Christina’s brow furrowed in clear disapproval. “But Maggie—”
“Don’t say it,” Maggie said tartly. “I don’t want to argue with you. Just remember that life comes in shades of gray. Let’s change the subject. Do you think the All Blacks will beat the French tomorrow?” To her relief, Connor led the conversation, steering in the direction she’d sent it. The man would be the death of her.Who was she seeing tonight?Huh!
Maggie paid the cabbie and smoothed her coat as the driver pulled out of the hotel forecourt. Nerves danced in the pit of her stomach, cinching it tight and making the thought of food impossible. She intended to tell Connor what she needed tonight, without wimping out or allowing fear to dictate her actions. They were both adults. It was time she acted like one.
Her heels clicked on the marble tiles as she strode past a dramatic arrangement of orange bird of paradise flowers and green foliage to the reception desk. Heat curled between her legs, the firm boning of the corset hugging her breasts and sending messages of lust through her sensitized body.
They said the brain was the biggest and most powerful sexual organ. That was true of her today. She’d thought about sex and Connor so much for the last few days and today in particular, it wouldn’t take much for her to explode.
She waited in the short line and stepped up to the reception desk when it was her turn. “Hi, Connor Grey said he’d leave a room key here for me to collect.”
“Ms. Drummond?” the young man asked.
Maggie refused to let her embarrassment show. Sex outside of marriage wasn’t illegal. “That’s right.”
He smiled. “Room 832. Take the elevators to the eighth floor and follow the signs. Enjoy your stay.”
Maybe she’d overreacted. There was nothing in his expression to suggest he was judging her morals. No, her guilty conscience stemmed from the fact she’d lied to her girlfriends and let them think she was involved with a married man. She hadn’t lied, but she hadn’t told the truth either. Shades of gray. And if they discovered she and Connor were doing the wild thing…
Maggie forced the fear away and smiled at the receptionist, accepting the keycard. Even though she shouldn’t stride boldly across the foyer to catch the elevator to Connor’s room, her legs kept moving. Excitement increased inside, layer upon layer until her stomach churned with both fear and exhilaration. Her fingers clenched around the handle of her leather overnight bag while the hem of her long, beige coat whispered against her stocking clad legs.
Her heart thumped in time with the beat of the canned music floating through the lobby. The elevator dinged its arrival, and she stepped inside. Two men boarded the car with her, and the audacious smiles told her she’d done a good job with her hair and make-up. Feeling confident, she returned their smiles, her alter-ego in sharp, pointy boots coming to the fore.
“Would you like to go out for a drink tonight?” one asked.
“Thanks, but I’m meeting my husband.” Amazed shock froze her smile in place. Those words had emerged so naturally. She hadn’t realized her thoughts had headed in that direction. Surely she didn’t love him? Maggie drew a sharp breath. She did.
She loved Connor.
Shaken by the realization, she took a few seconds to notice the elevator had stopped on her floor. On trembling legs, she exited, checked the directional signs and turned to the right.
Connor had made it clear permanent wasn’t for him. She nibbled her bottom lip. A sharp nip should have jolted her back to reality but now that she’d acknowledged her love, her mind wouldn’t release the thought. Heck, if she were honest, she’d been halfway in love with him before they started on theirfriends with benefitsroad.
Maggie halted in front of room 832. She fidgeted, shifting her weight from foot to foot. Maybe she should leave and ignore Connor’s note. Even as the thought formed, she trashed it. Her right hand fisted until the leather strap of her overnight bag cut into her palm.
Not gonna happen.
The truth would be good. Tell Connor she’d fallen for him and didn’t like the terms of their agreement any longer. Maybe he’d change them for her? A half laugh, half sob emerged. She knew Connor. As much as she liked him, when a woman showed possessiveness or wanted more, he cut her loose.
A film of tears shrouded her vision, and she blinked to dispel them. The way she saw it, she had two options. Walk away and pine for impossibilities or pull off the best acting of her life.
Aware of her prevarication, she slid her card key into the lock, waited for the small green light to blink and opened the door.
Showtime.
“You’re late.” Connor turned away from the window and, drink in hand, stalked to the bed. He set down his drink, the glass making a faint clink when it hit the wooden bedside cabinet. “Come here.”
Maggie blinked at the stern note in his voice. “I’m sorry.” To her dismay, her voice broke.
“No excuses.” Connor sat on the end of the bed. “Come here.”
Definitely stern. His dark expression sent a haze of emotions and desires swimming through her, and she struggled with apprehension and arousal. Slowly, she stepped toward him, her mind swirling with doubts.
When she stopped in front of him, he stared at her. For an instant, she thought his face softened, then he spoke coldly. “You have been a naughty girl.”
One moment she stood in front of him, and the next, she lay over his lap, facing the oatmeal-colored carpet. She let out a surprised shriek so startled by this turn of events, words failed her.
“Do you know what I do with disobedient girls, Maggie?”
