“I just bet you have,” he commented back.
Anger started to beat out her pride as she fumed at his implication and how her presence there didn’t seem to mean a thing to him. Determined to ignore him, she shifted her chair and gave her attention to Cara.
“So tell me what’s new with you. Matt hasn’t been keeping you too busy to write, has he?” Just like she hoped, Cara blushed but laughed.
“Actually I do have news,” Cara told her, then scooted closer. “I’m pregnant.” Lacey could see the happiness shining in her friend’s eyes. She threw her arms around Cara.
“Congratulations! That’s great!” Then she peeked around to Matt. “Good job!”
“Thanks. I’m still getting used to it.” Matt smiled widely and slapped Brent on the back. “Brent had to stop me from hyperventilating when she told me.”
Lacey couldn’t help but look at Brent then. He continued to stare at her with dark, brooding eyes.
Lacey looked away quickly and picked up her wineglass.
Food started to arrive at the table, and she gladly concentrated on her plate. She could feel Brent as he watched her every move.
Once the dinner was over and the live band started up, Lacey started to say her good-byes to everyone, claiming to be tired from the trip. She made plans to meet with Cara for breakfast before practically running from the table, never looking at the man across from her.
She was halfway through the room when she felt a hand grab her arm. She knew without turning around it was Brent.
The way his hand felt on her, the way her stomach jumped, and liquid pooled inside her panties, she knew he was the one who’d stopped her. Leaning into her, he whispered against her ear.
“Dance with me.”
They’d shared dances at previous conventions. She could still remember the feeling of his strong arms around her, the strength in which he held her, as he confidently led her around the floor.
Lacey wanted to refuse, tell him to go to hell, but as his arm wrapped around her waist, she let him pull her onto the dance floor.
She didn’t look up at him as he held her but gently placed her hands on his shoulders, hoping to be able to keep distance between them. Brent was having none of that and pulled her body closer until they were pressed close together.
Lacey gasped as she felt the hard sign of his arousal against her stomach but he didn’t seem to mind as he began to move to the music.
Fighting herself, Lacey stayed rigid in his arms and tried not to show that his movements, the feel of him, even his smell was turning her on. As they moved and his legs rubbed against hers, her knees weakened.
Straightening her spine, she refused to give in to the feelings.
“Look at me, Lacey.” His voice next to her ear sent shivers down her body.
Steeling herself, she looked up and tried to look indifferent.
But it wasn’t possible with those soulful eyes looking back at her. When he cupped her back of her head, she had a sudden, frightening thought that he might kiss her in front of all these people. And even scarier, she wanted him to.
His mouth began to lower to hers, and she felt her eyes began to close. Luckily his words from their last meeting flashed through her head.
She pushed at his chest able to break out of his arms. “I’m sorry, Brent, but this isn’t going to happen.” His eyes narrowed. “I’ve had you once, and I won’t make that mistake again.” With those final words, she turned on her heel and hurried towards the exit.
Lacey walked away quickly without looking back. She didn’t breathe in relief until she stood in front of the elevators. Then the air around her shifted, and she knew he was once again behind her.
Brent grabbed her arm and spun her around to face him. She gasped in surprise as he yanked her body against his.
“That was a nice shot at me back there, but I’m not finished with you yet,” he told her as he punched the elevator button.
Lacey trembled, and it wasn’t in fear, but she wouldn’t let him know that. She stubbornly lifted her chin.
“Well, I don’t really care whether you are finished with me or not—” He cut her off by pushing her into the empty elevator when the door opened. He hit another button once inside before crowding her back against the far wall of the moving machine.
Lacey put her hands on his chest in defence, but he only covered them with his own before pressing up against her. Her mouth opened in protest, and he cut her off once again, this time with his lips on hers.
The immediate taste of him made her want to swoon. He moved his hands from hers to hold her face and change the angle of the kiss, taking it deeper.
She moaned as their tongues danced in the most basic mating ritual, and her hands went around his shoulders.
He didn’t look behind him as the elevator doors opened, just pulled her out and started down the hall.
“I don’t think…” Lacey tried to get out.
Brent silenced her with a kiss and nip of her bottom lip. “That’s right—you won’t think.” he told her, opening the door to his suite and gently pushing her inside.
Chapter Three
Lacey didn’t have time to look around his large suite before Brent once again had her in his arms, pressed body to body.
“You had your turn, and now, it’s mine,” he told her right before he took possession of her mouth. And possess it he did. The kiss was hard, hot, and brutal, telling her everything he couldn’t get out in words.
Her fingers dug into his shoulders as he let his hands wander over her bare back. With her soft flesh quivering to his every touch, he knew she wanted him, but he would hear her say it.
When his fingers ran over the catch of her dress, he paused and pulled his mouth from hers.
Tilting her head back, he made her look him in the eye.
“Tell me you want me or tell me to stop. This is your only chance,” he warned her.
Lacey’s eyes widened. Her soft tongue flicked out and licked her dry lips. Brent thought he might go insane with how much he wanted her.
“Tell me!” he demanded. “Do you want me?”
Lacey nodded and leaned back towards him.
Firmly, but gently, he grabbed and held her chin. “Then tell me.” Lacey’s pretty face flushed. She once again licked her lips, and her mouth opened twice before any
sound came out. When she spoke, it was in a whisper, but it was all he needed to hear. “I want you, Brent.”
Once the words were out of Lacey’s mouth, Brent took complete control. Picking her up, he carried her into the bedroom. Placing her on her feet next to the bed, he leaned down and traced her neck, jaw, and ear with the tip of his tongue.
Lacey let her head drop back to enjoy the sensations he was causing. When he pulled the clip out of her hair, causing it to cascade over her shoulders and back, she shook it out letting it brush her sensitive and heated skin.
Lacey heard him groan as he grabbed her hair and held her head in place. Then, once again, his mouth was roaming her. Her dress fell, but she didn’t care when his mouth covered one of her hardened nipples. Holding the back of his head to her breast, she relished the pull on her bud and the scrape of his teeth.
Her legs went out from under her when he bit down. As if he anticipated it, Brent easily caught her before laying her on the bed. Her dress was left abandoned on the floor, leaving her in heels and panties.
Brent removed the heels one at a time, kissing her ankles as the shoes dropped to the floor. His hands went between her legs and moved up slowly, drawing a low moan from her.
Lacey’s legs fell apart as he moved up her body. She was open to him like she’d never been before, but she didn’t care. She was past reason and wanted him desperately.