Summer Nights (Fool's Gold #8)

Shane drove forward and gave his name to the guard, who checked a list, then waved him through. They followed the main drive around the villas and pulled up in front of the hotel.

The car was instantly swarmed by uniformed employees. One opened Annabelle’s car door and welcomed her to the Del Mar Oceania Resort. Another collected luggage, while a third took the keys from Shane and handed him a small card in return.

Palm trees and tropical flowers provided lush landscape. Annabelle inhaled the scent of jasmine and honeysuckle. She could hear running water, but couldn’t see the pond or stream. The air was just warm enough to be pleasant, but not too hot and smelled sweet, with a hint of the ocean.

They walked into the hotel. The lobby was large, with lots of big windows and plenty of open space. The tropical theme continued, in an understated elegant kind of way. A bellman trailed after them with their luggage.

Check-in took only a few minutes, then they were on their way upstairs in the elevator. Annabelle found herself fighting unexpected nerves as she followed the cart down the hall to a door at the end. Anticipation battled with the reality of going away with a man. She hadn’t done that since her marriage and look how that had turned out.

Still, this was Shane. He was always sweet to her and she should remember that. As to the fact that they would be sharing a bed, that was only good news.

The bellman pushed open the door and stepped back to allow them to enter. Shane rested his hand on the small of her back and guided her inside.

Her first impression was that there had to have been a mistake. This couldn’t be a hotel room.

They’d stepped into a living room larger than her entire house. There was a balcony with a view of the Pacific, two sofas, a couple of smaller chairs and a dining table over to the left. Fresh flowers spilled from half a dozen vases, lightly scenting the air.

“The bedroom is this way,” the bellman said, pointing to the right.

She went through the open double door to find an equally large bed in the center of a huge space. Another balcony offered an impressive view of the sparkling blue water. She wandered around the bed to the bathroom that was all done in marble, with double sinks, a walk-in shower and a tub for maybe six. While she recognized the name on the carefully packaged bath products, she’d only ever seen them in magazines.

She’d been expecting a basic kind of room, maybe with a little sofa by the window. Not the latest version of “Rich people in Del Mar.” She waited until the bellman had left before turning to Shane.

“It’s a little unexpected,” she told him.

He grinned. “I asked for a nice room with a view. They listened.”

“Impressive.”

“Intimidating?” he asked.

“A little.”

He moved toward her. “Remember, I’m the guy who takes care of horses and an elephant. But every once in a while, it’s good to mix things up.”

He was also a successful, wealthy businessman. Something easy to forget when he was surrounded by those horses and that elephant.

“You’re a little more complicated than you seem, Shane Stryker,” she murmured.

“In a good way?”

“The best way.”

He moved closer, or maybe she did. Suddenly the size of the room didn’t matter and the view was a whole lot less interesting than the man taking her in his arms. What appealed to her most was the feel of him, the strength and the heat. The way he held her and how he claimed her mouth in a kiss she never wanted to end.

She tilted her head and parted her lips, wanting him to deepen the kiss. He obliged with a sweep of his tongue. She sank into him, resting her fingertips on his shoulders, as much to be close to him as to stay standing.

His tongue brushed against hers. She circled, teasing him. The intimate kiss sent alerts to nerve endings throughout her body. Low in her belly, she felt heat and pressure. Need circulated everywhere. The room itself seemed to retreat until there was only this man and how he aroused her.

He moved his hands up and down her back. She’d worn a sundress and high-heeled sandals. When he moved against the zipper, her stomach clenched. But he didn’t lower it. Instead he rested his hands on her hips.

She found herself wanting to nudge him higher or lower. Either would work. Or kiss her more. Or take off his clothes. Anything.

She must have transmitted her eagerness because he pulled back slightly and chuckled.

“Impatient?” he asked before lightly kissing her jaw.

“A little.”

“I was trying to take it slow. You know, be the good guy.”

He kissed and nibbled his way down her neck. Everywhere he touched, she felt shivers and desire.

“Being good is highly overrated,” she whispered, arching her head back so he could do more.

“If you’re sure.”