Chapter 3
Ana's POV:
Even though it's not cold outside I have chills running through my body so I wrap my arms around myself. What am I supposed to do about Miles? I know what he wants by the way he was looking at me and touching me. Initially I was attracted to him, but when he started acting so forward I got scared. I don't even know him and he's trying to get me into bed? I don't know why I'm surprised. Kate told me how he charms his way into every girl's pants and to be careful around him. I'm not the kind of girl that jumps into bed with someone just because he's hot and knows what to say. I haven't even had sex for Christ's sake. I've been on dates with plenty of guys, but all of them seemed like they were looking for one thing… to bone the new and upcoming model. That is exactly why I was trying to stay on the low profile shoots. My agent obviously had different plans. Now I'm posing for spreads that are ending up in all the top magazines. I never expected to become a big deal when I first signed with him. I never even expected for it to last this long. I thought it was just going to be a couple pictures in a catalogue, something to make a little money off of while I looked for a job. Boy was I wrong. I'm not saying I don't enjoy my job, but the attention is a different story.
I hear someone walk out of the hotel and look up when they come over and sit down next to me. Wow, I did not expect to see Christian.
"What are you doing out here?" He asks staring at me curiously. I drop my hands into my lap and look down at them.
"I needed some fresh air." I don't want to tell this man that I barely know how I got so nervous I could barely breathe when Miles started coming on to me.
"I'm going back to the hotel, do you want to come?" I look up at him and nod. I'm not about to go back in there that's for sure. We both stand and I start walking toward the line of cabs. He grabs my hand stopping me and I feel that jolt of electricity again. I glance back at our hands and then up at him. He is staring at me like I'm the strangest person he has even seen then he quickly rids his face of any emotion.
"Let's take this limo," he says and leads me toward it. A limo? But there are only two of us. Surely we don't need a limo. He drops my hand leaving me standing in front of the back door and walks over to the driver. He talks to him for a second before coming back and opening the door for me. He climbs in after me and the driver pulls away. I keep my stare locked on my hands knotted in my lap. I can't bring myself to look at him.
"How are you feeling?" He asks and I glance over at him.
"Fine." I'm actually still a bit flustered from the way Miles was acting towards me.
"Are you sure? You had a lot to drink." I furrow my brow staring at him. How does he know how much I had to drink? I was only around him for like 20 minutes.
"No more than anyone else," I say a little too snappy. He narrows his eyes at me briefly then his impassive expression is back. We both stare at each other silently and I feel the tension building all around us. His eyes cloud over turning to a dark gray making my heart race and my body heat up. I have to resist the urge to pull him to my mouth and kiss him passionately. I break our eye contact and look out the window watching the Vegas lights flash by. I can feel his eyes burning into me still making me fidget. I wish the driver would speed up so we can get to the hotel faster.
Soon we pull up to the Cosmopolitan and I hop out before the driver makes it to the door to open it for me. I glance back as I'm walking away and see Christian quickly paying the man. He makes it to the door before me somehow and pulls it open.
"Thanks." I smile at him and he gives me a nod then I head inside to the lobby with him right behind me. Shit! Now I have to ride in an elevator with him all the way up to the top floor. I push the button and we wait for the doors to open without speaking. When they finally do we step in and he slides the room key card allowing us to access the penthouses. The tension is building again but much more than it was in the limo. I peek over at him as he looks down at me with those same dark eyes. Oh, my. That look. I feel my panties getting wet and subconsciously bite my lip. His stare gets even darker and before I know it he has me pinned against the side of the elevator with his mouth inches from mine. My breathing is suddenly very rapid. Is he going to kiss me? I really hope so.
"What are you doing to me, Miss Steele?" He breathes gazing into my eyes with his hands on my hips holding me to the wall. I feel his erection pressing against my stomach.
"I don't… I don't know what you mean." My head is in the clouds, it's hard for me to even think right now. He grins and looks down at my lips. Kiss me… please kiss me. I silently beg him while holding my breath. Just at that moment, the doors slide open at our floor.
"Breath, Ana," he whispers before stepping away from me. I stare up at him trying to catch my breath then walk out of the elevator towards the suite. Once I'm at the door I realize I never got a key from anyone.
