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  There was a long pause. “I’d love to, but I don’t think I can make it over. I have an open house on Sunday.”

  “Actually I was thinking about coming to Houston.” Where the hell had that come from? He was impressed with how smoothly that improvisation had come off. “I’m off Saturday,” he continued. “We could have dinner Friday night and spend Saturday together if you’re interested.”

  Another small pause. “I’m interested.”

  He had to physically restrain himself from pumping his fist and muttering, “Yeah.”

  “Okay, so I’ll call you when I get into Houston Friday evening. I can swing by and get you.”

  “That sounds great. I’ll look forward to seeing you then.”

  They said their goodbyes and Wes hung up, exhilarated over the idea of seeing her. A perplexed feeling fell over him. His eyebrows knitted together in confusion. Was Gracie right? Was he falling for Payton?

  He shook his head. It was just sex. Great sex, mind you, but just sex all the same. It wasn’t every day you got to go back and correct past mistakes, and his first encounter with Payton had certainly constituted one of his bigger fuck-ups.

  Now he had to find a hotel room in Houston. Oh, and he’d have to get back with Gracie for some advice. He wanted Friday night to be special. A night Payton wouldn’t forget. A night like she’d deserved twelve years ago. He wanted to do it right this time.

  Wes hit the 610 loop on the tail end of rush-hour traffic and was gratified that the line of cars moved at a steady pace. Beside him in the cab sat four sacks of shit Gracie had been all too happy to foist on him. Damn woman must have shopped for hours for all of it, but when she’d outlined her idea, he had to admit, it rocked. Well, at least in theory.

  He found himself looking forward to seeing Payton again. At first, he’d focused on the promise of great sex, but in reality what had stayed on his mind was the time he’d spent lying in bed, after the great sex, Payton curled in his arms, the time they’d spent talking.

  The thought made him vaguely uncomfortable. He knew he shouldn’t admit to liking cuddle time and pillow talk. For God’s sake, that was shit all his married buddies got into.

  Yeah, he wanted tonight to be perfect, but it just meant he was a considerate guy. It didn’t mean he was going to start wearing a pussy label on his forehead.

  As he neared his exit, he popped open his cell phone and dialed Payton’s number.

  “Hey,” he said when she answered the phone. “You ready?”

  A sigh echoed over the line. “Yeah, I’ll be ready.”

  “Everything okay?”

  “Oh, I’m fine. Just tired. Long day.”

  His brain went into overdrive. She did sound tired. A thought hit him, and he mentally applauded his genius. “Hey, I have an idea. Can you give me an hour?”

  There was a long pause. “Uh, okay. What’s up?”

  He chuckled at her obvious confusion. “Give me an hour, and I’ll come get you. It’s a surprise.”

  He closed the phone and drummed his fingers on the steering wheel as he navigated to the hotel he’d made a reservation at. He’d need to hurry, but he was confident he could pull it off.

  The original plan had been for them to eat out, but her fatigue gave him the perfect excuse to implement his mad seduction scheme.

  He checked in then lugged the bags to his room. He took a quick inventory then hauled out the huge yellow pages phone book and scanned for potential takeout places. When he found what he wanted, he tore out the page and stuffed it into his pocket for later use.

  He turned his attention to the large Jacuzzi tub that stood in the corner of the suite. Rummaging around in one of the bags, he pulled out several candles and began strategically placing them up the steps of the tub and along the ledge.

  He continued his decoration and when he’d peppered the entire room with the floral-scented candles, he pulled out the two dozen roses, a mixture of pink and red. He felt a little ridiculous as he arranged each single stem amidst the candles, spreading them out for the maximum effect, but when he pictured Payton’s reaction, the awkwardness fled. He wanted to see her smile, wanted to see her smile for him.

  Next, he hauled the small table from the corner and placed it to the side of the tub and arranged the two chairs to face each other.

  He tucked the remaining bag under the desk so it would be in easy reaching distance then stood and rubbed his hands together as he surveyed his handiwork. Now he just needed to light all the candles and hope to hell he didn’t burn down the hotel while he went to get Payton.

  Lastly, he pulled out a red satin sash, letting it glide over his fingers. Then he shoved it into his pocket and headed out of the room.

