Page 20 of Wild Nights

"I want another night with you." Now that I'd said the words out loud, my muscles finally loosened slightly.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Carolina asked softly.

"It's probably the worst idea, but that doesn't change how I feel." I allowed my gaze to drop, but it slid right past her face to the globes of her breasts, spilling out of the top of her dress.

Her lips twitched. "I don't know how to do this. Should I give you my room number?"

"No need. I know where to find you." I spun her around the room.

"We'll share one more night, but it's a secret from your family," Carolina said carefully.

"Yes."

"Then you might want to act a little less jealous when I'm talking to your brothers." Her tone was amused.

My gaze finally met hers. "You weren't talking. You were touching them."

Carolina laughed. "You know that's not what this is."

I lowered my head and whispered into her ear. "I have no idea what this is, but it's not predictable. It's not safe. It's wild and reckless. And I want more."

She blew out a breath as I straightened. "I do too."

"Then we're on the same page," I said, feeling better now that I understood what was going on. She was being friendly with my family, not wanting them to know about us. I could respect that. "Just try not to touch one of my brothers for the rest of the night."

Her lips curled into a smile. "You're cute when you're jealous."

"I don't get like this. My ex played in a band. She wanted me to be jealous, but I couldn't bring myself to care. Maybe because she expected it. She wanted it. She liked to play guys off each other, and I refused to play that game." That's when I was labeled predictable. But this thing with Carolina felt anything but boring. I'd never felt more alive.

Carolina smoothed her hand over the chest of my suit jacket. "I don't want to sound like your ex because she sounds shallow. I wasn't trying to make you jealous, but I kind of liked that you were. Is that awful?"

The interesting thing was, it wasn't an ego boost for Carolina. Her cheeks were flushed. "Does it turn you on?"

"Everything about you turns me on. I thought that night was an anomaly. That I was misremembering it somehow. That I'd made it all up in my head. But I didn't, did I?" Her words were careful, measured.

My hands tightened on her. "We're going to find out."

"These last few months—" She paused, then continued, "I couldn't get you out of my head."

I spun her around, and when she was back in my arms, I said, "Same here, Caro."

Her gaze lifted to meet mine. "I love when you call me that."

Her name was gorgeous, but I liked shortening her name. It felt secret. Clandestine. For once, I had something for myself that no one else knew about. When the song ended, I stepped back and dipped into a shallow bow. "It was nice tomeet you, Miss Cromwell. I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay."

She dipped into a mock curtsy. "A pleasure, Mr. Wilde." Then she spun on her heel and swayed her hips as she walked off the dance floor. I should have looked away, but I couldn't. She was delectable, and tonight she was all mine. I couldn't wait.

I stalked off the floor and out of the room. I needed to cool off. She wouldn't be in her room for a couple of hours yet, and I needed time to regroup.

In the condo, I stepped into a cool shower, trying not to think about what I'd be doing in a few short hours. My time with Carolina was limited, and I was going to take advantage of every delicious second. She was mine for the night. I'd made sure it was a night to remember. That she'd never forget it. It would be better than the first.

I wasn't sure if I'd survive it.

Chapter Seven

CAROLINA

My skin had been tingling ever since Oliver interrupted my dance with Xander. I couldn't stop thinking about that declaration he made before walking out of the room. We were going to find out if our one night was real or a fluke.