"I don't have key," I say looking back at him. He smiles and strolls to the other door. He slides the key card then opens it.
"You can get in through here." He gazes at me holding the door open and motioning for me to go in. I take a deep breath and walk over hesitating a second in front of him before turning into the room. I stop in the living room and look around. I'm not ready to go to bed yet. I want to stay here with him. What am I thinking? If I do stay things will probably go much further than they did in the elevator. Isn't that what you want? I certainly did when he was pressed against my body with his mouth almost on mine. Fuck! I can't stay. I don't even know this man. I can't just hop into bed and give him my virginity.
"Which door is it?" I ask as I feel him step just behind me, so close I can feel the heat radiating off his body. The hairs on the back of my neck stick up as a shiver runs up my spine.
"The second one on the right." His voice is quiet and husky. I turn around to face him and our bodies are so close we're almost touching. That fire is still in his eyes. He reaches up and pulls my lip from my teeth then runs his thumb across it. His touch sends a jolt of electricity straight to my groin.
"Thank you for bringing me back," I whisper.
"It was my pleasure, Miss Steele." He grins and lightly runs his fingers up my cheek then tucks a piece of hair behind my ear.
"Good night," I murmur making no move to leave. I feel paralyzed by his sexy stare.
"Good night," he responds. I continue gazing into his lustful gray eyes. Just turn and walk back to your room, Steele. I break away from his stare quickly walking over to the door and disappear behind it without looking back. Once it's shut I close my eyes and fall back against it. He's just a man. A really fucking gorgeous man. I should have just kissed him. There's no way I'm going to get any sleep tonight. I open my eyes and head towards the master bedroom to get ready for bed.
As I'm pulling on my light blue tank top to go with my black spandex shorts the bathroom door opens and I hear Kate giggling. I turn around to see Kate in a white robe and Elliot with a towel around his waist looking at me in surprise. Thank god I'm done changing.
"Sorry. I didn't know you were in here." I blush, embarrassed that I interrupted something.
"It's fine. We were just taking a shower," Kate says glancing back at Elliot with a grin.
"I'll leave you two alone." I pick up my bag and head towards the door.
"There's an empty bedroom in the other suite. It's the first room on the left when you go in," Elliot says. I freeze for a second, but they are too busy ogling each other to notice.
"Thanks. Goodnight." I shut the door behind me. I can't go back over there. But what else am I supposed to do, sleep on the couch? Maybe he's already in his room. I walk over stopping in front of the door to the other suite with my hand on the knob. I take a deep breath then turn it slowly and peek in. I don't see him anywhere. I quickly shut the door and dash to the room on my left.
"Ana?" I jump and scream in surprise then look over to see Christian coming in from the balcony in a pair of gray sweats with a white V-neck shirt. God he looks sexy.
"Jesus, you scared me," I say putting my hand to my chest and taking a deep breath. He chuckles.
"What are you doing?" I try to look anywhere but at him. I can't fall back under his spell.
"Elliot is staying with Kate in the master bedroom and he said this was an empty room I could stay in." I motion toward the door I was running to.
"The empty room is actually over there." He says pointing to another door. "That's my room." He raises an eyebrow at me.
"Sorry. I must have misunderstood Elliot." Thank god I found that out before he found me cuddled up in his bed. That would be one awkward encounter.
"It's fine. Would you like me to take your bag to your room?" He asks walking towards me. My heart starts racing faster the closer he gets. There's that energy again pulling me to him. I just nod and he bends down to pick up my suitcase never breaking eye contact with me. He stands up right in front of me so close I can smell his intoxicating scent.
"I'll be right back," he says brushing his knuckles down my cheek. My breath hitches and he grins then turns away walking toward another door. Holy shit! Desire pools in my groin seeing his back muscles move beneath his tight shirt. When he disappears into the room I make my way toward the bar. I'm going to need a drink if I'm going to be alone with. As I'm pouring myself a glass of wine I feel him coming up behind me. I set the bottle down and turn around to face him.
