was trying…”
I smiled at the change in his tone as he recalled this morning’s escapades. Jealous much? When he finished his account, I said, “I think I should go find Max.”
“Why?”
“Because I owe him a thank-you.” Fingering the small buttons of Nox’s shirt I added, “Because he brought you to my chaise.”
“I believe I mentioned that I would’ve gotten there one way or the other.”
“Well, I should thank Max anyway, because he provided you a way. And…” I leaned closer. “…I’m glad you got there.”
He held my hand, the one on his shirt. “If I only get one week with you…” His voice came breathier than before. “…I want it to count. Charli Moore, I want you to remember your stay at Del Mar.”
The guilt I’d felt earlier came rushing back, compressing my chest, and making breathing increasingly difficult. I hated cheaters and liars and wasn’t willing to be one of them. If this week was going to work, it was now or never. “Before that…” I lowered my chin and looked up at him through my lashes. “…I think I should confess.”
“Confess?”
“Though I only thought you broke my limit, I’ve broken yours, your hard limit—not intentionally,” I added. “More by omission.”
He stood taller, the ridges of his torso more defined under my touch. “How? What have you done?”
I exhaled. “I let you assume that Chelsea and I share a last name. We don’t. We have different fathers.” That wasn’t being dishonest. We also had different mothers, but I wasn’t sure I was ready to go that far.
“Is your name Charli?”
“It’s a nickname,” I answered honestly. Meeting his stare I asked, “Is your name Nox?”
The corner of his mouth twitched toward a grin. “It’s a nickname, too. So if Moore isn’t your last name, what is it?”
I tilted my head to the side. “Let’s spend the next week as Charli and Nox—no last names, no commitments. Can we do that?”
“You didn’t research who was staying in the presidential suite? You really don’t know my last name?”
I shook my head. “I didn’t. Not because I wasn’t curious—I am. But, I’m ashamed to admit that I didn’t think of it until you mentioned it.”
His large hands traveled to my waist as his side grin turned into a full-blown sexy smile. As he tugged at the sash of my robe, his tone found the timbre that resurrected the butterflies deep inside of me. “Just know, Miss Charli no-last-name, the next time you break one of my rules, I won’t respond as lightly.”
“You won’t?” I asked, more aroused than curious. “What exactly does that mean?”
He moved closer, seductively teasing my breasts with the presence of his wide chest. “I guess we’ll need to find that out together.”
I had to lift my chin to see his eyes. The light blue sparkled with suggestions. The longer I stared, the more a part of me wanted to find out exactly what he had in mind. There was also a part of me that knew that wasn’t a good idea. I shrugged nonchalantly. “Then I guess I better not break any of your rules.”
“Where’s the fun in that?” he asked.
“Oh, I believe I can be all kinds of fun.” I gasped as he pulled me nearer. My nipples—the ones that had softened during our conversation—were now hard nubs burning with desire as they were pressed against his broad chest. That wasn’t our only connection that made my insides tighten. Lower, his hardening erection pushed against my stomach.
“Perhaps we could begin that fun tonight?” Nox asked.
No doubt he could feel the rapid beat of my heart reverberating from my chest to his. I wanted everything about this man, and if I let my body have its way, we’d be horizontal in fifty-one seconds flat. But I couldn’t. If we were to explore my limits, I needed to know that they would be honored. Gathering my strength, I stepped back. The bit of space gave me purpose. “Nox, I’d rather spend the entire week getting to know you.” My lashes fluttered. “You, me, and all the fun that may entail. Let’s not do it all in one night.”
Straightening his back and nodding, Nox reached for the bottle of cabernet. “Let me open this and we’ll toast to Charli and Nox and…” He cocked his head. “…to fun and getting to know one another.”
The pop of the cork echoed through the suite, momentarily overriding the rushing sound of blood coursing through my veins, as Nox poured two glasses. Musk and desire