The air around us buzzes when I realize I’m not imagining this. “What do you mean?”
“I wanted you here, with me, because I like having you close. If I could, I’d blow off all my obligations this weekend. You’d never leave my sight.”
I give a silent prayer for my legs to hold me up. My eyes lock with his, and my stomach drops. He’s staring at me so lovingly that every inch of my skin starts to tingle.
“What are you saying?” I whisper so low I’m not sure he heard me.
He remains quiet a few seconds and uses his hand framing my face to pull me to him, kissing the tip of my nose. “Give me this weekend, my beautiful Bizzy, and you’ll know exactly what I’m saying.”
The scent of his cologne mixed with the heat of his breath so close to my mouth sets my heart racing faster. It’s too much, having him so close, touching me so gently. I close my eyes and move my forehead to lay on his cheek.
We stay like this for a few minutes as I force myself to calm down.
“Are you ready for dinner?” He breaks the spell between us.
“Do we have to move?” It slips from my mouth before I can stop it.
“Not if you don’t want. I’m perfectly happy right here.”
I force myself to step back and look at him again. There’s a touch of humor dancing in his eyes as his lip twitches. It takes every ounce of willpower I have to move further back and tug on his hand.
“I’ll let you feed me.”
His eyes break away, and he runs them down my body before sighing. “Room service sounds a lot better right now.”
A smile spreads across my face, and I lead him through the suite, grabbing my purse on the way out. “After dinner, we’re dancing.”
“Bizzy, you know I don’t dance.”
“Well, you can watch. Maybe someone will take pity and dance with me.”
“Over my dead fucking body,” he growls and yanks my back to his front. Another couple walks down the hallway and stops next to us, waiting for the elevator.
He holds me close, almost possessively, and when the elevator opens, he ushers us in together.
I meet the other woman’s eyes briefly and see her smirking. Then I drop my head to hide my own grin. The whole ride, Shaw never lets me go.
“That was so much fun!” I giggle, kicking off my sandals as we enter the suite. “You, my dear, are an awesome dancer.”
“I had a great partner.” Shaw follows behind and sits next to me when I collapse on the sofa.
“Why haven’t we danced more often?” I slur my words, cuddling into him.
“I’ve tried to tell you, I don’t dance.”
“It must have been the wine. The wine made you dance. We have to get more wine.”
“Babe, I didn’t drink wine.”
My head shoots up and I groan. “Oh shit, did I drink that whole bottle myself?”
“Every drop.”
“I’m going to feel terrible tomorrow. That was stupid, considering I haven’t slept.”
“Why haven’t you slept?”
“I thought about going to bed this morning when I got home, but I was too excited. So basically, I’ll be a zombie tomorrow.”
“Good thing you can sleep all day if you want.”
“I’ll sleep on the beach.”
“Do you want me to help you get to bed?”
“Not yet, this is comfortable. I want to talk.”
“What do you want to talk about? You’re blitzed and running on no sleep.”
“I want to talk about you. We never talk about you.”
“We talk about me all the time.”
“We talk about the boys, and we talk about your work. We never really talk about you.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Why aren’t you dating anyone, Shaw? You’re a catch.”
He chuckles, his chest vibrating under my cheek, as he runs his hands through my hair. “Catch, huh? Not sure I agree.”
I lift up, bracing on his chest. His face is relaxed and soft, and I love it. “You are to me. You’re perfect.” The alcohol is obviously guiding my words.
“Oh, sweet Bizzy, I’m far from perfect. I’m an asshole in my business, never letting anyone get the upper hand. I run my clients like a fucking drill sergeant, not putting up with any shit. When it comes to my personal life, I spend most of my time with family. There’s no time for much else, especially the drama that comes with relationships in my line of work. I’ve stayed single on purpose.”
His words sting, and I flinch, backing away. Even in my