She gave him a shy smile. “You’re kind. I like that about you.”
“I don’t think anyone has ever called me that. My sister thinks I’m a prick.”
“Why? What did you do to her?”
“She has a hard time letting go of something we refer to as the Barbie-in-the-barbecue incident.”
“You cooked her dolly?” She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him.
Bastien held up his hands in surrender. “Okay, I was ten and she was annoying.”
“Barbie or your sister?”
“Both, actually. But I saved her before she melted. Her hair never recovered, though. She was punk Barbie from then on. She rocked a Mohawk like nobody’s business.”
“You’re funny.” She smiled at him and he realized he liked being in this club next to this sexy woman instead of being bored and looking for an excuse to leave. “You’ve got expressive eyes, too. Maybe you’re the actor?”
Bastien smirked. “No, I’m not all that exciting. I work in an office.”
“Are you from around here?” she asked, taking a deep sip of her champagne and sighing contentedly.
How can she drink that stuff? “No. I’m only in town for the next two weeks.”
Pushing her hair off her face, she said, “I’m not going to go home with you tonight.”
Disappointment flickered through him, but she didn’t seem to be rejecting him.
“I’m not that brave.” She took his hand again. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy each other’s company for a while. I want to kick up my heels and have some fun. But I don’t want you to think I’m a tease. Can you handle a little flirting and a little kissing without it going any further?”
“I can do that.” If he couldn’t have her in his bed, having her in his arms was the next best thing. “Do you want to dance again? Although I have to admit, I could watch you dancing all night.”
She blushed again. “You saw that, huh?”
“It’s what made me come over here. Are you a local girl?”
“My job takes me all over. But I did get a tour of the VIP area before and this part is just the tip of the iceberg. I want to show you something.” Standing up, she finished her champagne in one long swallow. “Come with me.” She tugged his hand.
“I’ll come after you,” he said. Rising to his feet, he stepped in closer to her so their bodies brushed.
“I was hoping you’d say that,” she said.
CHAPTER FIVE
MIKELINA’S HEART WAS thundering in her chest. She couldn’t believe she was doing this. After Abbie had given her the tour of the VIP rooms, she and Cody the bartender took off never to be seen again.
It had been beyond awkward to sit on that cushy couch and drink expensive champagne all by herself. Like she had won the loser lottery or something. Everyone out there was dancing and having a good time. And she was all alone, the way she had been all year. It wasn’t fair. So when her jam came on, she’d finished her champagne, closed her eyes and pretended she had Mr. Right in front of her.
And then after the song was over, it was like she had summoned him. He resembled Luke Macfarlane—the Killjoys version, not the Hallmark Christmas special one. Five o’clock shadow, dark hair and sexy eyes. She wasn’t about to let this opportunity slide by.
So maybe she was a little bit forward. And maybe she was jumping into things without thinking it through. But it wasn’t as if she was going home with a man whose name she didn’t even know. There were places in the club where they could play around in relative privacy and safety.
Mikelina had the Flow card she had been given in her purse, if he turned out to be a creep. All the VIP cards had a plastic slide on the back. In an emergency, if she pushed the slide, security would come to her rescue. They could track her anywhere in the club. It made her a little more confident to push the envelope with her mystery man.
“Have you been here before?” she asked, pushing aside the velvet curtain.
“No, this is my first time.”
Mikelina took his hand. “A virgin?”
He snorted. “Touched for the very first time...today.” She liked that he repeated what she’d said to him earlier. She liked his voice and the easy way about him.
“What’s your name?” he asked.
“Are names necessary?” she asked.
“That’s usually how two people get to know each other.”
“I think we know all we need to know about each other.” The last thing she wanted was for him to recognize her last name. She didn’t want to talk about Tanner Presley. She didn’t even want to think about him and she was sick of being treated like a pariah because of his crimes. Swallowing her trepidation, she touched her handsome MMA announcer on the arm. He had nice biceps and she squeezed one as she rose up on her tiptoes. Brushing a kiss across his surprised lips, she put her hand on his shoulder. “Unless I’m reading this wrong.”
“No, we’re good.” His arm snaked around her and held her tight. He returned her kiss with one that Mikelina felt straight to her toes. She wasn’t going to go home with him, but fooling around seemed like a good idea.
His mouth was warm and enticing. She bit back a moan, leaned into his hard body. It felt good to be naughty. But if she didn’t stop him now, they would be making out in the middle of the hallway.
Breaking away, she was breathless and giddy. She led him down the corridor to the first set of doors that Cody had shown her. “Do you want to go for a swim?”
“I didn’t bring a suit. And if I’m going to skinny-dip, I’d prefer not to have an audience.” His voice was gruff and sent shivers up her spine. She wanted to hear it in her ear as they danced.
“You’ve got to see the pool area, though. I’d be a bad tour host if I let you go back home without seeing this.”
The pool room was set up to mimic the beach. And if Mikelina hadn’t known this place used to be a warehouse club a few months ago, she could easily be convinced that they were outside. The lighting was brilliant and there was even a cool ocean breeze blowing through the space. They had to be piping it in from the air-conditioning because outside was muggy as hell.
