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  He joined her where she sat perched on the end of the bed. Their eyes were on the screen where the newscaster updated the weather. The snow could continue all night. According to meteorologists, the city had already received more snow than had been anticipated. The good news was that it appeared to be slowing.

  “I guess it will be a miracle if the airport is open tomorrow,” Violet commented when the commercials began to play.

  Jonah turned the TV off and gestured to the fireplace. It was electric but that was fine with her. The flames still jumped and danced, catching her eye.

  “Let’s just enjoy our artificial fire and worry about tomorrow when it gets here.”

  “I like the sound of that.”

  His hand was warm against her cheek as he pushed the hair from her face. Violet leaned into his touch. Excitement began to build deep within her. They kissed, a slow meeting of lips. Jonah delved deeper into her mouth, his tongue tangling with hers.

  There was a passion in his kiss that stole her breath. He smelled good, like rain and fresh laundry. It had to be his cologne, but she didn’t care. Staying behind after the wedding was starting to look like a great decision after all. The other single bridesmaids had joked constantly about hooking up with the groomsmen. Violet hadn’t been interested. Boy would they love to hear about this.

  Heat spread through her body accompanied by a pleasant tingle. The combination of alcohol along with the thrill of being there with him gave her a giddy rush. Jonah’s lips found the pulse in her neck and she sighed.

  “You smell so good.” His breath was hot against her skin. “I can’t wait to taste you.”

  Violet’s heart pounded, echoing in her ears. She didn’t protest when Jonah relieved them both of their champagne glasses. She wanted both hands free for this. After depositing the glasses on the small bistro-style table, he turned off the light, leaving them with only the glow of electric flames.

  His arms went around her and she welcomed him eagerly. Jonah pulled her down with him so they lay side by side, facing one another on the bed. Kicking her boots off onto the floor, Violet stroked a hand down his strong jaw.

  Capturing her hand, Jonah pressed a kiss into her palm. “If there is anything I can do for you, anything you want, don’t hesitate to say so. I want to make this a snowstorm you’ll never forget.”

  “It’s already a storm I will never forget.” She laughed softly as he kissed her.

  Jonah slipped a hand beneath the hem of her sporty tank top. The material was tight with little give to it. It was easier to simply strip it right off, which is what he did. Violet trembled slightly when she lay there in her pink bra. The hunger in Jonah’s eyes was brilliant, lit up by the fire.

  Burying his face in her ample cleavage, Jonah made a little sound of contentment. His lips and tongue sought to devour her as he tugged one strap down her shoulder. One hand reached inside her bra to discover the contours of her breast. He pushed the fabric aside to expose her nipple. The warm, wet touch of his tongue to the sensitive bud sent fire racing through her veins to heat her loins.

  Violet gasped when Jonah swirled his tongue over the rigid peak. The tingle that started between her legs grew into a throb. She barely noticed the hand he slipped behind her until he’d freed her from the confines of the bra. It quickly joined her top on the floor.

  There was a flurry of sensation as Jonah’s hands covered her mounds while paying each nipple loving attention in turn. He rolled her so she lay flat on the bed beneath him. He made his way down her body, licking and tasting her. His tongue found a ticklish spot near her stomach and she squirmed.

  Goose bumps rose up on her skin as he ran his fingers down her body to the waistband of her leggings. In one slow, smooth motion he stripped them from her. Immediately Jonah’s attention was on her black cotton panties. They were cute and comfortable but if she’d known she’d find herself in this situation, she would have worn her favorite thong. It was quickly evident Jonah didn’t give a damn about the panties. He just wanted what was inside.

  He reached to peel away her underwear but she stopped him with a hand. “Wait. I want to see you too.”

  With a nod and a sly smile, Jonah stood beside the bed and began to disrobe. Violet sat up so she could touch the firm expanse of his bare chest. A light dusting of hair disappeared below his jeans, teasing her. She tried to take in every part of him, to make note of every inch. The last of his clothing fell away and for just a second she thought she might blush.

