CHAPTER FOUR

      KATE WATCHED AS ZACK slid his passkey into the lift panel. Slipping it back into his pocket he turned to her. ‘Time to get down to business,’ he said.

      Kate pressed against the lift wall as he walked towards her.

      Okay, woman, you asked for this. Do not pass out.

      He rested one hand against the panelling above her head and leaned over her. He was so close she could see the crinkles at the corner of his eyes, the slight bump marring the perfect line of his nose. The musky scent of him filled her nostrils—a potent mix of soap, aftershave and industrial-strength pheromones.

      ‘What business did you have in mind?’ The question came out on a breathy sigh. Goodness, she’d practically melted into a puddle of lust already and he hadn’t even touched her.

      He cocked his head to one side, his eyes sweeping over her face. She heard the rustle of fabric as he took his other hand out of his trouser pocket. The brush of blunt fingertips on her bare leg made her quiver. ‘I’m making it my business to find out what you’ve got on under that dress.’

      She gasped as his fingers stroked under the hem of her dress, bunching the silk as they trailed upwards. ‘Do you think that’s wise?’ she said, although she was already past caring. ‘What if someone else gets in the lift?’

      ‘This is my private elevator.’He ducked his head, nuzzled his lips against her ear. ‘No one gets in here but me.’ He bit into the lobe, sending a riot of chills pulsing across her nerve-endings.

      She shivered violently and dropped her purse. She didn’t even hear it hit the floor through the throbbing in her ears. Raising her arms, she stretched against him, pressing her breasts into the solid wall of his chest, threading her fingers through the short, silky curls at his nape. She turned her head and his lips were hot on hers. Firm and wet, his tongue thrust deep. She shuddered, tasting chocolate and man and pure, unadulterated lust.

      Then his questing fingers found her bare buttock and he stilled. ‘Damn!’ He pulled back, his breath feathering her cheek. He stroked the naked flesh, and slipped his finger under the satin string. ‘You’re wearing the thong?’

      ‘In this dress?’ The words choked out on a sob. ‘Of course I am. I wouldn’t want a VPL.’

      ‘A…what?’ he rasped as his fingers continued to explore her intimately.

      ‘A visible panty line.’ She gasped.

      His thumb traced across the core of her and he groaned. ‘I’m a dead man.’

      She pulled his face back to her, nibbled kisses along his jaw. ‘If you die now, Zack, I’m afraid I’ll have to kill you.’

      He gave a gruff laugh. ‘Fair enough,’ he murmured, pushing her against the wall, his strong body enveloping her.

      Placing hot palms on her bare backside, he lifted her. ‘Put your legs round my waist,’ he demanded, the teasing gone.

      She did as she was told, her centre throbbing at the unyielding pressure straining against his trousers.

      She clung on as he walked out of the lift. Strikingly modern, esoteric luxury surrounded her but she saw only glimpses, impressions—all her thoughts and feelings concentrated on the heat and hardness between them—until she caught their reflection in the hall mirror. She was wrapped around him like a wanton, her dress hiked up to her waist, his large hands dark against the pale skin of her bum.

      She watched her skin flush red, before he strode into the bedroom. A huge bed dominated the sparsely furnished space, long drapes on the far end of the room were drawn back revealing the same romantic view of Vegas at night. His breathing was harsh against her hair, her body so hot she could barely breathe.

      He let her down, slowly. The soft swish of their clothing as their bodies brushed sounded like a force ten gale. The thick wool carpet tickled Kate’s bare feet. She must have lost her sandals in the lift.

      Putting firm hands on her shoulder, he turned her away from him and stood behind her. She heard the sibilant hiss of her zipper and then his teeth nipped the bare skin of her shoulder. He dragged the dress off with impatient hands, then unclipped her bra. Her breasts swelled as he released them from their lacy confinement.

      She looked up, pulled in a jerky breath. The sight of the two of them reflected against the night was unbearably erotic. She, naked and trembling but for the wisp of red satin underwear defining her sex. He, tall and dark and dominant behind her, still fully dressed. His hands cupped her breasts, the rough skin of his thumbs stroking across the stiff, sensitive peaks. Then he captured the nipples in his fingers, tugged. She moaned, her legs shaking as the bolt of heat rocketed down to her core.

      Their eyes met in the glass.

      ‘You’re exquisite,’ he murmured.

      She felt exquisite, she realised, for the first time in her life.

      She turned, desperate to see him, to feel him too. She pushed at his jacket, her hands clumsy in her haste.

      ‘Hold on. I’ve got it.’ He stepped back, shrugged off the jacket and pulled the shirt over his head, buttons popping.

      Her eyes devoured his firm, muscled chest.A sprinkle of dark hair thinned over a taut mouth-watering six-pack and arrowed down to his groin. ‘You’re not bad yourself,’ she whispered.

      His trousers did nothing to hide the strength of his arousal.

      ‘I want you inside me,’ she whispered.

      Good Lord, had she just said that out loud? The blush burned into her cheeks.

      He wrapped one arm around her, bringing her flush against him. Strong fingers ploughed through her hair, making the swatch of blue silk flutter to the floor and her curls cascade down. ‘I intend to be—and soon,’ he said, before his mouth covered hers in another bone-melting kiss.

      His chest hair abraded her nipples while his tongue did devilish things inside her mouth. She writhed against the storm of sensations. Trailing unsteady fingers down the smooth, firm skin of his abdomen, she cupped him at