LITMIR.BIZ

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knows ballroom and she is showing us a few moves.”

      “Do you think Luna Azul has been good for the neighborhood?” Selena asked her, her head clearing from the mojitos she’d been drinking all night.

      “I do. They have captured the feel of old Havana in the club. My papa won’t admit it to his friends but he likes going there because it reminds him of the stories his abuelito used to tell of pre-Castro Havana.”

      “I need to check it out and learn a bit about the enemy.”

      “I think you will be surprised by how much it fits given that they are outsiders.”

      Jorge came out of the club and they left. During the ride, Selena sat quietly in the backseat of the Dodge Charger. She thought about Justin Stern and dancing with him. She had a feeling that he’d claim to be an awkward dancer, but prove to be very efficient at it.

      She closed her eyes and thought about the night and what she’d learned. She’d almost made a costly emotional mistake when she’d asked Justin up to her room. But living at the hotel was giving her the distance she needed from her family and tomorrow she’d figure out how to start a fling with Justin. Flirting with him earlier and dancing tonight had stirred her blood. She wanted Justin Stern and she wasn’t going to deny herself.

      Justin checked in and got settled in his hotel room. He’d left a voice mail for Selena. He was surprised she was out so late. It was almost midnight. Where was she?

      He didn’t like the tight feeling in his chest or the anger he felt at not knowing where she was. They were nothing but business rivals to each other. Nothing more than that. He’d have to remember that fact.

      He paced around his room like a caged tiger. She was probably with another man. Why shouldn’t she be? There wasn’t another man in this city who was bringing as many complications to the table as he was. Not one. And he knew it.

      She was the last woman he should be this obsessed with but the truth was he did want her. And he should never have let her go when he’d had her in his arms earlier.

      The only time they were going to be this unaware of the complications of hooking up was right now. Before they got to know each other better. That was how things like this worked.

      He didn’t think about it anymore but just walked out of his room. He needed a walk to clear his head.

      The elevator opened as he was standing there and Selena got off the car.

      “What are you doing here?” they said at the same time.

      “I’m staying here,” she said.

      “So am I.”

      “Why?” she asked. “And how did you get on my floor. That is almost stalkerish.”

      “I’m not stalking you. I had no idea this was the floor you were on. I asked for a suite.”

      “Okay, fine. But why are you here?”

      “If we are going to have a vacation affair, we both should be on vacation.”

      She tipped her head to the side. “I guess that makes a little sense. But … I liked staying here where no one knew me.”

      “We just met,” he pointed out.

      “That’s true but you are already trying to worm your way under my defenses.”

      “Worm? That isn’t exactly flattering.”

      She smiled. “Good, it wasn’t meant to be.”

      “Where have you been tonight?” he asked.

      “Clubbing with my cousins. I’ve never been clubbing before,” she said. “Have you ever gone?”

      “Yes. I’m co-owner of a nightclub, remember?”

      “That’s right. You probably write it off on your taxes as research.”

      He did, but he didn’t say so. “Did you dance with a lot of men?” “Jealous?”

      “Incredibly,” he said, moving closer to her. She was leaning against the wall next to the elevator and he put his hands on either side of her head.

      He leaned in closer until his lips brushed against hers. “Who did you dance with?”

      “My cousins, my brother, but I dreamed it was you,” she said with her eyes half-closed. “I don’t think I should have told you that.”

      He felt that tight ball in his stomach relax. “You definitely should have told me.”

      He kissed her softly on the lips and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

      “Are you a good dancer?” she asked as he broke the kiss.

      “I don’t know. No one has ever complained,” he said.

      “I knew you’d say something like that. Do you like holding me?” she asked.

      He realized she was a little tipsy and saying things that she probably wouldn’t have otherwise.

      “I do. Do you like being in my arms?”

      “Definitely. But you are just my vacation stud, remember that,” she said to him.

      “I won’t forget it. Which room is yours?”

      “Number 3106,” she said. “Why?”

      “I think we should get you to your room and out of the hallway.”

      “Good idea. I’m tired, Justin.”

      “I know, sweetie.”

      “Sweetie? Did you call me sweetie?” “I did. Any objections?”

      “No. I think I like it, but we’re really not close enough for you to call me that.” “I wish we were,” he said. “Do you?”

      “I wouldn’t have said it if it weren’t true.”

      “Are you a straight talker?” she asked.

      “Sometimes. With you I am more than I want to be. You seem to bring out the awkward truth in me.”

      She giggled, and the sound enchanted him. She was such a sweet girl when her defenses were down. He helped her open her door and saw that her suite was laid out the reverse of his.

      “I wanted you in my room earlier,” she said.

      “Not really,” he said. “I think you were trying to throw me.”

      “I was,” she admitted. “But a part of me did want you here. It’s so much easier to start an affair before you have time to think of the risks involved.”

      “Yes, it is. But we aren’t going to start one tonight,” he said.

      “We aren’t? Why not?” she asked.

      He leaned down and kissed her because he was human and a man who wanted her very much. The kiss was passionate and intense, all the things he’d known it would be, but at the same time the taste of those minty mojitos she’d been drinking all night lingered on her tongue. She wasn’t herself tonight. And he wanted her to be fully aware of what she was doing when they did become lovers.

      She wrapped her arms around his neck and tipped her head back to look up at him. “I like the way you feel in my arms.”

      “I do, too. I’ve never had a woman fit so well in my arms before. Your head nestles just right on my shoulder, your breasts are cushioned perfectly on my chest,” he said, and he slid his hands down her back to her hips, “and your hips feel just right against mine.”

      She swiveled her hips against his. “Yes, they do. Are you sure you don’t want to stay with me tonight?”

      “No, I’m not sure,” he said, but he wasn’t going to. He wanted Selena but he wanted her on his terms. And that meant having her respect.

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