The house DJ was playing Jimmy Buffett and it was a more chill atmosphere than the part of the club they just left. Sturdy paper lanterns floated in the enormous pool along with about one hundred people in the water.
“Why don’t they just go outside?” he asked.
“Because it’s dark out. It’s never-ending sunshine here.”
Squinting up at the ceiling. “Heat lamps.”
“You’re such a spoil sport,” she teased. “Enjoy the fantasy.”
“Let’s go back to the main area and dance.”
“I’ve got something better in mind.” She took him through another set of doors and the crisp air conditioner kicked on as they stepped into a 1920s-style speakeasy.
“It’s like the Tardis in here,” he said. “Bigger on the inside and lost in time.”
“You’re a Doctor Who fan?” Mikelina was thrilled to find a fellow nerd. As they walked past the jazz band to the bar hand in hand, they talked about the science fiction series.
“It’s nice to have a conversation with someone in a bar that doesn’t result in screaming over and over into their ear because the music is so loud,” she said, handing him a gin rickey from the sampler of drinks.
Mikelina chose a sidecar and they clinked glasses.
“Oh man,” she said, gasping after a sip. “That’s strong.”
“Let me taste,” he said. But instead of trying her drink, he ducked his head and kissed her again. The hot sweep of his tongue on hers made her forget about the orange-flavored burn.
“Cognac,” he said in satisfaction.
“Did you like it?”
“Oh yes.” He took the drink from her nerveless finge
rs and pulled her onto the dance floor.
There were several couples slow dancing, but the world narrowed down to just the two of them. Held tight in his arms, Mikelina swayed to the sultry saxophone. Laying her cheek against the soft cotton of his shirt, her eyes drifted shut and the stress of the past year unlocked inside her.
She ran her hands over the hard muscles of his back and enjoyed his chest pressed against her breasts. She hoped this song would never end, just the two of them rubbing against each other in sweet friction. They swayed to the music. She could almost picture that they were back in time, during Prohibition, drinking illegal alcohol and sharing stolen, forbidden moments.
He kissed her again and she gave into it wholeheartedly. His mouth was sultry and the deep kiss left her trembling and wanting more. Maybe she would go home with him, after all. She didn’t have to tell him her last name.
He stroked her hair back from her face. “What’s a pretty girl like you doing all alone?”
“I’m not alone. I’m with you.”
He pulled her in closer and his hardness pressed into her. She wanted to rub herself all over it, but even though she was feeling wanton, she was aware that they were attracting attention. She didn’t want to put on a show. She wished there was a safe, private place they could explore their attraction in this part of the bar.
When the band picked up a livelier tune, the dance floor became more crowded as a crush of people pressed in.
Mikelina blinked up at him, still lost in the hazy desire that filled her with a sensual lethargy. Trailing his hand down to cup her ass, he danced her over to a smoky corner. Rubbing his thumb over her lower lip, he said, “Tell me your name.”
She’d pretty much do whatever he wanted at this point, but he asked the one thing she didn’t want to risk. She wanted more dances and sultry kisses. If she told him her name, the evening was over and Mikelina wasn’t ready for that.
“It’s our fantasy,” she said. “Call me whatever you want.”
He pressed his forehead against hers. “Tell me your name.”
“Name me, and I’m yours,” she purred, tugging his T-shirt out of his pants. She slid her hands up his stomach and his eyes closed in pleasure. “Say my name and kiss me.”
“Mikelina,” he groaned and caught her mouth in another deep kiss that had her clutching his shoulders to keep her knees from wobbling.
Unfortunately, her eyes flew wide open. Mikelina wasn’t a common name. There was no way he could have pulled that out of his hat. He knew her. But how?
Was he one of her father’s creditors? Or worse, one of his victims?
She pushed him at arm’s length. “Who are you?”
“I thought you said no names?” He was breathing deeper and his hands were hot through the thin cotton of her dress.
Resisting the urge to rub against him some more, she tried to focus. “Tell me your name.”
“Name me.” He kissed her again and she enjoyed it so much, she dragged her nails lightly over his back. It was hard to think clearly when his tongue and mouth were making her not care that he could be an enemy. The Flow card was still in her purse, but she didn’t want to call Security. She didn’t get a danger vibe. In fact, when he kissed down her cheek to her neck, the only vibe she was getting was the pulsing one between her legs.
She’d never seen his face before. She’d have remembered. “Say something,” she whispered.
“What do you want me to say? I’d kiss you all night if you let me. Let me take you back to my hotel.”
There. If he was staying at a local hotel, maybe she could find out his name from one of her contacts. She’d have to excuse herself and go to the bathroom and make a few calls. Call in a couple of favors, but it would be worth it to see what this guy’s deal was.
“Where are you staying?”
“Hilton,” he said against her neck. “But just for tonight.”
“You said you were staying two weeks.”
His thumb skimmed over her nipple and she bit her lip to keep from moaning.
