“And he just gave it to you?!”

Scarlett is staring at the black American Express card in her hand. It’s made of metal and much thicker than a standard credit card. I have to say, it’s pretty sexy.

“Yeah, but only because I agreed to go out with him.”

Her eyes grow wide. “Really? I’m so happy for you! Where are you going?”

I knew where we were going before I even asked Maddox Ramsey for his card. CeCe Nova is doing a week’s worth of shows at the Colosseum at Caesar's Palace, and I’m going to get us front-row tix from a ticket service. I’ve always wanted to see the world’s biggest pop star, and now’s my chance.

I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t know Maddox can easily afford it. The guy’s worth over a billion dollars, though, so I’m not worried. Besides, it was his idea to say we could do whatever I wanted.

When I tell her about the concert, Scarlett’s look suddenly changes from excited to concerned. “But don’t you think he’s going to want something in return? What happens if…”

My BFF doesn’t finish her question, but I know what she’s getting at. “I’m a big girl and I can handle myself, sweetie. There’s no law saying you have to sleep with a guy because he takes you on an expensive date.”

Inside, though, I’m a little concerned. Maddox Ramsey had that hungry look in his eyes every time I came to his table, both last night and today. I know he wants to sleep with me, and to be honest, there’s something about him that excites me, too. Not his money, but his self-confidence. He wears it well and it’s so fucking sexy on him. He’s also an insanely handsome man. But yeah, I’ll definitely have to watch myself to make sure he doesn’t think I’m leading him on.

As soon as I have that thought, I get profoundly sad on a deep level. Why is it I have to worry about this? Scarlett, bless her heart, doesn’t think twice once she decides to sleep with a man. Meanwhile, I spend most of my time on dates wondering what he’s going to say when I ask if we can put the brakes on the physical side of things for a while.

And of course, because they’re men, they always decide it’s easier just to move on to the next girl.

Kennedy, one of the other cocktail girls at the LBD agrees to come in an hour early so I can rush home and get ready in order to make it back to the Millennium on time. I would have told Maddox to meet me later, but I had already planned to take him out to dinner before the show. That one will be my treat.

I feel a real connection for the first time when Maddox and I are sharing a plate of tobiko at Shinwa, the expensive sushi restaurant at the Mirage Hotel. I’d always wanted to eat there, and this seemed like the perfect occasion. And holy fuck, the sushi is amazing. This spicy hot flying fish roe served on leaves of mint is to die for. We’ve already locked eyes at least a dozen times during dinner as we experienced one after another incredible taste, but this tobiko takes it to a whole new level.

The warm sake has given me a delightful buzz, and Maddox has been a real gentleman and the perfect dinner companion. I thought he was showing off when he arranged for a limo to pick us up at the Millennium, but he explained that if he didn’t have to drive, he could focus all his attention on me. It was such a sweet thing to say, and it made me start off the night liking him more than I’d planned to.

At this point, we’ve talked about our hometowns, what we think about Vegas, our current availability (though that should have been obvious), and our favorite vacation spots. We even managed to discuss religion and politics, only to find we’re in almost total agreement on the important stuff.

“This may be the best sushi I’ve ever had,” he says and he deftly picks up another piece with his chopsticks. “And it’s definitely the best view I’ve ever had while eating sushi.”

He’s staring right at me as he says it. I’ve already caught him looking at my cleavage a few times this evening, and the thrill it gave me excited me and scared me in equal measure.

“Maddox, you’re so full of shit,” I tell him. “I know for a fact you’ve dated some truly beautiful women.”

“Every woman is different. But you…” His eyes gleam. “You are dangerously beautiful.”

I have no idea what he means by that, but I love the way it sounds coming from his lips.

When dinner is over and the check arrives, I quickly grab it before he can.

“What are you doing?” he asks.

“I’m buying you dinner.”

“Don’t be silly. I asked you out. I’m buying.”

