The Hotel

by Darling, Lola

  Oh really.

  I lower my eyes, feeling my cheeks burn, catching a glimpse of his bulging thigh and the length of his leg before sliding my gaze back to his. My pulse ticks up hard enough to make me nearly forget what I was about to say.

  “Well.” I try and pull it together. Focus on the assignment. “I’m glad we stumbled onto each other. I was hoping to celebrate a bit tonight, and that’s not much fun… alone.” As recoveries go, that was pretty good. Considering the innuendo, that, once out of my mouth, didn’t feel scandalous. It was… honest. Given the chance to drink alone or have Andrew’s hands down my pants, the salacious part of me would choose hands.

  “And what is the occasion for celebration?” He leans towards me, leaving mere inches between us. If either of us leans anymore, we’ll fall off our stools.

  Without thinking, I answer honestly. “I start an internship tomorrow. At the…” I gulp down the word ‘Rexford’ before I can give myself away. I’m playing a part tonight, remember? And Callie already told me, getting personal with the target is the number one no-no.

  But if I’m not telling the truth, what can I say to him?

  “Where’s the internship?” Andrew asks, looking curious.

  My mind goes blank. I look desperately around the room, and my eyes land on one of the black-and-white photos behind the bar: an old fashioned magic show with a man sawing a woman in half.

  “Magic!” I blurt.

  Andrew blinks.

  “Um, did you hear about Illusion Fusion who just performed at the Chicago Theater?” I cover quickly. Now would be a great time for Rob to text and say we were done. Like, right now.

  “Magic show?” He shakes his head, eyes twinkling with amusement. “Can’t say that I have.” Ha, me neither. I’d read about the group performing at the Theater, but beyond that, I know nothing about Illusion Fusion. Hopefully he won’t ask too many questions.

  “What position are you interning for?” He adds, “Sexy assistant?”

  I raise an eyebrow. “Yes, actually.” Taking another sip of scotch, I lick my lower lip to catch a drop, noticing how he eyes me with a cool, yet intrigued stare. His eyes are so expressive, revealing what he won’t allow the rest of his face to show.

  Something tells me he doesn’t smile much.

  I decide to test my theory. “I was a little taken aback at the uniform, honestly. Skin tight body suit, cut to here.” I make an arch over my hip. “And patterned like a lizard.”

  Andrew chokes on his drink. “What?”

  “It’s some reptile theme,” I continue brightly. “I have to hiss too. It’s so snug up top, I feel like my chest is going to spill right out of it.” I touch my necklace, drawing his attention to my breasts. Flirting is coming way too easily.

  Maybe the whiskey is helping with that.

  Andrew chuckles. “When is the next show? I’m pretty sure I need to see that.”

  He casually places his hand all the way over mine on the bar, and brushes his thumb across the back of my knuckles. It’s a small gesture, totally innocent, but it sends heat racing through my body.

  I gulp, already feeling way out of my depth.

  “What about you?” I blurt. “What do you do?”

  “You’ll never believe it,” he says easily, bringing my knuckles to his incredible lips. His mouth parts slowly, his eyes on mine, then presses a kiss to my hand. His lips brush my skin with sensual heat.

  My smile fades, a hot desire stirring between my legs.

  “Try me,” I ask breathlessly.

  “I’m a lion tamer.”

  I laugh in shock – surprised he would even crack a joke. Maybe there is a sense of humor lurking under his controlled exterior. “So, spandex pants and a whip,” I tease. “Impressive.”

  I cross my legs without thinking, shifting to get more comfortable on the stool. Andrew looks down, and I follow his gaze. My legs look smooth and sexy, tapering down to the sexy heels. Why don’t I dress up more often? I’m turning myself on.

  He rests a hand on my knee.

  Oh boy. I take another gulp of my drink to cool down, but the whiskey just burns hotter in my veins. “So, lion taming…” I try to seem unaffected. “Is it hard, wrangling all those beasts into submission?”

  Andrew’s lips turn up—a genuine smile that makes me realize he’s younger than I thought. He can’t be more than twenty-nine to my twenty-three but until now, he looked older, burdened by heavy responsibility and stress. I bet he looks relaxed and easy like this when he’s sleeping, free of the day-to-day pressure and relentless expectations.

