A shot of adrenaline courses through me as if I wasn’t already buzzing enough. But also, a bit of thankfulness, that even though this is just a one-night stand for both of us, Zanders has the decency to make sure I don’t lose my job over it.
When the main doors open and close, Zanders looks over his shoulder at the empty lobby. Once again, he takes my hand in his, pulling me to the elevator. His legs are much longer than mine, so I have to run just to keep up with his quick walk.
He presses the number for his floor before frantically pushing the button to close the doors, all while he continues to peer out into the lobby. As soon as the metal doors shut, he turns back to me, hunger in his hazel eyes.
He takes a calm but confident step towards me as I hold on to the handrails at my side, trusting them to keep me upright because, with the way he looks right now, stalking towards me, I’d assume my knees are about to give out from his dangerous gaze.
“You know, Stevie.” Zanders corners me in the elevator. “If you hadn’t been so stubborn that night in Nashville, I could’ve kissed you by now.”
The pad of his thumb drags across my lower lip as his eyes trail the movement, mesmerized by the whole thing. “I really like this mouth of yours.” His hand covers my jawline before his thumb tugs my chin down, causing my mouth to fall open. “I’m gonna really like fucking it too.”
Holy shit.
He moves in closer, his nose nudging mine and his mouth mere centimeters from my own. But he doesn’t come any closer than that. He stays there, torturing me while sweeping his bottom lip with his tongue.
“Kiss me,” I breathe out. “Please, Zanders.”
His full lips lift in a sinister smirk. “I knew I was going to like hearing that smart mouth begging for me.”
Before he can bend down and press his mouth to mine, the elevator dings, and the doors open on his floor.
“Let’s go so I can hear it a little more.” He lightly tugs on the bottom of my shirt as he walks backward, a victorious grin playing on his lips.
Zanders unlocks his hotel room for me, allowing me to enter first. And when I do, my mouth falls open from how nice it is. I suppose I should’ve realized from the luxury lobby with marble flooring or the violin strings playing in the elevator, but to be honest, I’ve been pretty distracted by a 6'5" hockey defenseman who’s going to absolutely destroy my body in bed tonight.
The flight crew stays in nice enough hotels, but nothing like this. Not even close.
My eyes fall on the multiple pristine suits that hang in his closet. Zanders always dresses to the nines, so no surprise there. Then my gaze flickers to the bathroom, where more products line the counter than my local Sephora—again, not shocked in the slightest.
The click of the door pulls me out of my daze as I turn back to face him.
He slowly steps towards me, unbuttoning the top of his shirt, allowing his tattoos, gold chain, and ridges of muscle to come into view.
“This is a one-time thing,” I remind both him and myself as I stay frozen in place in the center of the room.
His chest heaves in a silent laugh as he continues his slow stride. Another button comes undone. “Sounds fan-fucking-tastic.”
“And we are never speaking of this after tonight.”
“I wouldn’t dare.” Another step. Another button. “But what are you going to tell your coworkers when you can’t walk tomorrow?”
Oh God. He’s got a point. “Maybe that’ll keep you from pressing that damn call button all flight.”
“Not a chance. I can’t wait to watch you limp down the aisle of that airplane, knowing I’m the one who did that to you.”
He stops right in front of me as he unbuttons the last on his shirt. It falls open, showcasing his beautifully built body, covered in black ink and gold jewelry.
Suddenly, a jolt of nerves hits me again as I cross my arms over my covered chest. This man, who looks like every girl’s wet dream, has been with the most beautiful women in the world, and now he’s about to see me. Naked.
“Are you sure about this?” Zanders pushes a corkscrew curl away from my face.
My eyes bounce between his, trying to read him. Sweet and cautious aren’t really his style, so this concerned question is a little strange, regardless that he can probably read my body language like a book right now.
“Because I’m about to ruin every other man for you.”
There he is.
My thighs squeeze together at the thought. “Doubtful,” I challenge.
My confident mask is back on as I reach for the belt on his pants. I know the rules, and even if I didn’t, I’ve been salivating at the thought of having him in my mouth.
As soon as my fingers grasp the zipper, Zanders stops me, placing his hands on mine. When my attention darts up to him, I notice that his arrogance has disappeared, replaced instead with uncertainty.
Zanders’ calloused fingertips slide under my shirt, digging into my waist. He takes two commanding steps forward as I go back with him until my shoulder blades hit the hotel room wall.
He takes a long, laborious inhale, defeat clear on his features as one of his hands cups my face, his thumb alone covering my jaw. His other hand stays on my waist, keeping me pinned against the wall. His touch is assertive and controlling but somewhat tender in a strange and unexpected way.
Gold flecks shine in his eyes as they bounce between mine, looming over me. “Fuck the rules,” he breathes out. “We both know you’ll be crying out my name plenty tonight.”
And with that, the small space between us is filled when Zanders urgently presses his mouth to mine. His lips are soft and full, meeting every wet, hot glide with a more demanding one of his own. Inhaling into each other, my arms sling over his shoulders, pulling him closer to me, and when he slips his warm tongue into my mouth, a desperate whimper escapes my throat.
Because holy hell, this guy can kiss.
The effect of his lips finally touching mine, as well as the dominant hold he has on me, shoots through every nerve in my body. Its rush ignites every tip of my fingers, flowing through my chest, and most notably, to the apex of my thighs.
His hot mouth works perfectly against mine before finding its way to my throat, nipping and soothing. And I don’t know if I’ve ever needed someone’s touch as much as I do right now.
He pins me to the wall with his hips as I subconsciously push mine into him, feeling him grow against me. I coax him by rubbing, writhing, arching my body, and pulling a throaty growl from the man who always seems to be in control.
Zanders’ grip leaves my face and waist, urgently sliding around to my ass, traveling south, and lifting me up as if I were as light as a feather.
A quick self-conscious thought travels through my mind as he carries me to the couch with my legs wrapped around his waist. But Zanders shows no strain from holding me up as he sits down with ease.
Straddling him, I can feel his hardness beneath me, even through my jeans. Lining myself over his length, I continue to move and grind, rocking my body, trying to ease the ache.