“It’s the second largest city in the U.S.” He takes a sip of his water, going to the door.

  I’m unable to move from my spot looking down at all the houses and buildings. To my left are more high-rise buildings, but we seem to be on the edge of them. We have an unobstructed view of the scenery.

  Looking over my shoulder, Patton tips the bellman and rolls our luggage down the narrow hall to what I assume is the bedroom. The suite is long and narrow with matching beige furniture, brown wood tables and soft leather chairs. The bedroom is behind a wall with entrances on both sides. I climb off the sofa and go to where he’s hanging his suit and tux.

  The wall of windows extends the length of the hall into the bedroom, which is gorgeous. It’s decorated in soothing shades of sand and cream, and the bed looks like it’s floating over a rectangular base. A thick white duvet is on top with a soft, knit blanket in the center.

  “I think you’ll like this.” He turns and catches my hand, leading me past another wall to an enormous bathroom with a stone-lined jetted tub near the window-wall. “This time, we’ll use it.”

  A little thrill zips through my stomach at his words. “I bet it’s beautiful at night.”

  “We’ll find out, but first, dinner. Are you hungry?”

  “I’m starving.”

  “I’m sure you are.” He catches my hand, leading me back down the hardwood hall to the entrance. “Your body is two hours ahead here.”

  We hop in the car, holding hands as usual. It’s almost like we’re afraid to let go, lest one of us slips away. Five minutes later, he’s helping me out in front of a large square with a brown sign reading Grand Central Market. It’s crowded with pedestrians, but it seems we’re a bit ahead of the regular dinner rush. He leads me to a white-tiled counter with Wexler’s Deli painted on the front.

  We wait in line, and I scan the menu. It’s typical New York deli fare. The woman at the register smiles expectantly.

  “Two MacArthur Parks and two Cokes.” As far as I can tell, Patton never even looked at the menu.

  She rings it up, and he hands over the money. It’s like I’m not even here.

  “You know what I want?”

  He passes me a paper cup, and two guys behind the glass barrier get busy slinging rye bread, pastrami, swiss cheese, Russian dressing, and cole slaw.

  “It’s the best pastrami in the city.” He takes his change and takes a pause. “Okay, the best pastrami in the city is Langer’s, but this is a very close second.”

  They’re done, handing us a white paper bag, and he leads me to a table. I’m sipping my drink thoughtfully as I watch him.

  “How do you know so much about LA?” We unwrap our sandwiches, and I confess, it smells delicious. “Do you visit here a lot?”

  “When we’re talking to potential clients, it helps to know about the cities, the best and the worst, to get them to sign.”

  “Makes sense.” I take a bite, considering how much additional homework I need to do when the smoky, tangy flavors hit my tongue. “Oh my…” I sit back, covering my mouth. “This is so good! How did you know I’d like this—”

  “This isn’t our first meal together.”

  I’m amazed and a lot thrilled that he pays so much attention to my interests. We chew quietly for several minutes. As usual, he’s nearly finished in five bites.

  “You should slow down and let your stomach catch up.”

  He seems confused at first, then nods. “Habit.”

  “You have a habit of eating like it’s a contest?”

  “Saves time.”

  I finish half my sandwich and wrap up the other, putting it in the bag. My stomach is tight and my heart is beating so fast, I’m not really hungry.

  “That’s it for you? I thought you were starving.”

  “I’ll have more later. Let’s walk around.”

  He leads me out, and we stroll down Broadway a little ways. “It’s about two miles back to the hotel. LA isn’t really a walking city.”

  A park is on our right with paved steps and trees clustered around a fountain. A wall of art is in the middle, leading out to a pool of water. We walk a few more blocks, and I notice the sky is growing dim. The sun is setting here, but to my body clock, it went down hours ago.

  I can’t help a yawn, and Patton sees it. “Here…” He reaches out, hailing a cab, and we hop in. “We’ll head back and get some rest. Tomorrow’s going to be a long day.”

  The thought of returning to the hotel with him tightens my stomach, waking me up again. “Good idea.”

