dragging her off the dance floor and taking her upstairs.
He risked sliding his hand a bit lower down her body so his fingers brushed the top of her ass, and pulled her toward his groin. “Don’t start something you’re not ready to finish.”
“I’m not a tease.”
“Didn’t think you were, just wanted you to know you’re playing with fire.”
She pulled his head down and whispered in his ear, “Would you like to join me in my room for a drink?”
• • •
J ulie didn’t know what had gotten into her. Probably it was the combination of being dressed up in the gorgeous gown her sister had given her, Daniel, and the dancing. Not to mention, Sasha’s words from over a week ago replayed in her mind all night. She still felt like her friend’s insinuation that Julie wasn’t suitable for Daniel was a challenge of some kind.
All night she’d been basking in the heat between them, acutely aware of the overwhelming powerful maleness of him. He brought out a part of herself she’d rarely experienced. He made her bold. And the way he looked at her? As if she were a rare treat he wanted to savor. Or possibly devour in one bite.
He walked behind her as they left the elevators and moved down the hall toward her room. His hand never left the small of her back, a subtle reminder of his warning downstairs. He was fire and she could either accept his power or not, but he would make no excuses for what he was.
“This is it,” she said, stopping in front of her door.
“Allow me.” He took the key from her and unlocked the room, holding the door open and letting her pass.
Nervous excitement bubbled in her stomach. He looked so
male
in the middle of the room. So
there
.
“I actually don’t have anything to drink,” she admitted. “We can order room service or raid the wet bar.”
He started untying his tie. “No problem. I’m not really thirsty.”
He slipped the tie from his neck, placed it on an end table, and started removing his cuff links.
Dear heavens, was he going to strip down just like that?
He nodded to the couch and smiled as if aware of a joke she wasn’t in on. “Have a seat, Julie. I won’t bite. I’m just getting comfortable.”
There were moments that defined your life. Julie knew that. The day she decided to get her MBA. The afternoon she and Sasha found the building they eventually remodeled into the shop. Somehow, she knew, this moment with Daniel was another one.
She was a woman who took what she wanted and in that moment, she wanted Daniel.
“Good idea.” She walked to where he stood and turned so her back faced him. “Help me get this off, will you?”
“Julie.” His voice was a warning. And a promise.
“I just want to get comfortable.”
His hands brushed her shoulders, teased the nape of her neck. She barely had time to take a ragged breath before his lips replaced his fingers and he pressed a soft kiss on the top of her spine.
“If I help you get the gown off, I’ll have you naked and beneath me on that bed in less than ten seconds.”
“I certainly hope so.”
The hands on her shoulders tightened. “There are . . . things you don’t know about me.”
She turned back to face him, met his eyes. “Are you a deranged serial killer?”
There was a smile in his response. “No.”
“Do you kidnap small children?”
“No.”
“Are there any outstanding warrants for your arrest? Does anyone have a restraining order out against you? Have you jumped bail?”
“No. No. And no.”
“Do you have a condom with you?”
“Damn straight I do.”
“Then that paired with what I already know about you is enough.” She turned around again and lowered her neck to give him better access. “Will you help me with the gown?”
He didn’t unzip it immediately. Instead, he placed several kisses along the bare skin of her back. “I’ve wanted to taste you all night. All week.”
She trembled at the feel of his mouth on her, at the sound of his