Over Exposed

by Stephanie Julian

  And to please God do it as discreetly as possible.

  Once he’d assured Daisy that Neal was in one piece and on his way, she’d finally fallen asleep.

  And all Greg wanted to do was talk to Sabrina, which made him feel like he’d fallen into a John Hughes movie, if Hughes had written love stories about thirty-somethings instead of teenagers. Then again, he felt like a teenager, complete with raging hormones and a constant hard-on.

  There was no way he was going to get any sleep right now, and he had a million little things he should take care of. He should head back to his room and crack open the laptop . . .

  He’d punched the button for the lobby before he’d made a conscious decision. When the doors opened, he stepped out of the cage but didn’t move out of the alcove. He heard voices. One was definitely Tyler’s.

  What the hell was he doing down here this late? Had something happened to Sabrina?

  He was halfway across the lobby when he saw Tyler talking to another guy. Then he heard Sabrina speak and the new guy answer. Even though his back was to the lobby, Greg could tell the guy was smiling at Sabrina.

  And she smiled back.

  He wanted to grab the interloper and toss him across the lobby.

  Cue the fight scene from Pretty in Pink.

  Jesus, he needed to get a grip.

  Instead of heading for the desk, he veered off, ending up in an alcove next to the doors to the atrium.

  He forced himself to look out over Tyler’s masterwork in horticulture design. Still dressed for Thanksgiving, the atrium would undergo its Christmas transformation next week.

  Right now, it still looked fall-like. And a little drab. But that could just be his shitty mood talking, which wasn’t getting any better listening to Sabrina try to charm the asshole at the desk.

  Could he tell Tyler he didn’t want her working any more night shifts until he left? Or would that make him too controlling?

  Do you really care?

  The real questions were, would Tyler do it and would Sabrina be pissed off if he did.

  Maybe he wanted to get her riled. Then get her naked and riled in bed.

  “If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask,” he heard Sabrina say.

  “Thanks. Nice to meet you, Sabrina. Hope to see you again.”

  Flicking his gaze to the right, Greg could just make out the scene at the desk. He saw Sabrina smiling and saw the guy, who still had his back to Greg, reach over the desk to take the keycard she held out.

  Her smile softened as the guy turned to Tyler, who waved a hand toward the elevators.

  When the men turned, Greg realized why Sabrina had been smiling.

  Sebastian Valenti. Tyler had said the guy was coming to stay for a few weeks. He hadn’t said when.

  Watching the reflection in the glass windows, Greg saw burnout etched in the guy’s face.

  Been there, done that.

  His attention returned to Sabrina, caught by her compassionate expression.

  The girl had a big heart.

  And damn it, he wanted it. Wanted her. Wanted all of her attention focused on him.

  So what the fucking hell was he going to do about it?

  Checking the clock on the wall, he realized she still had another three hours to go before her shift was over.

  Fuck.

  He should go back upstairs. He didn’t think she’d seen him yet, so he could slip back down the hall to the second bank of elevators on the other side of the atrium.

  Then again, if he stayed here, he had the perfect vantage point to watch her unobserved.

  When did you turn into a creeper?

  Yeah, he liked to watch but . . .

  With Tyler and Sebastian gone, she turned to look at the clock on the wall above the registration desk. Then she sighed. He swore he heard her from here.

  Was she tired? Was she wondering why he hadn’t contacted her yet? Did she think he wasn’t going to?

  His phone vibrated.

  Yes!

  He nearly pumped his fist in the air and did a touchdown dance. Trudeau had Neal. They’d be at the hotel, barring bad weather or a plane crash, in eight hours. And he knew that even if that plane went down, Trudeau would deliver Neal in a full-body cast.

  The click of heels made his head snap up, and he saw Sabrina in the glass, walking straight for his hiding spot.

  He took a second to examine her features before he turned, trying to guess her mood from her expression so he could be prepared for whatever she threw at him.

  She didn’t look pissed. No, it was worse. She was wearing her Pleasant Employee face.

  “Hello, Greg. Nice to see you again.”

  And wow, he really fucking hated that bland smile. It made him want to kiss it off her face. But he wasn’t sure she wouldn’t punch him in the face if he tried.

  “Sabrina.” He thought about what he should say and settled for the truth. “I really fucking missed you, babe.”

  Her eyes widened with shock, then her expression softened with pleasure and he knew he’d chosen the right tactic.

  In L.A., honesty didn’t get you far. But he wasn’t in L.A. And Sabrina was no vapid starlet.

  “I’m sure you’ve been busy.”

  “You could say that. Still, I’m sorry I didn’t text you tonight when I got in. I’ve been dealing with a . . . situation.”

  Her teeth lodged in her lower lip. “I heard Daisy Devlin arrived earlier today.”

  Christ, he’d probably be trying to fend off press as soon as tomorrow if the staff was talking. “She did.”

  “And there’s something wrong with that?”

  “Unfortunately, yeah. She came without her husband.”

  “And that’s a problem?”

  He nodded. “Can you sit for a few minutes?”

