The dull roar of the jet engine had lulled Bernadette into a fitful rest, somewhere between asleep and just conscious enough to mull over the totally confusing morning at the treehouse.

It was like they’d woken up in an alternate universe. Connall’s irrational angry outburst; whisking into town; darting onto a private jet; and now a getaway to Switzerland. Was this what dating a billionaire was like? Where waking up in Montana and going to bed in the Alps was considered normal?

It was romantic and whimsical and unexpected and exciting. But it was also confusing and unsettling, and she still couldn’t smooth over the strangeness of his outburst at the treehouse.

All she could do was go along for the ride. They’d settled on a week. And they still had three days left before Connall had to get back to the office. If he’d planned this out as a surprise, then far be it from her to stomp all over his goodwill. The treehouse and her recordings would be fine for another few days. She’d get back there soon enough.

But would this thing between them be able to survive beyond the next few days?

When the plane touched down in Switzerland, Bernadette was swept up in the glamour of the trip: attentive wait staff, personal drivers, a glittering, glass hotel that was easily the most gorgeous place she’d ever laid eyes on. As they strolled through the foyer arm in arm, she spotted an announcement board: Welcome, International Wildlife Preservation Conference!

She gasped. “The IWP!”

Connall’s grin blossomed before her eyes. “You guessed it.”

“Are we really here for the conference?” She read the sign again, slowing to a stop. She’d never been able to attend one of these in person, but religiously downloaded their podcasts and other paraphernalia from meetups around the world.

“Oh, yes. I hope you’re quite surprised.”

“More than surprised.” She beamed up at him. “I’m elated.”

He squeezed her hand. “Good. I was worried the trip might not be worth the absence for you.”

“Holy shit.” She squinted at the fine print on a flyer nearby. “Dr. Gustafsen is presenting.”

“Is that quite remarkable?”

“I’ve been following his work for years,” she said in a voice just above a whisper. “I’ve always wanted to meet him.”

Connall grinned as if he had a secret. “Well, I believe you just might get to.”

It was nearly three a.m. by the time they got into their suite at the top floor of the hotel. The view from the living room and small kitchen was spectacular, looking out over the dark snow-capped mountain. In the bedroom, a king-size bed sat low on a stark, modern wood bedframe. Tall windows lined the wall shared with a luxurious bathroom.

“Look, you can watch me pee in the morning,” Bernadette cracked, pressing a palm into the bed. It squished pleasantly.

“And I can watch you take a shower until I get so turned on that I have to join you,” he said, his voice low.

She giggled, welcoming his embrace as he wrapped his arms around her from behind.

“That will be for tomorrow,” she warned, tilting her head as his kisses skipped across her neck. “We have to wake up early for the conference.”

“You’re right. Let’s get our rest.” His hands wandered up and down the sides of her body. “But I promise you, you’re all mine tomorrow.”

Bernadette smiled lazily as she wandered off to the bathroom to get ready for bed on display. In the comfort and moody lighting of their suite, her treehouse felt like a faraway fantasy. That same morning felt like it had happened years ago.

Is this the life that he wants to show me? The life of a billionaire…the man who can cover anything up with money and extravagance?

She glanced up at herself in the mirror, her eyes clouded with doubt.

Connall smiled over the top of his champagne glass as he took a long draw. Murmurs of conversation swirled around him, glasses clinking, the occasional outburst of laughter. The conference room of the hotel was brimming with scientists, and across the grand hall Bernadette tossed her head back, laughing as she chatted up Dr. Gustafsen, her dream biologist.

Satisfaction hummed through him. This was exactly what he’d wanted Bernadette to see about his life: that magical doors could be opened, that he would do anything to help her succeed. Her professional life was his priority…and her professional life had room to evolve away from the potentially dangerous isolation out in Montana.

She would come to this conclusion on her own, he was sure of it. Once he showed her alternative paths to not only continue her career but nurture it to greater heights. What she could accomplish on the ground in Montana couldn’t compare to the new avenues of professional success he had access to.

