Page 43 of Pleasure Payback

The laughter that rumbled from me felt less pleasant this time. ‘No. You play dirtier. Remind me again who left whom high and dry last night?’

She flushed and damn if I didn’t want to trace that sweet rush of heat with my tongue. ‘You know what to do if this gets too much for you.’

I smiled. ‘You won’t run me off that easily, darling.’

‘We’ll see about that. And while we’re at it, know that I won’t be letting you steal any more of my panties.’

‘Because you don’t plan to take them off at all the next time I fuck you or because you won’t be wearing any in the first place?’

Outrage rose swift and hot but died just as rapidly in her eyes, leaving the expression I craved. Unabashed desire. She tried to hide it by making a production of pushing back her chair and standing but her agitated breathing and the hard nubs of her nipples poking against her summer dress gave her away.

‘I have work to do. You’re in Suite 611. Your activation key has been sent to your phone. If you need directions or anything else be sure to let the concierge know.’ She paused with her hand gripping the back of her chair, exuding a haughtiness that made every cell in my body burn. ‘I trust you can amuse yourself until Sam and Tyler are ready for us to view the room?’

‘Of course.’

‘Great,’ she said briskly. With a sexy twirl, she walked away without a backward glance. I watched her until she disappeared from view, still puzzled as to why she hit all my spots with such ferocity. Why she got under my skin when no other had been able to penetrate the shell I’d been forced to construct to withstand unrelenting barbs from a family such as mine.

The churning in my gut intensified as I admitted that it had nothing to do with Neve playing hard to get. Although, for the first time in my life, I foundthattoo a huge turn-on. Hell, everything was a bloody turn-on with her.

With an irritated snort, I stood and left the table, ignoring the tumultuous emotions dogging my steps.

My suite was impressive. Understated luxury coupled with elegant comfort was the running theme of Nevirna. The bed and lounges were sumptuous, the suite and adjoining balcony like each one I’d seen on our tour, facing a serene lake with honest-to-goodness swans gliding across its glass-smooth surface. At this time of year, with the promise of summer on the horizon, the air was fresh and clean.

Even the most demanding customer would be hard-pressed to find anything lacking in the resort. It was the sort of standard The Mortimer Group hotels strove for.

Somehow, regardless of the setback two years ago, Neve had turned her business around and made a success of it.

Under normal circumstances, she would be a great candidate for an alliance with The Mortimer Group’s boutique hotels. The irony of our real circumstances produced a twisted smile.

For one thing, that curious...itchI’d experienced when she showed me the door last night, and again when she walked away from me in the dining room, was growing irritatingly unbearable.

As if I needed her...somehow.

And when had Ineededanyone?

I wanted to fuck Neve Nolan. I didn’t need to...bewith her. The whole situation was screwed up. I had no room in my life to battle this compulsion.

Not when I had Gideon to deal with and the shattered remains of a life to be salvaged in London.

But before leaving Manhattan I’d sent the board members my request to return to the board and they’d responded. The formal vote would be at the monthly board meeting. One Gideon would attend.

The three-year anguish that’d lived in my chest since that fateful night Penny had shattered Gideon’s and my life wrenched at me again.

But the simple truth was that I was ready to get on with my life.

Four hours later, I stood and stretched. Beyond the balcony and landscaped gardens, the setting sun was casting an impressive glow over the lake. The scene was truly breathtaking, perfect for romantic strolls and stolen quickies between hedgerows...if you were into that sort of thing.

Was Neve into that sort of thing?

I rescued my phone, grimacing at the eagerness with which my mind raced back to her. To that sizzling half-hour on her sofa last night. To her slick, tight heat and the incredible taste of her. My hard-on was still raging when I stepped into the shower fifteen minutes later. I knew jacking off would only bring ridiculously temporary and empty relief so I didn’t bother.

Which meant my mood wasn’t much improved when I entered the dining room in the evening to be informed I would be dining alone. Neve was otherwise engaged and would see me later, her manager added.

Swallowing my irritation at the brush-off, I ordered a steak, grudgingly conceding its excellence. I was finishing the meal off with an espresso when a member of her staff approached.

‘Mr Mortimer, Miss Nolan has asked me to escort you to the refurbished suite.’

We exited the main hub of the hotel and travelled a series of well-lit stone pathways to the east wing of the sprawling hotel. The suite was on the fifth floor, down a beautifully decorated hallway.

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