“Thank you.”
She clutched it to the front of her. Beau swung around to give her some time to slip into it. He reached down and took care of the condom before tucking his deflated, well-loved cock back into his pants, then zipped up and buckled his belt.
“I hope you don’t think this changes my mind about letting you go, Mr. Evans.”
The woman was stubborn. He turned back to her. She was tying the sash to the robe, just beneath her full rounded breasts. “We’ve already had this conversation. And under the circumstances, don’t you think we’re on a first name basis?”
Marissa slapped her hands on her hips. The action caused the robe to part slightly between her breasts. His gaze automatically went to the dark cleavage there. He pushed aside the memory of rolling her hard nipples with his tongue. Her slight huff caused Beau to raise his gaze. Her pretty lips were pressed in obvious irritation. What did she expect? They’d just had one hot fuck session, and he was a boob man. Especially when they were big, round, and lickable.
“I think under the circumstances you should leave.”
He had to give her credit. She didn’t back down easily. And she had more spunk than common sense.
“I doubt Kirk will continue to pay you when he learns of the liberties you’ve taken with me.”
He ignored her comment, which more or less held him to blame. “I believe his exact words were, ‘Do whatever it takes to keep Marissa safe. I don’t care if you have to handcuff her to you. I don’t want her out of your sight until this killer is caught.’” He paused to take a breath. “And you wanted my dick inside you as much as I did.”
Her pretty jaw dropped, but it was clear she was speechless. He reached forward and with a finger beneath her chin, closed her mouth. She jerked her face away. Beau made the mistake of chuckling at her show of defiance, underestimating her. He didn’t see the hand coming his way until it was nearly too late.
His fingers wrapped around her wrist just before her hand connected with his jaw. For a moment, they played tug of war, but Beau refused to let her go. She couldn’t win against him and for some reason he was enjoying the exchange. Touching Marissa again so soon, for any reason, was fueling the fire in his blood again, and at an alarming rate. What the fuck is the matter with me?
She gasped and gave one hard pull. “Do you mind?”
Beau pulled back just as sharply, until her body was flush against his. Their gazes clashed. “Are you sure you want to continue this? You won’t win against me. I’m here to protect you.”
“Who’s going to protect me from you?” She snapped, rubbing her wrist when he let her go.
“You should have thought of that before you seduced me out on the runway.”
She had the nerve to look shocked. “Excuse me?”
“Don’t play innocent with me, lady. You knew exactly what you were doing out there. For all you knew I was the killer. But that didn’t stop you from making eye contact with me, pursing those pretty lips, and putting that little extra bounce in your step.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Then why was she suddenly blushing? Beau shrugged. “I know when a woman’s coming on to me.”
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to dress. I have a dinner engagement and I’m starved.” She opened the door and looked at him expectedly.
Beau glanced at the parade of people walking in the hallway past the door. So she thought she could dismiss him, just like that? He had a feeling Marissa was used to calling the shots. She’s going to learn soon enough that she’s met her match. For now, he was willing to humor her. After he left the room, he heard the door close behind him. He leaned against the opposite wall, crossed his arms, and waited for her highness to emerge.
****
Releasing a sigh of relief, Marissa leaned against the door. Beau Evans was going to be trouble. But she couldn’t deny the instant, hot attraction between them. She had been coming on to him on the runway, he’d been right about that. As soon as they’d made eye contact, she’d flirted with him shamelessly, knowing she was safe and that it wouldn’t go anywhere.