Cortez’s suite was more like an apartment. A very lavish apartment. He wasn’t hurting for funds, that was for sure. It had an open layout, three bedrooms that she could see, probably more, and there was an office slash study with an impressive desk and bookshelves filled to the brim. One entire wall was made up of floor to ceiling windows that carried out into the living room, through which she luxuriated in a magnificent view of the city.

A soft breeze drew her attention to a set of French doors that led to a balcony decorated with lush exotic plants.

Playing her hunch, she said, “Your decorator did a lovely job.”

“She’s the best,” he replied from behind the bar where he was mixing her another hurricane. She wasn’t feeling too buzzed yet, only the sting of defeat.

When he came around and handed her the drink, she was reminded of their first meeting. “You’re the owner of the club, so why were you bartending yesterday?”

“You think I should remain up here? Surveying all that I command?”

She sipped her drink, waiting for his answer.

“The work is simple and mindless. I enjoy it on occasion.”

“But there were hardly any people to serve.”

“That’s why I was there.” At her curious look, he added, “I’m needed elsewhere during the rush. During the day, I clean or take inventory so I know what to stock. And it gives me time to invent new drinks to add to the menu. I enjoy that.”

“You invent drinks? Cole...uh...cool.” Cole liked to experiment as well. “Can you make me something you created?”

“Sure.” His eyes lit on the glass in her hand. “You like sweet drinks, so I’ll make you a gyrator. It’s similar to a hurricane with its alcohol content, except I use a different juice for the sweet, and add mint, cinnamon and a touch of lime.” He’d returned to the bar and started mixing. It was a pleasure to watch his nimble fingers at work, deftly pouring from an array of bottles. The mint and cinnamon seemed an odd choice in combination with everything else, but she didn’t comment. Finally he squeezed in a wedge of lime and began shaking everything together before dumping it out into a large glass. Final touch was a tiny straw to sip from. He slid the concoction toward her and waited expectantly.

His expression was so earnest, like he was actually interested in her opinion.

Taking a long sip, she let the liquid swish in her mouth before swallowing it. “Delicious!”

He dipped his head in thanks. “It’s going on the menu next week.”

“You can’t even taste the alcohol.” After taking another sip, she pointed to the glass and laughingly said, “This is dangerous. Are you trying to get me drunk?”

“I’m trying to get you to like me.”

She smiled, “I do like you. You’re nothing like what I expected.”

“What did you expect?”

Another Dante, maybe even crueler, more frightening. “I don’t know,” she settled on.

Holding her gaze, he approached with obvious intent. Was he expecting to get started already?

“Um...”

He ran his thumb along her jawline with a tenderness that shocked her. “Join me for a dip in the hot tub?”

“Huh?”

“It’s a beautiful night.” He shrugged out of his shirt, revealing an expertly cut upper body packed with toned muscle and beautifully tanned skin.

“Uh...” She was riveted, unable to look away, and, apparently, unable to form a proper sentence.

When he started undoing his belt, she finally tore her gaze away, turning her back.

“You are modest,” he observed. The thud of his belt hitting the carpet made her jump. Then she heard him walking away, out onto the balcony. At the sound of sloshing water she followed him outside. His arms were spread out along the lip of the hot tub, his expression teasing. She wondered if he was even wearing underwear, but didn’t see a pair lying around.

“I...um, don’t have a bathing suit,” she said.

One challenging eyebrow rose. “Neither do I.”

Okay, he was definitely naked in there. She shivered at the thought. He mistook that as her being cold.

“It’s much warmer in here. A lot less lonely too.”

She bit her lower lip. His eyes zeroed in on the action, going hooded. When he spoke, his tone was guttural. “I’ll turn my back if you need to preserve your modesty...for the time being.”

It wasn’t her modesty that needed saving. Hell, she was surprised she had any left after changing in front of the girls at Dante’s—along with Boomer and, on occasion, some of the other lecherous bouncers.

No, modesty wasn’t the issue. It was the choice she was about to make.

If she went in there with him now, she’d basically be telling him yes to the rest of the night. Their wager had brought her up here, but she could still change her mind, take her ass back to Dante’s and continue her life without knowing the power of this man’s magnificent body, who was now staring at her as if he wanted to eat her up, and it had nothing to do with his vampiric nature.

He’d told her he wouldn’t bite her, and she believed him. Why? She couldn’t put her finger on it, but this man did not seem like the type that needed to lie to get what he wanted. And he wanted her.

Oh, oh, how she wanted him too.

As he gazed at her with a desire that she felt deep in her bones, she reached up and undid the clasp at her nape that held up the top half of her dress. The fabric slipped down her chest, falling to her waist and baring her breasts.

His brows shot up. Apparently he hadn’t been expecting that.

He cleared his throat. “Getting impatient for you in here.”

She shimmied out of the skirt, leaving her panties on, and allowed him to drink her in. His gaze was intense, carnivorous, consuming. Seeing him look at her the way he was now could lead to a serious addiction. And if she didn’t get in there soon, there was a good chance he was coming out to get her.

She piled her dress next to his clothes before sauntering to the tub. The water was a pleasant temperature, churning from the jets. “Mm. This is nice.”

“I’m resisting the urge to snatch you up and plant you on my lap,” he told her in a roughened tone.

She grinned coyly and then eased across the tub to slip into his lap, her legs to one side. Again her actions seemed to surprise him. “There,” she said brightly. “Better?”

“Much.” His arms came around her as though it were the most natural thing in the world, yet she inadvertently stiffened. Definitely naked, she mentally confirmed, turning red. He’d adjusted himself so that he wasn’t poking her awkwardly, but he was still hard as granite underneath her.

“Look,” he said softly, pressing his lips to her shoulder and inhaling lightly. “I know we had a bet and all, but I’m not about to make you do anything you’re uncomfortable with.”

As though he couldn’t help it, his hands slowly caressed up and down her sides. She swallowed at the titillating sensation combined with the warm flowing jets.

He placed another soft kiss on her shoulder. “I’m a patient man. I don’t have to touch you.” He continued even as his left hand trailed around her stomach and yanked her around so that she was sitting with her back to his front. “I don’t have to kiss you,” he said, trailing his lips along her nape. Her eyes closed as her head lulled to give him better access. “We can just sit and talk. It’s your choice. I’m enjoying your company immensely.” All the while, his lips trailed a hot path along the crook of her neck.

“I think if you stop now, I’d have to kill you.”

He chuckled, low and deep, clutching her closer. “Are you going to let me do wicked things to you?” he rasped in her ear, then he sucked on her pulse point. Not with fangs, just his lips and tongue, and it was bliss.

He ran his nose along her neck. “You smell divine.”

“You said no biting, right?” she figured it might be a good idea to remind him.

“You’ve no need to worry. I don’t bite on the first date.”

As if there was going to be a second. Yet she couldn’t bring herself to care. She rolled her hips along his crotch.

He growled against her skin. “You need me to take care of you tonight, don’t you?” His hands moved to her hips, fingers playing with the lining of her panties.

“Cortez,” she whispered, her heart pounding erratically, her thoughts scattered, her body on fire. She’d never been pushed to lust so fast. “You’re driving me crazy.”

A humorous sound rumbled out of him. “Baby, I haven’t even started.”