Sydney POV

“I need to go,” He said still trying to get hold of himself.

I couldn’t allow him to go anywhere without my help, he might be all macho about not needing help but from the look of it, I had to take him to where he was going.

It was 2 am, and if anything were to happen to him, it would be her fault because she kept on asking him questions that he would be comfortable answering.

“I am so sorry I allowed this go too far,” I told him 

I might have had a lot of fun playing the game but I didn’t think of the repercussions.

“I would take you anywhere you would be willing to go,” I told him.

He looked at me and started laughing, which only worried me more as I stared at his unfocused eyes.

“Then take me to my hotel room, That's where I want to be now,” He said and allowed himself to relax on my arms

“My GPS will give you the directions to the hotel,” He said and relaxed in the car.

I had never been in this type of car before but I could drive because my father made sure that I learned it as a basic skill growing up.

“What direction should we go” “Hey” I touched him gently

He pointed at a door down the hall and I led him in that direction, noticing that he seemed to be leaning on me more and more the further we walked. We got to the door and I looked at him expectantly. “Keycard?”

“In my front pocket.” He gave her an interesting look. “Don’t suppose I could convince you to reach in and get it for me?”

Good lord, was he flirting with me?? The man must have been truly plastered. “That’s very sweet,” I told him. “But get your card.” “Can’t blame a man for trying,” he murmured.

“You’re drunk,” I told him. “You wouldn’t hit on me sober.”

I didn’t know why I said that but that was what I knew 

“Just because I’m drunk doesn’t mean I don’t have taste,” he told her. But he fished his keycard out of one pocket, winked at me, and then slid it across the scanner.

The door chimed open and he pulled his arm off my shoulders, leaving me feeling oddly bereft. “Want to come in for a moment?”

I hesitated. going into a strange man’s hotel room at three in the morning? Probably a bad idea. “I really shouldn’t.”

“Just for a bit? I could use the company.”

I waited on his doorstep a moment longer. I wasn’t thrilled about heading into the dark, late at night by my lonesome, and I had always wanted to see a penthouse. And he looked harmless. he wouldn’t attack me. . . no matter how much I might wish it. “Just for a minute,” I cautioned him. “And then I should get going.”

“You want a drink?” he asked, stepping into the suite. “I’m sure I have a minibar around here somewhere.” he looked around the penthouse like he didn’t know where things were around here.

I followed him in, closing the door, I tried not to stare at his hotel room.

The beige carpet was thick underneath my shoes and the furniture was shiny and new. Art—real art, not ugly hotel prints hung on the walls, illuminated by their spotlights. A pair of sliding doors led off to another “wing” of his suite, and as I stepped into the living room, I chuckled. “Is that a piano?”

“A baby grand for all of your hotel needs,” he agreed, approaching with two small bottles of alcohol in hand. “I have never gotten to a hotel room and thought, damn it, where is a piano when you need one, but someone does.” I laughed again and refused the drink he offered me,” No thanks.”

“You’re not driving back,” he cajoled. “I insist on a cab this late. And I’d be a sad sack if I was a lonely drunk. With you here, I’m not quite so lonely.”

He kept on blabbing but I was interested in the suites, it was very lovely.

I couldn’t help myself but keep staring at the paintings on the wall.

His words warmed me a bit, and I took the tiny bottle of Patron from him, twisting the tiny cap off. He did the same and held his bottle out to me in a toast. “Bottoms up,” I told him, and then sipped it. The alcohol had a delicious burn to it. I continued to sip it, wandering around the room. “How much does a place like this cost a night?”

I asked because I was always curious about things that I couldn’t understand.

“You don’t want to know,” he told her. “I’m not even sure I know. An assistant handled it for me.”

I headed through the living room—his freaking hotel room was a mess of rooms—and peered out to the balcony. “Oh, wow. This is huge.”

“Shall we go out?” He opened the door and asked. I didn't know what it was about this man but there was just something about him that brought me a sense of peace. And I didn't want it to go away.

Sydney POV

Even though I was a bit tired and I knew He should head to bed, I went out on the balcony anyhow, because when was I going to ever do this again? 