  “I wouldn’t know, Julie, because none have dared to disobey me.”

  Could he get any hotter? I think I saw a tendril of smoke coming off that taunting tongue.

  “I see.” Heat rushes through me. “Well, what would happen if one did?” I ask, teasing now.

  “You’re leading me to believe that you’re not very obedient.” His words are casual, but his hand squeezes my thigh, full of meaning.

  “I’m not,” I reply. “You’d probably have to punish me. With your… whip.”

  Time seems to stop in the moment the words leave my mouth. This is so not me! The things I’m saying are things that Callie would say. I’m pulling off her game better than I’d thought I would. Even it if doesn’t seem like a ploy anymore, but rather a woman flirting with a man for no other reason than to get closer.

  No photographer. No pretenses. Just natural, enigmatic, physical connection.

  Sex.

  Andrew stands and my heart drops. Before I can lament having screwed this up so fast, he takes my hand, grabs his drink and indicates that I should do the same.

  “Come,” he says. I follow his command.

  Leading me to the corner of the room, we find an empty table and he scoots the chairs together, holding mine as I sit.

  It happens fast, this new privacy and the way he turns and takes my chin in his palm. His cologne plays on my senses as he leans into me. His lips are close enough that sparks jump like electric kisses over my lips. Swallowing hard, I can’t figure out if I’m more nervous or aroused.

  “You might want to disobey, to deny my desires. But in the end, punishment won’t be necessary because you’ll bend and do exactly as I say.” Andrew winks, but there’s little humor in it. The depth of his expression reveals that he’s serious, and more than a little determined to test his theory.

  So am I.

  But I play it off, because the danger I wanted to avoid before? Here it is, full-bodied and wrapping around the both of us. Andrew is more man than I know how to handle. Yet, I’ve started this and I want to know where he’ll take it.

  I look at his lips. “That’s very arrogant of you.”

  “Perhaps.” He leans in, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Arrogance can be sweet with a payoff like this.”

  “Like what?” I’m asking even as his lips touch mine. That first soft press sends sparks in every direction, all of them pooling between my legs. His grip tightens around my waist as the kiss deepens. His lips part, encouraging mine to follow suit. I do, welcoming the slide of his tongue along mine before he plunges it deep into my mouth.

  My nipples harden, pleading to be pressed against his chest. A moan works loose from my throat and I feel his smile—satisfied with himself for making me melt so easily. Heart pumping, fire laces my veins, my fingers clenching with the need to touch him. But if I do, I’ll unravel and do exactly what he predicted: anything he asks.

  Andrew pulls back, his thumb making a soft sweep across my bottom lip. The sound of my breathing fills my head, followed by something else…something annoying, like my phone.

  “Oh!” I reach for my clutch with trembling hands, and rummage around before finding my cell. “Excuse me a minute.” I don’t look at Andrew as I open the text message. I need the space to pull myself together.

  It’s from Rob. We’re good. Meet me in the lobby.

  Rob. In a flash, I remember what I’m doing
here – and why I started flirting with Andrew in the first place.

  It was all just a job.

  I’ll be right out, I reply, then tuck my phone away.

  “Anything important?” Andrew asks, watching me.

  “Kind of. I have to get going,” I say, my pulse still racing from the kiss.

  He catches my hand.

  “Come upstairs with me. One more drink, in private, before the evening ends.”

  Reluctantly, I pull away.

  “I’m sorry, but I really can’t stay.” I stand before I can change my mind. “It was nice meeting you.”

  He blinks, like he can’t believe I’m really going. And before he can ask me again to stay –tempt me with that wicked mouth— I grab my purse and bolt.

  Rob meets me by the doors, and takes my elbow. “You were amazing! I got everything I need.”

  “Great,” I answer faintly, feeling totally off-balance.

  I follow him outside. “You need a ride?” Rob asks, nodding towards a parking lot down the street. “I can drop you at Callie’s.”

  “No, it’s fine. I think I’m going to walk a bit.” It’s a beautiful night, and besides, I need some time to pull myself together. My reaction to Andrew was chemical, physical. Exciting. And wrong to take further.

