Chapter 16

Bentley

It’s not like I hadn’t seduced a guy before. In the majority of my past relationships, I’d been the one to make the first move when it came time to take that step. The men I’d dated would never be described as alphas. James came closest to alpha male status, but we hadn’t moved past a few kisses.

So, seductions were nothing new to me, but it had been a long time. Gage also didn’t strike me as someone who’d let me set the pace and control things. I’d questioned myself several times on the way to Gage’s hotel. A small part of me wondered what Gage would do if I changed my mind. Would he accept my decision and move on? I was tempted to find out. Despite what my past suggested, I’d always fantasized about being with a strong man who would take charge and strip away my control. The fantasy was insane considering how much I feared losing control, but not all fantasies made sense.

I wiped my sweaty palms on my dress as I stood in the hotel lobby.

“You’re here,” he murmured from directly behind me. “I was worried you’d change your mind.”

So much for composure; I nearly jumped out of my skin when I spun to face him. He was dressed in dark jeans and a black t-shirt that hugged his broad chest. My fingers were already itching to slide under the fabric. His dark blond hair was messy, almost like he’d just rolled out of bed. It was long enough to grip while his head was buried between my legs. That image almost made me whimper.

“I didn’t expect you to be in the lobby,” I admitted lamely. “I was about to call you.”

“Sorry,” he replied. “I headed down here a few minutes ago so you wouldn’t have to wait. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“That’s okay,” I assured him, waving off his apology. “You should have given me your room number, and I could have met you there.” After the words left my mouth, I realized how ridiculous they sounded. He probably didn’t want people knowing what room he was in. “I guess after our conversation earlier, you were afraid I’d tell the media where you’re staying.”

He chuckled at my suggestion. “Maybe I should have worried about that, but it hadn’t even crossed my mind.”

“Considering how little you thought of me, I’m surprised you didn’t assume I’d do something that underhanded,” I grumbled. We weren’t off to a good start, and I was beginning to wonder which of us would call this off first.

“It seems I’m recovering from my bout of assholism,” he said with a sexy quirk of his lips. “I haven’t hurled any accusations at you. Do you think this means there’s hope for me?”

“It is a good sign,” I agreed.

“Where would you like to go?” he asked.

“I thought we could stay here,” I suggested, hoping he’d get my meaning.

Gage hesitated before responding. “I guess we could order room service. It would simplify things some. Do you want to rent a movie, or just hang out and talk?”

“Can we discuss this in your room?” I asked, looking around the lobby. There wasn’t a big crowd, but this was still a conversation I’d prefer to have without an audience.

Gage nodded and placed a hand on my lower back to guide me toward the elevator. The heat from his hand spread through my body, adding to my arousal. Even while we were making somewhat awkward conversation, this man turned me on.

When we stepped into the empty elevator, Gage moved to stand in front of me. “I hope you don’t punch me in the junk for doing this,” he said softly as he reached behind him to press the button for his floor. Before I could ask what he meant, his hands settled on my hips and his mouth descended on mine. The moment our lips touched, I moaned and gripped his shirt. Gage’s kiss proved I was stepping out of my comfort zone. His lips were firm and commanded a full response from me. His tongue teased the crease of my lips, making me want to beg for more. When the elevator dinged, Gage pulled away, flashing me a smile filled with wicked promise.

“I needed to do that before we get to my room,” he confessed in a rough voice as he guided me down the hall with his hand on my lower back again.

“Why?” I asked, sounding somewhat dazed from our brief kiss.

“You are far too much temptation,” he admitted as he pulled out his keycard to open the door. “Having you in my room is going to be hell on my self-control.”

“It doesn’t have to be,” I told him just before I walked past him into his room.

When I turned to Gage, he was leaning against the door, regarding me with a strange expression on his face. With a shake of his head, he moved across the room to the desk and flipped through the binder. “What are you in the mood for? The room service menu isn’t too bad. There are also a few delivery services in the area, so I can get just about anything you want.

“I had something else in mind,” I purred, coming up behind Gage to slip my arms around his waist. “You should kiss me again.”

Gage groaned before responding. “Are you trying to torture me?”

“Torture you?” I asked with a soft laugh, releasing his waist and taking a step back.

When Gage turned to face me, I saw his confusion. “I need you to help me out here, Bentley,” he began. “You went from not wanting to talk to me again to coming to my hotel room for sex. That is what you’re asking for, right? I didn’t make an ass out of myself by assuming that’s what you want, did I? Christ, you throw me off.”

I smiled because I liked that Gage was uncomfortable around me. It put us on more even footing. “Are you saying you aren’t interested?” I knew he was interested. The bulge in his jeans was proof of his arousal.

“I’m very interested,” he assured me. “After what I said, I just want to make sure you don’t think that’s all I’m interested in.”

It was time to be blunt with Gage and make sure he knew my intentions.

“I’m only here for sex,” I stated. “Nothing more.”