CHAPTER FIVE

The Nevada heat constricts my body and my yoga pants cling to my skin as does my thin camisole. Blindly, I swipe a quick hand through my hair and down my neck, realizing I’m covered in sweat. Unable to move freely, my eyes flutter open and then round in shock.

“What the—”

Andrew’s arm is heavy over my ribcage, his fingers spanning the space just beneath my breast and his face nuzzled in the crook of my neck.

Think. Think. Think.

I don’t remember Andrew asking for permission to enter my bed nor do I remember inviting him.

A quick glance at the clock reveals it’s not quite eight and the sun has already made her appearance well over the horizon. Her glow smiles, welcoming us to another day.

Not all of us.

The bottles of water I’d consumed last night strain against my bladder and beg for reprieve, but I don’t want to move. As much as my heart grieves for the loss of Mark and Diana, my body craves the touch of their son. Suppressed feelings of want, need and desire have resurfaced over the past few days since Andrew Darling’s return into my life.

Gently, I pry his hand away from my ribcage and dangle my leg over the side of the bed until my toe touches the carpet. Twisting my way out of bed, I land lithely on my feet without a single sound. I glance back at Andrew who is wearing a pair of black boxers.

Breathing a sigh of relief when I empty my bladder, I rest my elbows on my knees and look around the luxurious bathroom. I notice the glass shower door is covered with small beads of water and a white fluffy towel hangs haphazardly from a brushed nickel hook.

I brush my teeth, run a wash cloth under cool water then wipe my face and neck. My skin is blotchy, my eyes red and puffy. I look like hell.

Tiptoeing back into the room, I look at the two double beds and debate which to climb back into. Lust and logic battle, each pleading its case of why I should climb into one bed over the other.

A slow, devious grin forms on my face and I bite my lip in excitement when lust prevails.

My intention is to slide back into bed, return Andrew’s hand to its former position and close my eyes, hoping the progression of a man and a woman attracted to each other will take its natural course. Perhaps a distraction is what he needs right now; what we both need and as inappropriate as the timing may be, my body doesn’t have an internal conscience.

I want him; I can’t deny that.

I want to taste his tongue in my mouth. I want to feel his cock driving into me. I want to hear my name howled when he orgasms.

I want it all.

Drawing in a quiet breath, I return to bed and lie there staring at a watermark on the ceiling. A million thoughts ricochet like pin balls, each ding another reminder that I need to stay focused. Since ending my marriage to Sean, life has been quiet. Working long days to prove myself in a competitive field, I’ve garnered the respect of my colleagues and earned a decent salary. I depend on no one but myself. Starting a relationship with Andrew Darling would not be my best decision. After all, he will be my boss when everything that once belonged to his parents now becomes his due to their untimely deaths.

I can almost hear the whispers of office gossip and read the local headlines: Morgan Montgomery beds new CEO.

The awakening of Andrew’s morning erection against my thigh leads me to the crossroad.

Lust or logic.

Engaging in a silent dialogue, I finally convince myself to stay and see what happens. My decision is solidified when Andrew’s grip on my ribcage widens and he pulls me close, aligning his front to my side and burying his nose in my hair.

A quiet hum vibrates at my ear.

“Good morning,” he whispers, his voice grave and raspy.

I clear my throat, turn my head to face him then sigh. His eyes are closed and his face wears an expression of contentment.

Like a mouse, my voice squeaks. “Hi.”

“I can feel your heartbeat. Why is it beating so fast?” he asks and I notice a slight smile.

Returning my attention to the ceiling, I reply with silence.

With gentle squeezes to my ribs, Andrew matches the rhythm of my heart, and I grit my teeth, suppressing the laughter from emerging. I place my hand over his and cease the movement.

“Ticklish?”

I nod and hum.

Dragging his hand higher, Andrew lifts the hem of my camisole and covers my breast. His thumb begins a circular, hypnotic motion over my budded nipple. The simple circling of his touch drives me insane and awakens my body, igniting a deep craving for more.

“What are you doing?” I ask softly, enjoying the gentle roll of his fingertips.

“Touching you,” he replies after placing a kiss on my bare shoulder.

“Why?” I stammer when a throb of desire reaches my core.

“I want to.”

“But—” The words of protest fall silent when his hand slips down my stomach and slides in between my legs. The movement of his fingers against the soft cotton force me to widen the gap.

Forming small circles against my clit, Andrew whispers in my ear. “You want it, too.”

In an instant, Andrew rolls and adjusts the position of his body over mine. Only a thin layer of black material separate his erection from my drenched entrance.