  24

  Patton

  “It’s so beautiful.” I watch as Rocky walks ahead of me into the softly lit suite. The sun is just setting over the mountains and the lights of the city are blinking on.

  Being here with her is like seeing it all again for the first time, and I want to lay her on the bed and be inside her.

  Instead, I go to the kitchen, open the fridge, and uncork a bottle of Mumm Napa. “Start the water. I’ll meet you in the bathroom.”

  Blue eyes flicker to mine, and she smiles in a way that stokes my anticipation. Holding the wine and two flutes, and I pause at the control panel to turn on the music. Soft singing fills the air, but it’s not too distracting. I want to focus on her, my little fighter.

  She always wants to argue with me, but I appreciate when she lets me win. Like, for instance, with our accommodations. Of course, who could resist this view? I put the wine on the beige counter holding a large, flatscreen TV and remove my blazer. I hang it in the closet and toe off my shoes. Reaching in my pocket, I take out a condom and place it on the bedside table, then I grab the wine, ready to find my girl.

  I don’t even pause to reflect on me… Patton Fletcher thinking those words. I’m too distracted by the trail of clothes leading to the bathroom. A pink sweater followed by a lacy pink bra has my blood heating. Dark jeans and a black thong have me setting the wine on the vanity and pulling my dress shirt out of my slacks.

  The low hum of the jets fills the air, and I see her fully immersed with her hair tied up in a bun on top of her head. Her body is obscured in the water by white foam.

  “They have bath bombs.” Her eyes are full of delight, then she laughs. “Don’t look so disappointed. It smells amazing.”

  “I was more interested in seeing than smelling.” Getting closer, it’s the earthy smell of lavender. “I prefer coconut. And ginger.”

  Her lips press together and she shakes her head.

  I pour two flutes of wine and hand one to her. She takes a sip, her eyes fixed on me as I unbutton my shirt halfway and pull it over my head. As usual her eyes heat, and desire is plain on her face. It raises my semi to full hard-on.

  My pants drop, and her lip goes between her teeth.

  “Like what you see?” I can’t resist teasing her.

  She blinks quickly, tearing her eyes away from my cock and tilting her head toward the window. “I do—it’s really a gorgeous view. You were right.”

  “That’s not what I meant.” Stepping into the warm, swirling water, I clink my glass against hers. “And I’m always right.”

  Her nose scrunches adorably, and she takes a sip. “Is that so? You’re always right?”

  I take a sip and set my flute aside, setting hers aside as well and reaching for her waist. “Always.”

  She’s on my lap in a straddle, and our lips meet, parting as our tongues slide along each other’s. Her hand goes below the water, fingers wrapping around my cock and slowly moving up and down. It makes me groan, and I don’t want to stop. I want to slide right inside her now.

  “If we’re going to keep doing this, we should get tested.” I’m tired of having to break for condoms.

  She’s on my lap, her lips right at my ear, kissing my skin and making it harder to resist her. “I’ve always been safe.”

  “I have, too.” It’s been so long, I barely remember the last time.

  Her voice is a sultry purr. “I want to taste you.”

  We’ve only just gotten in the tub, but she stands and grabs one of the plush robes off the hook on the wall. She taps the button to turn off the jets and carefully steps out, pulling the soft terrycloth over her shoulders and holding out a hand to me.

  “Come on.” She doesn’t have to ask twice.

  I stand, taking the other robe and pulling it over my body. It absorbs the water from our skin, and I take her hand as she walks me to the California king-sized bed. It’s lit on all sides with small yellow lights, and track lighting illuminates the floor around it, making it seem to float.

  We step onto the fluffy beige carpet and she turns, dropping to her knees. I’m just about to speak when her hands slide up my thighs, grazing my balls with her nails and guiding my aching erection to her lips.

  “Rocky…” My large hands catch the sides of her head, and she pulls my tip between her pillow lips.

  Round, blue eyes gaze up at me, and she flickers her tongue all around, sucking as she slides her hand up my shaft to meet her mouth.

