I sit down next to her and grab her hand. “Dev, I know that. You know that. I’m just trying to give you a night that you’ll remember, okay? Yeah, I had the home court advantage when I was planning it because I know you so well.” I grin. “Like I said earlier, you should never settle. I just don’t want you to look back on this night years from now and feel like you settled. That’s all this is. I promise.”

She offers me a small smile. “Really?”

I nod my head. “Really.”

DEVYN

OH MY GOD, I am thrown way off balance from that kiss! I always knew Riley and I had chemistry but it was never this explosive before. I got a little taste in my car earlier but this is different. That kiss was freaking volcanic! Riley offers his hand which I accept after only a brief hesitation. As he starts leading me across the square I ask, “What now?”

He points to the tall white building on the corner. “Look carefully up on top of that building. Do you see those people looking over the ledge?”

“Yeah. What’s up there?”

“It’s a restaurant,” he replies. “On the roof, anyway. The space in between that and Macy’s is a hotel. I figured we could get some dessert and maybe a nightcap before heading downstairs to our room.”

“Oh.” I stare at the imposing structure. I started to feel warm as soon as he mentioned our hotel room. I don’t know why I’m acting this way; Riley and I have shared a bed many times over the years. But there was always the knowledge that nothing physical would ever happen back then. Now? Not so much.

He grins. “That okay?”

I clear my throat. “What? Um, yeah…of course it’s okay.”

He increases his stride, towing me behind. “Then let’s go.”

DEVYN

WE WALK INTO THE lobby of the hotel up to the check-in desk. I stare at the lighted mural behind the counter as Riley tells the clerk we have reservations. He hands her his credit card, signs something, and pockets two keycards.

“Would you like me to have someone take your bags up for you, sir?” she asks.

Riley looks over his shoulder and winks at me. “Yeah, that’d be great. We’re going to head upstairs for a nightcap.”

“Very well, sir. Please let us know if you need anything. Enjoy your stay.”

He leads me to an elevator that takes us up to the rooftop lounge. The hostess seats us at one of the white couches in the open-air balcony. She hands us our menus as Riley orders two shots of Fireball.

When the hostess leaves, I look around. “This place is nice.” The city view is lost on me because I’m not really paying attention to our surroundings. I can’t stop thinking about the keys in his pocket. The ones that lead to our hotel room. The room where we’re going to have sex. After we leave here. Oh God.

“It is,” he agrees while looking at the menu. “Do you want to share the tempura banana split?”

I quickly glance at my menu. “Yeah, that sounds good.”

Our waiter arrives with our drinks and takes our order. We drink our shots and make small talk until our dessert arrives. My mouth waters as I stare at the plate in front of us. Fried bananas are topped with a cherry compote, peanut brittle ice cream, and caramel sauce.

I lick my lips. “Yum.”

Riley is staring at my mouth. “My thoughts exactly.” I reach for my silverware but he stops me and says, “Here. Allow me.”

“Uh…okay.”

He grabs a spoon and dips it into the ice cream. He watches carefully as he brings the bite to my mouth, gulping audibly as I close my lips over the utensil. “Good?”

I swallow. “Yes, very. Are you going to try it?”

“Oh, I really, really want to.” He hasn’t taken his eyes off of me.

“Well, why don’t you—”

I’m silenced when his lips touch mine. Since we’re on a couch he’s right next to me and can easily lean into my body. He quickly dips his tongue between my parted lips and pulls back with a smile. “Delicious.”

I blush. “That’s not what I meant when I asked if you were going to try it.”

He wraps his arm behind me and begins tracing circles on the small of my back with his thumb. He leans over my ear and whispers, “Are you complaining about my methods?”

I shiver as he licks my earlobe. “No.”

He places feather light kisses along the nape of my neck. “Dev?”

“Hmm?”

“Do you want to go downstairs?”

I bite my lip to stifle a moan. “So bad.”

He stands with a smile, pulls some money out of his wallet and places it on the table next to our barely eaten dessert. He leads me back to the elevator without a word as I follow in a haze of lust. He presses the button for the tenth floor as we step into the car. Our bodies vibrate with anticipation as we stare at each other on the short ride down. He gently pushes me forward by the small of my back as we exit to the left.

“Room ten-oh-eight,” he says.

We find our room about halfway down the hall and Riley stops to dig in his pocket for the keycard. He swipes it through and the green light illuminates. Turning the knob he says, “You ready?”

I gulp. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

RILEY

I OPEN THE DOOR to our room and guide her in by pushing on the small of her back once again. This is definitely my new favorite spot on her body. It dips in perfectly where I rest my hand right above the tempting curve of her ass, making my fingers itch to slide south. Devyn gasps upon seeing my final surprise. Red rose petals are strewn across the white down comforter with a silver bucket of iced champagne and two flutes sitting on the nightstand.

“Oh, Riley,” she whispers. My dick stirs at the sound of her voice. I hope that it’s only the first of many times she will say my name tonight with such reverence.

She walks throughout the room, lightly touching her fingertips to each surface. She fits perfectly in such a classy space and I can’t help but sit here and admire the view.

“Do you approve?” I ask.

She turns around with that magnificent grin from earlier and replies, “It’s perfect.”

I walk over to the nightstand and see that the champagne has already been corked so I pour two glasses.  Holding one out towards her I say, “Would you like some?”

She smirks. “Why, Mr. McIntyre, are you trying to get me drunk?”

I laugh. “Right! You and I both know who can drink whom under the table here and it certainly isn’t me.”

She grins as she takes the glass from my hand. “Touché.” After a lengthy sip she adds, “What now?”

I step towards her, loving the pink hue that hasn’t really left her skin tonight. I gently slide my finger underneath the thick strap of her dress before trailing it down her arm. It’s pretty hard to miss the goose bumps that have formed everywhere I’ve touched. “Now, is when you officially have to stop asking questions and just follow my lead.”

She gulps. “Oh…um, okay. Can I just have a minute…to you know, freshen up?”

I smile. “Take all the time you need.”

DEVYN

I GRAB MY BAG and head to the bathroom. Once the door is closed, I turn towards the mirror above the marble vanity and take a good look at myself. This is the last time I will see myself as a virgin. Am I really going to do this? I take a deep breath to strengthen my resolve. Yes…yes, I’m definitely going to do this. I questioned my decision to ask Riley a time or two, but any inkling of doubt that was left went out the window after the day we’ve had. I can’t believe how much thought and effort he put into this! I know for a fact that he’s never pulled out the stops like this for any other woman, which is probably why I was so caught off guard. Riley doesn’t have to woo a woman. Hell, he didn’t have to woo me but if I’m being honest with myself, I’m so glad he did.