Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 57779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
The elevator dings, and I push off the wall and step inside the open car. It’s over. I’ll never see Ethan again. That is, until Ethan steps into the car and punches the close button.
Chapter Nine
He punches in a floor that is not mine, but rather what looks like a penthouse suite, and then he’s in front of me, his hands warm and possessive on my waist. Somehow, I end up against the wall with his powerful thighs framing mine. His hips pressed to my hips, and I can feel him hard against my belly. And just that easily, I’m melting like an ice cream cone on a hot summer day, right here, in this elevator for a man who doesn’t even know my real name.
“Did you really think I was going to let you run away?” he asks.
My teeth scrape my bottom lip. “I wasn’t running.”
“Then why’d I have to chase you?”
“Why did you?” I counter.
“Because I wasn’t ready to let you go.”
I’m ridiculously uncomfortable with the idea that he feels this now, but he won’t later, and I don’t know why. We’re strangers, not two lovers falling in love. I’m too interested in Ethan, and way too deep in my own lie, to ever have this night matter anyway.
“Why’d you run?”
“I didn’t—” I start.
“Why’d you leave?” he amends.
“Because change happens one moment and not the next.”
His brows dip. “What?”
“It’s something my mother said about opportunity. We were alone, and opportunity was there. Then we weren’t, and it wasn’t.”
“And yet, here we are.” The elevator dings, and he says, “Quite literally.”
I glance up at the top floor we’ve reached. “This isn’t my floor.”
“No, but it is mine, and I want to impress you.” He starts to move.
I catch his arm. “Why?”
He surprises me then and reaches up to tenderly stroke my cheek, goosebumps lifting on my skin as he says, “You make me want to, Zoey.”
My words turned back on me. It would have been the perfect thing to say, had he not just used my mother’s name instead of mine.
But there’s no time for guilt or regret—after all, we’ve declared it the night of no regrets. He leans in and brushes his lips over mine, and I swear I feel that brief touch of his lips in every part of me. “Come with me.” And then he’s captured my hand in his, and he’s leading me out of the elevator.
Nerves dance in my belly to what feels like a heavy metal, rock ‘n’ roll, mashup. My knees are weak, but my body manages to sizzle with his touch, his nearness. With the very idea of being naked with this amazing man. But I’ve never done anything like this in my entire life. And yet, if I’m honest, he’s the perfect one-night stand. He’s rich and powerful and won’t think about me ever again. Nothing that happens in his hotel room will matter tomorrow. It’s like a gift to myself for all my hard work, which has left me craving male attention but unable to manage the entire process of dating.
We stop at his door, and he surprises me, pulling me between it and him, his hand cupping my face. “If you go inside, I’m going to fuck you every which way you let me.”
I’m not sure why he’s stating this. Maybe he thinks I’m going to run out the door the minute I enter. Maybe this is just foreplay. I think I don’t care anymore. My hand slides under his lapel and rests on the hard wall of his chest, where I can feel his heart beating like a drum. Almost as if he’s anxious for my answer, like he’s that invested in this night.
“Is this where I say please?” I ask, surprising myself with my daring, but I’m empowered by the idea we’ve already discussed. What happens in Hawaii stays in Hawaii. “I thought we’d at least get in the room first.”
ETHAN
I have no idea what it is about this woman that has slid under my skin besides everything. Absolutely fucking everything. And this new, bolder her she’s showing me now, both intrigues and challenges me. Now I’m going to challenge her. I reach around her and shove the door open.
“You first,” I say, wanting her to own her decision to go inside with me.
She stares at me, a hint of that doe-eyed sweetness I’ve seen over and over tonight in her expression, but she wants to step outside whatever boundaries she’s set for herself. I damn sure want her to, as well. Because I want her. And I want her in a clawing, hungry way, my fire for her burning me alive. Like I’ve wanted her for an eternity, not just the past two hours.
Finally, she turns and enters the room, and I feel a rush of relief that is pure insanity. I did just meet her. What the hell is going on with me and this woman?