I loved the way I felt in these clothes. Now other men were looking at me too. Not just Jonah.
I had a feeling that Jonah was a man who noticed everything. And right now, he was very aware of me.
Jonah walked by my side as we went back to the bar, complimenting me in his wry way and asking me more questions about myself.
I never once checked my phone, and when the bar started to shut down, I was surprised to see that hours had passed without my knowing. It was one a.m. We’d had so much to talk about together that I wondered why a man like him wasn’t in a relationship already.
“Well, Lexi Last Name Unknown,” he said, finally straightening up, “I have a room up here in the hotel. We could continue our conversation there.”
I considered it. My gaze drifted to his hand, where his ring finger was empty, and I couldn’t see an outline of a ring either, in case he’d taken it off earlier. He choked out laughter when he saw me doing that.
“You think I’d lie?” he asked, holding his hands out for me to inspect. They were big, manly hands.
“Just checking,” I said, placing my hands up in mock surrender. I couldn’t work out how to not be suspicious … especially when I’d grown up like I did. Except for Gramps, everyone around me had been someone I couldn’t fully trust. That kind of mentality didn’t just go away.
“So, what’s the verdict?” he asked. “If you’re nervous at all, you can leave anytime. I can respect that.”
I drank the rest of my drink in one gulp and set the glass down. I looked at the man who had so generously given me so much. His time, his attention, his care. And I realized how starved I’d been for it, how long it had been since someone had looked at me with such genuine interest.
In addition, I envied his confidence, his ease, and his power. I hadn’t had ease or power in my life. Things had happenedagainst my will, and now I was learning to let go, to let life happen. But this was one instance when I wanted to take control. I wanted things to go my way for once.
“I don’t want this night to end,” I said.
His eyes flashed like he didn’t want that either, but he waited.
“When I was changing in the restroom, all I could think of was that I’d walk out and find you gone. But you’re still here. And I don’t want to let you go. For tonight, I want you to be mine. Only mine.”
He lifted my chin, drawing my eyes up to him. “Then I’m all yours, princess.”
3
LEXI
Giving me his hand, he led the way to the elevator. Once we were inside, his hand moved to my back, his fingers rubbing circles on my lower back while the elevator rode up. He was tall, towering over me, and it sent a shiver down my spine.
“I should tell you that you could give the masseur thing a rest, but I’m liking it too much,” I said as he turned me to face him.
“Sorry to disappoint you,” he said, “but I need my hands to do this.”
He cupped my face in his palms and bent down for a kiss. His lips took mine in a kiss that was strong and soft at the same time. His fingers released my face and went around my back, drawing me to him. I relaxed against him, feeling him take control, and tingles raced down my body. It was a strong kiss, and it left me wanting more. Breathlessly, he pulled back when the elevator beeped, and the doors opened. He didn’t let go of my waist, still holding me to him as I looked out.
Luxury was everywhere—the polished doors, soft and lavish carpet, the gold accents on the wall. Jonah was wealthy all right.I wondered what it was he did again if this was the kind of place he could afford to stay in.
“Well, look at that,” he said as the long, carpeted corridor stretched out in front of us. “The elevator ride was too short.”
“Unless you were planning on getting hot and heavy in the elevator, I disagree,” I told him, stepping away and out onto the plush hallway. “It was a perfectly appropriate duration.”
He followed, looking boyish and reluctant to leave the elevator while I walked away, facing him with a teasing smile on my face.
I felt strangely confident, as though the nervous me—the mom and the responsible version of me—had stepped aside, leaving behind this woman who was bold and fearless, like the teenager I once was who had still been so optimistic.
“No,” he insisted, following me. “The perfectly appropriate duration would have let me do this,” he said, catching up to me and pushing me back gently against the wall. His hands were on either side of my head, locking me in place, and he held my gaze. The moment stretched out. “I’m sorry you were alone tonight, but,” he said, planting a kiss on my forehead, “I’m also glad”—he moved to kiss my nose—”you were alone.” He kissed me on the cheek before looking me fully in the eyes. “Because it meant I got to meet you.”
Before I could analyze his words, he put his lips to mine again. Heat surged through my body as he kissed me senseless, his lips devouring mine. Sensation spread out all over my body, sending tingles all the way down to my toes. Jonah kissed my neck, gently going down to my bare shoulder, while I threw my head back, feeling light and desperate for more.
His hands moved over the fabric of my dress, brushing against the sides and just stopping shy of my breasts. His lips paused on my shoulder, and I shivered with anticipation.
“Yes,” I breathed out, understanding why he had hesitated.
