The Hotel Magnate's Demand

by Jennifer Rae

  He tugged at her hips, bringing her down to his face.

  He wanted to tell her to relax but he couldn’t speak. Last night had been frantic and crazy, and when he’d woken this morning he’d wondered if it were all a dream. Then he’d seen her. Her blonde hair messed up, her eyes black from make-up and the sun belting in behind her, bathing her in some weird angelic light. Naked except for the sheet she’d held carelessly to cover her breasts. Then she’d waved, and a naughty look had crossed her face, and he’d been immediately hard all over again.

  She was fun—he’d expected that. She loved sex. He hadn’t expected that. He’d known she was flirty but he’d noticed a caution in her. Whenever a man spoke to her she wouldn’t let him get too close. She often touched women when she talked, waved her hands about and lightly touched their arms when she laughed, but with men he’d noticed she was further away. Her voice was light, her laugh loud, but her body language was clear. Don’t get too close.

  Which was why, when they’d left Heaven, he’d been so surprised at her response. She’d leapt on him. She’d pushed herself into him, her lips hungry for the taste of him and her hands constantly moving over his skin. She’d made him feel bigger and stronger and so desired he’d lost his balance near that bush.

  She’d ended up on top of him and he’d wanted to wrap her in his arms and carry her home like some caveman. As if she were his. But she wasn’t his. Not really. But right now she was—and right now it was his responsibility to give her the best damn orgasm of her life. And he was going to do it. She just needed to relax.

  CHAPTER NINE

  HE SHIFTED TO kiss her thighs gently, using the time to catch his breath and allow her to relax. She moaned and moved her hips. Her lips were swollen and open to him, and all he wanted to do was feast on her again, but he had to be patient. He wanted her to remember him.

  He knew their time together wouldn’t last long. It never did, and this in particular should never have started in the first place. But it had, so now he was determined that she’d remember him as the best damn sex of her life.

  Swiftly he took her in his mouth again. He licked, then found the hard nub and sucked it gently while his tongue worked everywhere else. When she gripped the sheets tight and started to pant he knew she was close. Her hips rose up to his face...she pushed herself closer to him. Wait. Wait. Not yet.

  Still he laved her, enjoying the feel of her on his lips and the way she was now gripping his hair, trying to get him closer, moving faster. Now. She was going to burst.

  Luke gave her one last long suck before using two fingers to find that spot inside her that would make her scream. And she did scream. Loud. It was music to his ears and everything on him stood bigger and stronger and harder.

  When her hips stopped bucking he sat up to look at her. She wasn’t smiling but she looked beautiful. She used a hand to rub her face and over her hair. Blonde strands fell across her eyes and she looked so much like the old Amy of Weeping Reef. Young, carefree and in love with life Amy. And he’d done that. He’d made her feel that way—just for a moment.

  Rising up above her, he didn’t wait for her to be ready. He had to have her. Now. He slid in with force, grabbing her hips and forcing her back and forth. But she didn’t deny him. She moved and rocked and moaned and called his name and the pressure built as she started to get control of her body. She matched him. She liked the way he moved—he could tell. She was hungry for him, greedy for him, and it just made him want her even more.

  She sat up with him still inside her, her legs encircling him, her arms on his chest as his muscles moved. She watched them, watched what they were doing, and he lost it. Watching her watch made something inside his brain burst and he came without a second’s hesitation.

  For a moment everything went black, and Luke took the time to enjoy what had undoubtedly been the best sex of his life.

  CHAPTER TEN

  FOR AMY, THE next two weeks were spent in a bubble. Working hard on her new account was easier when she knew that at the end of every day she’d get rewarded. With Luke. And his insatiable appetite...for her. Her body, her pleasure. He seemed to like it all.

  He didn’t call her during the day, but whenever she felt overwhelmed or bored, or felt like talking to him, he took her calls. He answered her texts. He paid her attention—he made her feel she was someone worth listening to and it was intoxicating. He was intoxicating. And the sex...

  Amy shivered in her seat as she stared out through the plate glass window on the eighteenth floor of her work building. They were constantly hungry for each other. Every time was like the first time. He looked at her as if she was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen, and she couldn’t believe how much he fascinated her. She’d touched every muscle, every inch of skin on his body. She’d traced his tattoos with her finger, asking what each one meant.

  She usually didn’t get much of an answer, though, because touching always turned to kissing, and kissing always turned to something more. It was wild and passionate and everything she’d never had with Laurie.

  When she’d had a crush on Luke all those years ago she’d seen him as someone older, elusive and hard to pin down. Now it was different. She wasn’t attracted to his cool, calm exterior any more. She was attracted to his warmth. To the way he made her feel. Alive. Buzzing.

  She knew she shouldn’t get too into this—he’d told her that he was only home for a little while, and reminded her plenty of times that relationships didn’t work out for him because he was always travelling, but she couldn’t help it. This wasn’t just a fling—this was something else. They couldn’t be that into each other and then let it fade away because he had to leave.

  This relationship, although it was only two weeks old, felt more real than any relationship Amy had even had. She could be herself. She could expose herself and no matter what—he still wanted her. Was hungry for her. Not because he wanted to heal her or help her but just because he wanted her.