Staring down at me with those incredible blue eyes, Andrew’s face lowers and his lips hover over mine but then immediately move to my jaw. With light feathery kisses dotting my skin, gone is my willpower, now replaced by the determination to have him.

The nipple he massaged moments earlier is sucked in between his teeth. His tongue swirls in small circles before shifting the attention to my other breast.

“Andrew,” I murmur. “I want you.”

Given the words of affirmation, Andrew devours my mouth, plunging his tongue in to greet his new playmate. My hands reach around and caress his back. Beneath the warm skin, I feel the strands of hard muscle until my fingers meet the elastic of his underwear. Traveling lower, I squeeze his ass and pull him closer.

Encouraged to continue on, Andrew rises and removes my shirt then yanks down my pants, leaving me naked and completely exposed to him.

His eyes, filled with a combination of intoxicating desire and sinful promises, scan the length of my body.

Returning his mouth to my body, Andrew kisses and nibbles his way south then spreads my legs wide. One leg is lifted as he rakes his nails over my calf, alternating licks and light grazes with his teeth. The anticipation kills me. My fingers grasp at the bed sheet to refrain from forcing his face between my thighs.

“You like this?” he asks, looking at me with a playful smirk on his face.

I hum and grin lazily. “I can’t remember. It’s been a while,” I reply with a snarky but honest admission.

Lowering his mouth to my core, Andrew blows gently on my buzzing flesh before sucking it between his lips.

My eyes close and I hiss in pleasure.

“Oh God,” I cry out when his tongue circles the tender flesh.

“Am I bringing back some memories?” he teases, looking up at me as my eyes spring open. Continuing to watch, I swallow thickly, nervously.

Displaying the skill of his tongue, Andrew applies pressure to my clitoris, pushing me closer to the precipice of a wonderful orgasm. Then he stops and looks at me once again.

“I can always stop, if you don’t—”

“No!” I yelp in desperation. “Please don’t stop!”

Grinning roguishly, Andrew lowers his face and continues the delicious bombardment of pleasure, ensuring my satisfaction as blood rushes to every part of my wanton body.

“How about this?” Devouring my sex, Andrew’s tongue continues, providing me with the best cunnilingus I’ve ever had in my entire life.

Traveling his hand along my abdomen and over the swell of my breasts, his fingers reach my lips.

“Open and suck.”

Without hesitation, I do as he commands. My lips part, and my mouth welcomes his two fingers as my warm, wet tongue swirls around them, coating them with moisture.

“Good girl,” he compliments.

Sliding those same long fingers in, Andrew explores my core, searching slowly, methodically for that sensitive spot I swear doesn’t exist. No one has ever found it. Ever.

I concentrate on the outward attention and refrain from telling him that his efforts are in vain. The motion of his fingers deep in me elicits little response from my body as I writhe and buck my hips to enhance the experience. The circling of his thumb over my buzzing nub fuels the fire as an explosion of epic proportions ignites. Concentrating on the attention he’s giving to the outside of my body, I bite my lip when silence befalls me and my breathing hitches. Deep thrusts invade my core as though he’s intent on splitting me in half.

BAM!!

“Oh, God...”

A yelp emerges from my throat and my eyes round in surprise and disbelief. My skin sizzles as endorphins zip through my body and his name falls from my lips as an anguished cry. Panting wildly, one hand tightens into a hard fist while the other grips something hard on the bed.

“Andr—”

“Give it to me,” he demands.

My body quivers uncontrollably and my legs slam shut, trapping his face between my thighs.

Andrew’s hands move to my knees and part my legs. “I’m not done yet.”

Lowering his head once again, Andrew returns to my slick flesh and licks, lapping slowly along the seam. Groans of pleasure emerge from his throat until he pulls away and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. Staring down at me with lust-filled blue eyes, the man above me smiles victoriously as he prepares to enter my trembling body.

The intensity in his gaze forces me to close my eyes as my heart thunders in my chest. Still riding the high of my orgasm, my hand slides and tightens around the remote control when the tip of Andrew’s hard cock presses against my opening.

A woman’s voice suddenly fills the space of the room, and my eyes shoot open.

Moving desperately, I will my ears to ignore the news anchor’s report as I fumble to mute the volume streaming from the television.

“...names have just been released. Sources have confirmed that sixty-year old business owner, Mark Darling and his wife, Diana, are among the deceased. NTSB and the FAA are still investigating the cause of the accident. Foul play has not yet been ruled out.”