"Would you like a glass?" I ask holding mine up. He smiles and walks closer to me. I step back until I feel the bar against my back. I close my eyes when he leans forward expecting him to kiss me, but he doesn't. I look at him again to see him smirking holding a bottle of scotch. Of course. He was just reaching for some alcohol. I can tell he knows what he's doing to me by the way he keeps grinning. He pours himself a drink and tosses it back then sets his glass on the bar. It seems like neither of us have said anything in forever, but I can't get myself to say anything. He takes my glass from my hand and sets it next to his. If he can't hear my heart pounding hard against my chest, then he can definitely see the rapid rise and fall of my chest. He runs his fingers lightly up my face and places his hand on my cheek.
"You are so beautiful," he says with admiration. I've heard this from plenty of men, but the way he says it feels so genuine and makes me actually believe he means it.
"Thank you," I breathe. I don't know what else to say. My brain is not working properly right now. He grins and leans in until his mouth is inches from mine.
"I'm going to kiss you now," he whispers. The only thing I can do is nod. I close my eyes as he presses his lips to mine. His touch sends a tremble down my body. No kiss has ever felt this way before. He gently kisses me one more time then pulls away. I slowly open my eyes and his face is still so close to mine. His eyes start to darken as he stares into mine. I open my mouth to say something but his mouth is back on mine before I can. He's not as gentle this time. He presses his body into mine wrapping his arms around me tightly. I throw my arms around his neck kissing him back with just as much passion. His tongue probes my lips and I part them allowing it to enter my mouth. He groans when I suck on his tongue briefly then his hands slide down to my ass. He effortlessly lifts me onto the bar continuing our hot make out session. With his hands still on my ass he pulls me forward so he is between my legs pressed up against me. One of his hands moves up my side to my breast as he trails kisses down my jaw to my neck. I throw my head back giving him better access and he licks and sucks his way down my neck while massaging my breast. His hand slides down my stomach toward the apex of my thighs and I quickly grab his wrist as the door opens to the room. I push him off and jump down from the bar just as Mia, Payton, and Trish come walking in. I grab my glass and take a large drink.
"There you are! You guys didn't even tell anyone you were leaving," Mia says tossing her clutch onto the counter and heading for the couch. Trish follows Mia and Payton eyes Christian and I curiously. I look away from her and head over to sit with Trish and Mia making sure to avoid eye contact with Christian. It's a good thing they showed up when they did. I don't think I would have stopped him from fucking me right on that bar if he tried. I need to have some self-control when I'm around him. I plop down on the couch next to Trish and Christian sits on the love seat across from us with another drink in his hand.
"Why did you leave?" Trish asks me. I see Payton sit down next to Christian out of the corner of my eye. I had forgotten they were being very flirtatious at the club.
"I wasn't feeling too good," I lie staring down at my wine.
"Miles was looking for you," Mia smirks at me. I glance at Christian who is staring at me impassively then at Mia. I'm glad Miles didn't come back with them. I would prefer to be in bed by the time he arrives so I don't have to deal with his forwardness.
"Yea, I'm pretty sure he's looking to get some from you this weekend," Payton says. I look over and Christian's eyes are narrowed at her. Does that make him mad? One kiss and he's getting jealous about other guys?
"He was getting a little friendly at the club," I say and Christian's eyes dart toward me. I look back over to Mia and Trish.
"He's hot. I say go for it," Trish grins at me as Mia stands up to go turn on some music. I'd rather go for someone else. I glance back over at Christian and see Payton scooting closer to him.
"Ana! Want a shot?" I turn toward the bar where Trish and Mia are pouring tequila into shot glasses. I smile and walk over to them. Whatever will get me away from Payton and Christian. We take the shots and my eyes wonder over to Christian. Why can't I stop looking at him? His stare moves up to mine from his drink while Payton whispers in his ear. Maybe he's no better than Miles. He'll probably end up sleeping with Payton tonight.
"Let's do another," I say setting my glass down in front of Mia so she can refill it.
"That's the spirit, Ana!"