  I groan loudly as she takes me farther down her throat. It feels incredible. My knees are weak, and I can’t stop watching her moving faster, taking me deeper. I’m about to shoot down her throat when I reach down to lift her by the arms, moving her onto her stomach on the bed.

  Snatching the condom off the night stand, my fingers shake, I’m so close. I roll it on quickly then step to her, ripping the robe up and exposing her creamy, heart-shaped ass.

  Yes, I want that. Grabbing her hip, I pull her to the edge. I’m lost in a haze of need as I line up my tip and shove balls deep into her clenching, wet pussy.

  “Fuck, yes.” It’s a low, guttural groan, and I thrust faster.

  She moans, lifting her hips up to meet me, chasing her own orgasm. I’m too far gone to help. I’ll make it up to her in just a few… more… Jesus… I come so hard on my last thrust. Her ass bounces as I slam into her, and my eyes squeeze shut as I fall forward, gripping her waist.

  I’m breathing hard, and her face turns to the side, searching. I cover her mouth with mine and kiss her long and full, tasting the bitter tang of the wine on her tongue. She kisses me back with matching need, and I slide my hand between her legs, finding her clit and circling as I rock my hips slowly, still deep inside her.

  A whimper aches from her throat, and I reach down to catch the condom, holding it as I pull out and quickly tying it off and tossing it into the trash. Then I flip her onto her back placing my mouth right between her thighs and kissing her there, sucking and pulling her clit with my tongue and teeth.

  It doesn’t take much before she’s bucking against my face. Her fingers thread in my hair, and she moans so loud. I keep going until she’s pushing away from me, writhing in the blankets and begging me to stop.

  Rising up, I climb onto the bed beside her and pull her against my chest feeling satisfied and so damn good.

  We were supposed to sort out this thing between us when we got back from the mountains, but between Taron leaving, following up on Marley, and preparing for this gala, it seemed easier to fall back into our work roles.

  I know there are conversations we need to have. Two very important conversations in particular. Still, in this moment, with this beautiful woman in my arms, I can’t imagine willingly taking us into difficult situations. At least not yet.

  What happened in the past, what’s coming in the future, none of it will change if we wait a few hours more. One more day. We’ve come this far, after all.

  These thoughts are drifting quietly through my mind when I notice her breathing has turned into that soft, rhythmic sound of sleep. I kind of love that sound.

  My eyes are closed, and I follow her to that place of rest, where there is no fighting. Where we can simply be together, safe in each other’s arms.

  “We’ll be late if I don’t call the car now. Are you ready?’ The room phone is between my shoulder and my ear, and I polish off my scotch.

  After a day of walking up and down Rodeo Drive, checking out the Walk of Fame, Warner Bros studios, driving on Sunset Boulevard with the Hollywood sign to our left and the Griffith Observatory to our right, I had worried she might be too exhausted for the gala. I was wrong.

  My little fighter insisted on getting ready in her own room tonight, much to my annoyance.

  “Almost done.” I can hear the sounds of movement on the other end of the line. “Head on down to the lobby bar. I’ll meet you there in five minutes.”

  “I’m calling the car, so don’t be too long.”

  We disconnect, and I put my glass in the sink. Jerry checked in and let us know where he’d be tonight. I’m tempted to avoid that part of the building, but I can’t ignore my senior account exec, especially since I sent him here to get us established in the city.

  Or at least that’s what I said.

  That motherfucker had better not put a finger on Rocky if he knows what’s good for him.

  The elevator opens to the bustling lobby, and I make my way through a mix of appropriately and inappropriately dressed guests.

  The things people put on to wear in public amazes me—men in particular. I receive a text the car is out front, and when I look up, my surroundings seem to fade.

  Rocky steps off the elevator and takes my breath away.

  She’s dressed in a floor-length, slate-blue dress with a halter top held up by thin spaghetti straps that crisscross over her shoulders down to her waist leaving her beautiful back exposed.

