After she hung up she scuttled to the bathroom to do some kind of emergency work on her hair. Two minutes into it she gave up. Pete was going to have to see her in her ‘raw’ state. The other night she’d been decked out in a full on seduction number, hoping to catch Rocco’s eye.
It seemed she had. But he wasn’t going to do anything. She had yet to get to the bottom of that, but she bet it was because he thought she was too young, too much his best friends’ little sister...
Pete Boulder might just be the man she needed to help Rocco see that she’d all grown up. Hopefully the photographer would still think she had potential despite her student-on-the-run gear and straggly hair.
Her mouth drooped a little. Did she really think she could make it as a model? Did she really even want to? What Logan had said had resonated—she knew it wasn’t easy or glamorous.
But she squared her shoulders. Too bad whether she wanted to or not, she needed money fast.
Desperate times called for desperate measures.
Chapter Five
ROCCO QUICKLY TRIED to read over the copy his assistant had prepared for him. Least he could do was sign it off so the woman could get home and not worry about it all night. But he wasn’t concentrating.
All his attention had been sucked up by Dani. He figured the fastest way to kill her crush was to get her to hate him. But damned if he wanted to do that to her. She’d had enough of a rough day as it was. He’d winced when Logan had shredded her. She’d cleared out just at the point when he’d been about to interrupt and tell his friend to go a little easier.
He remembered when she’d been a skinny termagant, shrieking at her mother years ago because she didn’t want to go back to boarding school. Logan had reckoned they were crocodile tears. Rocco hadn’t been so sure. Logan hadn’t been around much then, and even when he was, he’d been preoccupied with his own issues—much as he was now. So how would he have known?
Nothing was as it seemed in that house. The superficially perfect home hid utter unhappiness. He’d recognized her genuine distress—and its source. He knew what it was like not to be wanted. To have your presence merely endured. And ultimately, to be pushed away.
After his father died, his mom had met Bill who she’d hired to manage the family restaurant. They’d married horribly soon. Rocco’s mom had stepped back from the restaurant, had a couple of boys.
But Bill hadn’t liked the permanent reminder of his wife’s first husband. It was bad enough that the restaurant was named after him. But the place was so successful Bill couldn’t change that. But he could change the family line-up.
Rocco’s presence had barely been tolerated by Bill from the beginning. And in the end the bastard forced Rocco’s mom to make her choice.
She had.
Rocco went out on his own the day he turned thirteen. Roughing it for a while before Connor and Logan stepped in and became the brothers he’d lost. Not that their parents had liked it. Old man Hughes was ruthless. He demanded the best, accepted nothing less, no matter the situation.
Rocco sighed and headed back upstairs, summoning self-control. He could handle Dani. And himself.
He liked sex but desire didn’t rule him. Sure, he’d enjoy a one-nighter when he needed a screw to ease off the strain. He wasn’t as voracious as Logan, but who was? He picked up a willing woman in a bar and went back her hotel room for a few hours. Invariably he targeted women who were only in town for a few days. Though never a guest in his own hotel. Never a female associated with any of his friends.
Logan and Connor were more than friends, they were now the only family he had. And Rocco always abided by the brotherhood code—mates before dates, friends before fucks.
Dani wasn’t a date, definitely not a contender for anything more or less. She was utterly out of bounds.
Two minutes later he walked into his ominously quiet suite and cursed long and loud.
She was utterly out of the room.
Cursing more beneath his breath, he headed straight down to reception. “You seen Dani—my guest—leave here?” he asked the guy on reception, knowing his staff had all had a good, long look at her when he’d brought her in. Word would have travelled at warp speed that he’d ensconced her in his suite.
“I believe she’s in the bar.” The guy briefly glanced up at him, then was palpably relieved when he had to answer a phonecall.
She wasn’t even fucking legally allowed to drink. What did she think she was doing—going to the bar to meet someone?
Rocco strode into the bar, blinking a few times to adjust to the dimmer light. Who’s dumb idea had it been to create such an intimate mood in the place?
Oh yeah. His.
He stalked past private nooks, peering as discreetly—yet efficiently—as possible.
Two seconds later he lurched to a halt. It was like a knee to the balls. She had met someone. Worse, that someone was male. Rocco glared through narrowed eyes and recognized the bastard.
Like bloody hell.
He stalked up behind her and plucked the champagne flute from her hand. “I’ll take that, thanks Princess.”
He felt her turn towards him, but he was too busy out-staring the man she’d been talking to.
Pete Boulder’s eyebrows soared to within a whisker of his hairline. “Rocco. Good to see you.”
Rocco took a mouthful of her drink, paused a second and then swallowed the sweet lemonade. “Didn’t know you were headed back to Manhattan so soon,” he said to Pete.
He shot Dani an annoyed look and handed her glass back to her. Somehow the fact that she hadn’t been drinking alcohol pissed him off all the more. So did the fact that she’d done her hair and something to her eyes. And there was gloss on her full lips.
She’d prettied up for Pete-the-Pervert Boulder?
“No rest for the wicked.” Pete smirked.
Yeah, Pete was absolutely wicked. Vile in fact. And he wasn’t getting near Dani.
