pulled out several candles and began strategically placing them up the steps of the tub and along the ledge.
He continued his decoration and when he’d peppered the entire room with the floral-scented candles, he pulled out the two dozen roses, a mixture of pink and red. He felt a little ridiculous as he arranged each single stem amidst the candles, spreading them out for the maximum effect, but when he pictured Payton’s reaction, the awkwardness fled. He wanted to see her smile, wanted to see her smile for him.
Next, he hauled the small table from the corner and placed it to the side of the tub and arranged the two chairs to face each other.
He tucked the remaining bag under the desk so it would be in easy reaching distance then stood and rubbed his hands together as he surveyed his handiwork. Now he just needed to light all the candles and hope to hell he didn’t burn down the hotel while he went to get Payton.
Lastly, he pulled out a red satin sash, letting it glide over his fingers. Then he shoved it into his pocket and headed out of the room.
When he got back into his truck, he spent a few seconds studying the directions Payton had given him to her apartment. He’d chosen the hotel because of its proximity to it, so it shouldn’t take him more than five minutes at most to get there.
* * *
Payton checked her appearance in the bathroom mirror for the fourth time since Wes had called and said he’d be there in five minutes. She’d foregone the casual, country bumpkin look and opted instead for a sexier, more sophisticated style.
She’d piled her hair atop her head, allowing a few strands to fall softly down her neck. Simple diamond studs adorned her ears, and she fidgeted with the back on one of them before taking her hand down to smooth the short silk skirt she’d chosen.
Hose and high heels. What man could resist long legs and killer shoes?
When she heard the knock at her door, she hurried out of the bathroom and down the hall. She opened the door to see Wes standing there looking sexy as sin, clothed in tight, faded blue jeans and a T-shirt that stretched across a very broad, muscled chest.
“Hi,” he said softly. “You ready?”
“Let me get my purse and I’ll be right out,” she said as she reached to grab it off the hook.
She turned back to him and walked out, closing the door behind her. No sooner had she done so then he pulled her into his arms, tipping her chin up as his mouth slanted down over hers.
She melted against him, loving his hardness, his strength and just how damn good he felt to hold on to. His tongue ran over the seam of her mouth, and she opened breathlessly for him as he plunged inside.
“Hey yourself,” she said huskily as he pulled away.
Dark, hooded eyes stared down at her. He ran a thumb across her lip then let his hand fall to capture hers. He wrapped his fingers around her wrist and tugged her along behind him as he walked toward his truck.
“So what’s the big surprise?” she asked when they’d both gotten in.
He glanced sideways at her and grinned. “Well, now, if I told you then it wouldn’t be a surprise.”
She smiled and settled back against the seat, briefly closing her eyes.
He reached across the space between them and curled his fingers around hers. His thumb massaged her palm in a soft, circular motion. Comforting, soothing. Her worries seem to melt away. He had that effect on her for some reason.
“Rough day?”
She turned her head to look at him and smiled again. “Not too bad. Just long. I had several showings and had a sale go bust on me. It was a big one, so I was pretty bummed about it. Seller backed out the last minute.”
He raised her hand to his mouth and kissed each fingertip. She shivered at the gentle attention, and she didn’t want the moment to end.
“I’m sorry. I hope what I have planned will make up for such a pissy day.”
“You keep doing that,” she said, nodding her head toward her hand, “and I’ll be your slave.”
“Mmm, I like the sound of that.”
So did she.
They drove the rest of the way in silence, but he never let go of her hand. He held it on his lap, the back of it pressed against his thigh and his