  The phone in Amy’s office made her head spin back to the computer and what she was working on. Work. She had to get back to it. She was meeting with the new clients later and they wanted to see her progress on the social media plan. Which she was nailing.

  ‘Hey, Ames—what’s up?’

  Willa. Amy’s heart beat a little faster. She’d been neglecting her friend lately. Between work and Luke, she didn’t have much time for their usual after-work drinks or lazy lunch dates. She needed to make it up to her.

  ‘Heaps, darling. Working on this social media plan—it’s hectic.’

  ‘Clearly. I haven’t seen you in so long I forget what you look like.’

  Willa’s tone was a little accusatory. Amy winced.

  ‘I know, babe, and I’m sorry. I need to see you, but I’ve just been busy...you know.’

  ‘Yeah, with work...’

  ‘Yeah.’

  ‘Definitely not with my brother.’

  Amy stilled. That beating heart stopped. She hadn’t said a word to Willa about her and Luke. She hadn’t had the chance, for one—and also, if it didn’t work out, she didn’t want Willa to be upset. But to be honest the real reason was that this thing with Luke was new. And fragile. And so good. And she didn’t want anything to touch it. She didn’t want to be talked out of it. Because it was crazy, and she knew that, but she just didn’t want to face it. Not yet.

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘I mean you have been spending a lot of time with Luke—haven’t you?’

  How the hell did she know that? Had Luke said something? Something about that idea made Amy’s head and heart swell. He must like her if he was talking to his sister about them being together. What had he said?

  ‘I...What...?’

  ‘Jess told me.’

  Jess. Of course. They’d tried to be discreet, but Jess had seen h
im at the flat. Leaving. Arriving. Jess had tried to ask Amy about it but she’d shut her down. She usually discussed everything with Jess—but she didn’t want to discuss this with her either.

  She also suspected that Jess had a bit of a crush on Luke, and although she hated to admit it she was slightly panicked by that thought. Jess was hot and fun and edgy and out there, and a part of Amy wondered if maybe Luke would prefer that, given the chance. It was a crazy thought—but Luke made her a little crazy.

  ‘He’s just popped in a few times...to talk about things. Has he been better with you?’

  Turn the conversation around. That was the best solution.

  ‘I know you’re trying to turn this around to me, Ames, but we’re talking about you. And Luke. And when he’s turning up late and leaving in the morning he’s not there to “talk about things”, is he?’

  Amy could tell Willa was a bit peeved. But she wasn’t sure why. Was it because she hadn’t told her what was going on or—worse—was it because she didn’t approve? She’d known this would happen. Other people’s opinions always affected things. That was why she hadn’t wanted this to get out yet. She’d wanted to get to know him on her own. Enjoy him on her own. But it was out now and she’d have to deal with it.

  ‘Don’t be mad, Wills.’

  ‘I’m not mad. Just confused. Why haven’t you told me? Why does Jess know and I don’t?’

  That was it. Willa was worried about their friendship. Which was crazy as Willa was the best friend Amy had ever had and ever would. They’d been through so much during that summer on Weeping Reef, and since they’d become friends again it had been as if the past eight years’ absence hadn’t happened.

  ‘Jess doesn’t know, Wills. She’s just been in the flat and seen some things and is assuming a lot. But you’re right. We need to talk. But I can’t today—I have a super-important meeting. How about drinks tomorrow night at Saints? I’ll tell you everything then.’

  Willa paused. Amy could hear her breathing. And thinking.

  ‘Okay. But don’t bail on me—or I’ll hunt you down, okay?’

  ‘Okay, I won’t. See you then, my lovely.’

  Amy hung up with a full heart. She had so much right now. A friend who loved and cared about her. A fabulous job. A great lifestyle. But for some reason it all paled when she thought of those times spent with Luke. He made her feel more alive and bright than anything else.

  She’d never been this excited about a man and she’d never let a man’s interest in her affect her other relationships or her emotions. How had Luke got under her skin so quickly? Laurie’s love had been easy and secure, and she’d always known where she stood, but with Luke it was different. Every day she wondered if it was her last with him, or if it was even going anywhere.

  And now people were beginning to talk. Maybe she needed to find out. As much as she wanted it to keep going on the way it was, perhaps it was time to find out if this thing they’d started was anything—or nothing. If anything, having this talk now might save her a broken heart—because she was pretty damn sure that even though she hated the idea of it she was falling like a stone in the ocean for Luke.

  * * *

  Luke checked his watch. She was late. He was getting used to that. She was always late. He hated it when people were late, but when it came to Amy—like everything else about her—he liked it. It added to her charm. Which was utterly stupid.

  He tried to think of something he didn’t like about her, but he couldn’t. And that was what was annoying him. Too often lately he’d been thinking about her. He’d always made a point of not contacting the women he was sleeping with. He didn’t want them to think he wanted more.