  When he got back into his truck, he spent a few seconds studying the directions Payton had given him to her apartment. He’d chosen the hotel because of its proximity to where she lived, so it shouldn’t take him more than five minutes at most to get there.

  Payton checked her appearance in the bathroom mirror for the fourth time since Wes had called and said he’d be there in five minutes. She’d foregone the casual, country bumpkin look and opted instead for a sexier, more sophisticated style.

  She’d piled her hair atop her head, allowing a few strands to fall softly down her neck. Simple diamond studs adorned her ears, and she fidgeted with the back on one of them before smoothing the short silk skirt she’d chosen.

  Hose and high heels. What man could resist long legs and killer shoes?

  When she heard the knock at her door, she hurried out of the bathroom and down the hall. She opened the door to see Wes standing there looking sexy as sin, clothed in tight, faded blue jeans and a T-shirt that stretched across a very broad, muscled chest.

  “Hi,” he said softly. “You ready?”

  “Let me get my purse,” she said as she reached to grab it off the hook.

  She turned back to him and walked out, closing the door behind her. No sooner had she done so than he pulled her into his arms, tipping her chin up as his mouth slanted down over hers.

  She melted against him, loving his hardness, his strength and just how damn good he felt to hold on to. His tongue ran over the seam of her mouth, and she opened breathlessly for him as he plunged inside.

  “Hey yourself,” she said huskily as he pulled away.

  Dark, hooded eyes stared down at her. He ran a thumb across her lip then let his hand fall to wrap his fingers around her wrist and tug her along behind him as he walked toward his truck.

  “So what’s the big surprise?” she asked when they’d both gotten in.

  He glanced sideways at her and grinned. “Well, now, if I told you then it wouldn’t be a surprise.”

  She smiled and settled back against the seat, briefly closing her eyes.

  He reached across the space between them and curled his fingers around hers. His thumb massaged her palm in a soft, circular motion. Comforting, soothing. Her worries seem to melt away. He had that effect on her for some reason.

  “Rough day?”

  She turned her head to look at him and smiled again. “Not too bad. Just long. I had several showings and had a sale go bust on me. It was a big one, so I was pretty bummed about it. Seller backed out at the last minute.”

  He raised her hand to his mouth and kissed each fingertip. She shivered at the gentle attention, and she didn’t want the moment to end.

  “I’m sorry. I hope what I have planned will make up for such a pissy day.”

  “You keep doing that,” she said, nodding her head toward her hand, “and I’ll be your slave.”

  “Mmm, I like the sound of that.”

  So did she.

  They drove the rest of the way in silence, but he never let go of her hand. He held it on his lap, the back of it pressed against his thigh and his fingers resting over her palm.

  When he turned off into a hotel parking lot, she looked over in curiosity. He just grinned.

  “Trust me,” he said. “Stay righ
t there.”

  He got out and came around to her door and opened it. He reached up to help her down and she met the hard contours of his body as she slid to the pavement. Then he took her hand and headed for the entrance.

  Tiny butterflies danced in her stomach as she imagined what he had in store. He punched the button to the elevator, and they waited until finally it dinged and the door opened.

  When they were inside, he pressed the button for his floor and waited as the door shut once more. Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out a long piece of red satin.

  “Turn around,” he murmured.

  She hesitated a brief moment before doing his bidding. As she had done to him the weekend before, he slid the satin over her eyes. He tied it in back and then she felt his lips on the bare skin of her neck.

  He kissed his way up to the sensitive spot behind her ear, causing a million tiny goose bumps to break out on her flesh. His hands smoothed up her shoulders as he sucked the lobe of her ear into his mouth, his tongue toying with the back of her earring.

  She shivered uncontrollably in the dark.

  The elevator halted, and he slid an arm around her as she heard the door open.

  “Your night awaits you,” he murmured as he led her out of the elevator.

  Chapter Eight

  Wes guided Payton down the hall, his arm wrapped around her shoulders. When they stopped, she heard him insert the room card and then he opened the door.

  The cool air blew over her body as he walked her inside. She sniffed as a floral aroma danced across her nose. He left her for a moment, and seconds later, she heard the unmistakable rush of water. A bathtub?

