Page 8 of Tuxedos and Tinsel

“Born and bred.”

They both laughed. They spent the remainder of the evening swapping childhood stories.

Maya glanced down at her watch. “Wow. I didn’t realize it was so late.”

Ian took a peek at his. Over two hours had passed. “Neither did I.” He paid the bill, then escorted her out to the lobby.

“Thank you for the drink, Ian. I had a great time.”

“So did I. I’m not ready for it to end.”

“Neither am I,” she said softly.

“Spend the night with me, Maya.”

Her gaze flew to his. “What?”

He stared intently into her eyes and repeated the question. “Just one night to explore whatever it is that’s happening between us.”

Maya shook her head. “Ian, I don’t... I can’t...we don’t even know each other.”

“We will by morning,” he said, capturing her mouth in an urgent kiss. Ian lifted his head. “One night,” he implored. His eyes were riveted to the rapid beating of the pulse in her neck and he knew she was just as affected. “Tell me you don’t feel this attraction, and I’ll walk away now.”

“You know I do.” She stared up at him for several charged seconds, then nodded.

Ian released the breath he had been holding. “I promise you won’t be disappointed.”

Maya shook her head again. “No promises, Ian. I don’t want anything beyond tonight.”

“Then we’re in agreement. The only promise I’ll make is a night of pleasure you won’t ever forget.” He lowered his head and nibbled on her lush bottom lip. When her lips parted, he slid his tongue inside and kissed her slowly, provocatively, giving her a taste of what he planned to do to her. Her body trembled and she moaned. Ian was as hard as a steel beam and he needed to get her upstairs now.

Chris’s words rushed back to Ian.I always told you that when the love bug bit you, you were going to go downhard. She definitely fascinated Ian, but he’d only known Maya for a few hours, so it wasn’t love. However, one thing about Chris’s statement was true—Ian had never reacted so strongly toward a woman.

Chapter 3

What are you doing agreeing to a one-night stand?Maya’s inner voice screamed. Too bad she didn’t have an answer. She had never done something so bold in all her life. Her mind and body were at odds but, somehow, clearly her body had gained the upper hand. She felt like she was in one of those old cartoons with the angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other. The sensible side of her said women did not sleep with a man they just met, that she should date for a while and then see. But there was a side of Maya begging to get out that argued,Sensible and practical is overrated. Isn’t that what you did with Stephen? And look where that got you?This was so unlike her. She hadn’t even asked where they were going. For all she knew, he could be a serial killer. Okay, she didn’t believe that last part, but still. She glanced around the hotel lobby. At least there would be dozens of witnesses. Then again, last-minute reservations were expensive.

“Maya?”

She blinked and realized Ian was talking. “I’m sorry. What did you say?”

“I said I hope you don’t mind that I reserved a room here.”

“No. Wait. When did you reserve a room?” Maya’s first thought was relief, then curiosity.

Ian grinned sheepishly. “Right after I left you earlier. Are you having second thoughts?”

“Um...no.” Actually, she was flattered. Stephen had never taken the initiative to even make dinner reservations.

He squeezed her hand and smiled. “I’m glad. Can you excuse me? I need to speak to the concierge for a minute.”

“Okay.” She watched him confidently stroll across the lobby. The man certainly knew how to command a room. She put him close to six feet tall—wearing a pale gray suit she knew had never touched the rack—clean shaven, closed-cropped black hair, smooth coffee-with-cream skin and eyes. Several women did double takes as he passed. In fact, one woman stopped, turned and stared with her mouth hanging open. Maya chuckled.

“Ready?” Ian asked when he returned.

She took his extended hand and walked with him to the elevators. The reflective glass elevators rose swiftly, making the city lights pass by in a blur. Maya continued to have mixed emotions about what she was getting ready to do while they rode the elevator up to their floor. As much as she tried to deny it, Stephen’s deception had been a major blow to her self-esteem and some part of her wanted...no, needed to feel desirable again. And Ian made her feel that way. Tonight, she decided, would be all about her. Tomorrow she could go back to her old, practical self. The elevator came to a halt on the thirtieth floor and she allowed him to guide her down the hall. He stopped at a door, unlocked it and stepped back to let her enter. Her gaze swept over the room and she realized he had booked a suite. Maya jumped slightly when Ian came up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. He turned her to face him and she tried to hide her embarrassment.

“Nervous?” Ian asked.