“Indeed.” Rocco watched as Dani placed her lemonade on the table with an arctic expression. She wasn’t impressed? That made two of them.
“You still wanting to use the Silk Room as a backdrop to one of your portfolio shoots sometime?” He turned his attention back to Pete.
“You’re finally agreeing?” Pete’s eyebrows rose again.
“Seems so.” Rocco would offer anything to get this creep away from Dani. “Call my assistant to set up a time that suits.” He glanced at his watch in an exaggerated gesture. “I need to get Dani to her brother now.”
He slung his arm along her shoulder at the exact moment she stiffened. “Come on, Princess. Don’t want the carriage to turn into a pumpkin. See ya, Pete.”
He left with that image of Pete’s smirk burned in his brain.
What the hell had she been thinking?
But Dani was unusually silent as she walked with him across the lobby and into the elevator. It was only once the doors closed and they were alone that she turned on him.
“I didn’t need you to come rescue me.” She shot daggers with those fierce blue eyes. “I told you, I’m all grown up.”
“You don’t need—”
“I turned him down.”
Turned him down for what? Rocco’s blood boiled. “He tried it on?”
“Ugh.” She wrinkled her nose. “The man only has sex with his camera.”
Is that what she thought? Was she that naive? Dear lord, the guy had been salivating.
“The only way he wanted to shoot me was naked,” she said, jabbing the button for the fourth floor as if it would make the elevator move faster.
“Wanted to know if I was as adventurous as my brother.”
“You said no?”
The elevator doors opened on his floor.
“Of course I said no. I’m not stupid.” She stalked ahead and turned, impatiently waiting for him to open the door. “You’re as bad as Logan, not trusting me.”
“You said you’d stay in my room.”
“I said I wouldn�
�t leave the hotel. And I didn’t.” She marched into the room and kicked off her boots. “No one thinks I can make sensible decisions for myself.”
“That’s because you don’t make sensible decisions. Isn’t this proof of that?”
“That’s because I’m forced into action. They don’t want to know. Won’t listen. Won’t let me talk.”
“But Pete Boulder for fuck’s sake. Surely you know his reputation?”
“Of course I do. I know he makes people famous.”
“Why do you want to be famous?” And for what? It didn’t add up, this was the girl who’d always run away from all that stuff. Hell, she’d run away from the party the other night. Though he’d wondered if he’d been the only guest to notice the fact.
“I don’t. I just want to make some money.”
“You come from one of the wealthiest families in America.”
“I have no money of my own. Or none that I can access right now. The only way I can gain control of my life is to control everything. Especially money. My father just blocked my cards as a way to control me. I can’t let that continue.”
Rocco sighed. “I get it. But you don’t want to model with that guy as the photographer—”
“I don’t want to model at all,” she snapped. “I just thought it would be a fast way of getting enough money to get on with my life.”
“Then why did you have that slanging match with Logan about it?” Rocco struggled to simmer down.
“Because he was trying to control me as much as my father does. He wouldn’t listen.”
That had been true. Logan had just wanted her out of there. “Yeah but did you have to be so bone-headed about it?”
“Did he?”
Rocco ran his fingers though his hair and rubbed at the back of his neck. It was a fair point. “Look.” He huffed out a breath and glanced at his watch. “You need dinner. I need dinner. Let’s have dinner.”
It should be here already.
They’d eat. He’d let her talk. He’d listen. He might even be able to help her. He got that she had no control right now and yeah, he didn’t think it was fair either.
He went to the counter and pulled a bottle of iced water from the bar fridge. He twisted the cap and turned back towards her, catching a sight of her just as she—
“What are you doing?” he demanded.
His fingers snapped and the cap shot across the room. She’d taken off her merino sweater. But as she’d done so, the thin tank-top she wore underneath had ridden up. One of the skinny shoulder straps had fallen south—exposing skin. Too much skin. And there was no bra on beneath that skimpy thing?
She glanced over at him, frozen in the act of flinging that sweater to the sofa. “What?”
“Your top.” He practically wheezed. “It’s ridden up.”
“Isn’t it ironic.” Her eyebrows lifted. “All he wants is me naked. All you want is me covered from head to toe.”
“Yeah. Covered. Now.”
“But I’m hot,” she challenged.
He knew that already. He glared at her. She sent the smallest, sassiest smile back.
“Cover. Up.”
The knock at the door startled them both.
“Room service.”
Rocco didn’t move. He kept glaring at her—pointedly. So he saw the moment the idea hit her—the sudden spark that glinted in her eye. Wicked, irrepressible amusement.
She was at the door before he could blink. She flung it open with a breathless laugh. All that luminous skin was still showing—in fact more was. She’d let the strap fall further.
“Rocco, you’re so impatient.” She laughed at him over her shoulder before turning to face the waiter, nothing short of nubile energy. “I thought you wanted to eat first?”
The waiter, generally too cool to smile, stood stock still. Scarlet flooded his face, his mouth hung ajar for three seconds too long.
Rocco wasn’t having him look at Dani like that. And he wasn’t having her think she could score a point without retribution.
“On the table as usual, please Jax,” he ordered coolly.
