afternoon. Her moans of pleasure were for her ears only as her taste buds savored each bite of pure ecstasy.
Much to her disappointment, her moment of heavenly bliss was over much too soon, leaving her feeling unfulfilled, restless, and aching for a whole lot more. Thank goodness she hadn’t purchased a whole box of chocolates for herself or she would have lain in bed tonight with a good book and eaten each and every one.
She scooped up the wrappings to throw them away in the trash, but the strip of paper with a typed message on it caught her attention. No way was she going to gallivant all over town trying to match up her note with someone else’s, but she was more than a tad curious to see what her hidden message might reveal.
Unfolding the piece of paper, she read the contents:
Opposites do attract.
Be bold. Be spontaneous.
Go for it!
A burst of amused laughter escaped her. Oh, now that was funny, she mused as she made her way back to the bedroom to change, because she was so
A white box topped with an elaborate red bow sat on her pillow, stopping Rebecca in her tracks. Once her initial surprise faded, she moved closer. Obviously, The Delaford didn’t do little mint chocolates at night. They gave their guests something more memorable. She couldn’t argue with that.
Making herself comfortable on the bed, she lifted the pretty box onto her lap. Dying to know what was inside, she slipped off the ribbon and opened the lid to reveal six of the most perfect chocolate-dipped strawberries, all individually wrapped in clear cellophane and sealed with a gold Sinfully Sweet sticker. There was a small envelope with her name on the front, and she pulled out the note card tucked inside. Written in a bold masculine print were the words “Be Mine,” followed by Connor’s name. Beneath that was his room number.
Her stomach fluttered with a strange inner excitement and delight, and she couldn’t stop the grin that tipped up the corners of her lips. The man was definitely creative, she had to give him that. And he certainly wasn’t a quitter, even in the face of another possible rejection from her.
The words she’d found inside her chocolate heart half whispered in her mind as she fingered one of the treats. That much was true about herself and Connor. The two of them were as opposite as a couple could get, what with his carefree, laid-back attitude, and her more structured lifestyle. He was impetuous and she was cautious- especially when it came to men.
Unable to resist the strawberries, she tore open the cellophane sealing one of them and took a big bite, certain that she was going to return to work on Monday ten pounds heavier from all the desserts she’d consumed this weekend. At the moment, with the sweetest piece of fruit and chocolate melting in her mouth, she didn’t care.
Three little words that were incredibly effective and persuasive, especially when she was under the influence of such seductive chocolate.
All the reasons why she’d resisted Connor for so long fell to the wayside when she thought about their attraction in basic, elemental, physical terms. He wanted her, and Lord knew she wanted him. He was virile, and hotter than any guy she’d ever dated. And sex with him would no doubt be amazing. She shivered as she imagined that strong body of his moving over her, and inside her, in slow, deep strokes…
The sinful thought caused her to press her knees together, the surge of warmth between her thighs a direct reminder of just how long it had been since she’d been with a man. At the moment, it seemed like forever.
Maybe, just maybe, if she accepted the invitation to
Just once in her life she wanted to do something wild and impulsive and wicked. Let her hair down, so to speak, embrace her hidden sensuality, and allow her fantasies to run free. What better guy to do that with than Connor Bassett, a man who’d made it perfectly clear that he was more than willing?
She was going to go for it.
The thought made her grin.
Before she could change her mind or talk herself out of such a rash and reckless decision, she headed for the armoire where her clothes were hanging, hoping to find something more enticing to wear to Connor’s room than the too conservative outfit she’d worn to the cocktail party.
Her wardrobe was woefully lacking in the seduction department. She was not a femme fatale, or the kind of fashionably dressed, label-conscious woman Connor was no doubt used to dating. The best she could find at a moment’s notice was a coral-colored, flowing tiered skirt, and a satin-and-lace cream camisole under a button-up blouse.
Once she’d changed, a quick glance in the dresser mirror told Rebecca that the blouse made her look much too uptight and maidenly. Many times she’d seen her sister wear just a camisole with a skirt, and while Celeste could carry off such a fresh, youthful look with flair, Rebecca wasn’t as confident.
Despite her own personal insecurities, she forced herself to shuck the prim blouse and was pleasantly surprised by the results. Okay, she didn’t look like a hussy, and that was her main concern. The lace-edged camisole, worn by itself, was actually kind of sexy, in a subtle and pretty way. Her breasts were full and firm, and the camisole’s built- in bra gave her a nice bit of cleavage while keeping excess flaunting to a minimum.
Satisfied with the look she’d achieved, she slipped on the only pair of strappy sandals she’d brought with her, and with a deep breath for fortitude she grabbed the box of chocolate-covered strawberries and headed for Connor’s room.
CONNOR WAS BEGINNING to think he’d bit the dust once again with Rebecca when a tentative knock sounded at his hotel room door. Shocked, he jumped up from the couch where he was watching a movie on TV and made it to the entryway in a few brisk strides. A quick check out the peephole confirmed that it was Rebecca standing in the corridor, and she was holding the box of chocolate-covered strawberries he’d asked the hotel staff to deliver to her room while they were at the cocktail party.
A knot of nerves clenched in his stomach, taking him by surprise, and he quickly rubbed his damp palms down the front of his jeans. Jeezus, he was as anxiety-ridden as a teenager going out on his first date!
His reaction was comical and ridiculous, but after three years of pursuing Rebecca and finally getting a positive response from her, he didn’t want to blow any chance he might have right off the bat. Didn’t want to scare her off before he could show her that there was so much more between them than just a physical attraction.
However, if he had to exploit that sexual tension to get to the emotional depth, then so be it. It was a small sacrifice for a bigger cause.
Inhaling a deep breath, and feeling more in control of his reactions, he opened the door, took one look at what she was wearing, and experienced a rush of pure male appreciation that left him reeling. He had the sudden urge to put his hands all over her, but instead shoved the tips of his fingers into the front pocket of his jeans.
“Wow, you look amazing.”
“Thanks.” A blush suffused her cheeks, and she shifted on her feet, seemingly a nervous bundle of energy herself. “Can I come in?”
“Sure.” He stepped back so she could enter his room, then closed the door and followed her into the sitting area.
Abruptly, she turned around to face him, clutching the small box to her chest in a way that emphasized the provocative curves of her breasts in that oh-so-fascinating top she was wearing. “I’ve never done this kind of thing before,” she blurted out.
Her show of insecurity endeared her even more to him, because it was a side he’d never seen to Rebecca until tonight. “You’ve never done what kind of thing before?” he asked with a lop-sided grin. “Visit a guy in his hotel room?”
