Page 24 of Red Wine and Roses

She ran her tongue over her bottom lip. “You have no idea how good I feel.”

He grinned and slid a hand down over her ass, pressing himself against her so she could feel the effect her words had on him. “I’m looking forward to finding out.”

She hadn’t meant it like that. She’d meant he didn’t know how goodhemade her feel—but he thought she was bragging about how good she would feel to him when he … when they … later! She tightened her arms around his neck, mostly for support, since she felt like she might melt into a puddle at his feet if he kept swaying his hips against hers like that.

His eyes twinkled as he looked down at her. He thought she was encouraging him. Hell, she was.

She was sad when the song came to an end. Dancing with him like that was the most intimate she’d been with a man in over a year—and she was the most turned on she’d been in many years. Maybe ever.

She loosened her arms, expecting him to step away from her, but her held her closer and shook his head.

“No?” she asked.

“No.” He smiled down at her. “I can’t believe what an idiot I’ve been, letting you get away from me the last couple of weekends. This time, there’s no way I’m letting go of you until I get you back to your room.”

She raised an eyebrow.

“Or my room. Wherever. I wish we could leave now, but we should stay until Cole and Laura call it a night. So, until they do, I’m going to do anything I can to keep you in my arms.”

Piper closed her eyes and shook her head.

“What? Did I say something wrong?”

“No. You said everything right. I think your assistant might be right.”

“About what?”

“That you’re a womanizer. You know the exact right thing to say to get a girl dropping her panties for you.” She was trying to make light of the effect his words had on her. The thought of him wanting to keep her in his arms made her heart melt—and her panties wet. She couldn’t fall for it, though. If he was that kind of guy, he’d always know the right thing to say to get into her panties, and she’d do well to remember that. She looked up into his eyes, expecting to see him laughing or maybe looking guilty that she saw through him. Instead, he looked hurt.

“I didn’t … it wasn’t.” He shook his head looking frustrated, then he smiled and nodded and blew out a sigh. “I guess you’re going to think what you think about me, no matter what I say.”

She laughed. “And we both know I’m right. It’s okay, you don’t need to pretend to be something you’re not. You told me you’re a womanizer, I appreciate you being up front about it. This way we both know what we’re doing. No strings, no complications, right?”

She thought he’d be pleased to have it all out in the open, but he didn’t look very happy. Maybe she should stop being so forthright about it. She was grateful that he’d warned her what he was like; she probably didn’t need to keep bringing it up.

The next song had started while they were talking, and he was moving her body with his again. She needed to get out of her head and enjoy this. Take her own advice that she’d been dishing out last weekend and enjoy every moment. She probably wouldn’t see him again after tomorrow, so maybe she should just make the most of it. Take all his lines as if he meant them, let the compliments wash over her—and maybe into her. It had been a long time since a guy had built up her ego. She should enjoy this, even if she did know that Cameron was just working his lines in order to get her into bed.

~ ~ ~

Cameron smiled to himself as he watched Cole and Laura make their exit. He was happy to see them go. He hadn’t thought they’d leave for hours yet, but it seemed that Cole was eager to get his bride back to their suite. Laura had looked a little uncertain, but Cole had said something that convinced her, and now they were slipping quietly away. If he knew his brother, they might come back later, for appearance’s sake, but for now, at least, they were gone. Which meant he was relieved of his duties, and so was Piper.

He led her off the dance floor and out onto the terrace. If anyone was watching, they’d think they were out here for some fresh air—not that he’d dragged her off to his room.

“Hey, Cam.”

He stopped and smiled at his little sister, feeling a little guilty. Not about being with Piper. Chelsea had only been telling him last night how much she liked Piper and how Piper was the kind of girl he should find for himself. No, he felt guilty because he knew Chelsea had a lot going on in her life at the moment, and he’d planned to catch up with her and see how she was doing. “Hey, Chelsea. What are you doing out here?”

She shrugged. “I needed a breather.” She smiled at Piper. “Sorry, I won’t hold you up.”

Piper shook her head. “You’re not. Not at all.”

Chelsea gave her a knowing smile. “You’re too sweet.” She nodded at them and went back inside before either of them could say anything more.

“Do you think she’s okay?” asked Piper.

“I’m sure she’s fine.” Cameron wanted to sound more convinced than he did. Poor old Chelsea didn’t really know anyone here—other than their parents—and he doubted she’d want to hang out with them. She got along with them well enough, but things had been strained lately.

“Do you want to go after her?”

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