“Yeah, we’ve rented a house for a bachelor party.”
Shock had her flinching out of his arms. Oh no, this was too coincidental. She hoped like hell this wasn’t the groom. Did the groom even know her name? As far as she knew, the only one who knew her name was...
“What’s the matter?” he asked, concern etched on his brow.
“Bastien?”
The sexy confusion on his handsome face narrowed into a sharper look. “What did you call me?”
She fumbled in her purse, ignoring the Flow card. Pulling out her phone, she saw she missed a call. From him. She pressed Call Back.
Bastien frowned when his phone vibrated and he pulled it out.
He brought it up to his ear. “Hello?”
“You called?” she said, slumping against the wall.
CHAPTER SIX
“AND THIS IS the security code. You and I are the only ones that have it, so if you leave while the maids are still working, please let them know to contact me and I can lock the doors remotely.”
It was close to 3:00 a.m. and Mikelina was holding on to her dignity by a thread. She couldn’t wait to finish up the orientation so she could go home and throw herself off the balcony. Only the cheap hotel room where she stayed when the beach house was booked was on the second floor and over a bunch of bushes, so she’d probably survive the jump. She wasn’t sure she wanted to survive this night.
“Are we not going to talk about what happened in the bar?” Bastien asked.
It was very uncomfortable to have him seated at her family’s dining room table while she nattered on about using the seven-thousand-dollar coffee machine.
“Can we forget all about it?” she asked weakly. “I need to be professional.”
After the big reveal, she had to endure the painful ride back to the house with him because she had come with Abbie and didn’t have her car. He had left a message on her phone that he had gotten in early and would rather check in tonight. However, she hadn’t gotten it until after they met in the bar. Mikelina could have put her foot down and made him stay the night in a hotel, but they were both awake now and maybe by letting him check in early, he would forget that they were groping each other on the dance floor when he talked to her boss.
“Okay, let me know when you’re finished being professional so we can talk about this. I’d rather do it tonight.” Bastien looked at his watch and grimaced. “Or this morning. Before the groomsmen get here.”
Mikelina sighed. “You’re right. I don’t want to be weird around them. I’m supposed to be working with you all closely to make the bachelor party go off seamlessly. I can’t do that if I can’t even look at you.” She slumped into the chair next to him and held out her hand. “Hi, I’m Mikelina. I’ll be your concierge for the next two weeks.”
“Bastien Ainsworth. Do you want to dance?”
She gaped at him as he turned the sound system on the way she’d just walked him through it a few minutes ago. He put on a slow jazz number and took her outstretched hand and tugged her up and into his arms again.
This changed things.
He was no longer a stranger.
She was in her own home.
It was just the two of them.
The air seemed to leave her lungs when he kissed her slowly as they danced around her living room.
It was beyond unprofessional to sleep with the client. Kirk would fire her if he knew she was doing this. And yet... Bastien was still the sexy man from the bar that she had wanted to go much further with. They had the rest of the night, what was left of it.
It would cost a fortune to get an Uber at this hour. And she didn’t want to go back to her crappy hotel room and face the stark white walls all alone.
What was done was done.
If she’d known who he was, sh
e wouldn’t have flirted with him in the bar. But she couldn’t take it back now, so she might as well enjoy it.
The tension completely left her body and she kicked off her shoes. He groaned when she undid the tie on her halter dress and it pooled at her feet. Still dancing, she pulled his T-shirt over his head and kissed the curve of his abs and chest.
“Why did you call me Mikelina in the bar? Did you recognize me?”
“Mikelina,” he sighed out, unhooking her strapless bra and tossing that to the ground as well. “I love your name. It’s so sexy. You’re so sexy. You told me to think of a name. You were on my mind.”
She danced with him in her panties, grinding against his thick hardness. The tips of her nipples brushed over his chest hair and all thoughts about her boss and the bachelor party fled. They had tonight and Mikelina deserved to be cherished like this for at least one night. Fumbling with his belt, she drew it slowly through the loops.
“You are so beautiful,” Bastien said, cupping her jaw.
“So are you,” she whispered, unbuttoning his pants. Reaching in, she pulled out his cock and wrapped her fingers around it. As she stroked it slow, she stared into his eyes that were dark with heady desire and need.
“That feels good,” he said, his head back as he enjoyed her caress.
His pants slid down his narrow hips and he kicked off his shoes and then stepped back. Mikelina swallowed hard, seeing his naked body in her living room. Bastien picked her up and seemed ready to carry her upstairs to the master bedroom.
“No,” she said, pointing to the large bedroom off the kitchen. “That one.” If she was going to have sex, it wouldn’t be in her parents’ bedroom. She was going to make love to her handsome stranger in her own bed.
Carrying her into the room, he laid her on the duvet and looked at her. “We’re going to need to take these off,” he said and peeled her panties down her legs.
Joining her on the bed, Bastien pulled her back into his arms. Mikelina entwined her legs with his and arched against his small thrusts. His kisses tasted like cognac without the burn. The burn was inside her, though, and she whimpered when Bastien began to kiss down her body.
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