He’d faltered for a moment, losing his train of thought. His black lashes swept downward as he glanced at his notes. Before members of the audience could begin to stir and glance around curiously, he’d recovered his composure and smoothly soldiered on.
Though he hadn’t looked at Zandra again, she’d known that he was hyperaware of her presence. She’d sensed his agitation as he fought to remain focused on his lecture.
When it was over, he’d been mobbed by people who were eager to comment on his presentation and pick the brain of a former Navy SEAL. He’d patiently answered their questions, flashed that killer smile, collected business cards and posed for photos—all the while tracking Zandra around the room as she smiled and chatted with other attendees.
Once the crowd began to thin, Remy had made his way over to her. Without a word, he’d gently cupped her elbow and guided her from the ballroom.
She didn’t have to ask where they were going. She knew.
Back to their hotel.
But Remy apparently couldn’t wait that long. Instead of ushering her outside to their chauffeured car, he’d led her down an empty corridor toward the rear stairwell. He’d moved with unerring purpose, making her wonder when he’d had the opportunity to learn the layout of the hotel.
The thought fled her mind the moment he shoved open the stairwell door and pulled her after him. Once the heavy door swung shut, she didn’t have time to worry that someone might wander upon them. Frankly she didn’t care.
Remy hiked her skirt up her thighs, ripped her silk panties off her legs, then stood and pushed her up against the wall. She was already soaked, her juices smearing the tops of her thighs. As he touched the glistening wetness, his eyes blazed with lust.
He’d licked his coated fingers, nostrils flaring with carnal pleasure. Then he’d grabbed her wrists in one hand and pinned them above her head as he reached down with his other hand to unzip his pants. She’d wrapped her shaky legs around his waist. Then he’d thrust into her, driving his dick so deep her spine contracted.
They’d both gasped and shuddered violently.
His hand gripped her buttocks as he began pumping into her, one long stroke after another. She’d wanted to touch him, to rake her manicured nails across his Armani-clad back. But his hard, strong fingers kept her wrists shackled to the wall.
It was thrilling. Intoxicating. Wildly erotic.
He hadn’t spoken a word since they’d left the ballroom, and neither had she. Even if she’d wanted to speak, the maelstrom of sensation pounding through her body made coherent speech impossible.
They’d kissed frantically, panting hotly into each other’s mouths as he thrust into her. Deeper and deeper, harder and faster until his hips were surging so powerfully that her breasts bounced inside her bra and her bound hands kept slapping the wall.
Only when they exploded together did he groan. A raw, primal groan that reverberated throughout the stairwell and sent chills down her spine.
And that was how she and Remy had kicked off their first day in London.
Shagging in a hotel stairwell.
Zandra chuckled wickedly at the memory as she strolled down the busy street, clit pulsing between her thighs. Since she’d been banished from the conference, she’d decided to treat herself to a leisurely morning of roaming London’s swanky shopping districts—an activity Remy wouldn’t have enjoyed anyway.
She was standing outside a boutique admiring a silk sarong dress worn by the mannequin in the window when a man’s reflection joined hers in the glass.
“Zandra?”
She turned around. Her eyes widened in stunned recognition. “Heath?”
He nodded slowly, staring at her.
“Oh, my goodness,” she exclaimed.
They moved toward each other and hugged.
“I can’t believe it’s you.” Heath Upshaw held Zandra at arm’s length and gave her an appreciative twice-over. “You look wonderful. Absolutely wonderful.”
“Thank you, Heath.” Zandra wished she could return the compliment, but his handsome face had grown gaunt, the cheeks hollowed so that his gray eyes looked sunken.
She frowned, touching his face. “You’ve lost weight.”
“Too much?”