“If you’ve changed your mind, that’s okay.” With his knuckles he caressed her cheek. “I want you, but if you don’t want me, then I’ll put you in a taxi and send you home now.”

She lifted her hand and brushed her fingers through his hair. When her fingernails touched his scalp, he shuddered involuntarily and had to close his eyes for a moment.

“I don’t want to go home,” she whispered. “I’d much rather feel your naked skin against mine.”

“Rochelle,” he murmured. “I would love to kiss you now, but I’m afraid that we won’t even make it all the way to the hotel if I do that.” He pressed her against the wall to let her feel what she did to him.

“Then I can only hope that it’s not far to the hotel, because feeling you like that turns me into a tigress who wants to dig her claws into her prey.”

He pulled one side of his mouth up to a smile. “If you want to play out that fantasy in a few minutes, I’m game. I’ve always wanted to know what it’s like to be mauled by a tigress.”

Zach stepped back from her and took her hand in his. At the end of the block he turned right and led her to the entrance of the hotel. It was quiet in the elegant lobby. He motioned to the comfortable armchairs.

“Why don’t you wait for me here while I get us a room?”

She nodded. “Hurry.”

He pulled her hand to his lips and kissed it. Then he walked to the reception and addressed the front desk clerk behind the marble counter. Within minutes he had the key card to a room on the twenty-fourth floor in his hand.

“Is the gift shop still open?” he asked the clerk.

The young man looked past him and smiled. “On the way to the elevators to your left. You’re in luck. They’re closing in five minutes.” Then he cleared his throat. “I wish you a good night, sir.”

Zach nodded and pivoted. He saw Rochelle rise from her armchair when she noticed him approach. He took her hand and walked in the direction the clerk had indicated.

“Wait at the elevator for me. I have to quickly get something.” He motioned his head toward the gift shop, then whispered in her ear. “Unless you are prepared and have something on you.”

She looked up at him. “I wasn’t planning on…”

“No worries,” he interrupted. Oddly enough he liked the fact that she had no condoms on her. So she hadn’t been in the bar to find a stranger to spend the night with. Just as he hadn’t planned it either.

In the shop he went straight to the cashier and pointed to the display behind her. “A three-pack of Trojans please.”

The elderly lady smiled and ran her eyes over him. She took the package from the rack and scanned the price. When he paid, his gaze fell to the open door and the corridor beyond, where Rochelle stood waiting at the elevator bank.

“Have a nice evening, sir,” the cashier said and handed him the condoms, which she’d placed in a neutral brown paper bag.

“Good night.”

Rochelle’s gaze was on him when he approached. The doors of the elevator opened. Rochelle went inside ahead of him and Zach followed. He pressed the button for the twenty-fourth floor and waited until the doors closed and the elevator started ascending.

They were alone. Every obstacle was gone. Nothing could stop him now. Without a word he shoved the condom package into his suit pocket and took a step toward Rochelle. She knew what was about to happen. Her eyes confirmed it just as her heaving chest did. She stood with her back against the wall and lifted her chin to welcome him.

“I promise you’ll enjoy this night.” Because he would make sure that she enjoyed their lovemaking just as much as he did. He always treated his lovers well, even though he sometimes turned a little wild in bed. And with Rochelle he could easily imagine setting the sheets on fire, because he could virtually see the passion dance on her skin. And judging by the way his cock twitched though they weren’t even naked yet, he knew they’d be perfect for each other in bed.

Zach pressed his body to hers and sank his mouth onto her red lips. Her breath bounced against his and he inhaled the scent. Her lips were warm and soft.

“Zach,” she murmured, and the vibration of her voice sent a pleasant tingling sensation over his skin.

Then he felt her arms come around him, and he took her mouth in a passionate kiss. He got lost in it, tasting her lips, her yielding tongue; exploring her. With powerful strokes he showed her what he wanted from her, how much she aroused him. He couldn’t suppress his moans. Just as he couldn’t stop his hips from undulating, his groin from grinding against her rhythmically. But Rochelle didn’t seem to mind, because she caressed him eagerly and pressed her body against his in a show of wanton abandon.