Page 59 of Tempt Me

“Yep, I have a love-hate relationship with her at the gym. She doesn’t go easy on me, that’s for sure.”

We finished our meals, and for dessert, we shared a giant chocolate brownie smothered in rich chocolate, candied macadamia nuts, and vanilla ice cream. I sat back, unable to eat another mouthful, and realized that the throbbing in my abdomen, which had been my constant companion for two days, had finally subsided.

“I’m so full,” he said as he eased back in his chair.

“Me too.”

“Thanks for your company.” His eyes, the color of molten honey, twinkled in the dancing flames.

“Thank you, too. It’s been fun.” It really had. As I thought about all the men in my life, I was horrified to realize that this had been my first ever official date. How could that be? I scanned my brain again, going back twenty-eight years, searching for a candlelit dinner, or a picnic in the park, or anything that would resemble two potential lovers getting to know one another. But there were none. Not even with Alexander. It seemed one minute he talked to me, and the next we were girlfriend and boyfriend.

I’d always been desperate to have a manlikeme . . . or, God forbid, love me.

The realization was horrifying.

Never again would I be that easy.

This crazy challenge I was on had taught me how much I liked having sex. But it showed me how thrilling anticipation was, too. I wanted both. I wanted a man to take me to the limit in a primal, uncontrolled sexual frenzy. But I also wanted to want it so badly that my body was a quivering mess. Each man I’d met so far this year had given me options, Clayton included. With him, I was choosing anticipation.Let’s see where our journey takes us.

He insisted on paying the bill, but only after I insisted on paying the next one. To my surprise, this meant two things.

Number one, I’d already accepted there would be a next time, and number two, he wanted to see me again.

The butterflies in my stomach hit disco mode.

Chapter Eighteen

It was Friday night, and I still hadn’t chosen my twenty-first sexual adventure. My brain slid into desperation mode because I had just forty-two hours to find the perfect man for Memphis, or my challenge would be skittled. The man didn’t even have to be perfect. Just able, single, and staying at the Hot Horizon Hotel.

A potential contender arrived at eleven p.m. and my relief was instant. He was dressed like a runway model in a smart, navy suit that fitted his body perfectly. His white button-up shirt looked as if it had just been ironed. He had broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and very shiny black shoes. The man screamed attention. My kind of attention.

He walked with an interesting shuffle up to my counter, and it wasn’t until he was very close that I noticed his large diamond earring and the slight acne scarring on his cheeks.

“Hello. Welcome to the Hot Horizon Hotel.” I offered him my most wicked smile.

“Hi, I’m Luke Stone, and I’m checking in for three nights.”

“Perfect.” I set about completing his paperwork. “What brings you to the Gold Coast, Mr. Stone?”

“I’m launching my new fashion line at Myer, Pacific Fair on Sunday.”

“Oh.” I blinked at him. “You’re a fashion designer?”

“Sure am.” His grin showed off teeth that dazzled nearly as bright as his diamond earring.

“It’s lovely to meet you.”

“Likewise.”

“Here’s your access card. You’re staying in room twenty-seven.” When he reached for the card, I gazed at his ring finger and breathed a sigh of relief. It was unadorned. That made Mr. Luke Stone my next adventure.

We said our goodbyes, and I watched his tight little butt all the way until he disappeared into the elevator.

The rest of Friday night spun past in a whirlwind of guests coming and going. The Triple H Bar was closed to the public for a private engagement party, and it was fascinating to watch the guests stagger from the bar in various stages of inebriation.

The bar stayed open for an extra two hours and so, when it all wrapped up at about three-thirty, I only had three hours to kill until my shift was over.

Sunrise brought with it a morning shower. I grabbed my cup of tea and sat outside on my favorite chair to breathe in the crisp, clean air. The sun speared through the clouds in bright laser beams, creating a full rainbow that stretched the length of the Gold Coast. I wondered if such a spectacle was an omen. Was I finally seeing a light at the end of my relationship wasteland? I had to admit, men really did seem to be coming out of the woodwork.

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