  Her gaze flashed back to the desk. “For a few minutes, sure.”

  She eased onto the chair across from him, barely sitting on the edge of the cushion, the hem of her plain blue skirt riding up just above her knees. He tried not to let his gaze linger, but it was so damn hard when he knew how soft the skin was on the inside of her thighs.

  Fuck.

  His fingers dug into the arms of the chair because he really wanted to pull her onto his lap. But then he wouldn’t be able to help himself. He’d kiss her and wouldn’t want to stop.

  Consider this an exercise in self-control.

  Something he typically didn’t have to worry about.

  “Considering she didn’t know where Neal was, yeah, it was a problem. But my assistant found him and she’s got him on a plane. They’ll be here in eight hours.”

  “That’s great.” Her genuine smile made an appearance now, her eyes lighting up. He really liked this girl. “So you’ll be able to start filming on time.”

  He nodded. “The crew arrives Saturday. The rest of the cast’ll be here Sunday. Filming starts Tuesday.”

  “You’ll be pretty busy then.”

  Did he hear a wistful note in her voice? “I will. But I’ll still have time for you.”

  She didn’t say anything right away, just stared at him with a look he couldn’t decipher.

  “Sabrina—”

  “I’m glad to hear that.”

  Yes.

  Smiling, he watched a blush color her cheeks, as if she knew what he was thinking, that he wanted to drag her back to his room now and bury himself between her legs.

  Which was exactly what he planned to do the second he had her alone.

  “I’m going to apologize now for the long days and the ten thousand phone calls at all hours and the hundred people asking me twenty million questions.”

  “You’re busy. I understand.”

  No, she really didn’t, but she would soon enough. Hopefully by that time, he
’d have her tied to him as tight as he could. He’d fuck her until she couldn’t see straight and wouldn’t want to leave his bed. Of course, he wouldn’t be spending all that much time in bed . . .

  Really fucking bad timing.

  “So, I’m assuming you didn’t recognize the guy who just checked in.”

  She gave him a look that clearly showed she had no idea what he was getting at or why he’d suddenly changed the subject.

  “Sebastian Valenti. Lead guitarist and singer for Baseline Sins. A rock band,” he added when she raised an eyebrow at him. “A pretty good one, too.”

  “Are you a fan? Why didn’t you come over and introduce yourself?”

  “It’s late. I’m sure I’ll see him around.”

  “He looked . . . tired.”

  “Yeah, he did.” He didn’t add that the guy had had some major problems recently. She’d discover that on her own soon enough.

  “So do you.” Her voice softened. “You should get some sleep.”

  “Trying to get rid of me?”

  “No. Would it work if I were?”

  “Probably not. Do you still have the keycard I gave you?”

  She blinked. “Yes.”

  “Come to my room when you’re finished with your shift.”

  She bit her lip. “My mom’s making dinner for noon so I can be there. I have to work again tonight at four.”

  “You get off at seven?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then you’ve got a few hours before you have to leave. Give me two of them.”

  After a short pause, she nodded. “Okay.”

  She stood, her lips curving in a way that made him want to reach for her, have her straddle his lap and kiss her until he wanted to yank up her skirt and do her right here.

  “Maybe you should go up and get a little rest. Wouldn’t want you to be too tired when I get off work.”

  He laughed, the sound echoing through the empty lobby. “I’m not that old, babe.”

  “Maybe I’m just that horny.”

  Heat flashed from his balls, up his spine and through his cock, making it stiffen almost painfully.

  “Jesus, Bree—”

  She walked by his chair, brushing her fingers through his hair and making his cock throb.

  He couldn’t fucking wait to get her back in his bed.

  * *

  By the time seven a.m. finally arrived, Sabrina was ready to crawl out of her skin.

  She’d been counting the minutes until her replacements arrived and, when the Fiorelli sisters, Casey and Danica, walked out of the registration office, she wanted to rush to the elevator.

  But she didn’t want to make her coworkers suspicious, and everyone knew Casey and Danica, who’d been hired a year before Sabrina, were the biggest gossips in the hotel. And if she went all smiles and hightailed it out of here, the sisters would suspect a man because they always suspected a man behind anyone’s good mood. Usually they were right. She couldn’t risk them having even a hint of suspicion.

  She already knew the daytime security guard might catch her heading for Greg’s room on the security cam in the elevator but, unlike the Fiorelli sisters, he knew how to keep his mouth shut.

  After filling in Casey and Danica on the new arrival and giving them his assumed name, she headed for her room to change before she went to Greg’s suite—

  Which was on the same floor as her boss’s apartment.

  Oh, my God, what if she got off the elevator and Tyler was standing there? Talk about awkward.

  Maybe she should rethink this.

  And maybe you should stop overthinking everything and have a good time.

  Back in her room, she did the fastest change ever, throwing off her skirt and blouse to pull on comfy, worn jeans that didn’t make her ass look huge and a purple T-shirt that made her breasts look great.