My eyelids shut in defeat as guilt overwhelms me.

Reopening my eyes, I find Andrew’s attention is focused to his right, looking out the window at the mountain ranges that claimed his parents’ lives.

“Andrew,” I sigh, extending my hand to his, offering a touch of sympathy and comfort. His hard gaze returns to mine as he pulls his hand away out of reach. After running his hands over his face, he drags his fingers through his dark hair. I sit up and swallow the emotion threatening to erupt. “Andrew, I’m sor—”

His eyes darken as he surges forward, slamming his lips against mine, slicing my words of condolence in half. Grabbing the back of my head, Andrew forces his tongue into my mouth as he presses his rigid body into mine.

“Wait! Andrew, what are you doing?” I manage to mumble.

Andrew’s hand links with mine as he reaches for my wrist. Restraining me, he pins my arm above my head then reaches for the other. With both arms in place, secured by one of his hands, he widens the space between my legs with a nudge of his knee. Suspended above me, Andrew’s face contorts and his eyes narrow. He looks deranged and I feel anxiety creep in.

The truth is, aside from being Mark and Diana’s son, I know nearly nothing about him or his life. I know nothing about his sexual history. I know nothing about his preferences. What I do know is had I not entered the room, he would have fucked a prostitute last night.

Struggling to free myself from his hold, I whisper his name. “Andrew, you’re hurting my wrists.”

His jaw ticks and he swallows hard, allowing the weight of his body to restrain me.

“Let’s slow things down, okay?” I offer a tight smile.

“I want to fuck you,” he growls.

“I know. And I want you too, but...let’s just...talk for a minute.”

He shakes his head slowly, darkly. “We fuck first then talk.”

“No,” I grit. “Hey, you’re acting really weird and it’s freaking me out.”

His lips curl into a snarl as he releases the hold on my wrists.

“Come here.” I caress his face gently. “What’s going on? Talk to me.”

My heart plummets when Andrew pulls away sharply and says nothing. My eyes close briefly as the sting of rejection pierces me. With a response like that, who needs words? Sitting back on his knees, Andrew just stares at me. Every muscle in his naked body is hard and tense. My fingers long to caress his skin and ease the tension.

“That’s why we’re here, remember?” I sit up and cross my legs, facing him. I make another attempt to comfort him by reaching for his hand. “That’s why we’re in Vegas. I don’t think either one of us is thinking very clearly right now.”

This time he accepts the gesture and looks down at our joined hands and then snaps. “You didn’t seem to care about my dead parents five minutes ago when my face was buried in your pussy.”

I gasp as if he’d slapped me across the face.

“That’s not fair!” I bellow, my voice rising with anger.

“Life’s not fucking fair,” he shoots back. “Get over yourself.”

“Don’t you sit there and act like I started this. You’re the one who came into my bed!”

I feel my face redden with embarrassment and shame at my behavior. I regret giving in to Lust and climbing back into bed. I shouldn’t have done it. I should have listened to Logic; she never steers me wrong.

“And you’re the one who sucked my dick last night.”

“What?!” I screech, jumping off the bed and landing on my feet, pointing my finger in his face. “I didn’t suck anything. That was the two-bit hooker you picked up and brought back here!”

Andrew follows my lead and stands, looking down at me as I glare upward. Standing before this beautiful, virile man, I struggle with the desire to ravage him when his stiff cock grazes my stomach.

“What are you talking about? I don’t fucking pay for sex! Women beg me to fuck them,” he hisses in my face.

Fueled by anger, I purse my lips and let loose. “You don’t remember going out while I was on the phone with Toni then coming back here and getting a blow job from some slut? You don’t remember how I stopped you from sticking your condomless dick in her?” I add. “Is that how you deal with stress? Fuck prostitutes? Nice, Andrew. Real nice. I’m sure your mother would be proud.”

His jaw ticks and his eyes narrow.

Shit. “Andrew, I’m so sorry,” I sigh tenderly, remorsefully. “I...I didn’t mean to say that.”

Stepping backward, Andrew retreats to the bathroom and closes the door.

Who knew I could be this fucking stupid!

I pull on my clothes and knock on the door which separates us. “Andrew, can we talk?”

No response.

Turning the knob, my cautious optimism diminishes when I realize the door is locked. Resting my forehead against the door, I speak quietly. “I am really sorry. I don’t know why I said that. I didn’t mean anything by it. It’s just an expression I say. You can ask anyone who knows me, I swear.”

Still no response.

People grieve in different ways, my mother’s words remind me.

