Page 85 of The Scarab's Game

Maybe the direct route was what I needed. “You’re not working tonight?”

“I finished everything I needed at the Casino.” How did none of this faze him? Was this what their work was normally like? “I’ll meet with the team tomorrow afternoon to review our auction strategy. The support staff back home is searching forinformation on people who might be in town to buy the scarab, in case I can talk them out of it.”

“I didn’t realize what a complicated operation it was.”

He pulled out his keycard and unlocked the door, holding it open for me. “The higher the value, the more of the team involved.”

As the door closed, I considered asking how much the scarab was worth. It didn’t matter. What mattered was that we were alone in our hotel suite. We were safe. And he had nowhere to go.

Deep breath. You can do it, Jenn.

I turned to face him. Dropped my purse. Held my breath and grabbed him by the neck, pulling him closer. His eyes widened in surprise, but I didn’t give him a chance to protest. I kissed him, pouring all my pent-up desire into the moment.

His mouth didn’t open for me. He stood frozen, lips firm against mine.

It’s shock. That’s all. It’s not another rejection.

“Kiss me,” I whispered against his lips.

His rich brown eyes flicked back and forth between mine.

Don’t say no.

His arm snaked around my waist, yanking me against him. I gasped, and his mouth claimed mine in a bruising kiss, stealing my breath. His tongue swept into my mouth, rich with champagne and need. Raw hunger blazed between us as he devoured me, stealing my air, my control.

My heart thundered against his grip. Heat scorched through my veins, igniting places I’d dreamed of him touching.

He was greedy.

So greedy.

My pulse pounded, a fire growing deep inside me. Every inch of my skin tingled. He was the man I’d wanted for so long, and now I had him.

The feel of his strong body against mine, the taste of his lips, the low moan from deep in his chest… All my worry and tension melted away, replaced by a primal need that consumed me. My panties were already soaked, and the tightness building between my thighs needed to be released.

Not by myself this time.

His fingers blazed a path down my side, gripping my ass and pulling me closer. His other hand tangled in my hair, twisting until my neck arched back.

Time to tell him what you want, Jenn. Don’t worry. He wants the same.

“I’m so wet, Emmett.” I raked my teeth over his bottom lip. “Take me to bed.”

He squeezed my ass, but pulled his mouth away from mine. “The things you said last night…”

Which things? I’d said a lot, smart and not so much.

“I can’t do this.” His forehead pressed against mine as his hands dropped away. The muscles in his arms flexed, his fingers curling tight as though he were fighting himself. “You’re Scarlett’s best friend.”

What did that have to do with last night? “We’re adults. That sister’s best friend stuff got old ten years ago.”

“She made me promise?—”

“To keep me safe.”

He lifted his forehead, not taking his hungry eyes off me. Not moving away. Not closing the tiny gap between us either, though. “I promised I wouldn’t touch you.”

“Just one time.” I flicked open a button on his shirt. “No one has to tell her.”