Chapter 227

As soon as Dorothea stepped into the private elevator for the presidential suite, Latham’s kisses came in a rush, overwhelming her from behind.

When the elevator doors slid shut, it felt like the rest of the world just faded away.

Latham gently cupped the back of her head, shielding her from the chill of the elevator wall while his other hand swiped the key card and pressed the button for the top floor. His lips found hers, sure and hungry.

The elevator doors opened and Dorothea’s heart skipped a beat.

She’d played by the rules for twenty-five years. Never once had she done something this wild, this daring.

“Latham, let’s get to the room,” she whispered.

He grinned, the mischief sparkling in his eyes impossible to miss. “We’ll make it there. Eventually p>

They stumbled out of the elevator, all tangled up, almost tripping over each other until Latham finally managed to open the door.

The overhead lights snapped on, making them both squint at the sudden brightness.

Dorothea’s skin was flushed, pink spreading from her cheeks to her ears and down her neck.

Latham’s eyes darkened with want, and he pulled her into an even deeper kiss.

She was dizzy, pinned against the cool glass of the full-length mirror, her lashes fluttering. Every sensation was turned up, too much and somehow not enough.

A thin strand of spit broke between them in the soft hotel light.

Latham rested his forehead against hers and caught his breath. “So, what is it you like about me p>

She’d come all this way just to tell him how she felt. He needed to hear it. Maybe more than once.

“My good looks, or is it something else p>

Dorothea bit her lip, still breathing hard, and shot him an unfiltered eye roll. “Latham, you’re seriously full of yourself p>

Her tongue ached from all the

kissing. She batted his hand away

and wandered toward the

floor-to-ceiling window, her voice

barely above a whisper. “What about you p>

She leaned against the glass, the corners of her eyes tinged with a shy blush. “What do you like about me p>

Latham walked over, smooth and steady, and tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear. He swallowed, his voice a low promise. “Everything p>

The word hung there, and for a second, Dorothea could hear nothing but her own wild heartbeat.

It felt like her chest couldn’t possibly hold it in, and then his voice broke

through warm and teasing. “You’

probably think I’m just saying that, but I mean it. Always have

Dorothea had never been sure of herself.

Her mother never seemed to like her, and after Albert broke her heart, she’d

become even more careful, always holding herself back.

She wasn’t special, not really. She was shy, anxious, a little awkward.

Well, at least she had a decent face.

“How long have you liked me?” she asked.

Latham smiled, lips pressed together. “A long time. Hard to say, exactly p>

He dodged the question, which only made her more curious. “Did you carve our names on the red brick wall at school p>

“You saw that p>

“Wasn’t that the whole point?” She called him out, unable to hide her little smile.

“Alright, Mrs. Trouble, let’s change the subject p>

He pulled her close, pinning her gently against the window. “Tell me, doesn’t it feel

like we’re sneaking around, having some forbidden fling p>

Dorothea just stared at him, at a total loss for words.

“You were in such a hurry to see me,

bring your luggage

you didn’t even

he murmured, pausing to rip at her

earlobe. “Makes a guy wonder what

you were really after p>