by Jane Jamison
By the time they’d made it to the private elevator that would take them to the top floor of the hotel, she was ready to burst with excitement. As soon as they’d stepped inside and Roman had inserted his private key to send them flying upward, she couldn’t hold back any longer. Thankfully, she didn’t have to.
Roman grabbed her and pushed her against the mirrored wall. He kissed her neck then pulled the silk blouse she’d save over a month to buy and planted quick nibbles along her shoulder.
“You are so beautiful,” he whispered in her ear.
She shivered and arched her breasts, pushing against his chest. A few quick tugs and she’d have the shirt open, exposing the hard pecs and tanned skin she knew would be there. Tunneling her fingers beneath the material on both sides, she was just about to yank them apart when he took her wrists and jerked her arms above her head.
His silver-gray eyes held all the mischief in the world. “Not yet, baby.”
“I need to touch you.”
His craving for her showed in his wicked smile. “Don’t worry. You’ll touch me all over.”
She barely had time to catch a breath before he crushed his mouth to hers. His tongue swept into her mouth on a fast trip. The kiss, however, lasted all too briefly, but she didn’t complain when he put his lips to her neck and pressed his palm against her breast.
She was really going to do it. Although not a virgin, she wasn’t sexually promiscuous. The times she’d had sex could be counted on her fingers.
His thumb kneaded her hardened nipple as she turned her head to the side and offered him easier access to her throat. Suddenly, she found herself wanting him to bite her, not in the way he’d done before, in quick nibbles, but harder, giving her stings of pain.
The elevator chimed as it arrived at the penthouse. With a groan, he pushed away from her. “We’re here.”
The doors opened into a huge foyer that would’ve dwarfed the one in her suite. A sparkling crystal chandelier hung overhead while the walls were decorated with fine pieces of art. Her gaze slid over a magnificent painting—is that a Matisse?—as he opened the door into the penthouse.
She was so stunned by the expanse of the room that her jaw dropped. “Holy crap.” Realizing what she’d said, she hurried to correct herself. “I mean, wow.”
He chuckled and walked across the luxurious silver carpet. The room was magnificent, decorated subtly with silver and gold furnishings. Splashes of blues, greens, and reds gave the background pop, but it was the floor-to-ceiling windows spanning the vast length of the room that caught her attention. As she’d done when she’d first seen her suite, she walked toward the windows and pressed her palms against the glass.
“And I thought my suite had a view.”
“The penthouse takes up the entire top floor.” He shrugged as though everyone lived in such a spectacular place.
“And this is all yours?” She blushed. “Duh. Of course it is.”
“Do you want a tour of the place? There are two living areas, two chef kitchens, and four bedrooms. I could have the chef prepare a meal first.”
She’d love to see every inch of the place, but there were different inches of landscape she’d rather see first. “Maybe later?”
“Good answer.” He reached out his hand for her to take. “Come with me.”
She nodded and took his hand. Her head was still spinning when he walked her to ceiling-high double doors and pushed them wide. The bedroom was the size of her entire apartment back home. An enormous bed that had to be twice the size of a regular king-sized bed dominated the area. Lush blue-silver colors gave a comfortable yet vibrant hue to the room.
“This is—”
She never finished her sentence. Roman kissed her and carried her to the bed. His aroma assaulted her nostrils, filling her with a need to breathe in deeply. She sighed as he lowered her to the bed.
Her sigh changed into a gasp as he pulled her arms above her head. Taking her wrists with one hand, he suspended his body over hers. He searched her as though attempting to not only hear but to see her thoughts.
“How did you come to me, baby?”
She frowned, confused. “I don’t understand.”
“I’ve never met anyone like you in my lifetime.”
He wasn’t much older. “Because you’ve lived a long time? Maybe a whole thirty-something years?”
“Yes and no. I’m actually much older than I look.” He dipped lower and nibbled on the corner of her mouth.
In some ways, he was right. He was more confident, more successful than anyone her age. And yet, there was a sweetness about him, not only in his boyish face but in an integral part of him. His body was hard and toned like a fine athlete, a true man’s body.
“Talk to me, baby. Tell me about yourself.” He gave a little shove at her wrists, his hand covering the bracelet, signaling her to keep her arms above her head. Again, he kissed her shoulder as his hands became busy with her buttons.
“My life is boring.” Was boring. Until you.
“Nothing about you is boring.” He parted her blouse and skimmed a fingertip along the top of her bra. “Tell me.”
Did he really expect her to be able to talk while his hands and lips were on her? She would’ve said so, but she wanted to please him.
“I’m from Dayton, Ohio.”
“Yes,” he murmured. His tongue skimmed over the edge of her bra, trailing a wet line along her breasts.
Heat swamped her, rushing into her as though she’d jumped into the middle of a vat of boiling water. She was swallowed whole by the very nearness of him.
“Do you have a man?”
“No.” Even if she’d been involved, she would’ve said no man existed. If he had, their relationship would’ve been over the moment Roman took her.
“Then the men in Ohio are idiots.”
She preened under his compliment. “Yeah, they are.”
“Do you work?”
