“It’s okay. I’m sure whatever I just took works.” She glances at the black box. “It’s not your fault.” She gives me a plastic smile. It’s brittle and fake, and I hate it.
“You deserve better than me,” I tell her honestly. “And better than him. Out there is a man who can love you the way you deserve to be loved. You are a gem, Selena. Don’t forget that. Now, come on. I’m going to take you to my suite. We’ll have a shower and a nap before the sun comes up. Sound good?”
She nods again, overwhelmed.
When we are decent, I press the payment button on the app, covering the meal and the time. I open the curtains and escort her through the bar, which is now fairly silent, most of the beds concealed by their own privacy drapes.
She's quiet on the walk to the elevator. We aren't lovers going back to our room; we’re strangers who had one really amazing fuck that ended in a medical emergency. That's all I was looking for tonight, but I feel a strange pang of regret. If I had been with a woman who frequented Madam’s, she'd be smiling and bouncing all over me, hoping for a tip or a favor.
The women I usually sleep with aren't whores, but none of them turn down the gifts I offer. If any of them had rocked myworld as completely as Selena did, I would be buying them a car tomorrow.
I watch Selena as we ride the elevator up three flights. I lean over and kiss her softly on the lips, just because I think she needs it.
“This is a lot to process,” she says, offering me another weak smile. “But you’re amazing. Thank you for such a nice evening.”
“You’re the remarkable one, Selena. Tonight has been lovely,” I assure her. “You are perfect.”
The elevator doors slide open. I press my hand to the small of her back, guiding her down the hall to the double doors at the end. There are only four suites on this level. I swipe my key card and push the door open.
Selena’s mouth drops open.
The suite is opulent—floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the skyline, Italian marble floors, and a bed big enough to sleep a family of five.
“You rented this room just for the night?” Her awe is as innocent as the rest of her.
“It’s my usual room. I rent it whenever I come.” I turn her to me and kiss her forehead. “Do you want a shower? We can wash the night off us.”
I worry it sounds like I want to washheroff me, but nothing could be further from the truth. Honestly, I’m hoping she’ll let me have her again. Standing this close to her is making me hard all over again. Taking a shower together might prove that I’m still very much into her.
“Sure, if that’s what you want. I can take a shower after you.”
She’s all polite Midwestern girl charm now. She knows how to put on a church-face. She can hold someone's attention with a pleasant mask while hiding the turmoil underneath.
I'm not surprised. I showed her my true colors—careless, dangerous—and they obviously disturbed her. But I’m selfish. I don’t want this to be our last interaction.
“I thought maybe we might shower together. It’s big enough for two, and I want to wash you. I’ve probably left you a little sore, so I want to take care of you.” I rub my hand down her arm. “I get the feeling that you’re a tad regretful, so I want you to know that tonight was very special to me.”
“How could it be?” She bites her lip again.
I take a deep breath. “This isn’t your world. I know that. I’m pretty sure I’m only the second man you’ve ever been with. You are an angel that fell into hell... but hell is fun, Selena. I hope you had a good time. I might be a monster, but I can be nice for a few more hours.”
I give her a soft, sensuous kiss, and she melts against me.
“Okay. I’d love a shower.” Finally, her real smile returns.
I undress her slowly, worshiping the skin I’ve already claimed once tonight. I turn on the water and make out with her while we wait for the steam to rise.
My cock is twitching, rigid against her belly. There is no denying my arousal. Selena’s eyes drop to it, and when she looks back up, her gaze is heavy-lidded.
“He likes you,” I murmur against her lips.
She’s flirty again. “He looks hungry.”
“He is.Iam. You’ve already taken the pill, and I’ll pull out this time, I swear. Just so we don’t get tangled up in anythingelse.” I gently guide her toward the massive walk-in shower. “Or... we can just kiss.”
She kisses me first, grabbing my neck. It’s a bold move for the evening, as I’ve been the one leading the dance until now.
“Just be gentle with me,” she whispers.
