I clear my throat gently. "I'm glad. I think I needed the sleep too," I say, rubbing a hand down my face.
It's interesting when awareness hits her that she's only in her panties. It hits her slowly; her lips twitch, her eyes dart away from mine, and her hand hauls the sheet higher under her chin.
"I'm sorry....this must be uncomfortable for you. I just—the clothes thing... I'm sorry," she repeats, closing her eyes in embarrassment.
I give her a smile, hoping it doesn't look as predatory as I feel. Under different circumstances, I'd have her on her back.
"Don't apologize. I think it's an incredibly sexy quirk." I ignore the surprised look on her face that draws her eyes even wider. "You seem to have a lot of those," I tease before hauling myself off the bed. "Let's get ready to go. Go take a quick shower; I'm sure you'll feel much better. I'm going to head to the front andask the receptionist what's a good place to eat nearby, and call us a driver. Give you a little privacy."
"O-Okay…"
Kneeling, I slide my shoes on and pull on a jacket before making my way out of the room.
Chapter forty-five
Lead Me
Inod,rollingmylips together and feeling my face flush from his words. I stay silent as he leaves the room, hearing thedoor shut with a click. Now alone, I jump in the shower and take my time scrubbing, thinking about the attraction between us.
How safe I feel around him.
Getting out of the shower I put on some makeup and carefully slide into a form-fitting strapless dress that hugs my curves and accentuates my breasts. I pull my hair over one shoulder and apply hair oil, making the long tresses shiny. I take a second to put my bracelets back on, seeing he'd put those by my travel bags in the bathroom, and clasp my necklace back on. I pause for a second, feeling so bad that I'd ripped off his present.
Though I'm horrified that he saw me this way, I'm glad it was him that I had a panic attack with. I just hate that he seems to be privy to all my worst moments, for some reason. So, I take a little extra care with my appearance, desiring to give him something good to look at for once instead of the crazy, discombobulated person I seem to have morphed into.
Finished, I turn and eye myself in the mirror, pleased at what I see. Giving my lips a little smack, I exit the bathroom and glance around.
"Alex?Are you back?"I call out, looking at my phone as I turn the corner into the room.
Picking up my phone, I tap out a quick text to Vanessa, asking to meet up when I get back into town. Suddenly a chill races through my body, and the hair on the back of my neck stands. I sense his gaze on me before I see him. My heart begins to pitter-patter, and my face warms as I look up. Alexander is standing across the room, eyeing me with the same hungry look that he had when we woke up in bed together. I swallow thickly when heady, red-hot desire slams into me once again.
But it's brighter this time. Deeper.
My breathing turns fast and shallow at the way his eyes drag down my body, stopping at the short hemline of my dress.
"Hm-hm. I'm right here," Alexander says softly, in the middle of switching out his watch for another one. His eyes flick back to mine, and he gives me a sly smile. One that lets me know he's in control despite the almost suffocating tension between us. "That dress is...sensual."He stares for another achingly slow heartbeat before turning his attention back to his watch.
Wanting to be brave, I approach him and take his wrist into my hands.
"Let me help." My fingers snap the clasp gently before smoothing over the band of the watch. Though he's tilted his head to try to meet my eyes, I keep my gaze averted and step away, turning back to the bedroom door. Desperately in search of liquid courage because I think I need to tell this man how I feel. What I want."Hey," I say teasingly, "how bad would the tab be if we broke into the mini bar? I think I'd like a shot before we go out."
Alexander chuckles, causing me to grin. His face breaks out into a wide, handsome smile before winking at me. "Sweetness, you can break intowhateveryou want. Don't worry about it."
I giggle, clapping my hands excitedly before exiting the bedroom and going into the mini-kitchen. I open the little refrigerator, perusing the many options. "Aleeexaannddeerrr," I call, still bending down into the fridge, "do you want whiskey, vodka, or gin?" I think for a second before reaching forward to grab two shots of vodka for myself.
He approaches from behind, and I stay bent over, waiting patiently. "Whiskey, please. Two as well," he answers.
"Whiskey it is!" Grabbing his drinks, I stand, awkwardly tugging on my dress. It's ridden up so high it's a wonder he didn't get a load of my panties.
Alexander leans a hip against the counter, giving me a rather sexy once over as he takes his sweet time settling in. He grins as I toss him a shot, forcing him to catch it midair. I twist the topoff mine and walk slowly to him before setting my shots down on the counter. Turning my back to the counter, I haul myself rather ungracefully up to sit on the marble surface, wincing when my heel bangs against the lower cabinet. So much for trying to be sexy.
I cross my legs and glance through my lashes at him.
His blue eyes are twin pools of searing intensity, burning my skin everywhere he looks. I flush when his eyes lower even more, silently watching my breasts bounce as I wiggle around on the counter trying to adjust myself into a more comfortable position. Thrilled with his attention, I probably exagerate my motions further in order to keep him enthralled. My dress slips down rather dangerously low on my cleavage, but I ignore it, wanting to see his reaction. His eyes slide slowly up to mine. He wets his lips, and I can't help but wonder what he's thinking.
I knowI'mthinking about him sucking on my breasts.
He twirls the shot, looking at me rather darkly, and I feign nonchalantness, crossing my legs and making the dress ride up all the way to my hips. My heel bangs rather hard against the cabinet, and he grins another wicked smile at me as his eyes lower to the skin of my legs. Heat fills me as his eyes snap to meet mine.
