Page 83 of Slumming It

Emily

In the crowded nightclub, I was finding it hard to breathe as his words hit home.They were rude to someone he cares about?

He couldn’t meanme.

And yet, who else could he mean? Sure, Morgan had been rude to the bouncers, but he couldn't be talking aboutthem.

As I silently stared up at the billionaire who'd been surprising me all night, I waited for him to take it back – to tell me that he was only joking or claim that he'd misspoke.

But Reese Murdock did none of these things. Instead, he looked toward the dance floor just as the pulsing music morphed into something much slower and hypnotically seductive.Was it a sign?

It sure felt that way.

Reese seemed to feel it, too, because he looked back to me and asked with a knowing smile, "So, how about that dance?"

My head was swimming as I managed a dazed nod. On impulse, I downed the remaining vodka and let Reese Murdock lead me out onto the dance floor, where he took me expertly into his arms, pulling me nice and close.

He smelled amazing, and his bodyfelteven better, packed with hard muscles that shifted enticingly against my softer ones as we moved in time to the music.

There were so many things I wanted to ask him.Had he meant what he'd just said?Why was he here? Was he planning to buy up the whole town? And which Reese Murdock was the real deal?

The obnoxious asshole?

Or the guy holding me like he meant it?

In a million years, I would never figure him out. But then I remembered something. I wouldn't have a million years. I wouldn't even have a lifetime, because all of this was temporary at best.

In spite of what he'd just said, I would be lucky to have a week – or maybe only a single night.

Whatever he'd meant at the bar, he would eventually move on – probably sooner rather than later – returning to his glitzy life filled with fast cars and faster women.

Iwasn't fast. I was the kind of girl who took it slow, preferring real relationships over one-night stands – and honest connections over fleeting fantasies.

And yet, there was a growing part of me that was craving something else, something entirely different, something raw and spontaneous with no expectations other than a once-in-a-lifetime escape.

Maybe, for just a few hours, I could be a different person, someone who lived on the edge and acted without regret.

As we moved in time to the music, I couldn't help but notice that my body knew exactly whatitwanted. I could feel it in the tension between my thighs and the tautness of my nipples as my chest pressed tightly against his.

Holy hell.I wanted him.

How on Earth hadthathappened?

Just yesterday, he'd ditched me on the side of the road. I should despise him, not desire him.Was I going crazy?

It sure felt that way – even more so when Reese pulled back and gazed into my eyes even as our bodies continued to sway.

He said nothing, but his expression was curious, like he was feeling it, too – an unexpected pull that he hadn't seen coming.

Or maybe that was just wishful thinking on my part.

Either way, I was falling hard and fast – not in love, because that would be insane. And besides, I already knew that he wasn't a nice person.

And yet, a little voice in my head whispered that he'd been shockingly nice tome– well, tonight, anyway.

He'd come to my rescue. And in the process, he'd given me something I thought I would never have – the upper hand over Morgan and Nikki, who had been looking down on me for as long as I could remember.

Morgan's family owned this entire resort, but Reese Murdock was an important guest. Supposedly, he had his very own suite, probably within stumbling distance. The suite almost surely had a nice bed, perfect for exactly what I was craving.