by Parker, Ali
“I’ll be right back,” Trent said, leaning down to speak close to my ear. His hot breath washed over me, sending shivers up and down my spine.
“I’ll be right here,” I said with a smile.
He walked away, moving to talk to a man who looked important. I watched him move, watched the way he swung his arms. He had an easy stride. One of confidence and power.
“Well?” Khloe asked after walking over and bumping my hip with her own.
“Well, what?” I asked.
“How’s it going?” Julia asked. “He seriously only has eyes for you. I want a man who looks at me like that.”
“He’s hot, isn’t he?” I asked with a grin.
They both gave me dirty looks.
“Yes, he is, and we are both incredibly jealous,” Khloe said. “Now, when he comes back, we’ll be expecting you to kiss him or take him back to the room. You only have a few more days here. Make the most of them. I promise you, that kind of man only comes around once in your life. Take advantage of the time you have.”
“You guys know I’m not like that,” I protested.
“Never too late to start having fun,” Khloe shot back.
“Incoming,” Julia mumbled before grabbing Khloe’s arm and taking off.
“I hope I didn’t scare them away,” Trent commented.
I laughed nervously. “No, they are on the prowl.”
He chuckled, the sound sending another series of little electric shocks over my body. “Do you want another drink? Or champagne?”
“Champagne sounds great,” I answered, already feeling a tiny bit buzzed.
He disappeared for about two seconds before returning with two glasses in hand. “Are you enjoying yourself, or would you prefer to be curled up on a couch with your fuzzy slippers on?” he teased.
I took another sip from the glass, letting the bubbles effervesce on my tongue before swallowing the liquid and my fear. “Actually, right now, I think I’d like to dance. That is, if you’re up for it.”
“Damn girl, I thought you’d never ask,” he said with a grin, taking my glass from my hand and putting it on the tray of a passing waiter.
He took my hand and led me out to the dance floor before pulling my body close to his and moving slowly. I wasn’t sure if it was fate or kismet or a stroke of luck that had the DJ putting on a slow song, but I was thrilled. It was easier to dance to, and it gave me a chance to feel his body against my own. I knew what his chest looked like, thanks to our day of swimming, but now that I got to feel it against me, it was even more exciting.
We danced, never breaking contact through what felt like countless songs. I was warm and feeling very flushed. I waved a hand in front of my face. “I need a drink,” I said, leaning in close to his face so he could hear me over the music.
He nodded. “Let’s go,” he replied, taking my hand in his.
I liked that he was always touching me. There was a warm glow burning in my belly, making me feel all tingly and, if I didn’t know any better, horny. I was fighting the urge to grab the man and drag him upstairs to the suite. I’d hang a sock on the door or something, but I wanted him. I really wanted him.
“Thank you,” I said, taking the champagne and probably drinking it a little too fast.
“Would you like some water?” he asked.
I giggled. “Maybe I shouldn’t guzzle the champagne. Is that what you’re saying?”
He shrugged. “Guzzle away, but I’m going to grab a couple of bottles of water, and I will be back in a flash. Don’t go anywhere and don’t dance with anyone else. I saw that guy check you out. I would hate to have to punch a guest, but I will do it.”
I almost tittered—actually tittered like a schoolgirl. He was making me feel giddy and sexy, and it had to be the champagne. I had better drink the water. I watched him talking to the bartender before chatting with a couple of women who’d sidled up to him. He was different with them than he was with me. He leaned away from them, a clear signal he wanted space between him and them. His eyes darted over to me before giving the other women his attention again.
I couldn’t explain the draw to him. Obviously, he was handsome as hell, but there was something else. I wasn’t sure if it was because he was former Army and I had some weird daddy hang-up or because he was former Army and the idea of a man in uniform in general turned me on. Maybe it was the fact he was showing interest in me and flattering me like crazy, and I wasn’t used to that, at least not from a dude as hot as he was. He was seriously model quality.
I had always said I wanted my first time to be special, a time I wouldn’t forget. I would definitely not forget sleeping with a man like him. Maybe it was his age. He had a settled quality about him that I liked. I had grown sick of the college guys about two years in. How much beer guzzling did one person need to do in their lifetime?
He was making his way back toward me, interrupting my self-analysis. He had a sexy smile on his face as he took a seat beside me at the small table. He sat close enough that his shoulder rubbed against mine. Always touching. I loved it.
“Want to dance again?” he asked.
“I would, but can we wait a minute?” I asked.
Before he could answer, someone shouted his name. He looked at me and grimaced. “Hold that thought. Give me five minutes, and I’ll be right back.”
“Take your time,” I told him.
“I’m not going to be gone long,” he said, his eyes holding mine. “Trust me. I want to be right here.”
“I’ll be waiting,” I told him, hoping I sounded sexy and not desperate.
He walked away and I watched. Again. I was seriously becoming addicted to the man. I snatched a glass of champagne off a tray and drank it way too fast. I felt the buzz. I felt good.
I watched Trent work his way through the crowd. His eyes always came back to me. I found myself wanting to dance, and I didn’t give a shit that I was alone.