Bernadette glided toward him across the room, her cheeks ruddy and smile stretching wide. When she reached him, she wrapped her arms around his neck, sighing happily in his ear.

“He’s better than I expected,” she said dreamily.

“Those aren’t the words I was expecting to hear about another man,” he cracked, rubbing the small of her back. “But this might be the only instance in which I can truly say I’m glad to hear it.”

She giggled. “He’s interested in the work I’m doing. I gave him my business card.”

“Stunning.”

“Thank you for bringing me here.” Bernadette pulled back to look him square in the eye. Her brown eyes shone with sincerity. “This is a very nice surprise.”

“I have another surprise for you,” he said. They’d been at this conference nearly all day, and though Connall hadn’t attended all the seminars alongside Bernadette, he’d been active and hovering in the periphery. Ready if she needed him. Waiting for another chance to shine.

He still wasn’t quite satisfied that he’d smoothed everything over since his panic attack at the treehouse. And he wasn’t exactly happy that he’d allowed Bernadette to see that side of him: scared, angry, out of control. Connall prided himself on being in control. But his life of late, dealing with the pending legal disaster for his company, had featured anything but control.

“Oh?” Bernadette’s eyes shone with mischief.

“Well, the next surprise is tomorrow. But what I want to do with you now will come as no surprise.” He slid his hand over the dip in her waist, bringing her closer. They’d been stuffed with dinner and picked at desserts. Now it was time for some good old-fashioned relaxing. “I know the rest of this evening might present good networking opportunities for you, but hopefully you won’t object to me stealing you away.”

“I’ve spent almost eight hours with all these people,” Bernadette said. “You can steal me away now. I’ve conferenced myself out.”

“Excellent.” He pressed his lips to hers, eliciting a soft, long kiss. When they parted, he grinned. They wandered to the foyer of the hotel hand in hand, leaving the post-dinner clamor behind them. Bernadette rested her head against his shoulder as they strolled to the elevators.

“You sure think of everything,” she said, squeezing his hand. “You handled a lot of details to get us here. You even made sure I packed a nice suit for the conference.”

“It’s my business nature,” he replied, “Or maybe the fact that I was the eldest with two younger daredevil brothers. I felt it was my job to rein them in. Keep them alive. Make sure they thought of clothes before launching into the Swiss Alps.”

“You are very orderly, I’ve noticed.” Bernadette cocked a grin. They paused in front of the elevators as the numbers above the doors ticked downward. “You even fold your underwear just so.”

Connall feigned offense. “I do that for packing purposes, I’ll have you know.”

“And the color coordination?”

“Clearly undergarments of like color coexist more peacefully.” The door slid open.

She snorted. “The most organized man I’ve met in my life.”

“And I know that’s a turn on for you; don’t act like it isn’t.” Once the doors slid shut behind them, he pressed her against the wall, bringing his lips to the curve of her neck. “I know science women can’t deny a man who maintains computer spreadsheets recreationally.”

“You know, that was the detail I was missing from my dating profile back when I tried online dating,” Bernadette cracked. “I might have found you years earlier if only I’d thought of that link.”

They kissed deeply, each kiss longer and juicier than the last, until they reached the top floor. Bernadette’s gaze was hazy as he pulled away, leading her out into the hallway. They stumbled toward the room, and she grabbed at his suit coat while he fumbled to unlock the door.

Once the door swung open, he cupped her face in his hands, planting another kiss on her lips. He guided her into the room backwards while she laughed through their kisses. Bernadette shrugged off her jacket and got to work unbuttoning her shirt while he navigated them into the bedroom.

“I couldn’t stop thinking about all the things I wanted to do to you while you were in the conference,” Connall admitted, pushing her at the hips. She fell backward, bouncing softly on the bed. “Waiting for this moment.”

“And here it is.” Her dark eyes churned with desire. He slipped off his own jacket and then made quick work of his pants. The dark slacks crumpled to the floor, his dark briefs tented by his cock. She cooed, reaching out to smooth her palm over the fabric, which sent a jolt of pleasure racing from his knees to the top of his head.

