Two hours later, the cake was decimated, and most of the revelers had gone back to their rooms or out to gamble. Kata swallowed back her fourth margarita of the night, feeling more than a bit euphoric. But since a girl didn’t turn twenty-five every day, tipsy was okay in her book.
Behind her, Hunter still stood very close, his hand slung on her hip. His body heat permeated her sweater and little black skirt— while his stiff c**k pressed into her ass. Everything about his stance screamed possession, and she kind of liked the thought that he wouldn’t let her go until he was satisfied that he’d taken her as thoroughly as a man could. With Ben’s help, of course.
Since their dance, Kata had found it difficult to focus on anything other than getting the clothes off Hunter’s hard body and finding out just how capable he was of making her feel good. So why the hell had he cheered Ben on when her friend with benefits had suggested a drinking contest with another one of her neighbors?
For that matter, what was Ben thinking? This frat boy shit bored her. She’d never seen him down a six-pack like this. Why tonight?
“Go, go, go!” the small crowd surrounding them chanted, comprised of Ben’s opponent’s girlfriend and brother. Hunter remained silent.
Four minutes into the challenge, both opponents ripped open a new beer, Tim his fourth, Ben his fifth. They guzzled.
Two long minutes later, Ben belched and held up his sixth empty beer. “Did it!”
That, coupled with the copious amounts of beer and vodka he’d been drinking for the past few hours, made Ben a very drunk guy. His speech was slurred, and his limbs moved like wet noodles. Kata sighed and got up to make coffee. If he was going to be useful in helping fulfill her fantasy, she had to sober him up now.
His opponent, Tim, slammed his half-full bottle down. “Damn, I’m getting too old to drink anyone under the table.” He sighed, then turned to his girlfriend with a scowl. “Let’s go.”
After Tim grabbed his girlfriend’s arm and stomped out the door, his brother, Trey, hugged her. “Happy birthday, Kata. I hope it’s a great night.”
She smiled at the thirtysomething cop. “Thanks for coming to Vegas to celebrate with me.”
“And miss a kick-ass weekend? Never!” He flicked a gaze over at Hunter. “You okay for the rest of the night, or you need me to stay with you?”
Translation: Are you okay with this stranger?
No one knew Hunter much except Ben, who had assured her that Hunter was a great guy with a boatload of medals. But even if the sexy soldier hadn’t been a SEAL, Kata sensed that, while tough, he was good people. With his power play of a kiss earlier, he’d proven he had an uncompromising side. Then again, so did she.
Kata smiled. “I’m fine. Go enjoy the rest of your night.”
Trey shrugged. “I got a hundred-dollar chip from Caesars burning a hole in my pocket.”
She laughed and waved the trio out, then locked the door behind her and made her way to the suite’s little kitchen. Hallie and Chloe had left a few minutes ago to seek out single, gorgeous males for the night. She’d catch up with them on their flight home tomorrow morning. Marisol had gone back to her room shortly after Kata had blown out her candles. The mommy of two rambunctious school-age boys wasn’t used to late-night parties anymore.
So she, Ben, and Hunter were finally alone in the suite. Now the real fun could begin. After coffee.
She started the brew, then fished around the cabinets for mugs. Suddenly, she turned, and Hunter stood right there. She yelped. “Oh . . . You scared me. Don’t sneak up on me like that!”
A ghost of a smile played across his mouth. “Sorry. Can I help you with something?”
“No. Thanks. You want a cup?” She gestured to the coffee.
“I’m good for now. You need one?”
“I don’t actually drink it.” She looked out into the suite’s living room at her slouching friend. His eyes were at half-mast. “But Ben looks like he could use it.”
Ben sat up and barked, “I don’ want no f**kin’ coffee. I’ve just been waitin’ for ev’rone to leave so we could f**k. You still game, Kata?”
God knew she’d wanted a ménage forever. People did it and enjoyed it, from what she’d heard. She knew she’d feel the same.
But Ben was flat drunk. She’d never known his equipment to stop working, short of deep slumber, true. And she liked him, even if it was more as a friend than a lover. No denying that he was good in bed.
Hunter? Just being near the man made her tremble all over. Over the last few hours, she’d begun to sense that he was more than intense. That he crossed the line into forceful, maybe even controlling. That should send her running fast and hard. Given her family history, the idea of putting herself in the path of a domineering jackass terrified her. But Hunter just made her embarrassingly wet.
If she passed on this opportunity now because the situation wasn’t perfect, would this chance—or a man like Hunter—ever come her way again?
In a few dozen steps, Kata could be face-to-face with her biggest fantasy, if she just walked down the hall to the bedroom.
“I’m game.” She drew in a shaking breath and met Hunter’s blue gaze. “You?”