“I think it’s time you went to your room.” He reached down and pulled her to her feet, keeping one arm around her waist for support. “Come on.”
“Is the party over?” Her warm breath swept below his ear and across his neck, teasing the fine hairs of his nape. With each encounter he became more convinced she was some kind of test of his willpower. That or a cruel joke God was playing on him.
“It is for you.” He began walking her toward the stairwell. Along the way, they came across Amy and another woman talking in the lobby. Amy glanced over, the beginning of a smile forming, but then caught sight of Cat on his arm.
Feeling like a jerk, he started to say, “This isn’t what it looks like,” at the exact time Cat mumbled, “Uh-oh.”
Cat continued to stagger, even with his support. Then she stopped suddenly. Her eyes drifted from Amy to Hank. With her moist lips pressed against his ear, she whispered, “Can’t blame her for wanting you. You look sexy in a suit.”
Ignoring Cat when she was attached to his side and coaxing tingles all over his skin was a challenge he suddenly realized he might lose. He didn’t even need to close his eyes to picture her naked body wrapped around his, their arms and limbs entwined in an erotic dance. Steady.
“Stop talking and keep walking.” He propped her up. “What room are you in?”
She beamed at him. “Hmm?”
He clenched his jaw, fighting mounting temptation. “What room, Cat?”
“Two Seventeen.” After struggling to assist her up the first flight of steps, he lifted her into his arms to carry her the rest of the way. She sighed and laid her head on his shoulder. Her spicy perfume invaded his nostrils, fighting for control of his brain.
At her door, she fumbled inside her purse for the room key. He put her down, prepared to turn and run, but she wobbled again and burst into another fit of giggles while unlocking her door.
There is no God. Heaving a sigh while rubbing his hands over his face, he then picked her up and carried her over the threshold.
“Here comes the bride,” she giddily sang out.
Her husky laughter and twinkling eyes affected him like a shot of tequila. The more time he spent alone with her, the more trouble he invited. He strode through the room and deposited her onto the bed, determined to conquer this unholy addiction.
“Hang on.” He went directly to the minibar, retrieved a bottle of water, and cracked open the lid. “Do you have any aspirin?” he asked as he turned back to face her. Then he nearly spilled the water all over himself.
In those few seconds, she’d managed to unzip her gown and partially disrobe. Somehow she’d gotten tangled up while slinking out of the contraption of a dress. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from her strapless, sheer lace bra, which revealed a hint of her dark nipples as they strained against the see-through fabric.
Cat didn’t have big breasts, but they were big enough, and perky. His mind went blank, although he was vaguely aware of the fact his trousers began to feel two sizes too small.
“Don’t just stand there.” She grimaced while wrestling with the gown. “Help me out of this.”
Her command wasn’t meant as a come-on, but the corners of his mouth quirked upward. He replaced the lid on the bottle and set it on the nightstand next to a leather journal with a ribbon tied around it.
Cat kept a diary? Now that surprised him . . . a lot. Damn, would he love to read it and finally discover what really went on behind those eyes of hers.
“Lie back and I’ll grab the bottom,” he ordered, unable to conceal the unexpected rasp in his voice. She lifted her hips as he tugged at the dress and, a few seconds later, she was lying on the bed in nothing but her racy, sheer underwear and high heels.
Mother of God, his mouth went dry.
He couldn’t show her less respect than he’d demand another man give his sisters. He couldn’t. Focusing on that thought, he merely removed her shoes and then pulled back the covers.
“Scoot under here.” He thrust the water bottle at her once she crawled into bed. “Drink it, Cat. I don’t envy the headache you’ll have tomorrow.”
She kept her eyes locked on his while she guzzled the drink. The enticing stare down lasted for what felt like minutes while he battled his conflicting desires and morals. Somehow his morals prevailed.
She set the bottle on the nightstand and nestled down into the bed with a smile playing on her lips.
“Good night, Catalina. Sleep well.” He turned to go.
“Wait!” She shifted her weight up onto her elbow. Thick falls of hair cascaded over her shoulders as she patted the edge of the bed. “Come back.”