Page 36 of A Lot Like Love
“No,” she murmured straight back. “You’re not going anywhere.”
He groaned again and took hold of her shoulders, pushing her back just enough to let him breathe. “Seriously, we need to go.”
“Why?” she asked, her mouth twisted to the side in a smile so foxy he wanted to wipe it straight off of her with his own mouth. “You don’t want anyone to see you making out with me?”
Ryder chuckled and stood up, scooping his hands under her butt and removing her from the stool. Her body was hard up against his and he put his arm around her shoulders and spun her around.. He dropped a kiss into her hair.
“I don’t give a damn who sees us, but if anyone gets a look at me they’re gonna think I’ve got a loaded goddamn pistol in my pocket.”
Chloe glanced down, then burst out laughing, covering her body with his and tucking her face into his chest.
“Settle down, cowboy. You have been with a woman before, haven’t you? Or is that why you’re so excited?”
“You might get away with talking smack down here, but once we’re up there?” He tugged her closer, his arm locked around her neck in a playful hold. “You’re at my mercy then.”
Her laugh was wicked. “Or maybe you’ll be at mine.”
As much as he wanted to throw her over his shoulder and take her upstairs, he didn’t. Instead he paused, forced himself to stop, and looked her straight in the eyes.
“I’m not going to hurt you, Chloe. Not all men are assholes.”
She smiled at him, gaze trained on his. “I know.”
“What makes you so certain I’m not?” he asked as he stroked her face.
“Same reason you trusted me to win back your ranch.”
He smiled. “I doubt that very much. I just wanted an excuse to see you again.”
“Liar.” Her words were soft, but the heat in her gaze hadn’t died.
“All I’m saying is that you don’t need to doubt me. I might be a douchebag sometimes, but I’m an honest one.” He laughed. “And I really do believe you’ll win it. The thing is, me trusting you is a no-brainer. Things can’t get any worse for me.”
“You’ll get your money back, Ryder,” she said. “When I give my word, it’s binding.”
“You’re gonna make a damn fine lawyer one day, you know that?”
“Lawyering isn’t what I’m interested in right now.”
“Oh yeah?”
Chloe licked her lips and made him laugh, but it also made him hard again. The faster he got her back upstairs, the better. He adjusted the front of his jeans and grabbed her hand, pausing only to speak to the concierge as he dragged her toward the elevator.
“Send a bottle of champagne up to our suite,” he instructed, before bending down closer to Chloe, his lips over her ear. “You want me to order steaks and fries now?”
She looked confused. “Why?”
“Because after the night I have planned for us, you might get hungry.”
Her cheeks turned red but she never looked away. “The champagne will be just fine. For now.”
Ryder nodded at the concierge and led Chloe to the elevator. She spun around and faced him while they were waiting, arms slung low around his waist, leaning up to nip his lower lip.
“Maybe we should roll the dice a few times before we go up.”
He growled at her, the noise in his throat nothing short of guttural.
“You’re a bad influence, Ryder King.”
He nipped her lip straight back and made her squeal.
“Don’t I know it.”
