Because she knew how things would turn out. He’d wake up in the morning, find himself next to her fat ass, be embarrassed, make excuses, and then they’d both feel awkward until Kylie disappeared.
So she shook her head and patted the front of his jacket. “Cade,” she said softly. “You’re hurting. That’s why you’re propositioning me—”
“It’s true,” Cade said. His arm—strong and firm—went to her waist and he pulled her against him, close enough that her breasts pushed up against his chest. “I’m hurting. I’m fucking wrecked over how Daphne’s acting. I’m so disappointed in her I can hardly stand it, and I think, for the first time in ten years, I’m really truly done with her. But that doesn’t mean that I’m not attracted to you. It’s the opposite, really. I couldn’t stop looking at you at the coffee shop, and I told myself it was okay to look, because I’d never see you again. Except I did. And I stared at you all night in the greenroom. Every time you laughed, every time you smiled, it turned me on. I hate that it all seems to be happening tonight, but I’m not going to think too hard about it. I want you.” He leaned in and gently kissed her mouth.
She gasped, surprised at the feel of his mouth against hers. She . . . hadn’t expected that. And yet, she was filled with the desire for more. The kiss had been way too brief.
His thumb grazed her lower lip, his gaze on her face. “I want you so much I can hardly stand it. It’s not just because you happen to be here and I’m horny. It’s because it’s Kylie here, Kylie pressed up against my chest, and Kylie that makes my dick hard every time she smiles. Will you stay the night with me?”
She gazed up at him, considering. Part of her was screaming that this was stupid. That he was hurting and rebounding from Daphne’s antics. That if he was playing her just to get back at Daphne, he was the most sincere-seeming man ever. Because everything he did made it seem like he truly wanted her. From the way he watched her mouth as she licked her lips, to the way he pulled her body against his, it truly did seem as if Cade was attracted to her.
To her. Kylie Daniels. AKA, Fat Marilyn.
And really . . . what would it hurt to stay the night with Cade? He’d made it clear that this would be a fling. A one and done. A gorgeous guy wanted her for just one night of hot sex? No strings attached, no worries, no relationships, no nothing?
How was there possibly a downside to this?
There probably was, Kylie’s conscience told her. Daphne was her boss, and she was playing with fire to even think about hooking up with Cade.
Even so . . . hadn’t Daphne tossed him away earlier tonight? Hadn’t she made it quite clear that she was more interested in partying and getting stoned than spending time with Cade?
And Cade was gorgeous and Kylie was basking in his attention and that oh-so-brief kiss and the Patron was muddying her head and it was late and she possibly wasn’t thinking too clearly herself.
Because she wanted this man, and he wanted her.
What could possibly go wrong with that?
So she bit her lip, leaned forward, and pressed her mouth to his in a silent answer to his question.
SIX
Kissing Cade Archer was better than ice cream. Sweet, creamy chocolate ice cream with hot fudge dripping down the sides? Tasty, but not nearly as appealing to her senses as the warm breath of the man kissing her. Of his tongue slicking against her own in response to her kiss. Of his mouth opening wider to accept her tongue. Of the groan he made when their mouths locked, and the way his hand stole down to her ass and clenched her against him as if she were beautiful and sexy and he wanted her like he wanted no other woman.
And when her mouth parted from his, a small, dreamy sigh escaped her.
“Want to go inside?” Cade murmured, and cupped her face with his long fingers.
“I shouldn’t.”
“The question wasn’t whether or not you should, but if you wanted to,” he said, and one of his fingers traced her full lips again.
She took that fingertip between her teeth and licked the tip. “More than anything.”
“Then let’s not overthink it. Let’s just feel for a night.”
That sounded kind of wonderful. She nodded and he gave her another quick kiss, then took her by the hand and led her back into the hotel room. He flicked off lights as he went, leading her through the maze of rooms.
And then they were in the opulent bedroom. The walls were a soft warm wood, the drapes a pale cream color. The bed was a sumptuous king with a quilted white headboard and dozens of pillows tossed onto it. It looked like something out of a dream. “This is like no hotel room I’ve ever stayed in before.”
“It’s nice, isn’t it? You should see the bathroom.”
“Can I?”
He gestured at a door off of the bedroom. “Be my guest.”
She wandered in and gasped at the sight. It was beyond luxury—a rain shower; a sunken, jetted tub; thick, plush carpets—it had everything. She peeked at a door off to one side and laughed to see exercise equipment. “My goodness. This place is bigger than my last apartment.”
“Mmm. Then I’m glad you’re here to enjoy it.”
He pulled her against him, pressing her back against his front. His arms went around her waist and he nuzzled at her neck, brushing her hair aside and kissing her nape.
Kylie shivered. Her instinct was to draw Cade’s hands away from her waist so he wouldn’t figure out how fat she was—but that was stupid, of course. He knew just how big she was. She wasn’t a slim girl. Her breasts were big, her hips were big, and there was no hiding that. So she forced herself to relax in his arms. If he hated the way she looked, well, she’d never see him again, would she?