I didn’t have the opportunity to always be in places like this.

The balcony had marble tile, and elegantly maintained potted plants dotted along the railing, interspersed with heavy wooden furniture. The city looked vast from here, and she stared at the view in awe. “This is beautiful .”

“Isn’t it?” He smiled out at the buildings, his brown hair ruffling in the night breeze. He moved to stand beside me, his presence warm. “I have to admit I asked for this room simply because of the balcony.”

“I don’t blame you. This place looks big enough for a party.”

“Kind of sad that it’s just me in the room .” His tone was melancholy, and her heart twinged again.

I lifted the tiny bottle of Patron back to my lips and drained the entire thing in one fell swoop, my head began to buzz.

He gazed out at the night sky for a moment before turning back to look at me.

“None of this was your fault.”

I was the one that made him drink so much because of the dare, now he couldn’t say anything without her feeling bad that she made him this way.

I knew he was being modest, but I still told him, and crossed my arms under my breasts, tucking them close to stay warm. My thin shirt wasn’t exactly made for evenings outside. 

I had to change because I couldn’t be outside in my stripper cloth, it was part of my life that was shaded from the outside world and I was going to keep it that way.

My hair was blowing into my face, and I impatiently pushed it aside, thinking. What could I possibly say to him that wouldn’t sound stupid? Did I notice you all night? Yes but he didn't need to know that.

“It’s funny,” He said, stepping closer to me. His hair blew in the breeze and for a moment, he looked like a fallen angel in the shadows. “Tonight, when I saw you dancing, I almost called my assistant to tell him how happy I was that he got me the ticket to be there,” He said

He was still looking at me like he wanted to say more than this, I was intrigued to know what was going on in his mind but I didn’t want to rush him.

My brows drew together. Huh? “I think you’re very drunk” He didn’t want to say anything but I knew he had many things to say.

Maybe this was going to encourage him.

“I’m drunk,” he agreed. “Because I’d never say this otherwise. But you’re utterly, insanely sexy and I’ve been completely attracted to you since the moment I saw you, even when I know I shouldn’t be. And here I am, up on the balcony in the middle of the night after what has been a miserable experience, because you kept on asking me questions that I wasn't going to answer and I kept drinking, all I can think is that I’m not all that miserable, because I like watching you.”His fingers reached out and brushed a lock of hair off her forehead, tucked it gently behind her ear.

 “And it makes me wish I was one of those guys that didn’t give a shit about anyone but themselves, because I’d ask you to stay the night with me.”

I didn’t know how to answer this but he looked really sincere as he was saying all of this to her one thing I had gotten to understand was that words spoken when drunk was all a lie.

My eyes widened. 

His fingers traced the curve of my ear, sending shivers down my spine. He wasn’t moving away. His speech wasn’t slurred. He . . . couldn’t be that drunk, could he? To be propositioning? “W-what do you mean, stay the night with you?”

“It’s late and you’re gorgeous,” he said bluntly, cupping her cheek in his hand. “And I’m wondering if we should both live a little. Have an incredibly intense one-night stand and not think about it in the morning. What do you say?”

I didn’t know if this was the drink talking or him, he looked like he had a lot of one night stands but for me this was surprisingly new.

I stared up at his handsome face as I contemplated his words. His fingers were warm on my skin, his touch making my every nerve ending sit up and pay attention.

 I wanted to say yes. It had been years since I had dated anyone. 

The last man I had cared for wasn’t worth it, to the point that I hadn’t wanted to date again after him. 

But tonight . . . wouldn’t it be nice to have a torrid fling with a man who wanted me for me, Scratch the itch for sex that desperately needed scratching?

Especially with this handsome browned haired man, who seemed to embody everything I liked in a man?

And maybe in a different world I would have allowed him to bend me over his piano and have his way with me. But unfortunately I wasn’t that kind of girl.

Sydney POV

I shook my head and patted the front of his Jacket. “Hey,” she said softly. “You’re drunk, That’s why you’re propositioning me—”

I didn’t know what else to tell him, that was the only thing I could say to him, he had to be very drunk to be attracted to me sexually.

