He indicated across the width of the room. “The bedroom’s that way.”
The bedroom.
Carrying her small purse, she took her time to walk across the room, while fighting every instinct to break into a run and lock the door behind her like some frightened virgin. Wouldn’t that go down well, she mused with a dash of humor.
The problem was that’s exactly how she felt. This was her first time with Jarrod and she was feeling overwhelmed. Despite knowing him for years, despite now acknowledging to herself that she had wanted him for years, there was a difference in the doing. A huge difference. She doubted she could ever have prepared herself for this.
Needless to say, seducing women was par for the course for him. He would have done all this before. He certainly seemed to know his way about the suite. He’d probably even met some other women here, just like he’d met her tonight. Had he brought them up here, too?
No, she wasn’t going to think about that. She had enough to worry about tonight, she decided as she entered the lavish bedroom, her eyes immediately fastening on the huge bed and her heartbeat skidding to a screeching stop. She and Jarrod would make love on that bed tonight. The thought made her go weak at the knees.
She hurried into the equally giant bathroom and freshened her lipstick. Then she combed through her wavy tresses that bounced along her shoulders as she moved, though why she bothered she wasn’t sure. Jarrod would only mess her hair up, just like he would mess with her dress and…
Help!
She took some deep breaths. Okay, so she could stay in here and act like a coward, or she could go out there and face the music. She’d made a deal with the devil, but that deal still stood. And unfortunately so did the devil.
She didn’t stay in there long. There was no reason to hide from him or their situation, though she had a few things to say to him first.
“I hope I can count on you not to tell anyone about this,” she said, once back in the main area, her chin held high.
He scowled as he stepped away from the bar, carrying two glasses of wine. “Why would I? What we do is our own business.”
“As long as we’re clear on that.”
He handed her a glass and gestured for her to sit on the sofa. “I’m a grown man, not some high-school kid. I don’t need to prove anything by telling the world.”
She sank down on the soft leather lounge and hoped she could believe him. Patrick had been different, a fact she’d only found out after she’d ended their affair. Apparently he’d often boasted about bedding the face of Blackstone’s. She wished Jarrod was the same type, then she might have the strength to leave right now, but she instinctively knew he wasn’t.
He sat down on the chair opposite. “But first, tell me why.”
Her throat almost closed up, knowing instantly what he meant. “Er…why?”
His eyes said she wasn’t deceiving him. “Why you’re willing to sleep with me now and not in the last four years.”
She took a sip of her wine before answering. “You never asked before.”
And she knew the reason for it. He considered her the same as Marise and hadn’t wanted a bar of her. She knew that, and had felt protected by it. Until today.
“Oh, I wanted to ask. But you knew that, didn’t you? There’s always been an attraction between us.”
Her mouth went dry. “You’re imagining things.”
“The only thing I’m imagining is you in bed with me. And soon I won’t need my imagination for that.”
Her breath suspended for a full five seconds.
His eyes held hers captive. “Why now, Briana?”
She slowly released her breath and pasted on a cynical smile. “How can I refuse a million dollars and the chance to have sex with a man like you?”
He sent her a measured look. “Don’t try and pick a fight by insulting me. You’re here of your own free will. If you don’t want to go through with it, then say so now.” A heartbeat passed. “I want you with every breath I take, but I won’t force you.”
Her heart bumped against her ribs. Oh, how she wished she could blame him for all this. But he was right. She’d made the choice to be here tonight, if only for her father’s sake.
“It won’t be force,” she agreed, then saw him visibly relax, but he kept his eyes trained on her.
“Tonight is the beginning of our three weeks together, Briana. Nothing more. Are you clear about that?”
Her body immediately tensed. “Very clear. And by the way, you were the one who wanted the full month together,” she reminded him. Oh, how she’d love to tell him where to shove his money.
“I’m not talking about a month. I’m talking about anything beyond that. I’m not after a long-term relationship.”
She gave a derisive snort. “Long-term relationship? With you? I’d rather put my head in an oven.”
His hard sensual mouth lifted at the corners. “Now, that would be such a waste.”
“Not from where I’m sitting.”
He gave a light chuckle as someone knocked lightly on the door and called out, “Room service.”
Jarrod pushed himself to his feet and went to let the waiter in. Briana got a good look at the cut of his tailored trousers and blazer from behind. Superb. And so was the masculine body beneath it, she grudgingly admitted, even as she realized something else.
“Wait!” she hissed just as he went to open the door. She jumped up and almost ran across the room to the bedroom and out of sight. She didn’t want anyone seeing her there.
A couple of minutes later, Jarrod called to her, “You can come out now.”
Feeling slightly foolish, she straightened her shoulders and calmly walked back into the living area, constantly aware of his eyes on her every movement, and trying to keep her own eyes off him. He’d taken off the blazer, and the white T-shirt underneath exposed the muscles of his upper torso.
“Ashamed to be seen with me?” he mocked, holding out a chair for her at the small dining table.
She shrugged. “Don’t take it personally. I’d do the same with any man.”
His eyes hardened. “Is that so?”
She ignored the implication in his eyes and sat on the offered chair. “Don’t you know? The media would love to catch me in a compromising situation such as this.”
He walked around the table and sat opposite her. “I’d have thought you’d revel in media attention,” he said, showing his low opinion of her.
She flinched inwardly but on the outside, she arched a brow. “You really think I would welcome bad publicity?”
“No, I guess not,” he admitted, and she felt the tightness inside her unwind a little. “No doubt bad publicity wouldn’t look too good for the face of Blackstone’s,” he said, lifting the lid off his plate of food.
Briana felt the words sting.
Then he looked up and caught her staring at him. “Aren’t you going to eat?”
She shook her head.
He watched her with an observant eye. “Are you okay?”
Suddenly it all got the better of her. “Okay?” she choked, throwing her napkin aside. “I’m about to make love with a stranger, Jarrod. Is it any wonder I’m on edge?”
“I’m not a stranger, Briana,” he corrected