Page 100 of Best Man
“I know, I know. But you were right,” she said. “I can’t wait to do that again … someday.”
Like, oh, maybe nine months from now,she thought.
“Someday?” he snickered. “Why do you make it sound so far away? We can go any day you want. I promise, I’ll go slow for you.”
“You’re sweet,” she said. “But we need to get another helmet first. I don’t like that you don’t have two. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
And then we need to wait another nine months, because I don’t want anything to happen to the baby, either.
“Okay, I will.”
He walked her through the lobby. Paulina’s head swiveled from side to side, taking in the regal sights and sounds of the building that Sasha called home. She’d never been in a hotel half as luxurious as this.
“I can’t believe you actuallylivehere.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “I mean, theRitz? Isn’t it crazy expensive?”
He sucked air through gritted teeth. “You’re worried about what Katya said at dinner, aren’t you?”
She didn’t want to start nagging him about money. But, like it or not, Katerina was right. If they were going to be parents, he should probably start being more responsible with his money.
“I’m just curious,” she said.
“Listen, it’s not cheap,” he admitted, “but it’s not so bad, either. I do a few commercials for them and they cut me a good deal. It all works out.”
“I see.”
Not sure I’m crazy about raising a baby in a hotel, though.
He pressed the button to summon the elevator and they waited.
“Besides, I love living here. I never want to leave,” he continued. “I get room service. A maid. They even have a privatebanya.”
“Banya?What’s that?”
“It’s Russian for sauna,” he said, a mischievous sparkle in his eye. “Ever been in a sauna?”
She shook her head. “No, never.”
“Ooh,” he cooed. “I should take you, then. Maybe tonight, even?”
“Yeah, maybe,” she murmured. She felt a strong urge to googlesauna while pregnant,but the elevator arrived right as she reached inside her clutch.
“Trust me, you will love it—everyone does.” He laughed a low, devious laugh. “Well, maybe everyone but Derek.”
They stepped onto the elevator and he pressed the button for the top floor. When the doors closed, an awkward silence settled between them. She knew it was all her fault, too. The elevator shot upward and gravity pulled at her insides. Her stomach was fraught with nerves—the moment of truth was near. And if she kept turning him off by acting strangely, he’dneverwant anything to do with her.
Determined to make things right, she pounced on him, his back hitting the elevator wall.
I need you to want me, she thought, imploring him with her lips.I need you to want this baby.
“Oh,” he gasped, surprised by the desperate heat of her kisses.
“I want you so bad,” she whispered. “Feel.” She grabbed his hand and guided it up her skirt.
He grunted happily and reached his big hand between her thighs. Gently, he ran his fingers along the crotch of her panties, and waves of pleasure buckled her knees.
“Oh my God, Paulina. You’re so wet.”
“Your motorcycle got me all worked up,” she told him.