  There was no doubt he was a fine creation. Strong and firm without unnecessary bulk, Jonah was all man. Very much so. Violet’s gaze wandered over him, a smile curving her lips as she admired him for the work of beauty he was. Before she could open her mouth to tell him how gorgeous he was, Jonah was on her, tugging at her panties with an exciting surge of aggression.

  His sudden impatience was infectious. The moment his fingers caressed the delicate place between her thighs, Violet ached for more of him. He stroked her damp folds, running a slick finger up over her throbbing pink pearl. Any last control she possessed dissolved when two fingers delved deep within her.

  Moans of absolute pleasure filled the room. Violet clung to Jonah. It was almost too much. She didn’t want it to stop but there was a sense of urgency creeping up in the back of her mind that demanded she have his gorgeous cock inside her.

  The man seemed to read her like a book. His free hand disappeared beneath a pillow only to produce a condom, which he easily slipped on.

  “Smooth.” She couldn’t resist giving him a teasing grin.

  Jonah’s laughter was low and comforting. “Hey, baby, I’m prepared to please you all night long.”

  Their lips met and Violet lost herself in the heady sensation of having him between her legs, ready to claim her. There was a delicious pressure as he entered her tight sheath. She was happy to let him set the rhythm, moving to match his thrusts. Slow and deep, he forced cries from her that Violet barely recognized as her own.

  The strength behind his thrusts was enough to make her cry out. The rush of splendor that spilled over her was exquisite. Every breath filled her with the scent of him. Jonah touched her face, forcing her to meet his eyes. It was unnerving to have this stranger above her, commanding her body as he gazed down at her through intense eyes. The thrill of the entire scenario captured her in an exhilarating high. Though she told herself it was just the kind of thing she would never do under normal circumstances, she knew that part of her longed for the adventure. No regrets.

  Jonah grabbed her leg and guided her over and up onto her knees. He entered her from behind, driving her forward from the impact. He fell down over her, his chest pressed to her back. The touch of his lips on the back of her shoulder sent a tremor through her. There was a level of intimacy in the action that warmed her insides.

  Violet reached back with one hand to slide her fingers into his thick hair. It caused her balance to become unstable and Jonah quickly put a strong arm around her waist to steady her. A sheen of perspiration formed between their bodies, creating a slick layer that caused them to cling that much harder to one another.

  Their shadows caught Violet’s eye. She couldn’t help but watch the orange glow of the firelight dancing on the wall as their silhouettes moved as one. It was captivating and somehow more sensual than a mirror could ever have been.

  Jonah moaned softly in her ear. The sound of her name as a breathy whisper on his lips was intoxicating. It was hard to believe that after tonight she would only hear that again in her memories.

  When her knees could no longer hold her, Jonah sat back on the bed and pulled her onto his lap so that she faced him. Sitting upright left the control in Violet’s hands, although the position limited her movements. Jonah was buried deep within her while they stared into each other’s eyes. She could have gazed into him like that forever.

  The strange intimacy between them got under Violet’s skin. Wasn’t a one-night stand supposed to be a night of physical gratifi
cation? As she moved on Jonah’s hard shaft, she found that by allowing him in at all, she’d opened all the doors. Whether or not she ever saw him again, something was changing in her tonight. It felt like being set free from chains she hadn’t realized she’d bound herself in. She embraced it.

  A dizzying wave of euphoria crashed over Violet. The power in the orgasm that racked her was astonishing. Burying her face in Jonah’s neck, she inhaled his musky scent and muffled her cries against his smooth skin. She felt him shudder, felt him twitch deep inside her. His arms tightened around her and together they fell back against the small mountain of pillows.

  Violet felt as if she were glowing. Jonah pressed moist kisses to her neck and face. She smiled and struggled to catch her breath.

  “Sorry.” His low murmur was full of sex. “I didn’t mean to rush. I just couldn’t wait to get inside you.”

  A glance at the bedside clock revealed that it was early yet. Violet snuggled in against him, determined to take advantage of every moment of this little escapade. “It’s barely past midnight. Plenty of time to take it slow during round two.”

