Page 19 of The Prince's Game
“I bet he hates that.”
“An added bonus.” His pupils dilated with a hunger that was palpable, the hand on my hip tightening. “He’ll make me eventually. Sooner rather than later, I’m sure.”
“You make it sound like a chore.” What kind of man complained about making out with various women?The good kind. Not a thought I needed if I wanted my heart to remain off-limits. Lust was an emotion I could handle. Anything deeper, and I would be in trouble.
“It will be. For the most part, anyway.” Desire radiated from his bedroom eyes as they dropped to my lips again. “If I kiss you right now, I can’t guarantee it’ll stop there.”
“If you value your contract, you’ll make sure it does.” A kiss was an introduction. That was our current stage. Moving to the next level required more trust. He brushed his fingers over my jaw while still balancing on that forearm.
“Just so we’re clear”—his lips inched closer with each word, his intention obvious—“when I stop, it’s only because you tell me to.” An electric current zipped down my spine, igniting every nerve ending in my body as his mouth took mine.
I tangled my fingers in his thick hair and reveled in his passionate claim. Mint, wine, and scotch blended in my mouth as his tongue twined with mine. As far as first kisses went, this one blew my mind. There was nothing slow or gentle about it. His mouth left no question as to what kind of lover he would be.Demanding, hot, and oh-so passionate. I loved it.
My stomach was in knots—the good kind—and my hard nipples grazed my top. I wanted to tear the offending fabric from my body and rub against his leather jacket.Too fast, too soon.
This man could ruin me, and I wouldn’t regret a second of it. The realization both terrified and thrilled me. I ran my hands down his back, luxuriating in the leather and hard male beneath. He was temptation incarnate, surrounding me on the soft, plush bed. The hard thigh lodged between my legs was an invitation for so much more. When my palms drifted down to cup his ass, he lifted a fraction.
“Groping was not part of our agreement tonight, Miss Summers.” Arousal thickened his voice, going straight to the apex between my thighs. I wanted to hear all sorts of dirty things come out of his mouth in that tone while in bed, and now was a great time to start.
“Yeah?” I squeezed. “What are you going to do about it?”
He removed his hand from my hip to palm my breast. I arched into his touch, my nipples oh-so sensitive from the thin layer of fabric separating them from his leather jacket.
“Responsive. I like that.” He licked my lower lip. “I plan to learn all about you over the next two months, Sarah. What makes you moan, how hard you come, how you taste.” Another slow lick, followed by him dipping his tongue into my mouth for an open kiss. I was shaking when he pulled back again, my body more than ready to move to the next level of this seductive game. “In due time. But first, I have a contract to draw up.”
“Tease.”
“I told you when I started, you were the one who set the terms. I’m only abiding by them.” He kissed my cheek and lifted off of the bed. I smiled when he adjusted his jeans. I wasn’t the only one left in a sensual fog from a kiss.If he can kiss like that, the other things he could do with that mouth .. . I shuddered. He was more than welcome totasteme anytime he liked.
“Don’t forget I want a phone to talk to Rachel tomorrow.” My calm tone was undermined by my stiff nipples, something his gaze not only noticed but admired through the thin cotton of my tank top.
“I’ll get you a phone, but it’ll be up to you to hide it.”
“I can handle that.”
“Oh, I have no doubt as to what you can handle, sweetheart.” He fixed his jacket and ran a hand through his hair, giving it that fresh-out-of-bed look.How appropriate. “I’d kiss you good night, but I’ll just end up in bed again with you looking at me like that.”
My grin was all female satisfaction. It felt good being wanted by a man like Evan Mershano. I didn’t need compliments, but a little ego-stroking went a long way. He walked around to the foot of the bed and sat to put on his shoes. When he stood, it was to run his fingers through his hair again and blow out a breath.
“Can you check the hallway?”
“Oh, yeah. That’s probably a good idea.” I popped out of bed and checked the peephole first before the hallway. “All clear,” I whispered.
His palm landed on my ass as he pushed into me from behind. “This is almost as alluring as the towel.” He pressed a kiss below my ear, scattering goosebumps down my spine. I was a sucker for a man’s lips on my neck, and the grin I felt there told me he noticed. “Good night, Sarah.”
He stepped around me with a wink and left on silent feet.I hope there aren’t any hidden cameras in the hallway, or we’re both screwed.
10
Dancing in the Street
The producers let me wear jeans and flats to wander Bourbon Street. I was in heaven, with the exception of being on a date with eight girls and one man.
Evan was supposed to get me a phone today, but I didn’t see how that would be possible with all the cameras. The late afternoon hour meant I wouldn’t be able to call my boss until Monday to give my notice. Not that I planned to do so without a signed contract in hand. That would be naive.
I kept my distance, listening while socializing with a petite woman named Lily. I liked the girl. She was quirky, had a computer science degree, and was one of the few women not trying to climb Evan like a tree.
“Somehow I don’t think that’s what he had in mind when he suggested dessert,” she muttered as Carmen dumped powdered sugar all over Evan’s black shirt and dark jeans. He made the mistake of buying us beignets after lunch. The wannabe brides were all worked up over the sexy lilt that came out when he ordered. It seemed the prince knew how to please the locals with his southern charm, or maybe he fell back into the accent on instinct. Either way, it was hot as hell.
