Page 41 of False Evidence
She opened the door to reveal a man in hotel uniform holding a silver ice bucket containing a bottle of sparkling wine in one hand and two champagne flutes in the other. JT accepted the wine and glasses, while she signed the check.
JT set the bucket on the small dining table and pulled out the bottle. He let out a low whistle.
“I asked for the most expensive bottle of champagne they have. I figure Russ owes me.”
“Revenge is a dish best served in an ice bucket.”
She laughed. “Something like that.” She took the bottle from his hands and inspected the foil that covered the wire hood, then handed it back to him. “Sealed tight. Open it for us?”
He imagined she would be vigilant about her drinks from now on and couldn’t blame her. Hell, he was glad she’d be wary.
But still, what kind of prick drugged his date’s drink at a company party? Wasn’t it the kind of thing guys only got away with if it was a stranger who couldn’t identify them later?
Did he really believe she’d stay silent after being raped?
But then, GHB was a club drug because for some it caused arousal. Maybe Spaulding had intended to claim she’d brought the drug and taken it herself. Then it would be he said/she said. And there were more than a few people in the legal system who would be happy to blame a woman dressed as sexily as the blonde was tonight.
He removed the foil and began untwisting the wire hood. “You sure you don’t want to know my name?”
She stepped forward and placed a finger over his lips. “No. The cops have your name. I could find out if I need to. And I’m pretty sure your tall friend heard me invite you to the room.”
He pulled the cover off. “And why am I here? For muffins and champagne?”
“I think you know what I want.”
“You’re going to have to be explicit. I assume nothing.”
“Do you have a wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, or any kind of significant other who would object to your spending time with me?”
“No. But my stepbrother expressed concern that you’re vulnerable and pointed out this room”—he glanced around the deluxe suite—“is the very room where Spaulding intended to rape you.”
She flinched, but quickly recovered. “The tall guy is your stepbrother?”
He nodded. “He suggested I take you home. Get your phone number. Take you out to dinner later this week.”
“He sounds like a nice guy. You can tell him I said thank you for his concern, but I can’t go home tonight, and I’m not interested in you for dinner. I’m not hungry.” She smiled. “Or at least, not hungry for food.”
Heat surged to JT’s groin. He moved toward the sliding door to the enclosed balcony and slid it open. The cold December air would do him good. She followed him outside and stood beside him as he worked the cork with his thumbs. It made a satisfyingpopas the plug launched into the air, arching, then dropping into the closed pool area below.
She took the bottle from his hand and licked the dribble of foam from the lip before taking a drink.
The sight of her tongue on the rim sent yet another round of heat to his balls. So much for the cool December air.
Back inside, she sat on the couch and poured champagne into both glasses. He gave thanks that she didn’t intend to continue drinking from the bottle.
He settled on the couch next to her. “I need a name for you. I can’t just think of you as the hot blonde I met at the bar.”
She smiled and reached for his muffin. “Call me whatever you want, Pumpkin.” She took a bite and closed her eyes with pleasure. “These are really good. I’ve always liked muffins more than cupcakes, which really are just a vessel for frosting. A good muffin doesn’t need decoration to do the heavy lifting for flavor.”
He studied her. She’d taken down her hair, removed the four-inch fuck-me heels, and now wore a fluffy white robe that covered her from wrist to neck to ankle.
He grinned. “I couldn’t agree more,Muffin.”
She burst out laughing, set his muffin back on the plate, then raised her champagne flute. “So what do you say, Pumpkin?”
“To what?”
“Will you fuck me, here, now? I can’t…put into words what it means to me to take this kind of control after what could have happened. I just know I want this. Want you.”