  “And round three and four.” Jonah chuckled when she gave him a playful jab.

  The afterglow was nice. It was a feeling that would be priceless if one could bottle it. Violet waited until it began to ebb before excusing herself to the washroom. She brought her purse, toying with the idea of sending a quick text to a friend or two. No. It would ruin the fun of the mystery. For now, it was her little secret. She could tell the girls all about it when she got home.

  Jonah looked up with a brilliant smile as she emerged wrapped in a hotel bathrobe. “I hope you like fresh fruit. Room service is bringing some up. More champagne too.”

  “Oh, that sounds good.” Violet bounced onto the bed with more flare than intended. She couldn’t help the excited rush that coursed through her like electricity. “Hey, I think the snow is stopping.”

  A loud knock on the door startled them both. Jonah hurried into his pants before opening the door. Violet wandered over to the window, peering down on the white city below. The flakes still fell, but gentler now, not so thick. It was going to stop soon. Part of her was sorry about that. Passing the time with Jonah was most definitely fun but it was more than that. She genuinely liked him.

  Jonah joined her at the window, a chilled bottle in his grasp. He leaned in close to nuzzle her before glancing out at the night sky. “It’s kind of beautiful, huh?”

  “It is.” She nodded and turned to follow him back to the bed where a fruit platter sat atop a pillow. “You seem used to the snow and cold. Where are you from anyway? Northern state?”

  “New York. We get our share of ugly winters. Maybe not as bad as it gets elsewhere but it ain’t no Florida, that’s for sure.”

  “Ah, New York. Nice city. I’ve visited a time or two. It’s a great place for doing business and creating art. Which you should do more of.” She gave him a pointed look.

  Jonah scooped some whipped cream up on a finger and dabbed it on the end of her nose. “Yeah, yeah. What about you? Do you do anything like that? A hobby or something?”

  She laughed and felt like a school girl when he leaned in to kiss the dollop of cream from her nose. “I like to sing in the car when I’m alone. Does that count? I’d never torture anyone I know by making them listen to me.”

  “So that means we should go to the bar and hunt down a karaoke machine.”

  “No karaoke machines. But a trip downstairs could be nice. We could take a walk. Maybe even outside in the snow for a few minutes.”

  The fruit platter was divine after such strenuous activity. The champagne had to be expensive. Violet loved the way it bubbled on her tongue as she drank.

  “That would mean we’d have to get dressed.” A frown creased Jonah’s brow. “I don’t think I’m ready to let you do that.”

  “Aw come on. I promise to get naked again after.” She sighed when he fed her a raspberry. It was like being in a dream. “Tell me more about you, Jonah. Do you have any siblings? What’s your favorite color? Favorite band?”

  “Slow down there, gorgeous. One question at a time.” Cocking his head to one side, Jonah gave her a long, appraising look. “Do you really want me to answer all that? Won’t it ruin some of the mystery?”

  She thought about it and decided she didn’t care. She wanted to know more about him. “It might. That’s a chance I’m willing to take.”

  “All right.” He watched her slowly lick the cream off a strawberry before popping it into her mouth. “Damn, you’re sexy. Okay let’s see. Two siblings, a sister and a brother. I’m the oldest and therefore was the one always in charge of keeping the other two in line. My favorite color is black but if you make me choose a real color I’ll say blue even though it’s really orange. And my favorite band was Bon Jovi back in the day. I don’t think I have one now. I like a lot of bands. How did I do?”

  Violet stuck her tongue out in response to the goofy look he gave her. “That was great. But I think I have twenty more questions for you now.”

  “No way. It’s my turn to ask the questions. So…do you have a favorite movie? What kind of car do you drive? Are you single? What about kids? Do you have any?”

  The laughter pealed out of Violet in response to his question topics. She couldn’t contain herself, especially when he was looking at her warily, as if she were going to confess to being married with five children.

  “Um, favorite movie would be Moulin Rouge. I drive an SUV. I have been dating someone casually, but technically I’m single. No kids.”

