1603

He slipped the plastic key card into my hand while he leaned over and whispered the number in my ear. I smiled, but didn't meet his eye. He sat down beside me.

I was subtly flirting with the man sitting across the coffee shop, letting my skirt ride up my thighs just a little more, enjoying how he kept stealing glances at me from behind the screen of his laptop. I knew this would drive Aiden crazy. In fact, we had talked about it just a couple days earlier in an email. His desire to watch me with another man is something he mentions from time to time. Not, I think, that he actually wants it to happen for real; but he definitely likes the mental image of it.

Aiden sat quietly for a few moments, then leaned close again, his lips at my ear.

I thought I could be cool about this; but I want you too much. Let's go.

Our plan had been for a bit of role-playing - a pick up in the coffee shop - but who was I to argue with that logic?

I gathered my things and followed him into the hotel lobby, careful to look neutral - as if we just happened to be two people heading for the elevators at the same time. I'm never sure we've pulled that off, but honestly, I don't really care. Once in the elevator, I always find myself immediately backed into a corner and kissed senseless; so any impression we might make in the lobby is left behind in that instant.

I've got a little surprise for you. His eyes were dancing with mischief.

Turns out he had managed an upgrade to one of the hotel's luxury suites. A truly gorgeous room with a bar and a fireplace and a huge king-sized bed in the separate bedroom. He had a bottle of wine open and breathing already, waiting for our pleasure.

He wanted to take my coat, but I resisted. I had been teasing him with the surprise I had for him, and didn't want him to see it yet. I sent him off to the sofa to pour our wine and light some candles while I freshened up in the beautifully white-tiled bathroom. Hanging my overcoat on the hook inside, I took a moment to smooth my hair and make a few final adjustments to the corset I was wearing with my very slim black pencil skirt and boots.

His reaction was everything I had hoped it would be. When I appeared in the doorway, he stood automatically, then froze when he realized what he was seeing. He stood for a moment staring before crossing the room to where I stood.

He took my hand and lifted it over my head, urging me to turn for him. One slow twirl and I was wrapped tight in his arms, his eyes burning down into mine.

My God, Scarlett. That is amazing! He was smiling. I could almost feel the caress as his gaze slid over my body. Did you buy that for me?

I grinned up at him and shook my head. No, I bought it for me.

He tipped his head back and laughed. Even better.

He led me back to the sofa, where we sipped our wine and caught up on each other's life. Snippets of light conversation punctuated with soft touches, breathless pauses, and slow kisses.

Eventually we had abandoned any attempt at talk. He had gathered me close, my legs draped over his lap, our lips clinging and nipping at each other's. We were starting sentences, then losing them in the heady pleasure of a languid kiss, or in the fascination of watching his long, lean fingers slide over my skin, raising goosebumps in their wake.

Without quite knowing how, I found myself in the bedroom, skirt discarded, corset and boots still in place, my back firmly against the wall, my left leg hitched up over his right arm while he slid into me. Slowly.

You were showing yourself to that man downstairs in the coffee shop. His voice was rough with arousal.

I nodded, incapable of forming words.

You know he wanted you. It was all over his face. He thrust a little harder, pressing me back against the wall even more.

I couldn't even nod this time. The cliff's edge was rushing toward me at light speed, spurred on by the near-magical rocking of his hips against mine. The angle was perfect, the friction almost unbearably good. The buzzing in my ears became a roar, my head dropping forward onto his shoulder, my fingers clinging to his chest, his arms holding me firmly upright as I flung myself over the edge.

When I came back to earth, I found Aiden bending to unzip my boots and take them off. My unsteadiness on my now-wobbly legs sent me into fits of giggling as I struggled to help him, one had braced on his shoulder. He flashed a grin up at me as he pulled the second boot off and straightened, drawing me forward toward the bed, the glint in his eye darkening with intent...

More to come....