My eyes dart between the suite door and the rapidly approaching women. I could just smile and pose for a picture and get it over with? Lightning doesn’t strike twice, right?
Before I can decide, the navy doors open beside me, and I’m yanked backwards, practically ten years backwards to be precise, against the full, heaving chest of Sasha, into the familiar confines of the Sexton family’s private quarters.
The door bangs unceremoniously behind us. A low gasp slips from her lips as the furious pumping of her heart rattles in ribs which are pressed against mine.
Does she feel my every inch as acutely as I feel hers? Is she remembering how much better we feel against each other without any material between us, simply skin on skin? Or does she hate me too much to even contemplate it?
For fuck’s sake, Ryan! Get a grip.
She takes a step back and my body silently screams, aching for her closeness.
Her cheeks flame and her sweet, ragged breath permeates the air between us.
Oh, she feels it.
This hot, flustered Sasha’s way more attractive than the ice queen who greeted me yesterday. Probably because I remember clearly the last time I saw her cheeks flush like that. Oh that connection is definitely still there, and it’s more alive than ever. That chemistry. It smoulders between us.
‘What the hell are you thinking? You can’t just wander around the castle corridors on your own.’ Her arms fold tightly across the chiffon shirt clinging to her breasts in an indecently decent manner.
‘I was thinking I was hungry.’ I bite back my smirk. She’s so adorable when she’s trying to hide her arousal. ‘Good morning, by the way.’
‘Huh! Good morning? It might be if my estate wasn’t swamped with unwanted guests.’ She takes another three steps back and glares at me.
A throaty chuckle bursts from my chest. ‘Ouch. My wounded heart bleeds.’
‘Hmm. I don’t care about your wounded heart and I wasn’t simply referring to you.’ Her eyes dart towards the window of her own suite.
This place is like a relic. Every single ornate detail has been preserved. It’s like stepping back in time.
‘Yeah.’ I shove a hand through my hair. ‘Sorry about that.’
She stalks towards the open-plan kitchen/living area, heading straight for what looks like the only new addition to the place in a decade, a coffee machine.
Following her through, I drop onto the velvet couch, watching as she loads a capsule and fetches two mugs. A black pencil skirt hugs her pert backside in a way I can only dream of.
‘I suppose you can wait here until the fuss dies down. I’d hate you to get ambushed in my castle. It wouldn’t exactly inspire other celebrities to book in.’ She doesn’t turn round. ‘Tea or coffee?’
I’m under no illusion this woman is impressed by my fame or celebrity status. All she sees is the boy who ran away. I can’t even blame her.
‘Coffee, please.’
‘Black, no sugar,’ we say simultaneously, and I can’t help the grin inching onto my lips. She remembers.
She makes two mugs, hands me one, then perches on the other end of the couch, as though she’s afraid she might catch something.
‘So, about this security issue...’ I blow on the steaming hot liquid before taking a sip. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring trouble to your door.’
She shrugs. ‘It’s not ideal, I mean we’re not geared up for this kind of attention, but it’s certainly getting Huxley Castle in the press again, so I guess it’s not all bad.’
‘Was Huxley Castleeverout of the press? This place was always the leading hotel for luxury.’
‘Things change.’ Her perfectly shaped eyebrows furrow together for a split second before she seems to remember to rearrange them into their natural, defensive stance. ‘It’s nothing I don’t have under control.’
She smooths the material of her skirt, running her hand over her thighs, and my pulse rushes at the sight. It’s an effort not to stare.
Bright jade eyes meet mine. They’re the same shade I inadvertently painted my Californian bedroom. Now I know why. ‘So, what do you need?’
What do I need? I need you to slip off your underwear, straddle my lap, wrap your arms and legs around me, put your full lips on mine and make the past ten years disappear.
