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Kat looked at Eric, hoping for a clue as to where they were going. His easy smile wasn’t giving anything away. He pressed his hand to her waist, and she moved happily against his side. They stood behind their host, and Eric’s hand slid to the curve of her butt. She glanced up at him, and he arched a brow. God, she loved this rakish side of him.

The elevator doors opened and the gentleman stepped out and led them down a hallway lit by candles. It was chillier than the restaurant, and Kat realized that they were surrounded by stone. The ceiling, walls, and floor were all hard rock. The hall opened up to a single room, carved into the side of the mountain. A glass wall overlooked a spectacular waterfall. Colorful lights beamed from the mountainside into the cascading water, providing the most magnificent, magical view she could ever imagine. She reached for Eric’s arm to steady herself.

“Eric,” she whispered, full of awe.

“Yes?” He smiled, and she couldn’t find her voice.

The gentleman pulled out a chair for Kat. She sat, and before she could thank him, Eric did.

“I’ll retrieve your drinks,” the man said before leaving them alone, and Kat finally breathed.

“I don’t think they minded our attire,” Eric said, settling in beside her. “I hope you don’t mind, but I ordered you a lemon-drop martini. I figured we could start over.”

“Start over?”

He reached for her hand. “I hope to be with you long past tonight, and the story you tell your friends should be a bit more romantic than picking each other up in an airport lounge.”

Her heart skipped a beat. “That’s really thoughtful.”

“And a little selfish, I’m afraid. I’m sure you have guy friends, and I don’t want them picturing you doing naughty things with me in the men’s bathroom.”

She laughed. “I’d never tell anyone that.”

He arched a brow. “I have a feeling Brianna knows.”

She nibbled on her lower lip, and he used his free hand to draw her closer by the nape of her neck.

“That’s okay, darlin’. I was kidding. I just want you to have a story you’re proud to tell, not one that makes you wonder if you made a mistake.”

“Thank you.” She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his.

He deepened the kiss, sliding his knee between her legs and moving closer. The press of his lips sent a rush of heat through her. She’d been dying to kiss him all evening, and now, with the crashing of the waterfall just beyond the glass and shadows dancing in their private candlelit room, she took her fill. His tongue swept over every dip of her mouth, over her teeth, and then he pulled back and slicked it over her lower lip, leaving her breathing hard and moving hungrily in for more. She woundher arms around his neck, and their mouths came together hard and fast. His hands slid to her hips, holding her there, burning right through her clothing. She wanted to move from her chair to straddle his lap and let their bodies decide where to go next, but the sound of footsteps brought her mind back to reality, and she moved away with a whimper of loss.

His hand slid from her hip, down her forearm, and his fingers laced with hers, as if he, too, couldn’t stand losing the connection.

She was acutely aware of the heat consuming them, and she was sure that when their waiter returned with their drinks and set them on their table, he felt it, too.

“Would you like a few minutes to consider the menu?” he asked.

“Yes, please. We’ll ring for you when we’re ready.” Eric nodded toward a button near the doorway that Kat had somehow missed. She wondered how he knew what it was for and realized he’d probably been there before.

She told herself it didn’t matter. He was with her now, and that was all that was important.

“As you wish, sir.” With a nod, the waiter retreated again.

“Where were we?” With both hands, he reached for her hips and pulled her onto his lap. He gathered her hair over one shoulder and kissed her cheek. “You’re incredibly hard to resist. I truly had the best of intentions for tonight’s date, so don’t try to get into my pants.”

“Tsk!You are infuriatingly sexy, and funny, and?—”

His mouth covered hers hungrily, and his hands tangled in her hair, holding her as he devoured her. His lips were hard, like the rest of him, as he kissed and nipped and sucked her lower lip into his mouth before taking her in another greedy kiss.

She pressed her chest to his, and then his hands were on her back, traveling down her sides, and finally—Lord, finally—he caressed her breasts. Her head tipped back with the sheer pleasure of his touch. His teeth dragged over her collarbone, and his tongue made a hot path between her breasts.

“God, I want to taste you,” he said between kisses. He cupped her cheeks in his hands and searched her eyes. “I suck at good intentions with you, Kat. I can’t help it. When I’m alone with you, you obliterate my rational thoughts. ”

“Stop talking,” she said as she pressed her lips to his.

His thumbs brushed over her nipples, bringing them both to tight peaks. They ached for more.Sheached for more, as she writhed against his erection. His lips were demanding; then they softened, in a stretch of slow, drugging kisses that drew a moan from her lungs.