The relief that crosses his face is palpable. “Tonight, then.”

I watch him go, that sinking sensation that’s become more and more common in the pit of my stomach returning. What am I going to do about what my dad wants? And how can I keep misleading Connor about who I really am?

I push it to the back of my mind, focusing on work instead. I still have time to figure something out. Still have time to make things right on both ends.

At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Emma

Iignore the stares from others in the lobby as I head toward the hotel’s elevators, wishing I had thrown on a trench coat or something over this dress. Not that I own a trench coat, but still. I’m attracting too much attention when this is supposed to be a secret meeting. At least they have no idea where I’m going.

My belly dips low in anticipation as I board the elevator, hitting the button for his floor. Regardless of any inner turmoil I’ve been experiencing lately, there’s no way I’d miss tonight. When it comes down to it, I want Connor, and he wants me.

As the doors close, my reflection stares back at me. Curls contained in a loose topknot. More makeup than I usually wear to match the mood of the dress. And definitely more skin exposed than normal, but tonight’s a special occasion.

And soon, I won’t have anything on at all.

I get off on the fifty-first floor, taking deep breaths to calm my racing heart. Why am I so nervous? It’s just Connor. We’ve been intimate before.

But not like this. Not knowing we’ll likely go further tonight than we have previously. That I’ll finally know all of him.

I knock on the door, his smile as he opens it calming the butterflies in my stomach. “Hi.”

“Hi.”

He takes my hand, drawing me into the room, the kiss he lays on my lips long and slow, nothing frantic about it this time. We have all night.

He leans back, taking his fill of me. “You look incredible.”

I twirl for him, the dress flaring out around my legs. “Better in person?”

His palms settle on my waist, hot through the silk. “Absolutely. Although I won’t say no to any more pictures from you.”

I bite my lip, grinning down at the ground. “I’ve never sent pics to a guy.”

“No?” He draws me closer, my breasts brushing his chest. “I’ll send some to you if you want. To make it fair.”

I playfully thump his arm. “No, you won’t. Angelina would kill you.”

“Yeah, she would.” He leans in, smiling against my neck as he leaves a hot kiss there. “You can look all you want tonight, though.”

My belly jumps. So he definitely plans on getting naked, then. “Are we, um… Do you plan on…” Some seductress I am. I can’t even ask him if he wants to sleep with me.

“We’ll do whatever you’re comfortable with,” he murmurs, catching my drift. He presses another kiss to my neck, my toes curling in delight. “Anything you want.”

I arch, giving him more room to work with. “So am I in control again?”

He moves up further, his lips behind the shell of my ear now, goosebumps racing across my skin. “I thought we could share it tonight.”

“And, um, what do you plan on doing when it’s your turn?” He’s practically sending me into a stupor with how good that feels.

“I’ll worship you.” The low tone of his voice sends another wave of shivers through me. Can we get started on the worshipping right now?

I groan, finding his lips to kiss him. Slow, drugging kisses where we explore each other’s mouths, his hands unhurriedly roaming my curves, my arms intertwined over his shoulders, loving the strength just under my fingertips.

I press against him, needing that contact, his hard body everything I’ve been dreaming of. The spark between us flares, burning bright as he deepens the kiss, all reservations about misleading him disappearing as I simply experience this moment. I want this man. Respect him. Admire him. And if I let myself, I know I could easily fall in love with him.