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  A ding sounded and the elevator doors slid open, revealing an empty car. They walked inside, and she pushed her floor number. “Like I told you, that’s why I’m here. I figured if the world is going to end I may as well have a good time while it happens.”

  Unable to resist he tugged her close. She slammed into him, her hands bracing against his chest, her head tilted back so their gazes met. Her eyes were wide, fathomless and her breath came in short little spurts. Like maybe she was aroused.

  He was definitely aroused, having her so close, her breasts crushed against his chest, her legs tangling with his. Tilting his head, his lips were so close to hers they practically brushed against each other when he spoke. “Am I a part of your good time, ringing in your birthday?”

  “If you want to be,” she offered breathlessly just before he cut her off.

  With a searing hot kiss.

  Chapter Two

  Oh, the man could kiss. Deliciously so. He had her back pressed against the elevator wall, his arms wrapped tight around her waist, his hungry mouth fused with hers. She parted her lips, allowing his tongue’s invasion and it tangled with hers. Slick and wet and oh, God, her legs were shaky again.

  Thank God he was holding her up.

  The elevator dinged, the doors sliding open with a quiet swoosh and Samantha shoved at his shoulders to get his attention. She didn’t want to waste any more time in this elevator, they needed to get to her room so they could get naked.

  And quick.

  Tearing her mouth from his, she waved toward the still open doors. “Come on.” She grabbed his hand and led him out of the elevator, her steps quick as she hightailed it down the hall. He kept pace, chuckling when she stumbled on her high heels, but he caught her just before she went crashing to the ground.

  What a gentleman.

  With shaking fingers she shoved the card key into the lock, muttering with frustration when the light refused to turn green. She tried it again, but the little light came up red and he took the card from her. Slid it in with ease and the green light flashed, allowing his entry.

  He opened the door and held it for her. “I guess I have the magic touch.”

  Ooh, she hoped so. That sounded rather…delicious. And promising.

  Shivering, she went into the quiet, cool room and the door shut behind him with a finality that clanged loud. Swallowing hard, she turned to face him. The room was dark, only a sliver of light shone through from the cracked-open drapes that covered the window and his face was cast in shadow. He approached her stealthily, emerging from the black shadows like some sort of covert warrior and another quiver shot through her.

  The air fairly crackled with chemistry, and her blood buzzed with anticipation. It all felt so illicit, so wicked, so…full of potential.

  She’d never done anything like this before in her life. Brought a man she didn’t know to her hotel room so she could have one night of anonymous sex. But damn it, a woman only turned thirty once so she needed to live it up.

  He stopped just before her, so close but not quite touching her. “Do you want this?”

  The sound of his deep, gravelly voice made her skin tighten with need. “Y-yes.” She hated that she stumbled over the word.

  Reaching out, he caressed her cheek with the tips of his fingers. They were rough, calloused, a real man’s hands and she could only imagine those hands stroking all over her bare skin. “If you want me to leave, say the word and I’m out of here.”

  He was giving her a chance to say no, and she appreciated that. But she didn’t want to tell him no. She wanted to scream yes, yes, yes.

  Most definitely yes.

  “I want you to stay,” she whispered. She locked her fingers around his wrist and pulled on his hand so it was pressed against her mouth. Gently she kissed his knuckles, her tongue darting out for a quick lick.

  He groaned at first contact, and she smiled against his flesh.

  Quick as lightning he had her in his arms, his hands tugging at the hem of her dress, lifting it so the fabric bunched at her waist. He dove beneath the fabric and slid his fingers across her belly, making her whimper.

  Russ swallowed her whimper with a drugging kiss, his tongue delving deep inside her mouth while his hand slid up to cup her breast. He played with the lace of her bra, drawing a single finger back and forth across her nipple as it peaked beneath his touch.