  “Suit yourself. Tell your cousin, she’s got competition!” He winks, then walks away, leaving me alone on the sidewalk outside the hotel.

  Thinking about the man I just met.

  I know nothing about him. Yet he intrigued me, turned me on and made me feel outside of myself.

  “You forgot this.”

  I turn. Andrew holds my scarf in one hand. It must have fallen out of my purse.

  “Oh, thanks,” I stumble, surprised to see him. I reach for it, but he pulls it back, then catches my wrist.

  “One more drink.” His low tone is a demand.

  My nipples pucker. I know what will happen if I agree. It’s foolish and risky and simply bad judgement to let him take me upstairs. I’m not that girl. Even if, maybe, I wanted to be. For one night, with him.

  “Andrew, I really have to go—”

  “Then at least let me say goodbye first.”

  His hands cup my face, pulling me into him as his lips crash onto mine. My breasts press against his hard chest, my hips sinking into his and the clash of our bodies electrifies my thoughts.

  All I want is him. This.

  I pull away, breathless yet panting. “One drink,” I agree.

  We both know it’s a lie.

  Chapter Three

  You can be anyone in a hotel.

  The moment you walk inside, you can choose to be yourself, or, if you’re daring, play out a fantasy you’ve kept tucked away. Whenever I’m inside The Drake or an equally luxe location, I get a haughty rise inside that says, yes, I belong to this wealth, this luxury, even when I clearly don’t. The inner fantasy that I’m born to this lavish lifestyle takes hold of me. For that burning moment, I’m not Juliet Evans. I’m someone important; glamorous.

  Now, as I step back through the gleaming doors, I’m transported into a new kind of fantasy, something sexier than I’ve ever dreamed. Andrew holds my hand, leading me across the lobby. My mind begins to race with a hundred questions and doubts and possible outcomes of this evening.

  I have to slash them down with a mental machete, because if I don’t, I’ll be overwhelmed and call this off before the adventure even begins.

  It’s just one drink, I tell myself. That’s what he’s offered, and that’s all I have to accept. Alcohol may be a nice gift wrap for sex, but I’m only taking Andrew at face value, so a drink is, indeed… a drink. I haven’t promised anything else, and he hasn’t asked.

  Yeah right. He hadn’t asked for those kisses, either.

  I notice people glancing our way as we walk. Andrew nods toward the right. “This way.” He begins to lead me out of the lobby to a private hallway where the elevators are located. I notice the wide staircase just before the hall. The elegant royal blue carpeting and golden rails make me pause.

  “Princess Diana walked those stairs, you know,” I comment. Royalty and celebrity have wandered the space of this building, another aspect of the history of spaces that’s always intrigued me.

  “I know.” Andrew smiles. “We’ll take them up if you like, catch the next elevator.”

  With his hand on my back, we move to the staircase, and as I grasp the brass rail in my hand, I feel like royalty myself. Sure, it’s silly, but I’m all dressed up in a beautiful dress, with a gorgeous man on my arm.

  “Hey, man—” Someone calls out in Andrew’s direction, but he doesn’t stop. Instead, his pace increases and I have the sudden thought that there is more to Andrew than I can gather on the surface. Obviously, he’s wealthy and poised, but who is he really?

  Whoever he wants to be. I remember my own stories, and smile. We’re both playing the same game here. Becoming someone else, just for the night.

  There is no wait at the elevators, and we step in, alone. As the carriage makes a soft jolt upwards, so does my pulse. I turn toward him, and look him over slowly, thoroughly.

  Andrew seems amused. “Like what you see?” He is standing with his back to the wall, his hands in his pockets, but he gives me a sideways glance and his mouth softens.

  I’m still playing a part here, but not for any assignment. This is all for me.

  “Yes,” I admit. “Very much.”

  He steps toward me and trails a finger along the V neck of my dress. I startle at the sudden contact, but easily relax into to the path of heat he’s making with his touch. Caressing the swell of my breast, his fingers skim lightly over the silky fabric, his eyes locked on mine. I concentrate on my breathing as he makes lazy work of tracing up and over the other breast, to my collarbone… the side of my neck. A light humming starts in my head as anticipation coils inside me.

  God, this man is sexy.