He tore off his shirt and then her own slacks, tugging down her lacy panties in the process. Once he’d gotten them over her ankles he knelt between her legs, pushing her thighs apart. He kissed the stubbly patch of hair above her pussy and then dipped his tongue into the warm folds.

She was more turned on than he expected, swollen and damp just from their kisses. She tensed as he flattened his tongue over the tight nub of her clit, her fingers knotting in his hair. He suckled and slurped at her clit until she was bucking against his face and moaning his name.

“Oh, please, Connall.” Her voice was a breathy whisper, millions of miles away. “Please, give it to me.”

“I plan to,” he growled, pressing a finger deep inside her, pumping it in and out slowly as he licked at her throbbing clit. A strangled moan escaped her, and she rocked harder against his face. He pulled away just when he sensed she was close.

“Ugh, wh…” She panted heavily, glaring at him. He could feel the devilishness seeping off of him. “Dammit, Connall.”

“In time, my dear.” He stood, nudging himself between her legs, pushing her back onto the bed so she laid down. “Not until after I give you a good railing.”

A smile crossed her face, and she covered her eyes. “A railing?”

“Oh yes.” He dragged the tip of his cock along the line of her pussy, then he popped it out from his underwear. The hot head immediately nestled in her folds. She inhaled sharply, locking her thighs around his waist.

“Don’t…don’t we need a…” She sounded unfocused as he dragged his dick up and down the folds of her pussy.

“A condom. Yes.” Lust clouded him for a moment. His mouth parted as his cockhead brushed over her dripping entrance. He stilled, like allowing their parts to acquaint. This was dangerous territory.

He clenched his teeth and ripped himself away to fish the condom out of his wallet. It took extra concentration to see what he was doing. Bernadette panted on the bed below him, rubbing her calf against his arm as he struggled to get it on. Once he finally succeeded, he resumed his position, cockhead bulging at her entrance, her thighs locked around him.

“Please,” she whispered.

She didn’t need to beg for it. Not ever. Connall sank into her, a groan escaping him as her familiar heat enveloped him. There was something about the way she fit around him, as if he was made for her. Thoughts dissolved into fireworks behind his eyelids, her fingernails digging into his biceps.

But he didn’t linger there. There was a desperation inside of him, a neediness that demanded his release, and fast. He picked up a pummeling rhythm, one that prompted small gasps each time he slammed into her. Tension prickled across his shoulders as the pleasure churned inside him, coming to a rapid peak. He wouldn’t last long at this pace, but he needed it hard and raw.

“Ohhhh, Connall!” Her voice trailed up into a squeak, her legs tensing around him. “I’m close!”

He scooped an arm beneath her, bringing her body up to meet his so he could feel her heat, the softness of her skin. The tops of her breasts jiggled in the satin bra against his chest, and sweat gathered on his temples. Their bodies slapped together, moist and desperate, and then a moment later she cried out, something shuddering and long, head craned back and limbs tensing and pushing as she came.

The contractions of her pussy sent him over the edge; the feel of her coming undone in his arms was the headiest high. As she moaned and quaked beneath him, his orgasm spilled over, his cock spasming, heat spreading through him, robbing him of all thoughts and movements and memories for just a few glorious moments.

When the blaze of bliss passed, Connall steadied himself above her, gasping for air, his palms pressed into the mattress. Her chest heaved, and she looked up at him like that coupling was the coolest thing she’d ever done.

“Holy shit.” She laughed. “Holy shit, that was amazing.”

He laughed weakly, still unable to talk, and then slowly lowered himself, rolling off to the side. He stared at the ceiling as he regained his breath.

Her hand drifted to find his, and their fingers intertwined. They lay gazing at the ceiling for what felt like eons until Bernadette pushed up onto an elbow, grinning down at him.

“So. Is that what you’d call a good railing?”