Page 83 of The Rented Bride

Chapter Fifteen

Trent checked his watch. Driving fifteen miles per hour over the speed limit, he cut twenty-minutes to twelve. He handed the hotel valet a Benjamin and the keys to his Mercedes, then strode inside to the elevators and punched the button. What had happened in the few minutes between his departure and Cassie’s call? The elevator doors finally opened, but he was forced to wait until a couple got off before he could enter. Once inside, he pressed the button for the twentieth floor. Trent loosened his tie as he ascended. Adrenaline pumped through his veins. The elevator doors opened on her floor, then he strode down the hallway, located her door and knocked.

A moment later she opened the door.

“What happened? What’s wrong?” He brushed past her into the room.

The door clicked closed followed by the click of the lock. She leaned against the door, her gaze meeting his. “I can handle complicated.” She lowered her gaze, her lashes sweeping down. And then she stared into his eyes. “Can you?”

In three steps he had her pressed against the door, one hand braced against the door and the other around her waist. Lips crashed against lips. He kissed her, deep, passionate and with total possession. Shifting his hand, he cradled her breast in his palm. Trent rasped his thumb over her turgid nipple through the silken fabric of her dress. His cock stretched and hardened so quickly he was nearly in pain. He pressed his erection against the apex of her thighs.

Cassie groaned, her head falling to the side. Trent trailed kisses along her neck, traced the shell of her ear with his tongue then kissed her mouth again. Hot, wet and arousing. He swept the sensitive tissues of her mouth with his tongue.

Heat surged through him. He softened his kiss, gently sucking her upper lip as she kissed his bottom. Inching his hand higher, he slipped his palm inside her dress.

Her low moan further encouraged him. He cupped the velvety smooth flesh of her breast, rolling her nipple between his thumb and finger.

A knock sounded at the door.

Trent growled.

“My fault,” she whispered. “I ordered wine.”

Trent removed his hand from her dress and stepped back.

Cassie opened the door. The waiter supported a silver tray bearing wine and two glasses on it in his hand.

“I’ll just take it,” she told him.

He extended the tray toward her.

“Let me get it, Cassie.” Trent stepped forward and took the tray as she signed the bill.

“Thanks,” she said, and the door clicked shut.

She reached his side as he set the tray on the table near the window.

“Do you want me to pour the wine?” she asked.

“No.” He reached around her and turned off the lamp. “Are you sure, Cassie?”

She trailed her fingers along his shoulder to his neck, then tugged his tie loose and slowly pulled it from around his neck. “You ask too many questions.” Standing on tiptoes, she kissed his lips while her fingers slipped his shirt buttons free of the button holes.

Like a blind man, he explored her body with his hands and his mouth, trailing kisses along her neck as he slipped the dress straps from her shoulder. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered as he pulled the pins from her bun. With a gentle tug, her hair fell free, cascading around her shoulders.

But it wasn’t her beauty that sent his heart racing and clenched his stomach. In a few days with her, he’d realized he needed more than a wife. He needed a love match like his parents and grandparents had. Lindsey might have been his partner, but it would have been more business arrangement than love. What irony. He had a business relationship with Cassie, but his emotions were now dictating the terms. He was falling in love, real love, for the first time in his life.

With his shirt unbuttoned, he shrugged it from his shoulders and stripped it down his arms. The cuffs caught on his hands. Trent cursed under his breath and quickly freed the buttons. Cassie rested her slender hands on his bare chest, smoothing her palms over his torso. Trent closed his eyes as his cock swelled to near agonizing hardness.

Warm kisses sifted over his pectoral. Then wet heat closed over his nipple. Her tongue rasped the tight nip. With a growl, Trent unhooked his belt, then opened the hook to his slacks and lowered the zipper. He slid his hand into his boxer briefs and adjusted his cock.

Cassie rested her head against his chest and slipped her hand past the elastic waistband of his briefs. Trent sucked in a breath as her fingertips grazed the moist, sensitive crown. She traced the length against her palm and then curled her fingers around his girth.

As Trent reveled in the pleasure of her touch, he lowered his head and claimed her lips. Delving in, he explored her teeth. She responded with hot swipes of her tongue along his. Dammit, if he wasn’t careful, he would come in her hand. He reached behind her and lowered the zipper of her dress. When the fabric parted, he slid his hand down and over the curve of her ass. Now loose, the dress fell, catching at her elbows. She took a step back and lowered her arms. The dress slipped off, pooling around her feet, leaving a mere scrap of black lace covering her sex.

Trent swallowed. His fantasies hadn’t come close to the reality. Strong, feminine shoulders tapered to a flat stomach. Hips curved into trim thighs. Desire further hardened his cock. Her pink nipples marbled to absolute perfection on small, firm breasts. And her long, dark hair framed her face. God, he loved her hair. Desire had him by the balls. He swooped in, lifted her into his arms, carried her to the bed, and gently placed her on the mattress. She drew the covers back and wiggled between the sheets as he toed off his shoes. Trent pushed his trousers down and when he tucked his thumbs into his briefs, Cassie licked her lips, her gaze tracking his movements.

He shoved his underwear down and, damn, if she didn’t gasp softly.