For how shy she had seemed earlier, Lillie loosened up during the meal, conversation flowing easily as Damon teased but backed off actually trying to seduce the woman.
They talked about the different menu choices. They talked about the different games available in Vegas and laughed as Lillie rattled off the odds for each one. Hell, they even talked about the weather in a way that was entertaining.
The entire time they ate, though, Jim found it difficult to think about anything but what came next. It wasn’t that it had been a long time since he’d been with a woman, but everything about Lillie enticed him.
And tormented him.
She lifted a piece of steak to her mouth, darting her tongue out to taste the surface before she placed the portion in her mouth. Jim’s cock pressed against his zipper, and he adjusted position to gain some more room.
She picked up her bun and broke off a piece, slathering it with butter before popping the entire morsel into her mouth. The noises that followed made it sound as if she were one step away from climaxing right there in the restaurant.
Jim tore his eyes away from her lips, catching sight of Damon across from them. The wolf’s jaw hung slightly open, his face flushed as he damn near panted.
Under the table, Jim kicked him. Hard.
Damon jerked out of range. “Oh, don’t tell me you wouldn’t be thinking the same thing if you were in my boots.”
“Your boots had better start walking.” Jim tilted his head toward the exit. They’d had enough sharing time, and his plans for the rest of the evening were not group activities.
Lillie glanced between them, the cutest expression growing as she puzzled over their discussion. “You don’t want any dessert?”
A flash of mischief crossed his best friend’s face. “You have no idea how much I’d love some dessert, but I’m being put on a diet. You kids have fun.” Damon gave Jim a two-finger salute. “Let’s meet tomorrow. I’ve got something for you.”
“Deal.” Anything to get the bastard away from the table as fast as possible. He waited until Damon’s back disappeared out the wide open doors before calling for the bill.
“And you don’t want dessert either. That is unexpected. Huh.” Lillie was licking her fingers clean, and the aching need in Jim’s gut shot from want now to ready to explode.
One after the other, the slim digits slipped between her lips. She swirled her tongue around them. Closed her mouth and pulled out with a pop.
He had her out of the restaurant and into an elevator before she had a chance to grab any dinner mints. The elevator doors closed, and he used his access key, desperately resisting temptation. He was not about to pick her up and push her to a wall, pinning her in place with his body as he ravished her lips.
Lillie stared at the corner of the small room. “They’ve got cameras in here, don’t they?”
“Yup.”
“Huh.” She twirled to face him, cuddling under his jacket and nuzzling affectionately. “Thank you for dinner. And your friend Damon is funny.”
“I’ll make sure I tell him. Often. Because that’s exactly what his ego needs. To be reminded that a beautiful woman thought he was funny.”
She tilted her head back far enough he could peer into one hazel-green eye, the rest of her face still pressed to his chest as if she were cocooning. “Really?”
“Well, I sure as hell am not going to tell him you think he’s sexy. Funny—that I can do. That’s one step away from being called a good friend or a nice guy, both of which sting like death from a woman’s lips.”
The elevator doors opened on to his suite, and Jim gestured her forward. There were so many things he needed to consider. Which room should he take her in first? And on the bed? Floor? Couch?
But first he had to make sure his shy little bear got comfortable. He’d have to keep petting her until things were juuuust right.
6
Lillie paced into the living room, admiring the beautifully decorated apartment.
Jim stopped by a low cupboard. “Take a look around,” he ordered. “I’ll grab us drinks.”
Her heart was thumping as if she were a virgin about to be sacrificed on some sexual altar. She made her way to the windows, trailing her fingers over the back of the grey leather couch, its surface soft and cool to her touch.
Outside, the city spread in a circle, the glittering line of the Strip lit up and stretching into the distance. Taxis and cars with their white headlights and red taillights made interesting patterns as they moved in a synchronized manner.
Below them, the manmade lake was highlighted from all sides by brilliant spotlights. Jim’s suite was in the exact location so when a spray of water shot skyward, it was perfectly visible. She pressed closer to the glass, watching eagerly.