  He slipped his finger beneath the lacy cup of her bra and circled her nipple, slow and easy, his lips clinging to hers, his other hand smoothing up and down her back. She moved closer to him, slipping her arms around him, diving beneath the hem of his shirt. Smoothing her hands over his hard, hot flesh, she marveled at the sleek muscles rippling beneath her fingers.

  “Let’s get you naked,” he murmured when he broke the kiss. His gaze, hot and seeing everything, roved lazily down her body.

  Sweeter words were never spoken. She stumbled out of his arms, her feet wobbly on the heels and reached toward her side, slowly sliding the hidden zipper down. The dress gaped and she slipped out of it, letting it fall to the floor. Stepping out of it, she kicked it to the side, standing before him in black lacy panties and matching bra.

  She’d done it up right before she left for her weekend trip, indulging in La Perla lingerie that put a significant dent on her credit card limit. But screw it, you only live once, right?

  Russ pulled his shirt off, tossing it onto the ground, and his entire body stilled when he caught sight of her standing there in just her underwear. His eyes went molten hot, his lips parted and a low whistle escaped him. “Damn, woman.”

  Emboldened by his appreciative gaze, she did a little turn, giving him a full view. Amazingly she didn’t trip over her heels. “You like what you see?”

  “Hell, yeah.” He reached for her, his grip rough, possessive. Hauling her close, his big hands rested on her butt and he rubbed against her. Letting her know exactly how much he wanted her.

  Oh my, he was…huge. She flexed her hips, his erection hot and unyielding even through his jeans and her sex throbbed in anticipation—and trepidation. It had been awhile since she’d had sex and just brushing against him fully clothed made her nervous.

  He slipped his hands beneath the thin lace of her panties, kneading her ass, his fingers perilously close to her slick sex. She arched her back, desperate for his fingers to drift down further, but he released his hold on her, his hands coming up to cup her face and lift her up to his kiss.

  She drowned beneath his mouth, reveling in the assured way he kissed her, his tongue stroking, his lips and teeth nipping. He caressed her cheeks with his thumbs in a tender gesture, drinking from her, taking from her what she so willingly gave him without protest.

  Herself.

  Samantha broke away first, needing to catch her breath. His hands wandered, teasing the black beribboned edge of her bra, gliding across her stomach. “You’re still not completely naked.”

  “Neither are you.” She let her hands wander as well, all over the smooth planes of his chest and stomach, her fingers tracing the muscular ridges of his abdomen. He was utter perfection, in peak physical condition and she wondered what the hell he did to get a body like that.

  “We should rectify this problem.” He reached around to undo the clasp of her bra, and it sprang free. She shook off the straps and shed the bra, her skin heating with a mixture of embarrassment and pleasure when his gaze dipped to her naked breasts.

  They were both the bane of her existence and her finest feminine asset. They were large, they’d been large since she was thirteen and her classmates had teased her mercilessly, especially the boys. Women paid top dollar to obtain breasts as big and perky as hers but unfortunately, gravity would eventually send hers to her belly button.

  Thank goodness that hadn’t happened yet.

  He didn’t say a word, merely bent over her and dropped the sweetest kiss to the tip of one breast. Her nipple tightened and he licked her, earning a ragged groan from her for his efforts.
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  “Bed,” he insisted, his hot breath brushing across the sensitive skin of her chest, and she nodded her agreement.

  If she didn’t get off her feet soon, she just might collapse.

  He pushed her shoulders so she landed gently on the mattress and she scooted upward, propping her head on the fluffy pillows. Reaching down, she started to slip off her shoes.

  “Keep ’em on,” he commanded. “And take off your panties.”

  A thrill moved through her at his bossy tone. Normally she would’ve told any guy who talked to her like Russ did to take a flying leap. Yet here she was heeding his every demand, her sex slick with desire, her entire body tingling as she slipped the panties down and off, flinging them over the side of the bed.

  He practically growled when he saw her naked, and she giggled. Okay, maybe she was a little drunk, or maybe the heady, hazy feeling she was experiencing had everything to do with Russ and his hands and his kisses, she hadn’t a clue.