Christian's POV:
"I can't wait until everyone goes to bed, so we can have our own private party," Payton whispers in my ear. I glance up at Ana who is staring at me and she quickly looks away. I should have taken her into my room before everyone got home. I feel Payton's tongue on my ear and I pull my head away. I don't so this shit in front of other people. Plus I would never have a chance with Ana if I went off and slept with Payton. I honestly don't even want to anymore.
"What's wrong?" Payton asks and I look over to see her confused expression. Just then Phil and Miles come barreling through the door.
"Glad to see the party's still going in here!" Miles yells and walks over to the bar where Ana is. I glare at him as he puts his hand on the small of her back. I stand up and head that way. I'm not about to let him swoop in and take her away.
"You never came back. I was worried," Miles says to Ana. I roll my eyes mentally. If he was worried he would have been back here an hour ago looking for her.
"Sorry. I went outside for some fresh air and ended up just coming back." She glances at me then back to Miles giving him an innocent smile. I try to hide as jealous anger rises up inside me. Why the hell am I even jealous?
"At least you made it home safe. Can't say I don't like the outfit change," he says eyeing her body hungrily. I toss back my drink back and pour myself another one. I don't know how much more of this I can sit through. She fidgets under his stare looking down at the floor. Clearly she is uncomfortable. Ana peeks over at me just as Payton comes up behind me and wraps her arms around my waist. Fuck! How do I get her to stay away from me without being a complete dick?
"Can you make me a drink?" Payton asks coming over to my side. Ana looks back to Miles smiling as he says something to her that I can't hear.
"Sure." I grab a glass and pour Payton a drink then hand it to her. Miles takes Ana by the hand and leads her over to the couches.
"Looks like she is going to go for it," Trish whispers to Mia loud enough for me to hear. They both giggle watching them sit on the couch with their backs to us, his arm slung over the couch behind her. What the hell is she doing? She was just sucking my tongue a minute ago for Christ's sake and now she's cuddling up with Miles on the fucking couch?
"Do you think they are going to sleep together?" Payton chimes in dipping her hand into my back pocket.
"I honestly don't know. I haven't seen her in forever so I'm not sure how she is with guys anymore. She used to be really shy around them, but I'm assuming that's changed since she's become the next top model," Trish says. I glance back toward them and see Ana excuse herself then quickly head toward her room.
Ana's POV:
"Come chat with me," Miles says pulling my attention back to him from Christian and Payton. I smile up at him allowing him to lead me over to the couches. I don't want to stand here and watch those two flirt all night. Miles sits down next to me and scoots close draping his arm across the couch behind me.
"Why'd you leave me hanging back at the club?" He asks. Oh, god.
"I… uh… Wasn't feeling good."
"Better now?" He raises his eyebrows at me questioningly.
"Yea." I nod with a weak smile. At least he's keeping his hands to himself… for now.
"Good to hear." He smiles at me then places his hand on my knee.
"You're a beautiful woman." His words sound more like a line he throws out to every woman than the sincerity of Christian's. I turn my head as he leans in to kiss me. He chuckles and presses his lips to my cheek instead.
"I'm sorry. I just haven't brushed my teeth yet." I blurt out and he smirks. What kind of excuse is that, Steele?
"I don't mind, baby." He leans in again and I stop him putting my hand on his chest. I can't let Miles kiss me after I was just kissing Christian. Although talk of me with Miles did seem to rile Christian up a bit earlier. Which doesn't make sense considering Payton hasn't taken her hands off of him since she got back here. Maybe he needs to see that's he's not the only one I have my eye on either.
"I'll be right back," I say setting my wine glass on the coffee table. I need to clear my head.
"I don't know. You said that last time. Maybe I need to come with you."
"No, stay here. It's not like I can sneak out anyway." I joke making him chuckle.
"Alright." He gives my knee a squeeze then takes his hand off of me. I smile and stand up heading toward my room. I shut the door behind me and go straight to the bathroom to throw some water on my face. I need to sober up a bit. I grab a glass off the counter and fill it with water then chug the whole thing. After setting it back down, I lean over crossing my arms on the counter and lay my head on them. Tonight has been far too eventful for me. I should have just slept on the couch in the other room. I lift my head back up and gasp when I see someone standing behind me in the doorway of the bathroom.