  Her hair is swept over one shoulder, and the way the top is cut, it gives a teasing glimpse of the curve of her breasts on the sides. The full effect is tantalizing. It makes me want to blow off the gala and take her upstairs…

  Clearly, we can’t do that.

  She closes the space between us, her blue skirt moving in filmy waves around her legs, and her lips curl into a sly grin. “You look like you’ve been struck by lightning.”

  I’m pretty sure I have.

  “You’re stunning.” Reaching out, I slide my hand around her waist to the soft skin of her lower back and lean forward to kiss her cheek, just beside her ear.

  A shiver moves through her body, and damn. I really do want to blow off this gala. “We should just call it and head back upstairs.”

  She starts to laugh, taking my arm and turning me toward the door. “I thought we were here on business, Mr. Fletcher. This gala is a very important event, and you don’t want Jerry representing you at it.”

  The mention of his name is a boner-killer, and I put my hand over hers. “It’s true. We might have to make a pitstop in the lavatory when we get there. I don’t know how much longer I can look at you in this dress without ripping it off.”

  Her eyebrows rise, and I suppose I am being a bit forceful.

  “This is a very expensive dress, Mr. Fletcher.” She keeps calling me that. It’s unexpectedly erotic.

  “I should know. I bought it for you.”

  Our driver waits, holding the door, and she kisses my cheek, giving me a teasing, doe-eyed glance. “When we get back, you can do what you want with it.”

  I climb in the car beside her, and I lower my gaze, giving her a heated look. “Don’t worry, I intend to.”

  A line of limos and towncars blocks the circular drive leading up to the observatory. We inch along at a snail’s pace for several minutes. The sun is setting, and the air is cool. The sky is a gradient of deep red at the horizon to orange to yellow, and Rocky pulls my hand.

  “Let’s get out and walk.”

  I hesitate a moment, looking down at the delicate, strappy heels she’s wearing. “Are you sure? It’s a little ways…”

  “I’m sure.” She smiles warmly, and I lean forward to ask the driver to stop.

  Waiting by the door, I hold her hand as she emerges in a swirl of blue. The color of the dress makes her pale blue eyes seem to glow. She’s difficult to look away from.

  “You should wear this color more often.” Even I can hear the amazement in my tone, and her cheeks flush a pretty shade of pink.

  “You might not get any work done…” She’s teasing me, and I pull her hand into the crook of my arm.

  “I’m very good at multitasking.”

  We walk up the slick, concrete drive toward the three-domed observatory. When we get to the astronomer’s monument out front, she turns, looking out at the view of downtown. We walk farther up, and we see the Hollywood sign.

  She hands me her phone from her wristlet. “Take my picture.”

  We did this all morning, but it is the best view of the sign. She stands in front of the railing, and I tap the button. With the orange glow behind her and the blue of her dress, it looks almost like a painting, and I quickly tap the buttons to send it to myself.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Texting it to my phone.”

  “No… wait—” She reaches for the device, but it’s too late.

  I’ve typed enough numbers for mine to pop up as saved. “Sexy devil?” My eyes cut up to her, and her cheeks are vibrant red now. “Is this me?”

  “Give me that.” She reaches for her phone, but I hit send before she can take it away.

  My hands are in my pants pockets and I watch as she shoves the device back in her wristlet. “It’s rude to read someone else’s phone. Hasn’t anyone ever told you that?”

  “You gave it to me to take your picture. I was just sending a copy to myself.”

  “Next time I’ll take a selfie.”

  Chuckling, I catch her around the waist. “Why are you embarrassed? I feel like now I need to change your name in my phone.

  “My name’s in your phone?” She blinks up to me.

  “You bet it is. Saved as PITA. Pain in the Ass.”

  “Oh!” She pushes my arm and walks quickly toward the building.

  I laugh, catching up to her and taking her arm. “I’m only joking. You’re saved as Raquel, but I think I’ll change it to Sexy Fighter. Or maybe FILF, fighter I’d like to…”

  She shakes her head, and I thread our fingers again, leading her to the growing crowd of attendees waiting at the door to have their invitations checked against the master list.