  But she wasn’t going to complain.

  Turning his back to her, he sat on the edge of the bed and began removing his boots. She stared in admiration at the ripple of muscle with his every movement, mesmerized by the stark, tribal-style tattoo that spread across his upper back. The shape reminded her of wings. It was sexy, everything about him was sexy and without thought she went to him. Crawled across the mattress so she was directly behind him and she touched the tattoo, her fingers skimming the primal, intricate design.

  “This is amazing.” His skin was smooth and hot beneath her fingertips, and she swore she felt a shiver move through him at her touch. Emboldened, she looped her arms around his neck and pressed her cheek to his, her breasts nestled snug against his back.

  He sat up straight, turning his head so their lips were a hairsbreadth away from each other’s. “Are you trying to attack me?”

  She smiled and nuzzled his neck, giving him a little lick. He tasted vaguely salty…delicious. “I think you’d win in any type of attack.”

  “Mmm.” His sexy murmur made her insides tremble and she released her hold on his neck. She wound her arms around his middle and stroked his flat stomach. Leaning back, he propped his weight on his hands and gave her free rein.

  She took full advantage, stroking him, teasing him. Finally she went to work on the button fly of his jeans, undoing each metal stud slowly, her fingers brushing against the warm cotton of his underwear. Desire spiraled through her, and she slipped her hand beneath the waistband, curling her fingers around his erection.

  Oh, God. She couldn’t believe how bold she was, how responsive he was, how utterly aroused he seemed by her. She didn’t even protest when he exhibited all that pent-up strength of his and moved out of her embrace so fast he was like a blur. With one tug on her arm he had her flat on her back and he hovered above her, his hands spreading her thighs wide, exposing her fully to his gaze.

  “Damn, you’re pretty,” he muttered just before he buried his face against the very center of her.

  Samantha nearly shot off the bed when Russ made initial contact with his tongue on her sex. She threaded her fingers through his hair and tugged. This woman was hot, the hottest thing he’d ever seen and he worked her while she writhed and groaned beneath him.

  A strange noise sounded in the distance—he swore it sounded like gunfire, yeah right—but he ignored it. Focused instead on the woman he was working into a frenzy. She was close to coming, if her accelerated breathing and tense limbs were any sort of indication. He moaned against her flesh.

  “Oh, God.” Her agonized groan was like music to his ears, and he pulsed with eagerness. He couldn’t wait to get inside her and thanked the mighty Lord above he’d grabbed the condom from his wallet and left the foil packet close by on the bed. “That feels so g-good.”

  He murmured hot words against her, wanting to drive her on further, desperate to witness her fall completely apart.

  And that was all it took. She came with a shuddery little moan, her entire body trembling. Reaching blindly, he searched the bed, his fingers curling around the condom packet, and he tore into it with shaking fingers, lifting away so he could sheath himself.

  With her body arched, her head thrown back and eyes closed, she was gorgeous. Like a painting. And he didn’t think poetic thoughts or such crap like that but damn. She was beautiful, even more so while she climaxed and unable to control himself he slammed inside her.

  “Oh.” Her eyes flew open and she smiled, her expression one of deep satisfaction. “God, you’re so big,” she said on a moan.

  He took her with slow, shallow thrusts, his body demanding more but he held back. Pride filled him at the look on her face, the glow in her cheeks. He was the one who put that expression on her face and he was going to make her feel even better in a few minutes.

  She gripped his ass and pulled him deeper, and they groaned in unison. “More,” she urged and he gave her what she wanted, increasing his pace.

  “I’m not gonna last,” he threatened between puffs of breath, sweat dripping down his face. Not from exertion but from keeping such control of his animalistic urges.

  He’d really let loose on her later.

  “Me either,” she said, her fingernails cutting into his skin so hard he thought she’d leave a mark. “Make me come, Russ.”

  Never one to turn away from a challenge he reached between them, stroking her with his index finger. Her breathing increasing, her little cries getting louder until she said his name on a gasp and fell apart beneath him.