  Controlled in a way I’ve never had the pleasure of experiencing. Any other guy would be groping me by now, sloppy and rough, but Andrew stays a step back, watching my reaction to his touch.

  The elevator slows to a stop. And finally, when my whole body is on fire, he slides his hand around the back of my neck, cupping me possessively. Anticipating his kiss, I sway towards him, my heart racing—

  Ding!

  The doors open with a bell. Andrew drops his hand and steps back. Disappointment crashes through me. “After you,” he says, and motions me to go in front of him.

  My legs are weak, but I manage to step out of the elevator. Across a short hall, Andrew pulls a card from his wallet, and slides it into the lock.

  The door clicks open, and I follow him inside.

  Wow.

  I stop dead in the foyer. Yes, foyer – this isn’t just a room, it’s a whole suite. The wide entryway opens into a lavish sitting room, decorated in varying hues of cream and blue. Windows framed with golden draperies line the wall, and a crystal chandelier hangs in the middle of the room, glittering off the marble and gilt edging. “Is this molding original?” I gasp, moving further inside to take a closer look. I trace my hand over the walls, amazed. “This is beautiful!”

  When I turn back to Andrew, he’s watching me curiously. “You like architecture?” he asks.

  “I love it. Especially old buildings like this. You get such a sense of the history, I love imagining all the people who’ve been here before, what they did. All the stories must be incredible…” I trail off, remembering those days admiring architecture with my dad and trying not to. Because right now, I just want to enjoy this.

  Andrew moves closer. Wordlessly, he takes my jacket and clutch, and sets them on an antique side table that probably cost more than my car.

  “Are you staying here long?” I blurt again, unnerved by the heat in his eyes. “If you like classic architecture, there are a bunch of places in town you could—”

  He silences me with a kiss, slow and hot.

  Damn.


  He steps into me, his mouth finding the curve of my neck. I run my hands up his arms, over the bulge of biceps to the strong line of his shoulders. He drops small kisses along the length of my throat. Grasping the lapel of his suit coat, I pull it over his shoulders and down. His arms drop to shed the garment, his hands immediately coming back to me, cupping the back of my head in one hand, his other arm going around my waist.

  I thread my fingers into his hair as his lips find my earlobe. With a gasp, I sink into the pleasure of him nipping at the tender flesh. His hair is thick and silky, sliding between my fingers before I grab light handfuls.

  He takes a step forward, urging me back and we start a fluid dance, him walking me backward as his lips find mine again, and I fumble for the buttons on his shirt. I can barely breathe through the wicked assault of his kiss. Consumed by the heat of his mouth, I feel as if I’m falling, but Andrew holds me tightly.

  Suddenly, he breaks away, and spins me to face away from him as he steps up close behind me. The hard ridge of his erection presses into my ass, making me gasp. I sink back against him as his hands rove over my stomach and chest, teasing at the stiff peaks of my nipples.

  Instinctively, I press back, wanting more of that long, hard length against me. A low growl in my ear, a word, maybe. I can’t think straight. His hand moves over my throat, closing around it in a light caress. My pussy throbs at this dominant move and I resist the urge to clench my legs, knowing it will only make the need worse.

  He kisses behind my ear. “This is when you tell me you don’t do this sort of thing.”

  I can’t help but smile. I don’t, but he doesn’t need to know that. “I don’t… often.”

  He pinches my nipple through the silky fabric of my dress. Sensation flares to life. His thumb is caressing my chin and jaw, tracing the curve of my mouth, and I want so badly to turn around. I don’t try, because the blend of his hardness against my curves is too perfect.

  “You know,” I whisper, desperate to hang onto some thread of control. “This is when you tell me no one is waiting at home for you.”

  “No one is ever waiting for me.”

  There’s a hollow note in his voice that makes me want to turn, to kiss his lips again, but Andrew keeps me pinned against him. I feel a knot in my chest. I don’t want to know any more, though the urge to soothe him makes me want to touch his face, gently run my palm down his jaw. Instead, I, slide my hands down his thighs, the smooth rustle of expensive fabric teasing my touch as I reach back between us for his hard cock. I find the bulge and gently stroke it with my knuckles. He grinds against me, and the intimate warmth of him draws a primal need from me, so strong, so demanding that my knees go weak.