Page 51

I'm not sure which of us moves first – maybe we both do, drawn together like magnets. One moment we're on opposite sides of the hot tub, and the next she's in my lap, her legs straddling mine, her hands in my hair.

The first touch of her lips against mine sends electricity racing down my spine. There's no hesitation, no tentative exploration. Her mouth is hot and sweet from the cognac, her skin slick under my palms as I run them up her back.

"I've been wanting to do this all day," I confess between kisses, trailing my lips down her jaw to the pulse point at her neck.

"Maybe we should have skipped the wedding after all?" She laughs breathlessly, her head tilting to give me better access. "We could’ve been doing this all day."

She kisses me again, this one deeper, slower. Her hips shift against mine, and I groan against her mouth, my hands finding their way to her thighs.

"Maybe we should take this inside," I suggest as her fingers trace the muscles of my chest. "Before we give the neighboring buildings a show."

She nods and stands up in one fluid motion, water cascading down her body. She holds out her hand. "Coming?"

"Abso-fucking-lutely," I say, standing up quickly.

I follow her out of the hot tub, grabbing towels from the nearby lounge chair. We make a halfhearted attempt to dry off, but it's difficult when we can't seem to stop touching each other. I wrap my towel around her instead, using it to pull her close for another kiss.

We stumble back into the suite, leaving a trail of damp footprints across the floor. Tess's laughter turns into a gasp as I lift her, her legs wrapping around my waist as I carry her to the bedroom.

"Show-off," she murmurs against my neck.

"You like it," I counter, setting her down beside the enormous bed.

"Maybe a little."

In the soft light, with her hair wild and her skin flushed, she's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I tell her so, watching pleasure and surprise flicker across her face.

"Are you always this smooth?" she asks, reaching behind to unhook her bra.

"Yes, actually," I answer and then wink again.

She pauses, studying my face, trying to figure out whether I’m fucking around with her.

“And have you always been so pompous?” she asks coyly.

“Of course. I thought that you liked that about me.”

“Good point,” she replies, giving me a small smile before she lets her bra fall to the floor.

I draw in a sharp breath. "Damn, girl..."

"Back at ya," she says while admiring my chest. Her fingers trace the waistband of my boxer briefs. "These should probably go, though."

"Ladies first," I counter, hooking my thumbs in the sides of her underwear.

She lifts an eyebrow. "Always the gentleman."

"I have my moments."

Slowly, I slide the fabric down her legs, kneeling as I do. She steps out of them, standing naked before me, unashamed and breathtaking. I press a kiss to her hip, her stomach, working my way back up her body as I stand.

Her hands do their thing, pushing my boxers down until I can kick them away. We stand there for a moment, skin to skin, just looking at each other.

We climb into bed together. There's no awkwardness, no hesitation—just heat and hunger and surprising laughter when I nearly knee her trying to position myself above her.

"There’s that Mr. Smooth again," she teases, her voice breathless as my hands explore her body.

"You’re very distracting," I defend myself, lowering my mouth to her breast.