  He returned and ran his fingers lightly up her neck then across her jaw, stroking, teasing her with his touch. They lowered to the top button of her blouse, and she felt the slight pull of the material over her breasts as he undid it.

  More cool air brushed over her as he worked his way down her shirt. He tugged it free of her skirt then pushed the blouse over her shoulders until it fell to the floor.

  Leaving one finger on her bare belly, he walked around behind her, letting his finger run a path around her waist to her spine. A shiver took over her body.

  His fingers lowered to the zipper of her skirt. The waist loosened as he pulled the zipper downward, but he didn’t let the skirt fall. Instead it slid ever so slowly down her hips as he pulled. Finally it pooled around her ankles, and he took her elbow and helped her step out of it.

  He moved around until he faced her again, and she could sense him looking at her.

  “You are so damn beautiful,” he murmured. “Every man’s fantasy. A gorgeous woman standing in front of him in heels and thigh-high hose. And pink lace panties and bra. How you manage to look so delectably feminine and devilishly sexy at the same time is beyond me. I alternate between wanting to make slow, sweet love to you and fucking you hard and hot.”

  His words sent a sharp bolt of arousal flooding through her body. Her legs shook and the burning between her legs intensified. Her clit swelled and ached, and anticipation fluttered deep in her belly.

  He moved closer until his chest pressed against her breasts. Wrapping his arms around her, he walked her backwards until she bumped the bed. Now she knew how he’d felt when she’d done the same to him.

  “Lay down,” he murmured.

  She complied, sinking onto the soft bed. He pressed his mouth to her belly, kissing her once, the brush of his goatee tickling the sensitive skin.

  He stepped back and raised one of her legs. His fingers glided down her limb, rolling underneath to brush the backside. When he reached the heel of her shoe, he tugged, pulling it free. The shoe slid off and fell with a clunk to the floor.

  He repeated the same, slow tease with the other leg until both shoes had been removed.

  Her fingers curled into the bedding as he began removing her hose. Each touch, each whisper across her skin sent a delicious shudder up her body. Then he bent to press his mouth against her leg, following the downward progress of her hose with his lips.

  She moaned, surprised at the torturous, needy sound spilling from her throat. Unable to see his movements, not knowing where he’d touch her next, heightened her anticipation to a nearly painful threshold.

  He eased one leg down and then lifted her other, giving it identical treatment as he removed the stocking. She was awash in desire, her pulse beating frantically, her blood racing, and he had only just begun.

  When his fingers slipped underneath the thin lace of her underwear, she arched into him, aching for him to touch her, wanting his fingers to slide between the wet folds of her pussy.

  Instead, he eased the panties down over her hips and kissed the skin just above the nest of curls. She flinched in reaction, gasping at the electric shock.

  He worked her underwear down her legs until he tugged it free of her feet.

  “Roll over,” he commanded.

  She rolled to the left, aided by his firm hands. Hands that caressed her back and slid down to cup the globes of her ass.

  Her fingers curled tighter into the bedding, and she clenched her teeth, sure she’d go nuts if he didn’t stop his sensual assault.

  Her bra loosened as he freed the hooks. Then he eased her back over, pulling the bra from her body.

  “Beautiful,” he breathed.

  He left her again, and she heard the water turn off. A gentle splash echoed over the room and a second later, he took her hand and guided her up from the bed.

  “Over here,” he said, leading her a few steps. Then he reached behind her head and untied the blindfold.

  She blinked as the room came into focus. She took in dozens of flickering candles, a huge Jacuzzi filled with sudsy water. And roses. There were roses laid carelessly about the room, intermixed with the candles.

  “Your bath,” he said with a small smile.

  She continued to gape around the room as he pulled her toward the tub. He helped her up the step and didn’t release her hand until she eased into the water, sitting down as the suds climbed higher up her body.

  “Wes, this is beautiful!”

  “Glad you like it.”

  She watched in fascination as he began undressing, unable to tear her eyes away from his muscled body. His cock was hard. Erect. His desire there for her to see in all its glory.

  “Mind if I join you?” he asked.

  She scooted forward in the tub, only too willing to share the slice of heaven.

  He climbed in and settled behind her, stretching out his legs on either side of her. Then he pulled her back until she was cradled against his chest.

  “I don’t know what to say,” she whispered. “This is all so fantastic.”

