My impulses were starting to become reckless. My bear was reckless. He felt impulsive when he was restrained. And to be honest, I didn’t give a fuck anymore. This beautiful woman had fallen at my feet. I was trapped in the hotel. It seemed like a perfect pairing. Like wines from the vineyard country and fine cheese from the northern region. She was meant to be mine for a little while.

I didn’t have to introduce myself. She knew who I was. I’d seen that reaction on women’s faces a hundred times. But damn it, for once I wanted to be a regular man. I wanted to meet a woman in a bar, take her to my room, and not give a fuck that there was security beyond the door or the press outside.

I slipped my hand to her knee, taking my time to explore her skin. There was a natural draw to her.

“Before you say anything, cher. Let’s play a little game.” I could cut this off before things followed the same pattern they always did. I could control tonight’s narrative.

“I don’t know how I feel about that.” Her green eyes seemed to glitter. She brushed her auburn hair from her shoulder. It was long and silky.

“It will be fun. I promise.”

“What kind of game is it?” she asked.

“I’ll show you.” I grinned. “My name is Brion. Nice to meet you.”

She opened her pretty lips to protest, “But—”

I touched a finger to her mouth. Her eyes flickered. “It’s our game. Meant for you and me.” I pressed the words. “Do you understand? My name is Brion. That’s it,” I warned. If she didn’t take the cue I’d walk away and sit in the corner. I could drink alone for the rest of the night if I had to.

She nodded. “I think so, Brion.”

“Good. Then you can tell me what your name is for tonight.” If she had any doubt what my intentions were, that should have cleared them. I was taking her upstairs with me as soon as cocktail hour was over.

My bear was hungry for her. Ravenous.

I couldn’t get over her lips. They were plump and soft. It took everything in me not to drink the martini off them. I’d save that for later. I smirked, wondering if she preferred her martinis dirty. I hoped like hell she did.

“For tonight?” she questioned. “You don’t want to know anything else? You’re sure?”

“It’s the rules of the game we’ve just established. What do you want me to call you for tonight?”

I pressed my thumb against her thigh, relishing how soft her skin was. I wanted to keep exploring. Push her skirt to her hips as I discovered what made her moan. My cock twitched imagining her eyes closed as I tasted her pussy, with thirsty mouthfuls.

She looked at her palm. “I guess my phone is broken. Work can’t call. No one can call really.”

“No work. Zero interruptions. Sounds like you’re free for the night.” My cock was hard as steel. My bear was growing more impatient by the second.

She blushed. “No work,” she echoed.

That’s right. We were both off. The country would be fine without me for one night. It would function and run with the Duke of Marquis lost in nirvana with this girl in his bed.

“Bri,” she finally answered. “You can call me Bri.” There was enough hesitation in her answer, I wondered if she had made up the name. It didn’t matter. I had set the rules. Tonight, she could be whoever she wanted to be as long as she was with me.

“Well, Bri. Why don’t you finish that drink so I can take you upstairs?”

Her eyes darted to mine at the sound of my order.

“Night is falling fast and I don’t have much time. Would you rather spend it here, or upstairs?”

She gulped. “You’re serious about this? You want to take me upstairs? To your room?”

I leaned to her ear. “I want to kiss you. Between your legs. Your tits. Your entire body. How about that?”

Her blush turned a deep crimson. I had to laugh. “Too much? Too soon?”

“Maybe,” she whispered.

I chuckled. “I’ve heard we can’t leave the hotel for the night.” I wasn’t going to mention the code purple out loud. I was surprised one of the security squad hadn’t walked in with a briefing yet. I still didn’t know what had set off the lockdown.

“So it looks like you have a choice to make, cher. Spend it with me upstairs, or watch old Spanish sitcoms in your room. That is if the cable works.” I shrugged.

She twisted her lips together. “I-I’ve never played a game like this before. Never.”

“I find it’s always fun to try new things. Especially new games.”

“It feels like a dangerous gamble. More like roulette.”

“What I don’t know is if you’re the type of woman who likes to gamble. Should I ask how much time you spend at the Galona casinos.”

“I’ve never been there, actually.”

“Hmm. Then I think you might need to take a chance on something.”

She smirked. “A chance on one night with you, Brion? Is that what you mean.”

“That’s exactly what I mean.” I could feel the swell in my chest. My bear wanted to throw her over my shoulder and haul her upstairs, but the duke in me had more restraint.

She took the last sip of the martini. Her eyes met mine. “I guess I could learn how to play a Galonian game.”

I winked. I wanted to get out of here before the cold purple lifted and we had to face reality. For tonight I wanted to focus on her. “Then let’s go.” I grabbed her hand, eyeing the bartender as I lead her from the bar.

There was a member of my security detail by the stairs.

“Sir.”

I glared at him, daring him to try to stop me tonight. He fell into line behind us.

She turned to look over her shoulder.

“Ignore him,” I directed. “It’s part of the game.”

She nodded, clinging to my hand. “This game could be very eye-opening.”

“You have no idea, cher.” I pressed a kiss to her neck, leading her up the lavish staircase.