attraction, and the reckless behavior it’s spawned - is a bad idea.
But my fingers dance up his collar and twirl in his hair. It’s so soft. I wonder what it smells like.
He walks us backward until I’m pressed against the mirrored glass of the elevator and he lifts me by the waist and sets my ass on the narrow handrail.
His hands rest on either side of my head and he spears me in place with his eyes. “I wasn’t chasing you…this was a lure. You’re an excellent hunter.”
I nod in agreement.
He drops his head and presses his nose to my throat. “Can I kiss you right here?” he asks. I don’t understand the tears that prick sting the back of my eyes at his question. But it makes me want to give him whatever he asks for.
At my nod, he presses a feather light kiss to my throat.
I arch my neck, pressing closer, my head spinning already.
The sharp edge of his teeth scrapes along my jawline. He nips my chin before he kisses and sucks his way back down my neck.
I’m balanced precariously on my perch with Stone pressed between my thighs, devouring me like I’m his to consume.
His touch is driving me wild.
The loud buzzing is like a needle scratching a record. We jump apart, both wide eyed and panting.
“Hello, this is security. We’re getting you out,” a loud voice comes over the loudspeaker. It sounds vaguely familiar and it sends my panic into overdrive.
“Oh my God, this is a disaster,” I cry and start wiping my mouth and fixing my hair and straightening my clothes.
“It’s just security.” I snap a glance at him in the mirror and see the irritation in his voice furrowing his brow.
“I think I know that voice, “I whisper urgently, cursing my stupidity and swearing to be good if I get out of this.
“So? We’re in an elevator both fully clothed, it’s hardly suspicious,” he says, and his calm voice annoys me. The elevator whines and my heart hammers against my breastbone.
“Let’s just get off like we’re strangers, you go first, and I’ll call you when I get to my room, okay?” I mutter and then put my game face on.
The man on the other side isn’t anyone I've ever seen before and the rush of relief I feel almost makes me nauseous.
Stone thanks the man for his help, bids me a civil good evening and strolls away. I walk with the maintenance man back to the lobby and make small talk until we part ways at the huge fountain that sits at the center of it.
I walk on trembling legs to the nearest bench and sit. The fear I’d felt in that elevator, when I thought I knew that voice had been unreal. What would I have done if it had been someone I know?
I’ve held on to my marriage by Faustian bargain. Marcel has broken faith with me more times than I can count, and I don’t owe him my fidelity or discretion.
But there are more than just our reputations at stake.
Buried somewhere in our prenup there are all sorts of morality clauses tied to alimony and more importantly, custody.
Charlie was right, what we have isn’t a marriage. We’ll never be intimate again. But, Marcel has made it clear that leaving him would be nothing short of a battle. If I’m going to do it, I don’t need to give him any ammunition.
Cursing my choices and my husband, I start for my room. I was lucky just now, but this is a popular and public place. I was crazy to think I could have an affair with him here. I’m not going to call Stone when I get back to my room. And since I have no idea when he’s leaving, I’ll be spending the rest of my time there. It sucks, but I always eat my vegetables. Even when they’re covered in shit.
Last night will have to be enough.
My stomach tightens and disappointment lodges in my throat.
Discipline, Regan.
I am the most disciplined person I know. I don’t say that as a point of pride but as a matter of fact. It’s what has pulled me back up every time life has forced me to my knees.
It’s my superpower.
And that makes Stone Rivers… what? My kryptonite? Because the minute I breathe the same air as him, I find myself confronting bullies, breaking decades of family code, fornicating in public, and shattering rules that I have never even been tempted to bend.