  He kissed the curve of her shoulder, working his way to her neck. He stopped at her ear, nibbling and tasting the small indention behind her lobe.

  “The night is only just beginning,” he murmured.

  They lay that way in the tub, her cradled in his arms, hot water lapping gently over the curves of her breasts. After several languid minutes, he reached for the bottle of body wash lying on the side and squeezed some into his hand.

  He pushed her forward just enough that he could wash her back. Alternating firmness and gentleness, he massaged her shoulders.

  A sigh of bliss escaped barely parted lips, and she closed her eyes. Then his hands worked around to her front, dipping down to cup her breasts.

  Against the small of her back, she could feel his cock, rigid, lying flat against his stomach, pressed to her skin. It burned much hotter than the water.

  If she lifted her ass just a teeny bit… It would be so easy to have him pull her down, sinking into her pussy in one easy glide.

  She squirmed at the mental image and unconsciously shifted, moving upward, inviting.

  Wes chuckled in her ear. “Not yet, sweetheart. Not yet.”

  She sighed and relaxed again, allowing her body to mold to his once more. Her need was making her edgy, and yet she had no des
ire for his seduction to be hurried. She felt pulled in a dozen different directions. Her demand for satisfaction weighed heavy against her desire to draw out the evening as long as she could. Fortunately for her, she didn’t seem to have a choice in the matter.

  A knock at their door startled her, but Wes’s hand covered her shoulder. “You stay right here and enjoy your bath.”

  He stood, and a rush of water rained down his body. She turned to look at him, unable to resist. Her breath caught in her throat and stuttered out in shaky gasps.

  He stepped over the side of the tub, giving her a fantastic view of his cock, still stiff and distended. She reached up to cup his balls, sliding her fingers out and over his erection.

  He paused in mid-stride and closed his eyes for the briefest of seconds before gently disentangling himself from her grasp. Grabbing a towel from the rack, he whipped it around his waist, tucking one of the ends in so it would stay.

  Then he bent to get his wallet out of his jeans pocket and headed for the door. She craned her head, trying to see around his big body as he opened the door, but whoever was there was firmly hidden from view.

  Ah well, it didn’t matter. She was enjoying all of Wes’s surprises so far. She sank back into the tub, reclining so the water seeped up to her neck.

  A few seconds later, Wes shut the door and she looked over to see him carrying several containers of food to the table. He glanced up and met her gaze then smiled.

  “Take your time. I’m going to set up our dinner and then I’ll get you out of the tub.”

  Just the way he said “get you out of the tub” sent a hundred different shivers and sparks down her spine and tightened the nerves between her legs until she had to force herself to relax.

  She watched him from underneath half-lidded eyes as he prepared the table, still dressed in just a towel. Too bad telekinesis was only something for the movies because she could really use some right now. With one mental push she could tear that towel right off him.

  Nude food preparation. Now there was a concept. If they all looked as good as Wes, she could envision a successful catering business centered around that idea.

  Wes walked toward the tub, the towel sliding precariously down one hip. Just an inch more. He tugged it back up. Damn.

  He reached down, cupping her face. His lips pressed lightly to hers, kissing her with gentle regard. Then he grasped her arms and urged her up.

  When she stood, he reached for a large towel and wrapped it around her then helped her over the side of the tub. The simple process of drying her off became deliciously erotic.

  He took one end of the cloth and rubbed in small areas, light, teasing, sometimes hovering over particularly sensitive spots. He brushed the tips of her breasts. Her nipples drew tight into hard points, and he dragged the soft towel over them again.

  Her limbs felt laden, warm, satisfied. A comfortable lethargy settled over her as he massaged, taking care not to miss a single inch.

  When his cloth-covered hand delved gently between her legs, she widened her stance to give him better access. The edge of the towel rasped over her clit, and in response, a spasm worked from her pelvis into her belly.

  The towel fell to the floor in a heap, and she sighed in regret that the sensual drying was over.

  Wes walked over to the closet and pulled out a bathrobe then returned and held it open for her to stick her arms in the sleeves. When it fell over her shoulders, he gathered the lapels and pulled it closed in front, securing the ties in a double knot.

  He kissed her once on the lips. “Let’s eat.”