  She knew she should be tired, figured the adrenaline crash was going to be pretty bad later, but she’d pulled all-nighters before. She’d catch a nap at her mom’s before she came back for her shift at seven. She could catch up on her sleep on her next day off.

  Which was in two days.

  Thinking about how much sex she could have with Greg before then made her want to fan her burning cheeks, but the elevator dinged to announce her arrival on the fourth floor.

  Taking a deep breath, she stepped out into the hall.

  No one there.

  She breathed a sigh of relief. She wasn’t doing anything wrong. There was no company policy about fraternizing with the guests. Besides, Tyler knew what was going on between her and Greg. If Tyler didn’t want her to see Greg, he would’ve told her.

  Turning right, she headed for the door at the end of the hall.

  Greg was staying in Suite C, which she knew from visiting Kate was at the opposite end of the hall from Tyler and Jared’s apartments. And from the room the other employees called the Salon.

  The registration staff had told her it was the Goldens’ private room for entertaining. But the looks Casey and Danica had exchanged when they’d told her that said something else entirely. Like there was something really interesting about that room. Kate had mentioned it a few times in passing. So had Annabelle. And whenever Annabelle said anything about it, her fair skin turned bright red.

  Her curiosity would get the better of her soon enough, and she’d ask exactly what kind of entertaining they did in that room. But not now.

  Now she walked straight to Greg’s door and barely hesitated when she slid the card in the lock. She didn’t want to stand in the hall too long in case Tyler or Jared emerged from their apartments.

  She’d texted Greg to let him know she was on her way and the moment she opened the door, he was there. She had a second to draw in a short breath before he had her pinned against the now-closed door, his mouth sealing hers as his tongue demanded entrance.

  This was no tame “Hey, how’ve you been” kiss.

  This was a “Get your clothes off now, I want to fuck you” kiss.

  Her arms automatically rose to circle his shoulders and her head hit the door as she tilted it back to let him kiss her more deeply. He barely let her up for air, kissing her with such intense focus her toes curled.

  It felt like she’d been waiting ages for him to kiss her again.

  Arching her back, she tried to get closer, to press her breasts against his chest and her mound against his cock. Better yet, she wanted to be naked and riding him, hearing him say her name in that husky growl and telling her how much he wanted her.

  This doesn’t seem like you’re working him out of your system.

  She told the little voice in her head to go pound sand and she sank her fingers into his hair as her legs circled his waist.

  He held her there for several seconds, letting his mouth explore hers in the most sensual way, drugging her, dragging her deeper into a state where passion ruled.

  When he finally let her up for air, it was so he could turn and carry her into the room.

  “You’re late.”

  The lust-roughened tone of his voice made her shiver, and the intensity of his gaze made her feel like a mouse in the sights of a hawk. That look promised that he was going to devour her.

  She had to swallow before she could answer. “I wanted to change.”

  “And I wanted you here.”

  A smile pulled at the corners of her mouth. “Kind of impatient, aren’t you?”

  “Hell yes. I’ve been waiting too long to get my hands on you again.” His mouth curved into a wicked grin that made her chest constrict as he nudged open a door on the far side of the room. “When are you due at your mom’s?”

  “By noon, but I wanted to get there a little early to spend time with my sisters and brothers. It’s been a while since I’ve seen them.”

  She saw his jaw cle
nch, as if he had something he wanted to say but didn’t think he should. “Fine.” That one word sounded like he didn’t like the taste of it. “Then don’t blame me if this is a little faster than normal.”

  “Sometimes fast is good. It also means we might be able to do it twice.”

  “Damn, I like the way you think.”

  The next thing she knew, she was falling. He’d reached the bed and dropped her on it, watching her every move with narrowed eyes.

  “I’m gonna strip you naked and put your legs over my shoulders and make you come with my mouth. Sound good?”

  Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped but she had no idea what to say to that bald statement of intent. Her body, however, knew exactly what to do. She drew in a shaky breath and her thighs clenched.

  His gaze fell from her eyes to her lips, which made her press them together so her moan didn’t escape. She could barely breathe, and all her energy and awareness had shifted lower.

  As his gaze continued its downward journey, her nipples peaked into hard nubs, pressing against her bra, straining for his mouth. Her abdomen tightened as if he’d put his hands on her and had started to caress her.

  And her pussy . . . well, that was drenched and needy.

  “Finally rendered you speechless, huh?” He sounded pleased with himself. “Let’s see if I can change that. I want to hear you scream my name when you come.”

  Her breath hitched as Greg’s smile evaporated. Coming up onto her elbows, she watched him reach for her legs, lifting them to remove her shoes and socks. He rubbed her feet for a few seconds each, making her bite back a moan at the pleasure.

  Then he reached for her jeans. “I think I like you better in skirts. Much easier to remove.”

  That spurred her into speech. “Maybe you shouldn’t always get what you want.”

  Popping the button on her jeans, he worked them down her legs, his gaze now latching onto the purple satin panties that matched the demi bra under her T-shirt.

  “What would be the fun in that? I’m going to suggest Kate make your underwear crotchless from now on.”

  “Greg!”