Page 43 of Hook Up

“Gigi, I wanted to spend the night with you, but you refused. Not until the ink is dry,” Ryder states, mimicking my previous night’s declaration. “You knocking on my door was a welcome surprise.”

“Guess I’m lucky I didn’t interrupt you.” Am I being saucy? Difficult? Yes, to both questions. But this entire deal, no matter how lucrative for my pocketbook, is wreaking havoc on my heart.

Deep down, even though I’d rather die than admit it, I wanted Ryder to fall in love with me. Instead, he offered me a job, albeit the highest paying one of my life.

But what will the cost be to my emotional well-being once these few months are up? Once the media storm dies down, and he no longer needs a stand-in girlfriend?

All these questions rattled around my brain last night as I sat in my suite, until the utterly soused wedding party appeared at my door, interrupting my internal monologue as they insisted they had to stay with me for some inane reason.

I tried arguing with them, but it’s absolutely fruitless to battle drunkards.

So, I packed my suitcase and headed down the hall to Ryder’s suite, never thinking he might be entertaining someone.

“You thought I had another woman in here?” Ryder questions, crossing his arms over his muscular chest. Damn him for looking so delicious with so few articles of clothing.

“I wasn’t sure. It seems I was the only one who didn’t get laid last night, not that most of the bridal party will remember their antics.”

Ryder strides over to me, setting the mug on the table and sinking to his knees on the carpet. “You’re the only woman. Got it? And all you had to do was ask, and I would have spent the night savoring every inch of you.” He leans in, stealing a kiss. “But you chose to be difficult, so neither of us got any loving last night.”

“I’m not difficult,” I grumble, earning an incredulous look from Ryder. “Fine, but I’m entitled to parameters with this deal, too.”

A smile splits his face as he nuzzles my neck, his hands prying apart the panels of my robe. “Denying yourself sexual satisfaction is one of your parameters? Gigi, you need to learn better negotiation skills.”

All the while, his fingers slide along my thighs, drifting ever higher, until they hook on the edges of my underwear. But it’s the look on his face that gets me, those sapphire eyes lit with an inner fire.

“Tell me what you want, beautiful. I’ll give you anything.”

My eyes rake over his half-naked form, while my mind lists off a hundred things I’d like for him to do to me. But women have always come easy for Ryder Gray, and I’ll be damned if I fall into that category. He may not love me, but he is going to work for a roll in the hay with me.

“I’d like my coffee back.” I bite back a laugh as his jaw slackens. “What? You asked.”

Ryder quickly regains his composure, a chuckle escaping his lips. “Playing it that way? Okay.” He leans in, his tongue circling my nipple before sucking it into his mouth. “You drink your coffee. I’ll find other ways to keep myself occupied.”

His hands slide along my spine, pulling my body flush against him, his mouth working overtime as he teases first one breast and then the other. I feel him smile against my skin when a low moan slips from my lips and my hands press into his scalp.

Coffee? Who the hell needs coffee?

Ryder pulls back, running his tongue along his full lips. “See? There’s more than one way to wake up in the morning.” He hands me my mug, pressing a kiss to my mouth before popping up to answer the knock at the door.

At least my libido is going to get a hell of a ride these next couple of months. Something to be said for great sex. Hell, there’s a ton to be said for great sex and I know, without a doubt, sex with Ryder will be incredible.

Grabbing my mug, I stroll onto the balcony. It’s already hot, but nowhere near as scorching as my body when Ryder is near.

“We have one hour.” Ryder interrupts my thoughts as he joins me on the balcony, his eyes riveted to me.

“What are you looking at?”

“You. I’m admiring the view.”

It might be a line, but there’s something so earnest in his words that they warm my heart and my hormones all in the same breath. Maybe it’s the Vegas heat or the surreal nature of this weekend, but I drop all my inhibitions.

“I can offer you a much better view than that.” Holding his gaze, I pull open the panels of my robe, letting it slide off my shoulders. Then, I slip off my g-string, shooting him a sultry smirk as I lean against the railing. “Better, right?”

His expression smolders, his eyes raking down my form. “Keep it up and I’m bending you over this railing in full view of everyone.”

“Likely story.”

It takes Ryder three steps to close the distance between us. With a heated breath, he places one hand on either side of the railing, trapping me in his embrace. “If you think I won’t strip you naked right now and kiss every inch of your body while the world watches, you’re wrong.”

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