  “Technically single, huh?” He kissed a drop of whipped cream from her lip before she could lick it away. “I guess that’s a good thing. But Moulin Rouge is a bit of a chick flick, isn’t it? Don’t you like a good action movie? Horror? Anything?”

  “Moulin Rouge is a love story. With music and elaborately costumed dancing girls. How can you go wrong?” She feigned a look of hurt, smiling when it earned her another kiss.

  He took her hand and stroked a finger along the center of her palm, sending a pleasant shiver up her arm. “It doesn’t exactly have a happy ending though. Strange that it would be your favorite.”

  “Is it? Yeah, it’s a tear jerker all right but it’s the power of the love story I like. The ending just makes it that much stronger. I longed for what they had, regardless of the outcome.” Meeting his enchanting gaze, Violet suddenly felt too warm.

  Jonah’s soft caress continued up her arm. “I guess some loves are doomed before they really begin.”

  “Maybe it isn’t about being doomed, but about those few precious fleeting moments.” Her voice became breathy at the touch of his lips. She watched as he kissed his way up her arm to the soft inner curve of her elbow. “I guess I’m a silly romantic that way.”

  Looking up at her from beneath a fringe of thick lashes, Jonah merely smiled and said nothing. Violet suddenly wished she could snatch back her last words. He must think she was a naïve woman looking at the world through rose-tinted glasses. Although, what was so wrong with that?

  Feeling flustered and awkward, Violet forced her tongue to work. “So how about that walk outside? It will make coming back here to warm up a real blast.”

  Jonah glanced toward the window then back at her. His lips curved in a sexy grin. “Snowball fight? Let’s go.”

  Chapter Three

  The lobby was empty when the elevator doors opened. Music still played in the bar but a glance inside revealed that the majority of guests had retired to their rooms. Jonah followed Violet outside, bracing for the blast of icy-cold air. He must be crazy to agree to this. The eager smile she flashed him kept him moving when they left the warmth of the hotel.

  The cold cut through him like a knife. He began to shiver almost immediately. It was a vast difference from the sexual heat and fireplace upstairs. He already couldn’t wait to get back up there. The promise of another hot round of sex made the wait a little more bearable.

  �
��Holy shit! It’s freezing out here. You’re crazy for wanting to do this.”

  The response he received was the explosion of a poorly formed snowball against the front of his coat. Violet smirked and scooped up another handful of snow.

  “I thought you wanted to have a snowball fight. Don’t tell me you’re chickening out.” She let the next one fly, cursing when it fell short of its target.

  Jonah chuckled. There was something about this woman that made him feel youthful. Not that he was old at thirty, but watching her find such joy in something everyone else was cursing made him pause to appreciate the moment. As a child he had spent endless hours outside building snow forts and snowmen. Now he barely gave the season much thought other than at times like this.

  “You’re asking for it.” Grabbing as much snow as he could with both hands, Jonah ran after her and almost slipped on the slick sidewalk.

  “Good Lord, don’t fall and break your neck. An ambulance would take forever to get here in these conditions.” Violet could barely get the words out amid her laughter.

  Her laugh was a sound he could gladly listen to on repeat. It was filled with genuine amusement that matched the sparkle in her eyes. He came at her again, the snow too light and fluffy to form a proper ball spilled between his fingers. It fell around Violet in a light dusting of white.

  “That sucked. I guess I’ll just have to throw you in a snow bank.” The perfect patch of snow covered the grassy area beside the sidewalk. Before she could protest, he gathered her up in his arms and tossed her.

  The surprise on her face when she landed was priceless. Her eyes widened and she gasped before letting out a little shriek.

  “Jonah! You ass!”

  Every time she tried to stand up she would lose her footing and land back on her rear end in the snow. The laughter came so easily. It was natural and carefree. Jonah couldn’t remember the last time he’d had such simple but genuine fun with a woman. Violet had a gentle nature and a fun-loving quality he enjoyed. Getting stranded in a city that wasn’t his could never have been better. It would almost be a shame when it came to an end.