Page 3 of Wild Nights

Something passed through his eyes, but I couldn't place the emotion. "Neither am I." Then Oliver lowered his head, his breath tickling my ear. "But I want you."

There was something about the matter-of-fact way he delivered that line. It didn't sound like a come-on, and he was unapologetic in his desire.

"I want you too."

Oliver's hands tightened on my waist.

This was a terrible idea. But no one had intrigued me like Oliver. Could I have one night with him and pretend nothing had ever happened? Is that what I wanted?

I wanted to be in a committed relationship eventually, but I figured it wouldn't happen until I expanded my business. For now, I was content traveling around the United States managing conferences.

"Do you want to come up to my room?" I asked, my mouth suddenly very dry.

"If you're sure," Oliver said.

I nodded, and he interlaced his fingers with mine, leading me across the dance floor to a set of elevators I hadn't noticed before. I could have said I changed my mind, and I wasn't looking for a hookup, but I didn't. I wanted to spend more time with Oliver.

When the elevator opened, we stepped inside, and I hit the button for the sixth floor. He never let go of my hand as the elevator ascended. The door opened with a snick, and we stepped onto the plush carpet of the hallway.

Oliver paused in front of the open doors. "Which room is yours?"

"This way." I led the way to my room which was the last one on the floor. Eli had ensured I'd gotten a room with a view of the mountains. I unlocked the door with my keycard, and Oliver pushed it open. He dropped my hand as he stepped deeper into the room.

I placed my clutch on a nearby chair and kicked off my heels. The carpet felt heavenly on my aching feet.

Oliver tucked his hands into his slacks, taking in the breathtaking views of the mountains. "This is one of the nicest rooms in the lodge." He turned to face me. "Besides the penthouse."

"Do you do this often?" I asked, my heart fluttering. "Follow guests to their rooms?"

Oliver shook his head. "Never."

He said it so emphatically, I believed him. There was something about this man that was tugging on my heart strings. The only thing I knew about him was that he kepttrack of games with his brothers on spreadsheets, and he didn't pick up random guests and take them back to their room.

"Why me?" I couldn't help but ask.

My heart stuttered when he moved toward me, his gaze intent on mine. "There's just something about you I can't resist."

He moved close, lifting his hand, hovering it in the air for a second, before he brushed a strand of hair off my forehead. "I don't allow myself many indulgences?—"

The brief contact had my pulse racing. I should have been asking why that was, but the reasons didn't matter.

"I have a feeling you don't either."

I wondered if it was the suit I was wearing or the practical heels that gave him that impression. "I've never done this before. I work with your brother, and I don't want to cause any friction."

Oliver's eyes heated. "The only friction will be between us."

Sparks erupted inside me at the image his words conjured.

He lowered his head. "Are you sure about this?"

I licked my lips, needing him to touch me. "Yes."

Then his mouth brushed over mine, a feather light touch. I swayed toward him, and he caught me with a hand on my hip. "I'm going to enjoy every minute of this. I don't want to rush anything.

My heart picked up. "I thought one-night stands were quick and dirty."

He huffed out a laugh. "You don't know me. I don't do anything half-assed." He paused, then added, "But it might get a little dirty."