Romancing the Fashionista by K. M. Jackson Page B

Ian arguing over their lists of top five hip-hop classics. The argument before happened to be top sci-fi movies. Mel was over the bickering and she knew the night would be over too soon. During a slow moment during an R&B jam Mel pulled back and looked up at Nolan. “You want to get out of here?”
    He blinked down at her. She could tell he was surprised at her boldness but then he grinned and she could see he wasn’t really surprised but pleased. “I’ve been waiting for you to ask that all night.”
    They made their way to the table and saw the top-five argument was still in full force, only up to number three. Mel leaned down to whisper in Lexi’s ear. “Leave the connecting door unlocked.”
    Thankfully not her normal self, Lexi only gave a nod as Mel hugged Ian. “It was great to see you.”
    “For real. It was cool, Mel. Don’t be a stranger. Fifteen years is too long between friends.” She smiled at that. It was nice to feel she did have a new friend in an old one.

Chapter Ten
    The ride up to the sixth floor was quiet. Quiet and tenser than the sexy cool boss lady fantasy Mel had in her mind when she gave Nolan the proposition. In her head, she was hugged up next to him, leaning on him nonchalantly while he whispered in her ear about the sexy times to come. The reality was her leaning sideways on her heels trying not to feel the throbbing pain coming to the balls of her feet from all the dancing. Mel nibbled on her bottom lip and tried not to let the fact that she was nervous about the possibility of getting busy with this man show all over her face to the elderly couple in the elevator with them.
    Nolan moved closer to her side and took her hand reassuringly as the elevator stopped on the fourth floor. They both let out a snort as the elderly couple got off and the man placed his hand playfully on the woman’s behind. It was then Nolan wrapped his arms around her and his lips covered hers. The mood was set again.
    When the elevator stopped on six and Nolan pulled back, it took Mel a moment to get her bearings as they exited.
    She took off her shoes in the hallway, not wanting to take another step in her heels and slung them over her fingers. Nolan looked down at her pinched toes and swept her up into his arms. “Really? You’re seriously going there?” she asked, though couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped her lips.
    “Come on, Mel. Your feet hurt. Let me carry you to the room.”
    Mel shook her head but went with it. As far as fulfilling fantasies went, Nolan was doing a damn good job with this one.
    He got to his door first and paused, looking down at her. “All right, I’m not the type of man who presumes. Shall I take you to yours, or are you coming to mine?”
    She looked into his eyes and the heated look he gave her made her nipples harden as her pulse quickened. “Where is your room key?”
    “Inside my pocket.”
    She reached into his pocket and pulled out his key, swiping it for him and opening the door as he carried her inside.
    Entering the suite, Nolan eased her down his body after flipping on the light by the door, then smoothly dimming it down to perfect sexy lighting. Mel stilled. How did he know that light dimmed down? Did hers do that too? And if he knew then he must have practiced with it earlier.
    As if totally sensing her thoughts, Nolan leaned down and kissed her playfully while taking off his suit jacket. “To answer your question, yes I’m that guy who tested all the lights earlier in hopes of getting you back here. I know, total nerd move, but your kiss this afternoon rocked my world. I wanted to look cool and be ready. And by telling you shows how uncool I really am.”
    Mel smiled, the bloom of excitement rushing up from her toes. She gave him a slight shove, pushing him farther into the room past the sitting area. “You are so damned perfect, you shouldn’t be real.”
    Nolan pulled her hard to his body then took her in a tight embrace as he lowered his lips to her