Page 20 of Playing Mr. Perfect

I reach for the door again.

“Pep?”

I look over my shoulder at him, standing there all hard bodied and beautiful. The bastard.

“If you go out in the hall like that, you’ll give lots of other guests memories, too.”

I look down and realize I’m still buck naked. “Damn it.”

I drop my things and quickly get dressed. Then I steal one last look at him, because I know he’s the most beautiful man I’ll ever see naked.

“I had a lovely time, too,” he says, handing me my blazer and jacket. “Feel free to brag about it.”

I narrow my eyes. “This never happened.” I tug open the door and stalk out, trying to ignore the niggle of longing in my chest.

Clay

Enjoy the rest of my vacation indeed, sexy girl.

If Pepper thinks I’m going to forget last night, she’s sorely mistaken. I give her time to get to her room, and then I text her.

Me: Hey, Reckless. My sheets smell like you. Want to make yours smell like me?

Pepper: You’ve reached a nonworking number.

Me: I’m officially in lust with your mouth.

Pepper: Don’t think about my mouth.

There’s no way she’s not craving me the same way I’m dying for more of her. Last night was too good, too fun, too different. But she obviously needs to feel in control this morning, so I let her off easy.

Me: I miss you too.

As I get ready for the day, I can’t stop thinking about how incredible last night was and how adorably flustered Pepper was this morning. I got a peek behind her demure veil at a seriously sensual, fun woman, and I have a feeling that was a glimpse of the real Pepper Montgomery. I want to explore that side of her and see what else she’s hiding from the world.

I grab my bomber jacket and head down to the café to meet Dash and the others for breakfast.

I walk into the café feeling on top of the world and scan the room for Pepper. I spot Dash and Amber at a table with Trace and Brindle and see Morgyn and Graham heading in that direction from the buffet. A pang of disappointment hits when I realize Pepper isn’t here. Then I remember we didn’t go to sleep until almost three this morning. She was so worn out, she fell asleep in my arms, mumbling about our deal not including sex. I stand a little prouder with the memory, feeling like a fucking king, and head over to the table.

“Oh good, you’re here,” Brindle says. “Was Pepper with you this morning? She’s not answering any of our texts.”

The caveman in me wants to beat my chest and announce my conquest, but I’m not a complete asshole, and the truth is, I don’t see Pepper as a conquest. I’ve wanted her for a long damn time. She’s screwed with my head in more ways than one, and after witnessing the way her siblings talk candidly about their sexual escapades and learning that Pepper keeps hers close to her chest, I want to protect her from their banter.

“No, she wasn’t,” I say as Graham and Morgyn take their seats.

“Brindle said you left the club together last night,” Amber says.

Amber and Dash were on the dance floor when we said our goodbyes. “We did. She’d had a few drinks, so I walked her to her room to make sure she got there okay. She’s probably sleeping in.”

“Pepper doesn’t sleep in,” Morgyn says. “But she could be working and ignoring her messages.”

I hike a thumb over my shoulder. “Why don’t I go check on her? What’s her room number again?”

“She’s in 307, and—” Brindle waves toward the café entrance. “Never mind. There she is. She’s with Axsel.”

I turn around as Axsel heads for the buffet and take in Pepper and her stunning smile before she notices me. Her hair falls in gentle waves over the shoulders of her forest-green turtleneck sweater. Her curve-hugging skinny jeans are tucked into fashionable flat-bottomed boots. I can’t help wondering if she’s wearing silk panties again.

Our eyes connect, and her cheeks instantly pink up, her smile faltering. She might as well be wearing a billboard announcing our night together. Didn’t she know I was invited to hang out with her family today?