  But when she called him or texted him he couldn’t help but respond. He liked hearing her voice. He liked listening to her problems. He liked the sound of her voice. It turned him on. It calmed him down. It made him feel better. Which was why he was nervous. Letting someone else affect the way he felt was dangerous. It made him lose sight of what was going on.

  He spotted her coming down the street. Her skirt was tight and her heels were high. He loved it when she looked all professional and smart—it turned him on. But then when she was at home and in bed naked, with her hair everywhere, it turned him on as well.

  Damn, everything about her turned him on. He needed to find something about her he didn’t like. Just something small he could focus on. Because he’d realised this morning when she hadn’t texted him and he’d missed it that he was feeling a little too much for little Miss Lollipop. Big mistake.

  ‘How did your meeting go?’

  He’d barely got the words out before she landed on him. Her arms around his neck, her soft lips on his. He liked that about her. She always wanted him. Always wanted to touch him. Always showed him how she felt. It was a nice change from most of the women he met, who preferred games over real emotion. But he was supposed to be finding things he didn’t like—not things he did.

  He held her arms and pushed her back. ‘Did you win them over?’

  She smiled. He liked that too. She had a beautiful smile. Sunny...bright. Nice straight white teeth and a dimple in either cheek.

  ‘Of course I did. They love me. Why wouldn’t they? I’m amazing.’

  He liked that too. Her cheeky confidence. She never made excuses. She knew who she was and what she was and that turned him on.

  This wasn’t going well.

  ‘That’s true. You are amazing.’

  She smiled and he realised he liked her eyes as well. Caramel-brown, they were looking at him softly now and his body hardened. How the hell could her damn eyes turn him on?

  ‘But I have a surprise for you.’

  She raised an eyebrow. Yep. Turned on.

  ‘I like surprises...’

  She held his hand and rose up on her toes to kiss his cheek. This was a disaster. But he was about to give her a surprise he was sure she wouldn’t like. Then he might see another side of her. Bitchy. Moody. Inflexible.

  He pulled her to the side of the road. ‘I’m taking you for a ride.’

  She turned to where he was looking. His fully customised 1975 Harley Fat Boy sat arrogantly on the road. A motorbike. This would test her. Riding a bike with him would mess up her hair. She was wearing heels. Her skirt was too tight. She would complain. Most women did.

  Amy let go of his hand. She stepped off the kerb, her eyes trailing over the length of the bike. She reached out a hand tentatively and stroked the custom-painted tank. Luke had built the bike himself. He’d taken pains to remove everything nice on the original bike. Everything on it now was raw, pared back, and as un-pretty as he’d been able to make it. This wasn’t a show bike. It roared. It cut through the traffic like a beast. It was a hog and a pig and he loved it. But he was sure she wouldn’t.

  ‘Wow.’

  His heart sank. Was that a sarcastic ‘wow’? He had wanted to pick her up on the bike today so he’d see that bad side of her, but now that she’d said it he realised he was a little disappointed.

  ‘You don’t like it?’

  She turned to him. ‘It’s magnificent. It’s so...you. Are you going to let me ride on it with you?’

  Luke’s heart stopped. She liked it. She wanted to ride it with him.

  He should have known. That reckless, carefree Amy was still in there. All locked up behind her power suits and bravado—but she was still there. Still looking for new adventures.

  His blood bubbled. She wanted to ride and he wanted to show her. He wanted her to feel the way he did on a bike. When his mind clicked off and the wind and the speed made his heart race and he felt fearless and immortal. She’d love that.

  But this was supposed to frighten her. She was supposed to complain. This was supposed to be the thing he didn’t like about her. She’d surprised him once again. And it
turned him on.

  If it wasn’t for all the people walking along the street right now he’d rip that tight skirt right off her, lay her on his bike and show her how much he liked her right here.

  The beast she’d awakened in him growled and he beat it down with a whip. His attraction to her was getting dangerous and it had already been two weeks. It was time for him to move on, get distracted, feel suffocated. But he hadn’t yet. And that was irritating him. Maybe it was just because he wasn’t working all day long. Usually he had that to focus on.

  ‘The helmet will mess your hair up—just warning you.’

  She stepped closer, her hands on his chest, and looked up at him. ‘I’m not scared of getting my hair messed up.’

  ‘What are you scared of, then?’

  Her eyes flicked from one of his to another. She was thinking about her answer.

  ‘I’m scared of lots of things, but not when I’m with you.’

  Her answer was quiet and her voice had changed. He felt it, stabbing right in his heart. Another thing he liked. She liked him. But that was exactly the thing he shouldn’t like.

  ‘We’ll see about that. I’ve heard it’s pretty scary on the back of my bike.’

  She smiled and reached around to the back of her skirt. There was a long zipper there that she zipped right up. She took the helmet from his hands and put it over her head. She fumbled with the clasp, so Luke reached out and did it up for her. He didn’t want her to hurt herself if she fell off. Which she wouldn’t. He was an excellent rider.

  He took her handbag and stuffed it in his saddlebag. He really pushed it down but she didn’t complain. She just raised an eyebrow as he hauled himself on to the bike. She didn’t even ask any questions. She just slipped off her shoes, shoved them into the bag as well and climbed on the back.