“Can’t—gonna come!”

I pounded into her to the rhythm of the parade, just another dancing spectator lost to the music. When she clenched on me, she nearly yanked me over the line. But I held back. I had other plans.

The bead tossers threw some necklaces our way as the parade wound around the other side of the building. When the last of them vanished from view, I pulled out and tucked myself away. Ella leaned back on me for balance.

“What…the fuck?”

“Don’t like a little danger in your fucking?”

Slowly, she turned around to face me. Her face was flushed, sweaty. If I didn’t know better, I’d think she had a fever. “I don’t…never…wow.”

I took her hand in mine again, this time leading her back to the bed. “Lay down for me.”

“Don’t have much choice. My legs are still shaking.”

I unwrapped the robe from around her and kissed a trail from her exquisite, full tits to her thick thighs. “You are a vision. Never let anyone tell you otherwise.” And then, I feasted on every inch of her.

Once was never enough. With a woman like Ella, it could never be enough.

As our physical connection ebbed, I held her close, feeling a proprietary satisfaction in the heat of her body against mine. "Stay with me tonight," I murmured into her hair. The thought of her leaving, this room growing cold by her absence, was unacceptable.

Ella looked up at me, her eyes searching mine in the dim light. After a moment, she nodded, her smile soft. "I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be.”

As sleep finally claimed us, I was content in the knowledge that she was here, safe in my arms, and for now, mine.

Chapter 5

Ella

The first light of dawn made the sky lavender through the white sheers of Dom’s suite. I lay awake, the sheets wrapped around me like the thoughts spinning through my mind. I’d woken up early, unable to rest once the thought struck me.

Dom’s company’s name was familiar, and I couldn’t think of why.

The steady rise and fall of his chest beside me was a rhythmic contrast to the erratic beat of my heart. Last night, I felt a connection that transcended the casual nature of our encounter. But it was hard to believe it was anything more than amazing sex.

My body said something else. My head, however, was unconvinced.Morbinski. His last name? But he said he had business partners…

I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to know.

Carefully, I slid from under his arm, feeling the cool air replace the warmth of his body. The only sounds were the distant murmur of the ocean and Dom’s soft breathing, even as I tiptoed to my purse to grab my phone. Every step reminded me of our fun last night. I was, in fact, not walking straight to myphone. Once it was out, I googled the company’s name on the hotel’s slow Wi-Fi.

When it popped up, nothing significant showed itself on the landing page. I clicked the “About Us” button and scrolled through the board members to get to the founders. Robin Skiggs—a woman from Chicago, blah, blah, blah. Greg Binson—a man from Seattle, don’t care about the details.

And then…

Dom’s picture.

Oh.

Fuck.

The air sucked out of the room. My pulse hammered in my ears as I read the name beneath the photo like it couldn’t possibly be real.

Dominic Mortoli.

The surname hit me like a punch to the ribs.

No. No, no, no.