Iris picked up on the second ring.
“Hey, Len, how are things in paradise?”
Lena sighed and Iris laughed. “That good, huh?”
“You know, I honestly don’t know how to answer that.”
“Hmm. Does this have anything to do with a certain handsome brother of the bride?”
“Maybe.”
“Ha! Maybe, my ass. What’s going on?”
“We kissed.”
“What? Oh my God, girl, give me the details.”
Lena covered her eyes with her hand and groaned. Iris laughed.
“Oh, come on. If it’s good enough it’s got you freaking out this bad, you’ve got to tell me.”
“You first. How did things go with your cowboy?”
“Nash? Oh, that’s going to be a long story. A really, really good story. But long. So quit stalling and spill it already, Len.”
“We started out just talking. He was asking me questions about some of my business ideas, and he actually seemed interested. I mean, some of my ideas have been kind of out there…”
Iris laughed. “Yeah, I know.”
Lena grimaced but realized Iris couldn’t see her. “Yeah, yeah. Well, he didn’t laugh at me. In fact, he even had ideas on how to get a few of them to possibly work. And he wanted my input on expanding the charity his family runs into a foundation. He really loved the idea I had, and we were walking around this gorgeous botanical garden, and he was so excited about these ideas, and he’s just…”
“Hot?”
“Oh my God, you have no idea. And then he leaned in and kissed me, and it started out this sweet, slow kiss, but then…”
“Then? You can’t stop there! Then what?”
Lena was glad her friend couldn’t see her because she was pretty sure there was a goofy, blissed-out smile on her face. “I have never been kissed like that in my life. My knees went weak. I mean, honest-to-God weak. I even got light headed.”
“Oh, that’s the best. You’ve never had that happen before?”
“No.”
“And?”
“I had to go pick up Tyler, but we ended up kissing again and oh my God. I’m not kidding. I was ready to rip his clothes off right there in the hallway. I totally forgot we were in public, Iris. I was sucking his face off right in front of the day care doors! What if Tyler had seen me?”
“Did he?”
“No, but what if he had?”
“He’s getting older, Lena. Someday he’s going to see you kissing someone. Unless you plan on staying single for the rest of your life.”
Lena closed her eyes and leaned her head back onto the couch. “No. I’d like to meet someone someday. But meeting someone someday in the future is a lot different than seeing your mom making out with some guy in front of everyone else.”
“I wouldn’t worry about it. Does he like Elliot?”
“Yeah. He loves him.”
“See, no problem then. Maybe your someday is now.”
That thought sent a quiver through Lena that made her breath catch. There were a great many things about Elliot that Lena would love to explore further. But she had one very important reason to steer clear.
“He only loves him because Elliot is like a big kid himself,” Lena said.
“Ah. Well, that could be a problem. But only if you want to make it one. Just because you made out with him once doesn’t mean you have to start picking out china patterns. You’re on vacation. With a gorgeous guy who is apparently the best kisser you’ve ever been with. Which probably means he’ll be the best everything else you’ve ever been with, too. You think of that?”
Lena snorted. “Are you kidding? That’s all I’ve been thinking about.”
“Good. So, go do something about it.”
“Like it’s that easy.”
“It is that easy, Len. You’re both adults. Just be up front that you’re not looking for anything serious and have yourself a little fun. You are beyond overdue.”
Lena flung her arm over her eyes. Overdue was a huge understatement. At this point, all Elliot had to do was wink at her and she’d probably come on the spot. “Yeah, well that’s my problem. He wants me to meet him in his room tonight.”
“Yeah, girl! Just make sure you bring protection. You’d be amazed how many guys assume the girl is on the pill or something.”
“Iris! Just because I’m going to his room does not mean we’re going to have sex.”
“Why the hell not?
“Because…” She sat up and curled her legs under her, rubbing her hand over her eyes.
“Great answer. Why else would he invite you to his room at night?”
“He wants to talk more about the ideas I had for his foundation.”
“Uh-huh, sure.”
“No, really. I believe him. He wants to pitch the idea to his parents, and they’re leaving right after the wedding so he needs to do it before then. He asked me to help him get things pulled together.”
“Yeah, sounds like a great excuse to get you alone in his hotel room, if you ask me. Even if it’s legit, you’re still alone in his hotel room. At night. In a room with a bed. Be prepared. Just in case.”
Lena’s mouth went dry. She could picture what might happen all too clearly, and her body was damn near screaming at her to let it. But wouldn’t that be irresponsible?
Finally, she sighed. “Nothing’s going to happen.”
“Sure. Just like nothing was going to happen in that hallway, right?”
Lena’s stomach performed a few acrobatics at the reminder. “I don’t want to go in there with a purse full of condoms. That feels like I’m planning to…you know…”
“Have sex?”
Was she a total chicken if she flinched? “Yeah.”
Iris laughed. “You can’t even say the words, Lena. You’re probably safe. But I’m firmly in the better-safe-than-sorry camp. It doesn’t take much to go from sucking face in front of a room full of preschoolers to doing a whole lot more in private. Especially, if the guy affects you as much as he apparently does, and most especially, if you are tucked away in a room at night with him. Trust me on this one. Just…be prepared.”
Lena laid her head back on the couch. “Okay, okay, point taken.”
“Good. Like I said, you are well overdue for a hell of a lot more to happen. You just need to get out of your own way and seize the moment. For once in your life, go enjoy yourself.”
The thought of Elliot touching her again sent a fine tremor down her body that was only partially about nerves. The man knew how to hit all her buttons. And she wanted nothing more than to have him hit them again. Repeatedly. Until she came, screaming his name.
She trembled as though his hands were already moving over her skin. “I’ll try.”
“My God, woman! Go get your vacay lay before you explode. Call me later. Gotta run!”
She laughed but Iris had already hung up. Lena shook her head and tossed her phone onto the couch beside her.
What the hell was she going to do about her little meeting with Elliot? And where could she get a hold of some condoms? Not that she’d need them.
But…just in case.
Chapter Seven
Elliot paced back and forth in front of the sofa, glancing up at the clock every few seconds. Lena said she’d be here at eight, and it was already fourteen minutes after. She might have changed her mind. Frankly, he was amazed she’d said yes in the first place. Not that he was planning anything other than business talk. Not really. Yes, they were going to be alone, in his room. But he had no intention of doing anything that she didn’t want to do. And he really did need her help.
But if she thought he was just trying to get into her pants, he couldn’t really blame her. He knew his reputation. And really, when a guy asked a girl to come to his hotel room after the sun went down, it usually meant only one thing. What if she’d thought that was all he was up to and she decided she didn’t want him? Or what if something had happened? Maybe Tyler got sick or something? Should he call her and make sure everything was okay?