I finished another glass of champagne and headed out to the dance floor, dancing and swaying to the music. I wasn’t dancing with anyone in particular, and I didn’t care. I was having a blast, and I felt completely free. Uninhibited by worries about who might see me or that I should be at home studying.
I was free. Totally, completely free to be whoever the hell I wanted to be just then. There was nothing and no one standing in my way. The bubbly champagne had freed me from all those cumbersome expectations and fears.
I. Was. Free.
I was drunk. Very drunk.
I wasn’t so drunk I didn’t know I was drunk. I was suddenly very tired and ready to kick off the sandals and lay down for a bit. I scanned the bumping and grinding bodies on the dance floor and spotted the back of Julia’s head.
She was dancing with a good-looking guy and seemed to be very into it. I didn’t want to bother her. Khloe wasn’t too far away, dancing with her own little slice of hotness. I waved to her and mouthed the word bed. She nodded and waved back at me.
I turned, nearly tripping over my own foot, and made my way to the edge of the dance floor. I was definitely drunk, since the simple task of walking became more of a challenge. I put out one arm to steady myself, gripping the back of the chair and taking a few deep breaths to steady the suddenly rocking world. Everything felt a little tilted.
Feeling steady enough to let go of the chair, I made my way into the lobby. Despite my attempt to walk a straight line, I felt myself tipping to one side. I reached out again, found nothing, and feared I was going down.
“Woah,” I heard Trent’s smooth voice wash over me at the same time he reached for my arm and steadied me.
I looked up and smiled. “Hi.”
“Hi.” He grinned. “Going somewhere?”
I nodded. “I’ve had a little too much to drink. I need to go lie down.”
“I see,” he said. “I’ll walk you to your room.”
“I’m fine,” I told him, swaying like a tree in the wind.
He chuckled. “Of course, you are, but a gen
tleman always walks his date to her front door.”
“Was this a date?” I asked, letting him lead me across the massive lobby toward the elevators.
“Yes, it was our first date,” he answered smoothly.
I giggled. “Oh.”
I stumbled over what felt like a massive bump on the smooth floor. He reached out and wrapped his arm around my waist, tugging me into his side as he essentially supported me. I leaned into him, appreciating the strong, steady support of his body.
He asked me what my room number was, which felt very naughty and exciting at the same time. I told him, and the next thing I knew, we were in the quiet elevator on our way up. He felt so warm and solid and smelled so good.
I inhaled, feeling a little giddy at being so close to him. He was a big man. I was guessing at least six feet tall. He felt much bigger in that moment, his body dwarfing mine and making me feel like a dainty girl.
“Here we are,” he said softly, helping me out of the elevator.
“I had a lot of fun tonight,” I told him, hoping the words sounded clearer than they felt on my lips.
“I had a good time as well.”
“Oh, there it is,” I said, pointing to the door.
He chuckled softly. “You’re right.”
I reached for the small pocket of my dress, fumbling with the fabric to find the secret compartment that held my phone as well. Trent was standing close, holding me up, but making the situation so much worse. He was clouding my ability to think straight.
All I could think about was him and what it would be like to be with a man like him. Was he too big for me? Could it even work? I pushed the thoughts from my head.
I turned to look up at him, the card key in my hand as I waved it. “Got it.”
Before I could tell him thank you for walking me to my door, his face moved close to mine. My eyes went wide as I realized what he was going to do.
He smiled before his lips softly pressed against mine. I closed my eyes, sighing into the kiss and letting everything else slip away from me. It was only him.
His lips were soft and hard at the same time, pressing against mine and making me feel extremely hot inside. I wanted him. I didn’t care if it was right or wrong or that I was being completely irrational.
I wanted him, and I was going to have him.
Chapter 13
Trent
I had known from the moment I saw her I wanted to kiss her. I had thought about what it would be like to feel her lush body against mine and what she would taste like. I pressed my mouth harder against hers, forcing her to part her lips.
The second my tongue darted inside, I tasted champagne. It was good and heady and made me feel things I hadn’t felt in a long time. My heart was racing as I pulled her closer to me. I pushed her against the wall outside her door and deepened the kiss.
I had only meant to give her a quick, chaste kiss, a promise of more to come later, but the moment our lips touched, everything changed. She was soft and pliable and pushing her body against mine. Her hands were moving up and down my back, and her tongue was dancing with mine in a way that made me want her even more.
I couldn’t resist the temptation to feel the curves pressed against me with my hands. I reached up, sliding my hand over one of her very full breasts, and groaned with delight. It was better than I had imagined.
My other hand moved over her hip, reaching around and cupping her ass. It was a trigger I shouldn’t have pulled. I was hard and wanting, and I couldn’t have her. Not like that. Not with her drunk.
Sade moaned into my mouth, and her fingers dug into my back, clawing at me with a fierceness that was hard to ignore. She was just as hot for me as I was for her. She wanted me. I wanted her. We were alone outside her room. Nothing and no one were there to stop us. She moaned again, and I knew she wanted it as much as I did.