“I work in an insurance company as an assistant. I’m nothing important.” Her life had seemed mundane before. After meeting him, she realized now how incredibly desolate her life was. How would she ever return to a life without excitement? How would she ever return to a life without him?
She’d been a nothing, just one woman in a world of so many others. He made her feel as though she was something. Meaningful. Important.
He stopped so suddenly she was afraid she’d made him angry. “Never say you’re not important. You’re incredible, invaluable. Do you hear me, baby? Never say you’re not important.”
He was so intense, so insistent. She nodded, hoping to appease him more than to agree.
“Good.” Moving back, he rested on his calves and placed his palms on his thighs. With one swift tug, he yanked his shirt apart as she’d wanted to do and tossed it aside.
She’d known he’d be fit with muscles clearly defined, but he was more than simply toned. His shoulders were wider than she’d ever noticed, the collarbone looking like the spread wings of a great bird. His pectoral muscles jerked as he moved his strong arms, working on first his belt and then the button of his slacks. Her gaze was drawn lower by the firmly packed abdomen and the motion of his hands. He was a woman’s wet dream and about to show her what all women yearned for.
Wow.
She sucked in a breath. Had she said it out loud? And yet, even if she had, she couldn’t have found words to describe his fully erect cock any better.
Had she ever found a penis beautiful before? The answer had to be no. Until now, she’d kept her gaze averted to the man’s chest or arms or anywhere other than there. She found herself studying Roman’s cock, committing it to memory to bring up later to enjoy when she was once again a lonely single girl.
He lifted one leg then the other and removed his slacks. Socks were pulled off and discarded, leaving him completely nude.
“Do I meet with your approval, princess?”
She would’ve laughed if anyone else had called her princess, but coming from h
im, it seemed right. Almost as though the title fit. “Damn straight you do.”
He laughed then caught her behind the neck and brought her mouth to his. He lavished his attention on her mouth, distracting her at first from noticing the quick work he made of her bra. She fell back when he released her and tried to cover her breasts, but he shook his head.
“No, princess, keep your arms above your head.”
She did as he ordered. If she was a princess, then he was a king.
Planting light kisses between her breasts, he massaged them then worked his way downward. Her silk skirt came to her waist as he moved it out of his way. His lips floated over her stomach. He paused and flicked his tongue into her bellybutton and then in a slow circle around it before sinfully easing her panties down. Then down again until, at last, he took them from her. Her body quivered, and she clenched and unclenched her hands, wishing she could bury her fingers in his hair.
“Put your arms beside you.”
She was happy to do so. Gazing at him poised above her mons, she lowered her arms. Taking his belt, he wrapped the soft leather around one wrist then above the bracelet on the other. With his gaze locked to hers, he tightened the loop.
His wicked grin was back, his gaze still with hers, as he scooped her legs over his broad shoulders and lowered his head.
“Oh, shit,” she whispered.
A chuckle of warm breath cocooned her mons. A moment later, the way the breath had felt was forgotten as Roman put his mouth against her pussy lips.
As she’d done before, she silently begged him to kiss her again. But on her other lips.
Please. Kiss me there.
Taking his time—is he trying to torture me?—Roman licked around her bare mons then skimmed his way to the soft spot between her leg and her crotch. His touch was light yet elicited strong sensations. His murmur against her skin couldn’t be understood yet said everything she’d ever wanted to hear.
At last, he parted her folds and let his tongue dance its way over and around her clit then down to her entrance. Her breaths came in ragged puffs, her heart pounding against her chest, demanding to be set free to soar. Her fingers laced together in an effort to keep from reaching down and grabbing a lock of his hair. She wouldn’t do anything to interrupt his progress.
He sighed, matching her own feeling, as his tongue flattened against her clit. Her nub burned with his touch and ached for her release.
“Please, Roman.”
He said something again that she didn’t understand or care about. As long as he gave her the relief she needed, he could say anything he wanted. Now was not the time for sweet words. Now was the time for him to give her what she hungered for.
One finger then another entered her sheath. He sucked on her clit, tugging it into his mouth, holding it with his teeth. She cried out as her body’s internal burn flamed higher. She was being torn from the inside out and loving each minute.
She closed her eyes and enjoyed the rush of sensations he gave her. Filled with a need beyond anything she’d ever experienced, she couldn’t wait until he plunged his cock inside her.
The climax took her fast and hard, wiping the breath from her. Surprise morphed swiftly into exaltation, leading into more emotions than her mind couldn’t handle. Her moan grew into a cry, her hands reaching for him, needing him to keep her in this world.
When he sat back on his calves again and brushed her hands away, her cry of release slid into a cry of sorrow. She needed to hold him, to feel his skin under her fingers. “Roman, give it to me.”
“And what would that be, princess?”
She growled, low and mean, letting her frustration flow out of her. “Damn it. You know what I mean.”
He laughed then, all at once, gripped her legs and lifted them higher, bringing them over his shoulders. Her butt was off the bed, her body bent at an angle.
“All you had to do was ask.” A muscle clenched in his jaw as he rammed his cock deep inside her pussy.
