Page 97 of When the Storm Breaks
A flash of annoyance crossed my face. Why hadn’t Shiloh come down to greet me herself?Jameshanded me a cardboard envelope containing a card key to the room. “Right this way.” He ushered me up a marble staircase with a brass railing and we stopped in front of the elevators. James pressed the button and I stared at the doors, waiting for them to open.
“I’m sure I can find it on my own.”
“I’m sure you can but I’ll accompany you.”
He stepped into the elevator with me and we rode up in silence. When the elevator stopped, we stepped out and I followed him down the carpeted hallway. Two men were in the hallway, and I assumed they were more security detail forMiss Leroux.
Before I had a chance to knock on the door, it flew open. “Cowboy!” She threw herself into my arms, damn near knocking me over.
From behind me, I heard someone chuckle. I lifted Shiloh off the ground and her legs wrapped around my waist as I carried her further into the room, my duffel bag hitting the floor with a thud.
“Thanks, James,” she called over my shoulder.
“No prob—”
I kicked the door shut before he’d even gotten the words out and slammed her against the wall next to the door. She let out a little gasp. I crushed my lips against hers and slid my tongue inside her mouth, kissing her like I was starving and half-crazed from missing her. Both accurate. Fuck, she felt so good in my arms, her tits pressed against my chest, my dick getting hard as she rolled her hips and I grinded against her sweet little body, my tongue stroking the most sensitive parts of her mouth. Diving in and exploring, reminding myself of the taste of her. Her jasmine scent washed over me, every bit as intoxicating as I remembered.
She pulled back from our kiss and cradled my face in her hands, both of us taking a few moments to catch our breath and take in any changes since the last time we’d set eyes on each other. I consoled myself with the knowledge that even though her surroundings were more luxurious, she looked the same as I remembered. Stormy grays fringed by thick black lashes, high cheekbones and full lips lifted into a smile.
No, that’s a goddamn lie. She looked even more beautiful than I remembered. I gave her a soft kiss on the lips. “Hi.”
She laughed. “Hi.” She touched my face, and I dipped my head to kiss the side of her neck and brush my lips over her jaw.
“I can’t believe you’re really here.” Her voice was hushed.
Neither could I. Still holding her in my arms, I turned us around and advanced into the room, taking it all in for the first time since I’d arrived. It looked like a rich person’s living room. A funky chandelier hung over the purple velvet sofa and gray velvet chairs arranged around a marble coffee table, and a gilt-framed mirror hung above a brown marble fireplace. Directly across from us, French doors opened onto a balcony with a white balustrade and the only view I could see from here was blue skies and a lot of green.
“Slumming it, huh?”
She laughed, her legs cinching more tightly around my waist and her arms wrapped around my neck. “Don’t be fooled by my surroundings. I’m still the same girl you met in Texas. Nothing has changed.”
But she wasn’t the same girl I met. She was different here. And London … Paris… the South of France… it changed everything.
“I ordered room service.”
The round table on the balcony was set for two, covered with silver lidded dishes. It looked as if she’d ordered everything on the menu. “Were you expecting an army?”
“I know how much you eat.”
“I’m not hungry for food.”
“What are you hungry for?”
“You.” I dipped my head and kissed the corner of her mouth then tugged her bottom lip between mine and sucked on it.
“God, I’ve missed you so much. You have no idea.”
But I did have an idea. I’d missed her so much in the two months we’d been apart that I didn’t know how I’d lived without her for the past thirty-three years. “Why don’t you show me how much you’ve missed me?”
In long strides, I carried her into the bedroom and tossed her onto the bed. When she hit the mattress, she bounced and grabbed my hands, pulling me down on top of her. Bracing my weight on one forearm, I slid my finger under the thin strap of her silk and black lace camisole. Today it was forest green, my favorite color. “Did you wear this for me?”
She gave me a coy smile. “Maybe.”
“Well, as pretty as it is, it’s gotta go.”
She sat up and I ripped it over her head and tossed it to the floor then pushed her back against the mattress. Hooking my fingers in the sides of her silky shorts, I pulled them down her legs, freeing her of them. I sat back on my heels, taking a moment to drink her in, my gaze roaming over every inch of her bare skin.
“Are you just going to stare at me all day?” she sassed, her hands reaching for the fly of my jeans. I swatted her hand away.