“Maddox, now is a good time to tell you that you spent $5000 on those CeCe Nova tickets. So this is on me.” It’s not cheap at a hundred and fifty bucks, but somehow this makes me feel less obligated to him, so it’s worth it.

The sushi is a great appetizer for the evening, but the main course of the CeCe Nova concert is even better. Maddox was pleasantly surprised about my choice; it turns out he’s a big fan, too. The seats are literally in the middle of the front row and I can see every drop of sweat on CeCe’s forehead. Her voice is incredible, her band is outstanding, and together they put on the best show I’ve ever seen.

During her big hit ballad, First Time for Everything, Maddox reaches over and takes my hand in his. His big fingers dwarf my skinny little ones, and the skin-on-skin contact feels so good I don’t object. I’ve already gone through all of this in my head, and I know what I’ll be okay with. Holding hands with him is harmless.

Or at least that’s what I tell myself.

In the back of the limo after the show, he asks, “Where to now, date planner?”

“That was it. I didn’t make any other plans,” I say. “What did you have in mind?”

“Would you like to come up to my suite? We could have some cheesecake from Micio brought up for dessert.”

The Millennium’s Italian restaurant is famous for their cheesecake, and it is indeed delectable. I’ve already considered what might happen over the course of the evening and was prepared for the invitation back to his room.

“That sounds wonderful,” I say.

A second later his lips are on mine. I don’t see it coming and I react badly, pulling my head back and putting my hands on his chest to gently push him away. That’s a mistake on two levels: One, it makes it seem like I don’t want to kiss him when I actually do, and two, his chest is taut and muscular and thrilling to touch.

“I’m sorry,” I say. “You just surprised me.”

“It’s okay, Tempest. I just wanted to see what those luscious lips taste like.”

Wow. A girl could get used to compliments like that.

“But I can wait until after dessert,” he adds.

“No,” I reply. “Let’s not wait.”

Our eyes lock for a second, then his lips touch mine again, and this time I’m ready. The kiss is fucking perfect, just the right amount of sensuousness balanced by a hint of aggression. His tongue slides along mine playfully, and he brings a hand along my cheek, caressing it gently.

Fuck, I’m in trouble. Serious trouble.

Maddox is an amazing kisser. I really like this guy.

I was hoping that during the date, he’d give me some reason not to like him. So far, he hasn’t. Not even close.

And he smells SO. FUCKING. AMAZING. I have no idea what cologne he’s wearing, but it makes me want to rip his clothes off so I can bury my face into his chest and bliss out on that scent.

When we come up for air, Maddox traces the outlines of one of my tattoos. It’s a chest piece, a heart with wings that extend up to the shoulder on both sides. His finger gives me chills and my skin puckers into gooseflesh. For some reason, that feels sexual to me, and I have to swallow hard not to react in the wrong way. When the finger reaches the heart and begins to descend toward my cleavage, I squirm a little and he stops.

Always the gentleman.

A thought pops into my brain: What’s to stop me from sleeping with him?

Who says tonight can’t be the big night? I don’t feel any pressure from Maddox.

Maybe this is it.

Maybe.

My thoughts are interrupted by a repeat of the kiss, and this time we don’t stop until the limo pulls up under the bright lights of the Millennium’s front entrance.

Minutes later, I’m standing next to him in the elevator. When I see him push the “MPS” button, I laugh to myself. He said he had a suite, but for some reason I didn’t expect it to be the most expensive accommodation in the entire hotel. The Millennium Presidential Suite is on the top floor, all by itself. I’ve heard about it, but never actually been in it.

It’s huge. There’s a large living room with a view of the famous Las Vegas strip that more than one magazine has called the best view of any room in the city. The décor is tastefully done in white and indigo, topped off by a white grand piano sitting on a circular indigo shag rug in the corner. A gorgeous dining area is situated off to the side, and there’s a circular staircase that spirals upward.

The elevator doors open and I’m looking at the foyer of the suite. No hallway, you just step from the elevator directly into the suite. Amazing.

He gestures for me to exit the elevator before he does, then he heads straight to the phone.

