“Are you serious? My boss is gonna flip!”
“No problem. We all need a little leg-up here and there.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Call me Hunter.” Faith looks to me with adoration, and the sensation of a hot toddy settles in the pit of my stomach.
This girl is trouble.
We arrive at the hotel in no time, and Faith requests a few moments to say goodnight to James. With a curt nod, I step aside to wait in the lobby. It’s difficult to keep my eyes on the floor, and in the far reaches of my peripheral vision, I see him lean in, planting a kiss on her cheek. She shies away with a sweet smile and a gentle thank you. My fists tighten at the sight of another man’s lips on her skin. I have no right to feel this way, but something primal inside me wants her for myself, especially after tonight. Her personality outshines her physical beauty, enhancing it with every quirk, snort, and fumbled word.
I press for the elevator when Faith sashays toward me, an extra sway in her hips. She knows I’m watching. We stand in silence waiting for the doors to open. Stepping inside, her fingers interlace with mine, her breathing labored as we’re encased in this confined space.
“Hunter…” I gulp at the sound of my name on her lips—raw, pleading, wanting.
“Don’t.” I tighten my grip on her hand, imploring her to understand the predicament I find myself in. She has to know I’m not rejecting her. If she were anyone else, this wouldn’t be an issue.
It takes an eternity to reach her floor with the scent of her perfume invading my senses. My body is vibrating at the connection between us. When the harsh light of the hallway floods in, I place my hand on the small of her back to usher her out, but as she steps out, her heel gets caught in the opening. Wiggling her foot, she attempts to break free, her hips swaying back and forth. It’s hypnotic. No matter how she twists and turns, she can’t seem to loosen her heel. Swiveling her body, she’s no longer blocking the doors enough to keep them open, and as they begin to close, she becomes frantic.
“Hunter! Help.” The doors slowly edge toward her, sending her spiraling into a blind panic. “For God’s sake, Help me! I’m stuck!”
I grab her leg, pulling her foot, pushing her out of harm’s way.
“All you had to do was step out of the shoe… genius.” I wrestle with the offending heel, but it’s firmly wedged in there. With an almighty yank, I manage to loosen it, mangling the leather in the process. I hold it up in triumph, her face flush with embarrassment as she stands on one heel, her posture crooked and defeated. She’s gone from confident vixen to disheveled deer in the headlights.
“Sorry about your shoe.” She lets out a long, drawn-out sigh.
“They were my feel-good heels. Ugh. Why am I such a klutz?”
“It’s fine. I think it’s… cute.” She slumps against the door to her room, searching her bag for the keycard. “Do I make you nervous, Miss Fairchild?”
“You definitely make me nervous when you call me Miss Fairchild. You’re just so…” A little roar escapes her throat, quickening my pulse. “God. I’m sorry. I just mean… you’re hot. You know that, I don’t need to tell you. Someone who looks like you with that jaw and the abs and the massive bulge…” taking a deep breath, she composes herself, “… I’m so sorry. Verbal diarrhea. It’s a real problem for me. You should know that if I’m going to keep my job.”
I place a finger over her lips, stopping her from digging a deeper hole for herself.
“Calm down. You’re sexy when you rant.” I hold her gaze, the air between us growing thick with tension. She pouts her lips and presses a gentle kiss against my finger. Looking up at me through sultry lashes, I can’t answer her silent request. I have to go.
“Good night, Faith.” Leaning in, I caress her lips with mine, the taste of her gloss tantalizing me to the brink of madness. I don’t move, pressing her firmly against the wall. As she begins to open her mouth, I pull back, knowing I can’t stroke her tongue with mine without losing all control. With my hands braced on either side of her, I push myself back and stride to the elevator without looking back. If I do, I’ll cave, and I’ve already gone too far.
“Good night, Hunter.” As the doors close behind me, I rub my hands over my face, trying to snap out of whatever sex haze this girl has me under. I like control, I crave it, but one thing’s for sure—I’m in over my head.