‘That dress is hideous, Eva. I can’t imagine why you’re wearing it. We’re leaving,’ he added. ‘I’ve seen something better down the street.’
‘You have?’ she said, shooting sympathetic glances at the hovering assistants.
‘I’m booked in across the road at the hotel,’ he explained, ‘and I saw you come in here. You’re looking for something to wear at the party tomorrow—’
‘And that’s why you’re here?’
‘That’s one of the reasons,’ he said. ‘Turn around so I can get you out of that thing.’
Eva was sure she heard a collective sigh rise from the cringing assistants as Roman slid the zipper down her back.
‘Now go put your clothes on,’ he said with all the confidence of a master of seduction. ‘I’m going to take you to buy a dress.’
* * *
‘I don’t need you to buy me anything,’ she protested, having recovered slightly from the shock. ‘And,’ she began as he ushered her through the door and out of the shop.
‘And I’ve been away too long,’ he suggested.
As his mouth crashed down on hers she could only agree. Backing her up against the plate-glass window, Roman pinned her in position with his hands on either side of her face. She was vaguely aware of the assistants with their faces practically glued to the glass behind them.
‘Are you determined to make a spectacle out of me?’ she demanded when he finally released her.
Roman’s answer was to smile, and when he yanked her close this time she didn’t waste time trying to push him away, she just laced her fingers through his hair and responded.
‘Are we going to make it to the party?’ she murmured, speaking her thoughts out loud.
‘I very much doubt it as we’ve only got a little over twenty-four hours.’
‘But the dress—’
‘I’ll have it delivered,’ he said, steering her safely across the road.
‘How do we know it will fit?’
‘I’ve made an educated guess,’ he said, leading her step by wicked step towards the brilliantly lit hotel entrance. ‘I’ve taken a suite—’
‘No. Seriously?’ she said, making them both smile as her gaze fixed on Roman’s sexy mouth.
‘With a very big bed,’ he murmured as they waited for the elevator.
‘I’d expect nothing less.’
‘As well as all sorts of other possibilities, should you choose to be adventurous,’ he added as the steel doors slid open.
‘I’m sure I shall be.’ Her heart was beating so fast she wondered if it would be possible to draw her next breath as Roman swiped his room card in the control panel. ‘The penthouse floor?’ she confirmed.
‘Unless you’d like to do some sightseeing along the way?’
He had already pressed the button to stop the lift, and before the machinery even had a chance to obey his hand was on her and Roman was undoing his zipper.
‘Let me take them off,’ she insisted, struggling frantically with the waistband of her briefs.
‘I’ve got a better idea.’
She shrieked with excitement as they hit the floor.
‘Don’t worry, we’ll add underwear to the dress order,’ Roman soothed, pressing her back against the cool steel wall.
‘Or maybe I’ll just stop wearing underwear. I mean, what’s the point?’
‘No point,’ he agreed, lifting her.
She barely had time to wrap her legs around his waist before he cupped her buttocks and entered her, sinking deep to the hilt. She lost control at once, and the enclosed space resounded with her screams of release.
‘Greedy,’ Roman murmured, moving steadily to get the best out of her.
‘Are you kidding?’ she said, having calmed enough to speak. ‘I haven’t even got started yet.’
Roman laughed, a deep, contented rumble she could feel through his polar jacket.
‘Again,’ she insisted in a fierce whisper as he made the mistake of reaching for the lift button.
He slammed into her and they used all their considerable combined strength to reach the conclusion they both needed so desperately, as quickly as they could. Her screams this time could probably be heard in Rome. She didn’t care. She was only glad Roman had the presence of mind to take charge, and move the lift on.
‘Before we break the cables,’ he explained.
He let her down gently, steadying her on her feet as the elevator started to move again. Retrieving her ruined briefs, she stuffed them in her pocket as the steel doors slid wide. A small, private lobby, elegantly decorated in understated Skandi-style, faced them as they approached a sleek beech wood door leading into the penthouse suite.