Page 11 of Tuxedos and Tinsel

“I would never leave without saying goodbye, especially since I’m not ready to say goodbye.” Ian rose to his feet and came toward her. He slid his arms around her waist at the same time his head descended, capturing her mouth in a slow, drugging kiss. “Good morning.”

Maya’s head was still spinning from the kiss and it took a moment for his words to register. “What are you talking about?”

He led her over to the bed and sat next to her. Taking her hand, he said, “Maya, I know we agreed to one night, but I’d like to amend our agreement.”

As much as she wanted to see him again, she wasn’t sure it would be a good idea. On the other hand... “What kind of amendment?”

“I want to propose that we continue to see each other.”

“For how long?”

He shrugged. “For as long as we enjoy each other’s company.”

She contemplated his offer. An affair with no definitive end could prove to be dangerous. Hell, an affair of any length with this man would be dangerous. She could see herself easily falling for him and didn’t want to risk her heart again. But the woman he had unleashed last night wanted more. “Maybe we can see each other until the holidays are over.” Hopefully, being with Ian would help ease the sting of her failed engagement.

“What if we still want to see each other when the holidays are over?”

“We won’t.”

His brow lifted slightly. “What if we do? How about we agree to an affair through the holidays and then reassess our options?”

Certain she would be able to walk away after Christmas, Maya nodded. That would be roughly two months—not enough time to get emotionally attached. “Okay.”

“Great! I say we celebrate with breakfast after we shower.”

She recalled what had happened the last time they showered together. She was positive the guests in rooms on either side had heard them last night. “Um...you can go first.”

He chuckled. “Lucky for you I don’t have any more condoms. Otherwise I think I might have to persuade you to take another shower with me.”

He rimmed her lips with his tongue and thrust inside when she parted them, forcing her to remember what they had shared. Yeah, it was a good thing he didn’t have more. She needed some recovery time.

“More of that chocolate wouldn’t be a bad idea, either. Chocolate...your kisses... I can’t think of a better combination.” Ian kissed her once more and stood. “I’ll be out in a few minutes.”

She stared at his slender, muscular frame and tight round butt in nothing but those gray boxer briefs and sighed. The man looked scrumptious comingandgoing, and she was sorely tempted to go downstairs for more condoms. That was when she knew she had a problem. The longer she sat, the more she began to rethink extending their affair until she was in a full-blown panic. She wanted him too much, and something told her it wouldn’t be easy to walk away from Ian. She couldn’t take a chance with her heart again.

Maya hurried through the suite, threw on her clothes and tried to do something with her hair. She had to get out before he finished showering. Dressed, she surveyed the suite for anything she might have missed. Satisfied, she glanced in the direction of the bedroom when she heard the water shut off. She felt bad about the way she was leaving but knew if he touched her, she would never be able to resist. She tipped over, opened the door and closed it quietly behind her. She touched her palm to the door and whispered, “I’m sorry.”

Maya hurried down the hall to the elevator and didn’t relax until she was in her car and pulling out of the lot. As soon as she got home to her two-bedroom condo, she collapsed on her bed. Sadness engulfed her and she tried to convince herself that she had made the right decision. She dug out her cell phone and turned it on. It immediately chimed, indicating missed messages. Rhonda had sent two texts and called three times between last night and this morning, each message more frantic than the previous one. Before she could listen to the last message, her house phone rang. In an age when most people used their cell phones for everything, Maya’s mother insisted that she keep a landline.You never know when the power will go out. That cell phone won’t do nothing for you if you can’t charge it,she always said.

“Girl, where have you been?” Rhonda said as soon as Maya answered. “I’ve been trying to call you since last night. Are you trying to give me a heart attack? I even called the hotel last night looking for you. I didn’t know whether you were safe or lying somewhere in a hospital.”

Maya rolled her eyes. “Rhonda, are you finished?”

“I guess. You could’ve let somebody know you were safe,” she muttered. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. Fine.”

“Where were you?”

She was somewhat embarrassed by the fact that she had engaged in a sex-a-thon with a man she had just met and wasn’t sure she wanted to share those details.

“Maya, did something happen?”

Sighing heavily, she said, “Yeah. A whole lot happened.”

“That doesn’t sound good. Did you have a problem with the hotel or Mr. Capshaw? Or did you have a hard time being at the hotel?” she added sympathetically.

“No. That wasn’t it. I... I...”