I’ve seen the suite on the Millennium’s website but never in person. It’s more beautiful than I could have imagined. If Maddox doesn’t seduce me, his suite certainly will.

I hear him say something, but I’m too busy staring at the floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the Strip to pay attention.

“Marionberry or lavender?” he asks. Oh yeah, the cheesecake.

“Do they have strawberry?” I ask.

“A traditionalist. I approve.” He completes the order, then joins me at the window. “Incredible, isn’t it?”

“I’m speechless.” He places his palm against the small of my back and I get a sexy little shiver.

“And it’s not even the best view in the suite,” he says. “Come see.” When he takes my hand in his, I almost melt.

I follow him into the bedroom and see a giant bed in a giant room, all done in tastefully muted silvers and purples. It has the same floor-to-ceiling windows, only there’s a huge Jacuzzi tub right up against them. Maddox turns off the lights and the ceiling is illuminated by the lights from the Strip below. Dozens of colors and shapes dot the ceiling like stars in the night sky. Some remain static while others dance and shimer or move across like little comets. The total effect is breathtaking.

But I can’t be here.

Not here, in the bedroom. Especially not with Maddox.

Maddox Ramsey is a handsome, smart, rich, sexy gentleman. That makes me vulnerable, and I’m just not ready.

Just before I can turn to leave the bedroom, he slips his arms around me from behind. He’s so much taller than me, and wider, and stronger, and I just feel enveloped in a cocoon of safety. The best-smelling cocoon on the planet, too.

“What do you think?” His voice is deep, and I feel the vibrations resonate from his chest into my back. My nipples perk up as his forearms rest across the top of my chest. My body doesn’t normally react like this. At this point, my muscles usually grow tight with anxiety.

What do I think? I think I wish I was normal so I could stay up here and have sex with Maddox all night.

“It’s so beautiful.” It sounds lame, but man, it really is.

He drops his head slightly, his breath warm against the side of my neck. “After the cheesecake gets here, we can eat it in the tub.”

Getting naked with Maddox wouldn’t exactly be the worst thing in the world—if it stopped there.

I try to turn out of his grasp, to walk towards the door and the safely of the well-lit living area of the suite. Instead I only manage to turn around so that I’m facing him, looking up at that beautiful face. He radiates strength and a calm confidence, so even if he didn’t look like a model he’d still be hot.

I kiss him again, because I really love kissing this man. As our tongues play, I feel myself growing excited. Like, legit excited.

This is new territory for me; sure, I’ve been sexually excited before, just generally when I’m alone and fantasizing. Or on those few occasions when I’ve found a man who was comfortable with my limits, but that arrangement never lasts long. Right now, though, I feel that distinct warmth in my lower abdomen and I realize I’m actually getting wet.

What is it about this man?

Oh, who the fuck am I kidding? It’s everything about him.

He pulls me tighter into him, our kiss reaching epic heights, and I respond by wrapping my arms around his waist. Jesus, I could kiss this guy forever.

Then I feel it. His erection, against my belly. That makes me even more excited, and of course I do what I always do.

I don’t panic, but I know it’s time now. I can’t continue with this, regardless of how my body—and his—is trying to convince me to. Why aren’t men content with making out and cuddling? Why do they always push to go further?

In my state of anxiety, I fall back on my old standby. The ploy that has worked beautifully every time I’ve used it since while I was still in high school.

I bring my hand around to his chest, then slide it down his flat stomach. When I reach that hard bulge, I break our kiss as I take it in my hand.

Holy shit. This guy is not small.

Looking up at him, I slip down to my knees. Then my practiced hands undo his belt and side his zipper open. I don’t know how many times I’ve done this, but it’s a lot. In seconds, I’m peeling back the sides of his fly and tugging downward. He’s wearing sexy black boxer briefs and they look and feel brand new. I take hold of them and pull, and when he springs free I have to fight back a gasp.