“Key,” I mumbled against her mouth.
“Key?” she questioned.
I smiled, taking a step back. It wasn’t in her hand. I saw it on the floor and bent over to grab it. She ran a hand over my back, threaded her fingers through my hair, and pulled me up for another kiss. I kissed her back before gently pulling away and unlocking the door.
I got the door open, and she pulled me inside. Her mouth was against mine, kissing and drawing me close to sweet surrender. I was hard and aching and desperate to plunge into her warmth, but I couldn’t do it with her that drunk. Not our first time.
“Which room?” I asked, my mouth hovering over hers.
“This way, handsome,” she said, her voice sultry as she pulled me across the suite to the room with two beds.
I followed, whether I wanted to or not. The woman had a firm grip on my shirt and was dragging me behind her with a strength that belied her earlier intoxication. It was almost enough to get me to do what I was dying to do. Almost.
I wouldn’t take advantage of the situation. She was drunk, even if she had these little moments of clarity. I didn’t want to get too deep, pun intended, and have her change her mind or feel regret.
“Here we go,” I whispered, seeing the bed she was aiming for and gently sitting her on it.
She had a death grip around my neck, pulling me over her as she lay back. I gave her a quick kiss and carefully disentangled her arms from around me.
“What are you doing?” she pouted.
“I’m taking off your shoes,” I answered.
She grinned. “Okay.”
I quickly removed the sandals and set them beside the bed. I didn’t dare take off her dress. That would surely lead me into trouble. She’d be okay sleeping in it.
I leaned down to give her another quick kiss, and she grabbed me and pulled me down to her again. I kissed her, keeping it as limited as possible, and slowly pulled back. I ran my fingertip over her cheek, smiling at her as she stared up at me.
“I need to go,” I whispered.
“Don’t you want me?” she asked with sadness in her voice.
“Baby, I want you more than I want air at this point, but it’s not a good idea.”
“I think it sounds like a very good idea.” She giggled.
“Not like this,” I told her, my voice husky just thinking about being with her. “Another time when you’re fully aware of everything.”
She pouted before giving a small nod. “Fine.”
“Can I meet you for brunch tomorrow?” I asked. “You and me. It will be our official first date.”
She looked confused. “I thought tonight was our first date?”
“It was, but I want this to be just the two of us, getting to know each other,” I said.
“Oh,” she said, looking nervous.
“I want to talk about this thing we have.”
“Okay. I’d like that.”
I smiled and gave her another quick kiss on the forehead, pulling away before she could get her arms around my neck a second time. I had to get some distance between us, or I wasn’t going to be the chivalrous man I was trying to be. She looked too good lying in the bed, her hair fanned out around her head, looking perfectly lush and doable.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said and walked away from her.
I didn’t stop until I was outside the door and it was securely locked behind me. I leaned against the wall, my head resting against it as I looked up at the ceiling. I couldn’t believe I had just walked away from her.
I was going to add that right up to the five hardest things I had ever done in my life. I was glad as hell the door was locked, and I couldn’t change my mind. I took a few seconds to slow my racing libido before moving down the hall toward the elevator.
I had known kissing her was going to be amazing. I couldn’t have imagined it would have been that good. Her lips were lush—just like the rest of her body. I groaned, stepping into the elevator and remembering what it felt like to touch her breast. I wanted my mouth on them. I wanted to bury my face between the round mounds and breathe in the very scent of her.
“Stop,
” I warned myself aloud, not wanting to step off the elevator sporting an erection.
By the time the elevator stopped on the ground floor, I had regained control of myself. I made my way back to the party. I was certainly done with the celebration, but I needed to let her friends know she’d been tucked in bed for the night.
The party was still going strong, with no signs of slowing down. I spotted Richie cozying up to a pretty blonde in a corner on the outskirts of the party. I made my way through the crowd and waved him over. He didn’t look happy to be pulled away from his target for the night, but he did it anyway. He’d pulled me away from Sade several times. Turnabout was fair play in my opinion.
“What?” he growled. “I’m kind of working on something here.”
I grinned. “I see that. I’m letting you know I’m leaving for the night. I plan on being very late tomorrow.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Is the coed waiting for you in the car, or are you planning on taking advantage of your own hospitality?” he asked with a laugh.
“Neither. I’m going home, but I do have plans for brunch tomorrow.”
“Brunch? You’re having brunch?”
“Yes,” I said. “Breakfast seemed a little risky, considering the amount of champagne that was run through here tonight. I’ll check email, and I’ll have my phone. I need to do this.”
He nodded. “I’ll hold down the fort while you do whatever, or whoever, it is that has captivated your attention.”
“Thanks, I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said and headed out in search of her friends.
I found Khloe first. She looked around. “Where’s Sade?”
“Upstairs.”
She raised an eyebrow. “And you’re down here?”
I smiled. “She had a little too much champagne. I got her into bed and left.”
Khloe smiled. “Damn, aren’t you the gentleman? Thank you for that. I don’t think we’ll be down here much longer.”