Hoping to give him some time to cool off, I tell him that I’m going to get some coffee. “We can talk when I get back, okay?”

I grab my phone and wallet then head down the hall to the elevators. Floor by floor we descend. On the fourth floor, a young woman, dressed in white, followed by an entourage, steps into the elevator and grins.

“I’m getting married,” she smiles.

I return her smile and nod. “I see. Congratulations.”

One of her bridesmaid disconnects a call on her phone. “Carter’s already at the chapel.”

“He is?” the bride squeals. “I think he’s more excited than I am.”

“That man loves you so much,” another member of the bridal party adds. “You’re so lucky you found him again.”

“I know. We got a second chance at love,” sighs the bride.

Stopping at the Ground Level, I wait and allow the bride and her company to exit before I step out and search for Starbucks.

I’m given directions by the hotel concierge and mentally wonder why the coffee shop would be tucked so far back around a corridor, away from the hotel lobby.

The line is at least ten people deep, and I debate for a moment whether I should go back upstairs and just order food from room service. I stay because a slice of heaven in the form of banana bread calls my name.

Carrying the cardboard tray with my coffee and another cup of black coffee with cream and sugar on the side for Andrew, I return to the room to find it quiet. I set the tray and two small bags down on the glass coffee table and call out his name.

“I come bearing coffee and an apolo—” My words freeze when I notice Andrew’s small duffel bag is no longer on the dresser. I look around for his clothes or shoes and even go into the bathroom to look for his shaving kit. Nothing. I pull my phone out to call him, but I immediately realize I still don’t have his phone number.

“Andrew!” I call out in frustration. “Where are you?”

Back at the elevators, I stab the button several times hoping one of the two will reach my floor quickly. “Come on!” I grit through my teeth, again pushing the button. “Hurry up!” Painfully, I watch the small circles above the steel doors illuminate with each stop.

By the time I reach the main floor, I’m frustrated and angry. My legs carry me to the bar where I fully expect Andrew to be, but it’s not open yet. I glance around the lobby thinking perhaps he just needed to get out of the room. I have a moment of déjà vu when I step outside in the Nevada heat to search for him. Racking my brain, I think of what steps I can take to locate him.

Call Victor a voice in my head suggests.

Back in the room, I sit on the club chair in the living area and scroll through my recent calls until I find Mark and Diana’s attorney’s phone number. I tap the unfamiliar number, silently praying he can help me. While waiting for the call to connect, I reach down to the floor to retrieve a folded napkin just as I hear Victor’s greeting.

“Hello, Victor? This is Morgan. Morgan Montgomery...” I apologize immediately for calling so early and breathe a sigh of relief and appreciation when he says it’s no bother. I continue to explain the predicament I’m in and my quest to find Andrew.

“Let me try calling him. I’m sure he’s fine,” Victor says reassuringly.

My fingers continue to flatten the cocktail napkin as I stare at the name Fiesta Rancho Hotel and Casino. I pinch my lips and shake my head, wondering if it’s where Andrew picked up Crystal.

Moments later, Victor calls back. “Straight to voicemail. Maybe his phone is dead.”

“Maybe,” I agree, remembering that he most likely didn’t charge it since he passed out shortly after the escort left. “We have a two-thirty flight home.”

“Do you think he went to the airport already?”

“Without me?” I squawk. “Why would he do that?”

After an awkward moment of silence, Victor says, “I don’t know, Morgan. Did something happen?”

“Did something happen? Yes! His parents were killed in a helicopter crash! I think that qualifies as something, don’t you?”

Victor sighs. “I meant did something else happen?”

My countenance scrunches in disapproval. I’m not sure I appreciate his insinuation although he’s not too far off from the truth.

“We had a misunderstanding. We were going to talk, but he just left. Who does that anyway?” There’s no way to mask the disdain in my voice.

“Andrew Darling does.”

♦♦♦

I arrive at McCarran International airport minus my travel companion. While Victor continued his efforts to reach Andrew by phone, I scoured the streets near the hotel but came up empty-handed. I heeded his suggestion to wait for Andrew at the airport.

After pleading with the attendant to make another announcement for Andrew, a final boarding call is made.

“Ma’am, once the doors are closed, we cannot reopen them,” the man with a blue collared shirt warns.

With a last ditch attempt, I call out Andrew’s name. Dazed and confused, I drop my head and walk dejectedly on board the eastbound plane. When traveling, I normally power off my phone, but today I decide to plug it into the electrical outlet and switch it to airplane mode, hoping and praying I’ll get word that Victor has found Andrew.