Looking ahead, she said, “I don’t know what you mean.”

His hand snaked into her lap, and she jumped, her breath catching. “You know exactly what I mean, Soledad. Come with me.”

“Where?”

“To your room.”

“My room? So you can run off again? Been there, done that.”

He chuckled against her ear. “I won’t run, but I will walk away slowly when it’s time for me to go.”

Unable to hold it in, she sputtered with laughter as she shook her head. As her laughter died out, she turned her head, looking at him. His eyes were so playful, his lips curved in the sexiest way. He had a five-o’clock shadow that she knew would be gone tomorrow because he never had hair on his face on game day. She wanted to reach up, touch it, but something held her back. “I don’t know.”

“Don’t think. Come on.”

“I’m not you.”

“Thank God. Though, I would fuck myself. I’m very good-looking.”

Her face broke into a grin as she shook her head. “You’re impossible.”

“And you are the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen.”

“Lies.”

“No, really. I can’t stop thinking about you,” he said, his nose sliding along her ear. “I’ve felt like an ass, but my pride wouldn’t let me apologize, and I’m sorry for that. Come with me. I want you. Don’t you want me?” When she paused, he laughed. “Remember my poor pride.”

She scoffed. “Like you remembered to respect me?”

“You’re right. I’m sorry for that.”

“I heard you.”

He nodded. “I know, but you’ve ruined me, Soledad.”

“What? Please? Be real,” she laughed.

But his face was oh-so-serious. “You have. I need you. I yearn for you.”

“Stop.”

“I can’t stop thinking about you.”

“I’m sure you can find someone to fill that void.”

“I don’t want anyone else. I want you.”

“You’re insane. Flattery will not get me upstairs.”

“But you’re so pretty, and I like your boobs.”

Nearly choking with laughter, she shook her head. “You’re killing me, Smalls.”

“Come upstairs with me.”

Staring into his eyes, she felt like her lips were permanently curved, but she found they did that a lot around him. Or when she thought about him. Even when she was annoyed with him. “You’re practically begging. Your pride, please remember your pride, JoHo.”

He grinned. “Want me on my knees? ’Cause I’ll do it.”

She gave him a dubious look. “What would Jensen say?”

“He’d give me shit, but if it got me you, I wouldn’t care.”

“You don’t mean that.”

“I do.”

She eyed him and then shook her head. “I’m going upstairs, but don’t think it’s because I want you.”

“But you do.”

“That’s beside the point,” she said, opening her wristlet. “I’m going to bed.”

“With me.” Covering her wristlet with his hands, he signaled to the bartender. “On my tab.”

“Yes, sir.”

“You can’t buy my lovin’, JoHo. I’m not like those hos you’re used to.”

“You’re not?”

She smacked him as he laughed loudly. “No!”

Standing up, she started for the lobby, but he caught up, falling into step with her. “What floor are you on?”

“Noneya.”

He laughed. “That again?”

“Yes.”

Getting into the elevator, he waited beside her, and she rolled her eyes, hitting the eleventh floor. “So, the eleventh?”

As the door shut, she said, “No, that’s my boyfriend’s room.”

The elevator filled with his laughter, but before the door could close, a hand caught it, pulling it open. “Hey, guys.”

“Hey, Benji,” Brie said, her face lighting up. “How are you? How’s Lucy?”

“I’m great, thanks. She’s good, she’s been a bit sick.”

“I’m sorry. I heard it’s going around.”

“Yeah, isn’t it? I think Wren was sick too, right?”

Vaughn nodded. “Yeah, but she seemed fine the other night.”

“She did. How’s your brother, Brie?”

“He’s great, thank you. Thanks for sending the balloons.”

“Of course. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Thanks,” she said as the doors opened, and he went out with a wave. As the elevator started back up, Vaughn’s hand snaked around her from behind, entering her pants and slipping down to her hip. “Excuse me?”

“Huh?” he asked before he pushed her into the wall, his mouth capturing hers. Like an idiot, she leaned into the kiss, needing it. Wanting it more than her next breath. He was irresistible. Call her whatever you wanted, but she wanted him. Bad. As the kiss deepened, she was pretty sure the only reason they stopped was because they came to her floor. When the door opened, she pulled back, licking her lips as she looked up at him. His hand shot out, holding the door as he gazed down into her eyes.

“Brie.” He moved his nose along hers, his lips caressing hers. “Let me in your room.”

“And I assume, my bed?”

“That or the couch…or a chair? The wall. Hell, anywhere. I just need you.”

Her pussy clenched, and butterflies were going nuts in her gut. Breathless, she closed her eyes as their lips met. Pulling back only slightly, sharing a breath with him, she whispered, “Am I going to regret this?”

He shook his head. “Never.”

She sucked in a breath and then nodded. “Okay.”

His face split with a grin before he picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder, walking out of the elevator. Smacking his back, she yelled, “Put me down!”

“Which room? I don’t want you running off.”

“I’m not the runner! It’s 1102.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, here we are. Hand me the card.”

“Oh my goodness, it’s in my ass pocket.”