I’m not sure whether it’s the hardness or the size of him that surprises me. Both, most likely. And he’s his hair there is trimmed very short, just how I like ‘em. I wrap my fingers around the hard shaft, thrilling at the way it merges into my palm like it was meant to be there.

My tongue licks all around the large head, then traces slowly down the length of him. I hold his shaft in my hand while I spend a while licking his slick balls, taking first one then the other into my mouth for a few seconds. Then I move back up and give him that dirty girl look men love to see, just before I open wide and lower myself down onto him.

I know I’m good at this. Hell, I’m the fucking Blowjob Queen. I’ve had so much practice, I should be teaching courses in this shit. And within seconds, Maddox knows I’m the Blowjob Queen as well. His hands are in my hair as I gradually work his big shaft farther and farther into my mouth. I realize that he’s not merely touching my hair, he’s actually holding it to the side so he can get a clear view of what I’m doing.

I let him watch for a while, then look up and make eye contact with him at the very instant I feel the tip of his cock nudge the back of my throat. Closing my eyes, I continue to take him in even further.

Like I said, I’m really good at this.

When his head starts to slip down my throat, I grab his tight ass with both hands and pull, bringing him toward me and forcing him in deeper still. He moans for the first time and pulls his hips back, then brings them forward again.

Good boy. You understand. Fuck my face, just like that.

I keep pulling him into me, then letting him move back a little, over and over. Soon, he’s sliding easily into my throat and I know he’s got to be getting close.

Then he stops thrusting.

“Tempest,” he says. “Not yet.”

Sorry, handsome, that’s not how this works. You’re going to come now, in my mouth.

I moan in return and redouble my efforts on his rock-hard cock. I’m so incredibly turned on that it surprises me, and when I feel the wetness continuing to flood my pussy, it’s all I can do to focus on the task at hand.

“Slow down, I’m getting close.”

No slowing down, my new friend. This is what I do. I feel his shaft swell. Goddamn, if he gets any bigger I’m in trouble.

“Hey, I’m serious.”

I go even harder on him, using my tongue, my lips, my hand.

“I’m gonna come.”

He tries to pull back, out of my mouth, but I refuse to let him. Instead, I use my free hand to cup his balls, feeling them move under my fingers. That completely undoes Maddox. His cock swells again, and he groans as an absolute torrent of warm cum hits the back of my mouth and pools on my tongue. There’s so much that even after I swallow immediately, it still feels like he’s filling my mouth.

Some girls would have bailed out very early on, but not me. I’m all about that cum. I suck him hungrily until he has no more left to give him, then I keep sucking.

I don’t want to stop, because when I stop, this is over.

Eventually, he pulls back, his length sliding out from between my lips. We lock eyes just as I swallow for the second time, then he stumbles backward a couple of steps until his ass hits the bed.

“Holy fuck.”

His voice is gravelly and filled with grateful lust. I’ll take that as a compliment.

I walk to the bed and wrap my fingers around his shaft, feeling it pulse. My wet pussy pulses along with it, which serves to remind me what I have to do now.

It’s time to go.

“I’m glad you liked it, Maddox. Listen, I have to go. You just lie here and relax. Thanks for an amazing evening. I’ll see myself out.”

His shocked expression stings a little. I can tell that this man wants me in a way I’ve never seen before. For a second, I consider staying. But I know I can’t. I may look calm, but inside I’m shaking like a leaf.

“Wait,” he says. “You can’t leave yet.”

I plant a hard kiss directly on his lips, releasing his cock so I can hold his face in my hands.

“I have to. This was a wonderful night and you’re an amazing guy. But I have to go.”

“Why?”

I’m already out the door and pushing the button for the elevator.

“Wait a minute! What about the cheesecake?”

I hear him struggling with his pants as the elevator doors open.

I step in and turn around, my hands shaking. The last thing I see as the door shuts is the most pained expression ever. Usually men are either angry because I’m not sticking around to fuck them, or they’re half asleep from the blowjob they’ve just gotten.

Not Maddox Ramsey, though.

He’s wide awake and just looks confused. Wounded, even.