Page 26 of Without a Hitch
“Okay. But it’s never safe to wander around hotels at night by yourself. I’ll just walk beside you. Come on.”
I catch the scent of citrus and ocean breezes before I feel his gaze on my back like a lover’s caress. Blaine doesn’t say a word as he follows us into the hallway. Or when we get on the elevator. Or when I leave him at the door and walk Olivia into her room. She passes out cold the second her head hits the pillow. I remove her shoes and tuck her in, then go to the bathroom to get her a bottle of water and two Advil that I place beside her bed. I debate leaving a note but figure it’s best if she hears it from me.
Dear Olivia,
I think the cocktails won last night. I walked you back to your room without incident, but you did cause a tiny scene making a toast at the reception. Mr. Frye requested you not return to the reception or brunch tomorrow. Give him a little time to cool down, then I’m sure you’ll be able to mend bridges.
Take care,
Abby
I’m exiting the bedroom when Jacob walks in with Blaine on his heels. Geez! This night will never end.
“Jacob,” I acknowledge tersely.
“What are you doing in my room?” he slurs.
Oh, wonderful. He’s drunk too.
“Mr. Frye sent me up here to make sure you both stay in your room for the rest of the night. If he sees you anywhere near the wedding, you won’t have a job when you return home. Is that clear?”
“Whatever,” he hisses. As he stalks past me, he nudges my shoulder just enough with his to make me wobble on my heels.
Blaine has him pinned to the wall a second later. “Touch her again, and it will be the last thing you do.”
Recognition and possibly fear are the only expressions I can read on Jacob’s reddening face when he finally focuses on Blaine. “Mr.—Mr.” He makes a gurgling sound in the back of his throat and Blaine eases his grip slightly. “Blaine, I’m s-sorry. I…”
“Shut up, you fucking cack. Go to bed. And don’t ever let me catch you treating a lady like that again. You won’t like the consequences. Got it?”
Jacob nods frantically and stumbles when Blaine lets him go. He doesn’t look back as he enters the bedroom and closes the door.
I stand slack-jawed as Blaine turns toward me, a predatory smile replacing his pissed-off expression. “Am I correct in guessing you’re off duty now?”
I nod, unblinking, and he takes my hand in his. “I want to kiss you, Pepper. But not in this jackhole’s room, so you have three options. One, you can say no, and I’ll walk away, no hard feelings. Two, we’ll go back to the reception, and I’ll kiss the living hell out of you with witnesses. Or three, you can come to my room, and I’ll kiss you in private. Everywhere.”
“Holy geez!”
His grin is blinding. “I’m not a patient person, Pepper. What’s your choice?”
I mean, is there really a choice here? My epic dry spell has had me in a funk for months. This man seems to actually see me. Wantsme. And my body is doing the tango, propelling me forward.
“P-P-Private.” It’s the best I can manage as my heart thunders in my chest and blood rushes in my ears, making me dizzy.
Holy geez. Holy geez! I’m about to have a one-night stand with Sexy McSexerson.
Blaine grins wickedly.Oh, no. Did I say that out loud? I don’t have time to ponder because he’s dragging me out of the room, down the hall, into the elevator, and the second the doors close, his lips cover mine. His tongue doesn’t ask for entry. It demands it.
Oh, Mylanta. If he can kiss like this, I know his sex will destroy me. And I’m here for it. I do a mental inventory of my panties. It’s quick because I couldn’t wear any with this dress, and luckily, I got waxed right before this trip.
Hip hip hooray, my pussy’s here to play! It’s the last coherent thought I have because Blaine, not sure of his last name, takes full control of my body, and I happily go along for the ride.
CHAPTER8
LOCHLAN
Possessive. That’s the only word to describe what I’m feeling as I crash through my hotel room door with my hands gliding over every inch of her I can reach.
My Pepper.