“It’s true,” He said. His arm—strong and firm—went to my waist and he pulled me against him, close enough that my breasts pushed up against his chest.

“I wanted you and I told you from the beginning but you didn’t want me, I had to ease into it”

I gasped, surprised at the feel of his mouth against mine, I . . hadn’t expected that. And yet, I was filled with the desire for more. The kiss had been way too brief.

His thumb grazed my lower lip, his gaze on my face. “I want you so much I can hardly stand it. It’s not just because you happen to be here and I’m horny. It’s because it’s you here, you are the one pressed up against my chest, and you make my dick hard every time you smile, Will you stay the night with me?”

I gazed up at him, considering. From the way he watched my mouth as l licked my lips, to the way he pulled my body against his, it truly did seem as if He was attracted to me

And really . . . what would it hurt to stay the night with Him? He made it clear that this would be a fling. A one-time thing. 

A gorgeous guy wanted me for just one night of hot sex? No strings attached, no worries, no relationships, no nothing?

How was there possibly a downside to this?

Because I wanted this man, and he wanted me.

What could go wrong with that?

So I bit my lip, leaned forward, and pressed my mouth to his in a silent answer to his question.

kissing him was better than ice cream. Sweet, creamy chocolate ice cream with hot fudge dripping down the sides? Tasty, but not nearly as appealing to my senses as the warm breath of this man kissing me, his tongue slicking against my own in response to my kiss, his mouth opening wider to accept my tongue.

The groan he made when our mouths locked, and the way his hand stole down to my ass and clenched me against him as if she were beautiful and sexy and he wanted me like he wanted no other woman.

And when my mouth parted from his, a small, dreamy sigh escaped me.

I wasn’t sexual but he made me feel that way like he wanted my body and he couldn’t get enough of kissing me.

He made me feel like kissing me was better than breathing.

“Want to go inside?” He murmured and cupped my face with his long fingers.

I almost forgot that we were outside and I shouldn’t be doing this with him, I barely knew this man.

“I shouldn’t,” I answered immediately

“The question wasn’t whether or not you should, but if you wanted to,” he said, and one of his fingers traced my full lips again.

I took that fingertip between my teeth and licked the tip. “More than anything.”

“Then let’s not overthink it. Let’s just feel for a night.”

That sounded kind of wonderful. I nodded and he gave me another quick kiss, then took me by the hand and led me back into the hotel room. He flicked off lights as he went, leading me through the maze of rooms.

And then we were in the opulent bedroom. The walls were a soft warm wood, the drapes a pale cream color. The bed was a sumptuous king with a quilted white headboard and dozens of pillows tossed onto it. It looked like something out of a dream. “This is like no hotel room I’ve ever stayed in before.”

I had to say that, this was far better than any hotel I had ever been in, I hadn’t been in a lot of them.

“It’s nice, isn’t it? You should see the bathroom.” He said still holding me

“Can I?”I asked

He gestured at a door off of the bedroom. “Be my guest.”

I wandered in and gasped at the sight. It was beyond luxury—a rain shower; a sunken, Matted tub; thick, plush carpets—it had everything. I peeked at a door off to one side and laughed to see exercise equipment. “My goodness. This place is bigger than my apartment.”

“Mmm. Then I’m glad you’re here to enjoy it.”

He pulled me against him, pressing my back against his front. 

His arms went around my waist and he nuzzled at my neck, brushing my hair aside and kissing my nape.

I shivered.

So I turned around, wrapped my arms around his neck, and pulled him in for a long, scorching kiss. My tongue played against his, then flicked against his lips. “I’ve seen enough in here. I think we should go back to the bedroom.”I was in control of what was happening, I had to be so I wouldn’t feel bad about what I was doing.

He groaned and gripped my ass in his hands. “I couldn’t agree more.” But he didn’t stop kissing me, Instead, he walked backward in small, slow steps, heading back toward the bedroom. And I giggled against his mouth, still kissing him in return.

Mouths locked the entire time, we staggered back to the bedroom. I accidentally stepped on his foot and he winced. “Sorry,” I breathed.

And that was all it took to ruin the mood.