He quickly walked over to her before she had the chance to dart out of reach. He wrapped his arms around her from behind, sliding his hands over her stomach before gripping her waist and spinning her to face him. Her startled squeak made his muscles bunch. He hauled her against him so hard her soft, unconfined breasts flattened against his chest.
His already awake cock stiffened so quick it was painful.
So close. So good.
“You really are a minx, aren’t you?” he muttered. “You’ve gone too far this time.”
Chapter Six
TOO FAR? Rocco was the one who’d gone too far. He was like some over-zealous prison guard, holding her too tight, too close for too long.
And she was loving it waaaay too much.
She hadn’t realized just how much bigger and stronger than her he was. Her already weak body was now melting at the discovery. But judging by that glint in his eye? This wasn’t for pleasure, this was payback for her lame little tease.
She looked down, not wanting him to see how much his touch affected her.
“You can let me go now,” she said, clenching her hands into fists so she wouldn’t rub her fingers all over his pecs like she itched to. “He’s gone.”
His grip didn’t loosen any, which secretly pleased her. Could he feel how fast her heart was racing? How tense parts of her were? How ready?
“You didn’t tip him,” she added vaguely, trying to act normal. Like she wasn’t burning up, about to do something that she’d definitely regret. “And you’ve made your point.”
Rocco had rejected her once already today. She didn’t need to go for total humiliation by throwing herself at him.
But he was rigid, had spread one hand firmly on her butt, holding her right there against his outrageous erection.
Maybe this wasn’t all about payback.
She couldn’t breathe because when she did, her tight nipples pressed harder against his hot chest. She didn’t dare move. She didn’t want him to move.
He didn’t. Nor did he answer.
She got the courage to lift her chin and look into his eyes again. This time the glint was brighter, harder. Wicked.
Then she felt it. His hand at her waist slid around to her side and trailed higher. His thumb stroked almost idly. A sweep up towards her ribcage.
The smallest spasm hit. Insane pleasure.
She felt his muscles tighten against her. He pushed her very slightly onto him. In reflex she squeezed her most intimate muscles. Her nerves tightened, seeking closer contact. In a flash she ached for the ultimate release.
“I guess you’re happy to see me?” she tried to joke but her mouth had dried and made her voice all croaky.
“One part of me is always happy to see you,” he answered, equally rough. “Just as part of you is always happy to see me.” He applied more pressure, rocking her against him.
“And the rest of you?” she asked, breathlessly trying to retain focus.
“Not happy at all.” He met her gaze intently, brutally. “You need to have dinner. Go to bed. Alone.”
“You say that while rubbing your hard-on against me?” she said. “You really think we can resist this?”
Because she couldn’t. She’d do anything he wanted, right here, right now.
And he knew it.
“We have to,” he said. “So don’t tease me, because I’ll tease you right back.”
“But what if I like your tease?” Her cheeks burned at her boldness. But it was the truth.
She heard his muttered oath and shivered.
“If you don’t want this,” she said. “You’d better let me go.”
“Stop talking.”
Her eyes widened as she read the expression in his—the barely leashed emotion. Instinct told her to push on. To taunt.
To provoke.
“No. I’m going to stay up all night and talk to you.” Sh
e uncurled her fingers and spread them wide on his chest. So hot.
She felt the rough jerk of his arm hauling her closer. Startled, yet exhilarated she lifted her chin to maintain eye contact. But he moved his head in a quick, angled descent. She felt the merest brush of his lips. Her heart seized, she lifted her chin, needing more.
He’d kissed her. Rocco had actually kissed her. But it was far too freaking quick. She breathed in as the disappointment stabbed. For a split second she met his eyes.
Anger flashed.
But before she could think, he kissed her again.
She gasped as his mouth crushed hers. Not gentle. Not brief.
This was what she’d wanted. Rocco holding her so close she couldn’t breathe. Closer still. Devouring.
She opened up and let him. Then sought out what she needed—to discover him. His taste, his heat. She spread her hands, learning the scope of his shoulders. She rose on tip-toe to wind her arms round his neck, pressing her tight, needy nipples harder against him. Thrust her hips in an instinctive dance. She couldn’t get close enough.
He helped. His arms hauled her in tight, yes. But they held. He swept one hand over her curves, rubbing as he drew her closer and closer still, rocking her against him in time to the possessive rhythm of his tongue.
Oh yes.
Lust launched her straight into the heart of a firestorm. She kissed him. Kissed again and again, her tongue tangling with his. But he claimed dominance. Plundered her mouth the way she ached for his cock to take her body, until she melted utterly. Surrendering it all, she let him meld her against his rigid body. Curling her fingers into his hair, she opened up, pouring her energy, her soul, into the kiss. Because he touched so much more than her body.
And she moaned, giving in to the desire to let him inside. All the way. Any which way. She craved for him to take her.
He stiffened. Not in a good way. Abruptly he lifted his mouth from hers.
Suddenly wary, she pushed out of his arms. He released her immediately. He looked—shocked.
“Don’t do this because you think my ego is wounded because Pete said I was too soft in the body to be good for anything other than tittie pictures,” she said, offense her only defense.
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