Page 3 of Just One More Affair
At the question, the same one she’d thoughtlessly asked him, she felt herself close off inwardly. There wasn’t an easy answer. Of course she’d want a man in her life.Ifshe could trust one not to leave or let her down. If she could find someone who loved both her and her girls, who wouldn’t forget his family like her father had after her mom passed away.
A sixteen-year-old girl needed her mother or at least a parent she could rely on, but her father hadn’t been there. He’d buried himself in work and alcohol when home. All of which explained why finding what Fallon and Noah had wasn’t likely. Her walls were too high.
“My career and the twins keep me busy enough,” she murmured, deliberately vague. “I prefer to focus on now.”
His brow wrinkled as he obviously pondered her answer and came to his own conclusions. “Speaking of now, the bouquet and garter toss are over.” He tipped his head toward the center of the room. “Would you like to dance?”
His question drew her attention to the slow tempo of the music. “I’d love to,” she said, placing her glass on the table.
She held out her hand. He took it and led her through the people standing and talking, weaving around the tables and winding up on the dance floor.
Soon, she was in his arms, moving seamlessly to the music. His hard body pressed deliciously against hers. And the masculine mix of tobacco and vanilla-scented cologne teased her senses and had her leaning in closer. His hand braced on her lower back as he led, and she found herself being seduced by everything that was Jared Sterling. One slow song led to another and she remained in his arms for a prolonged period of time.
“This might be too forward,” he began. “But do you want to get out of here?”
Her heart skipped a beat. She was staying at this hotel until she left again tomorrow night. One more night and she’d be back in the sandy desert, living her dream but missing her girls, who were staying with Noah’s parents in their hotel suite tonight and would remain with them while the newlyweds went on their honeymoon. She’d had the twins with her this past week and she’d be seeing them tomorrow at brunch for their goodbyes. Though she’d have loved to be with them one last night, she didn’t want to upset them when they had to watch her pack to leave again.
“I have a room upstairs,” she answered Jared at last.
“Then what are we waiting for?” His breath fanned her ear.
She let out a laugh at his impatient tone because she felt the same desire to be with him. “I need to say good night to Noah and Fallon, and to the kids.”
“Let’s each say our goodbyes and meet up by the ballroom door.” His fingers squeezed her waist before releasing her.
Her body pulsed with anticipation as she walked up to Noah and Fallon, then the girls, explaining she had a slight headache and was going to go upstairs early. She wished the happy couple all her best, then hugged her girls and reminded them to be good for their grandparents.
Then she headed to the double doors where Jared was waiting. She wasn’t sure if anyone saw them meet up and leave together but she’d deal with that if and when the time came.
They stepped into an elevator along with another couple she didn’t know and she pushed the button to her floor. In silence they traveled upward, her body aware of Jared standing beside her. He’d taken off his jacket and hung it over one arm and was in the middle of removing his bow tie when the elevator car stopped and the couple stepped off.
“Damn, I hate these things,” Jared muttered, attempting to undo the top button on his shirt next. “I wear a suit every day to work but a tuxedo strangles me.”
She turned to face him and gently moved his hands. “Here. Let me.” She undid the first button, then the second, realizing too late the intimacy in the act. Especially given their tight surroundings. She swallowed hard and patted the material over his chest with one hand. “There. All set,” she said as a ding announced their arrival at her floor.
Jared snagged her hand in his and she led the way to her room.
Chapter Two
Jared stood besideCharlotte as she let them into her hotel room with her key card. The door shut with a click behind them. Her hips swayed as she walked inside and tossed her room card and purse onto the table in the outer room. She obviously had a suite to accommodate herself and the girls.
Turning, she met his gaze. Jared couldn’t remember his last hookup but he had the definite feeling this would be one he wouldn’t soon forget.
From the moment he’d met Charlotte this past year, he’d felt a connection. Talking to her had been easy and fun. They seemed to think alike and she was witty. Bright. And so fucking sexy she took his breath away. Without shame, he studied her, and from her high heels to the fitted light purple dress, she exuded sex appeal. Add in her tanned skin, beautiful face, luscious lips, and a shoulder-grazing haircut that showed her long, graceful neck and he was a goner.
“I’d offer you a drink but I don’t have anything,” she said with a high-pitched laugh that showed her apprehension.
“That’s fine because I see something I want a lot more.” Determined to erase any nerves she might have, he stepped closer and slid a hand behind her neck, pulling her toward him.
When they were a breath apart, he waited, giving her one last chance to change her mind. Instead, she eased forward and their mouths met. He kissed her, parting her lips and taking his first taste. Her Champagne-tinged flavor along with her eager response did not disappoint. When she tangled her tongue with his, she triggered a primal response, one that had been building since they’d first met.
He spent long minutes devouring her mouth, tipping her head for better access and delving deeper. Tasting her felt like getting to know her better, more intimately. He ran his fingers through her hair, feeling the soft strands and tugging until she reacted with a soft moan.
His cock hardened and need raced through him, along with the desire to move things along. Sliding his lips over her cheek, along her jawline, and down her neck, he tasted her skin, breathing in her floral scent. She tipped her head, giving him better access, and he took his time, learning her likes and dislikes as he kissed, licked, and nipped at her skin.
Finally, he turned her around, kissing the back of her neck as he slid the zipper down her dress and peeled it off her shoulders. With a swipe of his hands, it fell to the floor, leaving her clad in only a matching pair of virginal-looking white lace underwear and bra. He already knew she wasn’t naïve or a virgin, giving him permission to do so much more with her, and he loved it.
Pivoting her once again, he held her in front of him, admiring her until her chest flushed pink. “You’re stunning,” he said in gruff voice.
