Chapter 43

REID’S HEAD HURT when he woke up. He had been drunk, more drunk than he’d been in years, but not drunk enough not to remember stripping and groping Anne in the lift. He groaned, then sat up in bed. Anne was sitting at the little hotel table, placidly drinking something from a cup and studying her design notebook. Every once in a while, she made notations, her bottom lip caught tightly in her teeth in concentration.

He looked around the room. The offending black dress was stuffed in the small hotel rubbish bin, and a room service tray was sitting on the desk holding a pot of coffee, a smaller pot he assumed was her herbal tea, two glasses of juice, and two covered dishes.

She smiled at him mischievously. “How are you feeling?”

“Don’t ask.” He ran his hand through his hair. “My head is killing me.” His eyes focused on her again. She wore a short white nightie that showed the cleavage he had objected to in her dress last night, as well as acres of tanned leg.

“God, Anne, you look so pretty.”

She crossed over to the bed, kissed him and handed him two aspirin and a glass of water. “This might help.” She went back to the desk, retrieved her cup, then came back and sat next to him on the bed cross-legged, watching him.

“Oh, girl, I’m sorry for how I acted. I was a total arse—drunk and crazy.”

She tilted her head to the side and her golden hair shifted over her shoulders. “You were a bit drunk and definitely intense, but I enjoyed it quite a bit, as you may or may not remember.” She took a drink of her tea, smiling. “I hope you remember. Perhaps when your head is better, and you’ve had some coffee and breakfast, I could do something to refresh your memory.”

He just looked at her, trying to figure out this woman who totally turned his life upside down, over and over again.

She traced her fingers around his face. “You’d had a shock and you probably needed to get drunk. We definitely needed to make love—and we need to make love again.”

He nodded. “Aye.”

“But this time, let’s keep everything inside the room—although that whole elevator thing was wildly exciting. Don’t let’s chance it again, though. I’d hate to end up in some tabloid in my underwear—or worse.”

He swallowed the tablets she’d given him. “I still can’t believe I did that. I’ve never lost control like that, and I can’t remember the last time I was so drunk. Please tell me I didn’t appear as drunk as I felt in front of Jonas and Von Zandt and the rest of your people.”

“You were professional and elegant, as usual, at least until we got into the elevator.”

“Thank Christ for that.”

“Yes. Then you were...” She stopped and shook her head. “I can’t even think about it until you’re ready to make love to me again.”

He knew immediately that she was aroused, which left him feeling gratified, but still a bit puzzled, and then, aroused himself. He gestured to the rubbish bin. “I ruined your dress.”

“Totally. I guess you’ll have to buy me a new one. And an ugly business dinner dress, too. But it was definitely worth it.” She gave him a provocative slant-eyed grin. Her hand brushed between his legs over the sheet that covered him and he felt his cock instantly jump towards her under the sheet.

She glanced down and smiled. “Want coffee?”

He nodded, watched her uncross her long legs, get off of the bed, and walk over to the room service tray. She poured his coffee and brought it back to him, a luminous smile on her face. “I’m so glad you’re here, that you came to me.”

He shook his head and took the coffee. “I don’t know how we’re to do this, Anne. I’ve still got no answers. I just couldn’t stay away. I love you so bloody much.” He put the cup down on the table next to the bed.

“Let’s not think about it right now.” She sat back down beside him on the bed. Leaning over him, she hovered her lips over his and whispered, “As soon as your head can take it, let’s pretend we’re in the elevator again.”

“Oh, girl.” He laughed and pulled her down to him. “My head’s just been outvoted by the rest of my body.”