‘There’s a lock on this door, isn’t there?’ She looked down at it as if to ensure it.
‘There’s no full moon tonight,’ he continued, ignoring her interruption. ‘Just as there wasn’t then. You don’t need to pretend you’re a horny were-woman, just do what you want to do.’
‘You’renot what I want to do,’ she muttered, determined to believe it.
‘I think I prefer it when you’re agitated and honest rather than trying to be cool and lie.’
She choked—torn between laughter and outrage. ‘You’re so up yourself.’
‘No, I’m just not so uptight I can’t admit to something that feels good.’
She twitched. ‘Look, what happened was a mistake. I’m all for learning from my mistakes.’
‘Well, frankly, I’m glad you made the wrong room mistake and saved yourself from a mess-up with that other guy.’
‘What happened with you was a mistake too.’
‘How can you say that?’ His voice dropped lower still. A whisper that slid over her like the faintest, warmest of breezes. ‘You’re as in thrall as I am.’
She had to end this somehow, before she went up in a puff of smoke. ‘This is really flattering and all—’ she sucked up some cool ‘—but I’m not available for anyone, or any kind of thing, right now. That night just showed what an idiot I was.’
‘You weren’t an idiot.’ He looked concerned. ‘That wasn’t the act of a desperate woman.’
‘Wasn’t it?’ Wasn’t it exactly that?
It was one of the few moments in the evening where his expression was serious. ‘There’s nothing wrong with having needs and giving them free expression. You know what I think of you?’ he asked.
She really didn’t want to know.
‘That you’re a spontaneous, fiery, passionate woman who’s as human as I am. Who makes mistakes, who has wants. It was refreshing. You were in total charge. You blew my—’
‘Look, don’t try to make out like I’m some kind of sex goddess just because you want back in my pants.’ Ellie breathed in desperately. ‘Truth is I don’t want any kind of a relationship right now. I’ve got a new job that I really don’t want to lose because I actually love it. I want to be in charge of both my career and my social life.’
‘I don’t want a relationship either.’ His shoulders lifted. ‘It’s impossible for me. I’m in the middle of a new deal, I’m away every week to another hotel.’ He half laughed. ‘And that’s not going to change any time soon. And not for anyone.’
‘So there’s really nothing to talk about, right?’
‘There is just this one small thing.’ He leaned closer.
‘You said you wouldn’t make a move.’
‘I’m not.’
‘You know you are.’ She shook her head. ‘Why don’t you drive to the nearest bar or something? You could get sex any time you want it.’
‘You’re proving that statement wrong right this second.’
She swallowed.
‘I have some fun when it feels right, but my field’s been empty a while.’ He maintained his intent, fiery gaze on her. ‘I can admit to my needs, maybe you can’t. But your actions that night showed you have them.’
‘It can’t happen.’
‘Yes, it can. Just once more can absolutely happen.’
Just once more.Oh, so, so tempting.
‘You promised you wouldn’t touch me unless I invited it.’ Her whisper was invitation enough and they both knew it.