Page 120 of Sliding Into Love
“Do you like it?”
Before them stood the most exclusive, pretentious hotel in the city. The massive building took up an entire city block, climbing dozens of stories into the sky and glittering in the pink and orange light of the receding sunset.
“I didn’t—I don’t— Ethan, it's soexpensive.” A hint of frantic energy stole over her again as she twisted her hands together.
“Ivy.” Ethan cupped her chin in his hands and turned her face to meet his eyes. “Major league pitcher on the heels of a World Series win.” He pointed at himself. “Did you forget?”
“It's still too much!” Ivy said in a small voice, blinking up at the behemoth of a building.
“It’s not too much. Nothing is too much for you. So, I want you to enjoy it, okay?” Ethan meant every word.
“Okay,” Ivy said faintly, turning a small smile up at him. “Do you think there’s a pool?”
Containing his self-satisfied chuckle, Ethan wrapped his arm around her.
“Let’s go find out.”
The backof Ivy’s neck ached from craning her head up and from side to side to take in the sleek metal and glass interior of the hotel, though she’d tried to be stoic and solemn at first. But when the hotel manager emerged from her office with a tray of champagne and gold-dusted chocolates, well, Ivy couldn’t help herself. Never had she had the opportunity for such self-indulgence and luxury, and Ivy was determined to enjoy every second, whether it was the way one should behave or not.
Now, on the way to their room—theirsuite— Ivy felt every single one of the bubbles in the champagne coursing through her veins to pool low in her belly, leaving her tingly and wanting.
Ivy wasmarried, this was herhoneymoonwith herhusband, and while they’d planned a longer vacation with Jase and Janna for their winter break, right now, she planned to take full advantage of the handful of days they had to themselves before they had to return to the reality of their life.
As they walked, Ivy made her plan for their first night of married bliss. The small suitcase she’d packed was in the hands of a teenage bellhop, but she’d brought a bag Lily had shoved into her hands as they’d left the reception.
“For tonight,” Lily had said with a leer.
Ivy hefted the bag higher on her shoulder and tried to surreptitiously feel around inside. The texture of lace slid over her fingertips and a small cardboard box. Perfect timing, she realized, as they approached a door. The manager swiped a key and pushed the door open, and Ivy lost all sense of manners or propriety as she threw herself past the bemused hotel manager and nearly knocked the woman down in her haste to enter the room. Once inside, Ivy barely noticed what was probably the height of luxury as she cast her eyes around in search of a spot to investigate the contents of her bag without drawing attention to her action. Ethan and the manager were having a low conversation at the door, so Ivy slid the bag off her shoulder and tugged the straps apart, easing open the magnetic clasp.
Inside the bag, Ivy saw a pile of black and red lace and ribbon, which, on further inspection, was a corset. Her mouth went dry, considering the sexy implications of the garment.Itisyour wedding night,her inner voice intoned.
Her inner voice sounded a lot like Lily's.
But she agreed with Lily, or her inner voice, or both, and plunged her hand back inside the soft brown leather bag. The cardboard box was revealed to be…under-bed restraints? Ivy’s mouth went dry.
Were they for her or Ethan?
Was she supposed torestrainher mountain of a husband?
Fingering the red lace cups of the corset, Ivy decided to go for it. One last time, she shoved her hand back in the bag and pulled out a clear bottle with pink holographic writing.
Cherry-flavored lube.
Immediately her cheeks went pink. Virgin bride she was not, but this felt so delightfully naughty, she couldn't help but giggle.
Which drew Ethan’s attention like a cat to a mouse.
One dark eyebrow quirked at her, and she dropped the bottle back in the bag, hoping he hadn't seen it. Hastily, she closed the bag as Ethan said his goodbyes to the manager.
Ivy’s heart beat in her ears as she formed her plan.
“Darling,” she said, and even she could hear how corny andsuspiciousshe sounded. “Uh, Ethan. I think there’s a coffee shop downstairs. Would you mind terribly if I troubled you for a coffee? I’m dreadfully tired,” she said sweetly, like a dame in a black-and-white movie.
Ivy knew Ethan was onto her, biting his full lower lip to hide a smile.
“Sure, I’ll get coffee for you. But I made sure there was an espresso machine in the kitchen. I can make espresso if you want.” He gestured to a closed door she hadn’t noticed.
“Espresso sounds lovely!” Too shrill, even to her ears.
