Chapter 23
I lean against Diesel’s shoulder, admiring how we look in the mirrored door of the elevator. We look good in our matching shirts. But mostly admiring the hungry way he’s looking at me.
All night he’s been watching me. Undressing me. Owning me with nothing more than a hand on my lower back and those dark, hungry eyes.
The elevator climbs slowly. The bell chimes and we pass another floor and Diesel spears his hand into my hair, dragging the band out and knocking the braid loose.
“I’ve been wanting to get this around my fist all night,” he murmurs, tilting my head back.
Like always when he’s dominant, touching me like he owns every inch of me, I melt. The only way to stay upright is to cling to him.
“You did go kind of caveman,” I say, breathless, heat climbing up my neck. “All it took was that guy from Silver Valley Saddles getting close to me.”
“What did you expect? You’re mine. I don’t share.”
He bites my neck, and I squeal, but it turns into a gasp when he backs me against the wall, pinning me with all of his tall body.
“Fuck, that sound is so hot, you are driving me crazy.”
His gigantic hand finds my butt and drags me upward against his belt buckle, as he rocks his lap against me.
I can’t see, feel or think about anything other than him. It’s magical. Hot. Consuming and I never want the moment to end. But the elevator chimes, and before we can break apart, a man in a security uniform strides in.
Diesel laughs quietly as he tucks me under his arm, kissing the top of my head.
“Evenin’. Busy night?” he asks the guy.
“Not too bad. But it’s early. Right now I’m going to check on a barking dog.”
I bury my face in Diesel’s chest, trying not to giggle with all my might.
Oh my god. Stone’s babysitting Gunnar.
The elevator door slides open and we follow the man, keeping our distance as he strides to my room and knocks on the door.
“Are dogs allowed here?”
Diesel pulls me into an alcove, settling me between his thighs as he leans against a console table. “Yep, but apparently we’ve got a neighbor who likes reporting noise disturbances.”
He brushes my hair back behind my ear and leans in close, warm breath carrying a hint of cinnamon gum breathing over my skin.
“Something tells me,” he whispers in a husky tone, “that security guard’s going to be coming back later for a whole different kind of noise.”
I might go up in flames right here.
A warm chuckle rumbles in his chest as he wraps both arms around my back, holding me close to the powerful warmth of his chest.
“You should see how lovely you blush.”
“You seem to make me do it a lot. I’ve never blushed so much in my whole life. I think you’re trouble.”
“Only when it comes to you.”
He takes my mouth in a kiss that’s slow, deliberate, and very much a promise of what’s to come. Between us, his erection fills out the fly of his jeans, causing little pulses to zing around inside me.
Heavens, I’m ready to tear those tight fitting Kimes Ranch western jeans off of him with my teeth. We need to hurry up and get back to the room.
“Speaking of trouble,” I push against his chest, leaning back, looking down the hallway. The guard’s still talking to Stone.
Buzzkill.
Speaking of buzzkills, that reminds me my brother is going to be fit to be tied when he finds out Diesel and I didn’t pretend to be a couple at the mixer, we were a couple.
“Caleb called and your sister was flirting with my brother.”
Diesel’s muscles lock up beneath my hands. A flash of protective anger morphing his expression into a hard mask. “That’s not happening.”
“Oh… pot calling the kettle black?”
“Yep.” He replies instantly. “She’s off-limits to any and all of my male friends.”
“That’s not exactly fair.”
He picks me up with one arm snuggling me close. “Want to argue with me about this?”
“It just turns you on when we disagree.”
“Angel, everything about you turns me on.”
He walks toward my room… our room, grinning, looking too hot for words with his dark gray cowboy hat, that pink western shirt, and a cocky look that tells me I’m in for a very long night.
I can’t believe this is me. Us. How everything makes sense now.
Diesel was protecting me. It’s always been about that. And if I know him at all, it always will be.
The security guard is done with Stone, but looks like he’d like to pull his hair out.
“Everything okay?” Diesel asks, feigning ignorance.
“I’ve never seen such a godawful mess. I feel sorry for that guy.”
Uh-oh.
“What was wrong?” I’m scared to ask.
“Toilet paper everywhere. Shredded up like confetti and the dog was running around the room like he’s on speed.”
We both burst out laughing. Stone is going to kill us.
The man’s shaking his head as he wanders back to the elevator and we wait for him to be out of sight before we open the door with the keycard.
Oh my….
He was right. There is more toilet paper on the floor than seems possible.
Stone’s got veins popping in his temples. Pale blue eyes furious. And Gunnar… he’s got Stone’s sunglasses in his mouth.
Stone isn’t a column of rock now.
“Thank fuck you’re back” He lunges for Gunnar who stays just out of reach. “Give me a freaking armed car chase any day over this wild animal.”
Gunnar zooms between Diesel’s legs, drops the sunglasses and barks, his whole body wagging with joy.
“I’m out of here,” Stone mutters, dusting bits of toilet paper off of his knees and bending to pick up his mangled sunglasses. “Good fucking luck.”
Before Stone’s out the door, Diesel stops him. “Stone, remember, you agreed to the whole night. Otherwise your debt still stands.”
I have no idea what that’s about but Stone’s shoulders slump.
“Goddamnit.”
He seems to weigh some decision. Diesel wins.
“Come on, dog.” Stone grabs Gunnar who immediately licks his open mouth, causing Stone to gag. “Jesus, dog. You are not getting anywhere near paper of any kind in my room.”
Diesel sees him out, locks the door and prowls back to me. “I don’t know about you, but it was fun seeing him rattled.”
I giggle as Diesel grabs my belt and drags me forward.
I’m breathless, insides already pulsing when I say, “Kind of like you, Mr. Stoic. I like seeing your feathers ruffled. Nothing like watching a big tough man coming apart at the seams.”
“Oh yeah?” A masculine growl rumbles through him as he picks me up and tosses me on the bed. “Speaking of coming apart at the seams, I’ve got some work to do now that I’ve got a bed and all night.”
Um. Yes. My goodness. I’m shivering, my breath feels stuck and all he’s done is rest his hand on his shiny silver belt buckle.