Free Set Loose by Isabel Morin Page B

she was probably making great money. He was glad for her, even though his stomach sank at the thought that the more money she made, the sooner she’d leave.
    All the more reason not to waste the time he had.
    She left the stage to enthusiastic applause and shouts, appearing five minutes later on the floor. He watched her from the corner of his eye as he worked his way around the room. Her skin shimmered in the light, and she was lightly flushed from her exertions. Just looking at her made him dizzy. When she flirted with customers he had to turn away.
    She glanced up every now and then, her eyes searching him out to smile at him. A smile that both calmed him and sent his blood pumping with the thought of having her again. At two o’clock she left the floor and he followed, clocking out before heading back out to the floor where he chatted with Richie. He had the same hours as Emily the nights they worked together, but she needed a few minutes to change, and sometimes she showered.
    Fifteen minutes later she appeared in a sleeveless white blouse and red skirt that seemed both innocent and intensely sexy at the same time. Kind of like Emily herself.
    She looked around the room, her expression pensive, as if she thought he’d left without her. As if that were possible. A moment later she saw him by the door and she smiled. A full, delighted smile that took his breath away.
    She made her way over to him and smiled again, only this time some shyness had crept in.
    “I’ll walk you home,” he said as she neared, conscious of Richie watching them.
    Of course, Richie was no fool, but there was no reason to be indiscreet.
    “That would be great,” she said, her cheeks pinkening before she looked away.
    They both said goodnight to Richie and headed out, walking along in silence. Then he took her hand in his. He hadn’t planned it, it just seemed like the natural thing to do, and he needed to touch her, to connect with her after watching her from afar.
    Emily glanced up at him, her freshly scrubbed face so lovely it hurt to look at her. Still neither of them said anything as they entered the hotel, and the pleasurable tension grew until his skin was humming and every nerve ending was aware of her beside him.
    They got on the elevator alone and as soon as the doors closed he pulled her to him. His lips found hers already parted, ready for him, and her hands slid around his neck, holding him close. Her sweet body pressed against his and she tasted so good he got lost in her.
    Then the elevator doors opened onto the seventeenth floor and an elderly man got on. They all stood and watched their progress as the numbers above the door changed.
    By the time they reached Emily’s floor Cutter had forced himself to relax. One of them had to, and it didn’t look like it was going to be her. Something had changed and now she seemed anxious, glancing up at him out of the corner of her eye and smiling nervously.
    He wasn’t sure what that was all about. Was she afraid he was going to open the door and take her against the wall or throw her over a table? As appealing as that was, he wasn’t going to lose control this time. He was going to take it slow and make it last, give back a little of the sensual torture she’d shown him.
    ***
    Emily led the way down the hall to her room, her whole body vibrating with awareness. If she’d had any doubts about whether he’d be coming in, that kiss in the elevator had put them to rest. He was as ready as she was, though he didn’t seem afflicted by nerves like she was. She wanted him, God she wanted him, but the crazy adrenaline she’d been riding on earlier in the night had given way and now she was just herself, no tricks or costumes, no stripper persona.
    He was right behind her as she opened the door and set her things on the table just inside. Now what? Should she saunter over to the bed like some kind of sex goddess, or take off her clothes here? Or maybe she should offer him a drink?