep in the bathroom.

  There was no answer. I opened the door and saw no sign of her. That was when it hit. There was no sign of her anywhere in the room. I looked around and noticed her bags were gone. She’d left me. That was not exactly what I was expecting when I woke.

  It was her way of getting back at me. She was letting me know she was still pissed. I smiled, shaking my head. I was going to stay positive. The fact she let me buy her a drink and then let me do other things told me she wasn’t that pissed. She could have her little revenge. I wanted her to feel like she won. That worked for me. Whatever it took to get her back in my bed. After last night, I knew for absolute certain I never wanted to be without her again.

  I got into the shower before dressing for the day. I put on my usual attire for when I visited a dig site. I grabbed my things and left the room feeling a little more upbeat than usual. I was hoping to catch some breakfast in the hotel restaurant. I was still a little early and had the time to waste. I was still smiling as I sipped on my coffee and munched on the Danish. My mind drifted to the night before. I wasn’t going to pretend to be an innocent or a monk, but none of the women I had been with in my life compared to her. I couldn’t even remember them or their names. It was only Mae.

  I was already trying to figure out how I would get her to talk to me once I was back home. I didn’t feel like I needed to ask Patrick’s permission. I would still talk to him. I would talk to him man to man and let him know what I wanted, and he could deal with it or not. I wasn’t going to be run off by a big brother that had once said his sister needed to find a man.

  I was that man. I wanted a relationship with Mae and I was certain she would be open to a relationship with me—in time. It would be good for us to start over. We needed a fresh start. I wanted the chance to show her I could be better than the boy she knew in high school and the man that stole the family business. I could give her everything she needed, literally and figuratively.