  He let go then with a quiet roar, coming hard, the shudders taking completely over his body. She smoothed her hands up and down his back, murmuring sweet, sexy words until he collapsed on top of her in an exhausted heap.

  The ground rumbled beneath them and he closed his eyes, swore the hotel tower swayed gently back and forth.

  Then again.

  Strange.

  “I think you literally just made the earth move,” she whispered as she stroked his damp hair.

  It swayed again, harder this time and another rumble sounded.

  Like an explosion.

  “I don’t think that was us causing the earth to move, sweetheart.”

  She stilled beneath him and he glanced up, saw her wide eyes reflected in the dim light that shone from the cracked-open curtains. White light flashed, nearly blinding even through the narrow space, and she glanced toward the window. “What’s happening?”

  Her voice trembled. She sounded scared. Glancing at the bedside clock, he noticed it was black. He reached for the lamp, pushing the button to turn it on but nothing happened.

  “The power’s out.” She pushed at his shoulders and he lifted away from her, letting her go. She stumbled across the room in just her heels, cursing as she knocked into something and he went to the bathroom to dispose of the condom.

  Concern filled him but he forced it down. Giant casinos like this one had generator power, they always did. It would click on soon.

  It had to.

  “Oh, my God.”

  Russ turned to find Samantha holding the curtains open, her back to him. She made a pretty naked picture, all smooth, creamy skin and lush curves and his cock made a halfhearted attempt in interest.

  Jesus, not now.

  He went to her. “What’s wrong?” Stopping just behind her, he rested his hands on her slim shoulders and gazed out the window at the Las Vegas cityscape.

  And saw nothing but mass destruction.

  Chapter Three

  “What’s happening?” Panic filled her and she turned to stare at Russ, waiting for an answer.

  Like he knew. His expression was stern but edged with confusion. He studied what was unfolding before them silently, his hands tightening about her shoulders with every second that passed.

  Buildings that once surrounded the hotel were demolished, smashed into bits of rubble. Cars scattered down the street as if they were discarded toys, flipped on their side or completely upside down. The street lights and neon sign
s were out though flashes that looked like laser beams appeared, red and white in color, streaking across the night sky and illuminating the entire block.

  Something was attacking them from above.

  “It’s the end of the world, isn’t it? Oh, my God.” She jerked away from Russ’s hold and ran to her suitcase, throwing it open and searching for something to wear. She sat on the floor, rummaging through her clothes, her fingers shaking so badly she could hardly grasp ahold of anything.

  She needed to get dressed. They needed to get the hell out of here and quick.

  If they even could.

  A sob welled in her throat, large and overwhelming and she choked it down, a little cry escaping her despite her efforts.

  “Hey.” He came to her and knelt, grabbing her by the arm and forcing her to look at him. “Stay calm. You need to get dressed.”

  “What do you think I’m doing?” She sounded hysterical even to her own ears.

  It was really happening, and she couldn’t freaking believe it. The end of the world was going down on her birthday. The Mayans had been right all along.

  “Calm down. We’re gonna be okay.” His voice was low, soothing and he trailed his fingers down her arm. Gooseflesh followed in his wake, and she shook out of his touch. She didn’t want his comfort, not now. “Let’s get dressed and get out of here.”

  “Easy for you to say.” She was going to die on the twenty-first floor in a tower in a cheesy casino with a man she didn’t know. A man she’d just had sex with.

  A man who was still naked, as was she.

  Tears trickled down her cheeks as she tossed the clean clothes out of her suitcase, grabbing fresh underwear, a shirt and jeans. He stood and dressed quickly, assuming his position at the window when he was finished. She watched out of the corner of her eye as he tried to use his cell phone.

  It didn’t work. Of course.

  “I have a car in the parking garage. Looks like it’s still standing.”

  For whatever reason, the hotel towers, casino and parking garage were all intact while everything else around it was destroyed.