He filled her completely, stretching her. The friction took her to another level, a second climax racing toward its culminating height.
Again, she reached out for him. Instead of brushing her hands away again, he took hold of the belt and tugged her arms toward him. She tightened her legs against his neck, trying to pin him as he’d done her, but he was still the one in control.
His body moved magically, like a dancer who knew every move by heart. Her arms pushed her breasts together and drew his hand to her nipple. He pinched and twisted, giving her zings of sweet pain that spiraled inside of her to mix with the swirling need working outward from her core.
“Let it go again, princess.”
He’d been in control of her before now, but with the sound of his voice, the next orgasm burst from her. She brought her bound hands to her other breast and squeezed then reached out again, needing to touch him. But her fingertips could only graze the soft hair leading to his crotch.
She screamed this time until her throat ached. Roll after roll of passion flew from her as she rode the sweeping orgasm.
“I have to taste you again.” Roman thrust her legs off his shoulders and, coming to her side, bent over her to place his head between her legs. He slurped at her cream, sighing every so often.
She had no energy to move even if she’d wanted to. If she could’ve made a wish, certain that it would come true, she would’ve wished to stay right where they were, with Roman between her legs. Bringing her arms above her head again, she concentrated on the sounds of his thirst.
Roman lifted his head and smiled at her. Her juices formed a film around his mouth, but it was gone as he wiped it away with the back of his hand.
She smiled in return. If nothing else happened in Vegas, if he demanded the bracelet back and led her out of his penthouse, she would still be forever happy she’d gone to bed with him. He was the reason she’d come there, the reason she’d vowed to do things she’d never dreamed of doing.
“I know this is cliché and corny as hell, but I have an overwhelming urge to ask you.” He brushed the hair away from her face.
“Ask me what?”
He chuckled and fell to her side. “Was it as good for you as it was for me?”
She rolled over so she could look directly into his face. “Better.”
“Hmm. Then to quote a very wise woman…wow.”
“You can untie me now.”
“And if I don’t want to? If I want to keep you prisoner?”
For only a second, she was sure his eyes had flashed red. She blinked, and his silver color had returned.
“Would you treat me well, oh, master?”
“You tell me. Haven’t I already treated you like a princess?”
“Yes. So I’m a captive princess?”
“Only if you want to be.”
She gave it consideration but decided to give her wrists a break. “Maybe later.”
“Later for sure.” He undid the belt and let it fly to the floor. “How about some food?”
Just as he started to get up, she took hold of his arm—his very strong, powerful arm—and held him down. “It’s your turn.”
He glanced downward. “Really? Great.”
She playfully slapped his shoulder. “I meant that it’s your turn to tell me about you.” One look, however, told her he would’ve been ready to go again. But so fast?
“Urgh.” He flopped onto his back and curled her against him. “Now there’s a boring story.”
“Oh, sure. Rich, sexy playboy living in Vegas. Yeah, it’s got to be a real snoozer. Come on. It’s only fair. I told you about me, so now it’s your turn.”
“You didn’t tell me much. Just that you live in Dayton and work in an insurance company. Oh, yes, and you don’t have a boyfriend or husband.”
He was right. But then again, he’d asked at a time when it had been really difficult to answer. “Fine. I’ll tell you more, but it’s still boring. I was born and raised in Dayton with my loving parents, Jim and Dorris
. I have one older sister, Chandler, and a younger brother named Braden. You met my best friend, Shirley. I work, I go out with friends a couple of nights a week, and have dinner with my parents every Sunday night. Like I said, it’s all very boring.”
And yet he was hooked on every word she said. “Your turn.”
“Okay. I was born in Rome, Italy.”
“Really? Is that why your parents named you Roman? I bet the kids at school had a field day with that.”
“My name wasn’t anything special. Lots of boys were named Roman.”
“But you don’t sound Italian.”
“What can I say? I pick up dialects very quickly. Besides, I’ve been in the States for ten years.”
“Got it.” She was fascinated. Already his life made hers sound even more ho-hum. “Go on.”
“I inherited money from my parents, and with a lot of work and luck, I built an empire of hotels.”
“So you own more than this hotel?”
“Many more scattered around the world.”
Everything he told her was wonderful, but she wanted to know more. “Tell me something really personal. Do you have a girlfriend or wife?”
His eyes clouded over for a second. “I did have a wife, but she died a few months after we were married.”
“Oh. I’m so sorry.” She was sorry he’d suffered a loss and even more that she’d asked the question. Jealousy hit her, followed quickly by shame for feeling jealous of a dead woman.
“Since Angelina’s death, I haven’t been involved with anyone else.” He palmed her cheek, the gesture touching her heart. “Until now, I haven’t wanted to.”
Until now. She’d never thought of those words being so sweet.
“Any other questions?” His eyes brightened again, pushing away the sadness.
“Sure. Who’s your best friend?”
He frowned as though she’d caught him off guard. “I’m not sure I have one.”
“What? You don’t have a best friend? Everyone has a best friend.” As soon as the words left her mouth, she wanted to call them back. “I mean, you go out with people, right? Other powerful, successful men?” And women? But she didn’t want to go there.