"That's..." I search for the word. "That's very direct."
"I spent seven years in prison, Aurora. I don't have time for games."
Prison.
The way he looks pointedly at me, tells me he said it to scare him off. He expects me to run in the opposite direction, screaming bloody murder.
I almost laugh.
At the situation and at myself.
If only he knew the world I was born into.
"What were you in for?" I ask.
"Does it matter?"
I stare at him, trying to find words to tell him, I don’t really care about anything right now, except wanting him.
Needing him.
And yes, I’d like to find out what this hunger that I feel for him is.
"The Grandview Hotel," I say quickly, before I lose my nerve. "Room 412."
I did not just say that. No no no no!
It must be the alcohol. I really need to stay away from alcohol.
This shit is ruining my life. I just invited a complete stranger to my hotel room because he makes me so hot and bothered. I am dripping wet for him right now.
He goes still. "Aurora—"
"You don’t have to come to me if you don’t want to." I meet his eyes, let him see how serious I am.
"You don't know what you're asking."
"Yes, I do." My hand finds his chest, feels his heart hammering beneath the expensive fabric. "I know exactly what I'm asking. The question is whether you're brave enough to say yes."
The challenge hangs between us. I can see him thinking, weighing, calculating. His hand is still on my neck, thumb brushing my pulse point.
"I should say no," he says finally.
"But you won't."
His lips curve into something that's not quite a smile. "You're trouble."
"Absolutely." I step back, put careful distance between us before I do something stupid like beg. "Midnight. Room 412. Don't make me wait."
Then I walk away, because if I don't, I'll climb him right here in the middle of this gallery full of people who know my father.
I can feel him watching me as I weave through the crowd. Can feel the weight of his gaze like a hand between my shoulder blades.
I don't look back.
Will he come?
The question haunts me for the rest of the night. I mingle, smile, make small talk with Dad's associate about paintings I don't care about. But my mind is in that hotel room, wondering if Axel will actually show up or if I just made a complete fool of myself.