Worth the Challenge by Karen Erickson Page A

the street, into the hotel, the elevator, her room.
    Where he would push her against the wall and kiss her. A real kiss this time, with tongues and heat and soft little moans. He would race his hands all over that slender body, cup her breasts, caress her skin, grind against her until she was wet and panting and begging for it.
    Sweat misted his forehead and he tried his best to push the wicked imagery from his brain.
    But it was no use. The idea was there, front and center, and his fingers literally itched to take hers. Lace them together, stroke the top of her hand with his thumb. He’d never wanted to be so connected to a woman before in his life.
    He recalled the night in the taxi, the way she’d touched his thigh. She’d wanted him then and had let him know it, albeit shyly. She hadn’t made a move whatsoever tonight.
    Disappointment threatened and he told himself to shove it deep. He was being an idiot. This woman who wasn’t his usual sort was destroying his brain cells and common sense, bit by bit.
    “There’s the hotel.” Her soft voice broke through his lusty thoughts and he glanced up, saw the Warwick Hotel in the near distance. “Thank you so much for walking me here.”
    “Want me to walk you up to your room?”
    She turned her head so sharply in his direction, he was afraid she’d give herself whiplash. “Do you think that’s a good idea?”
    Christ, yes , he wanted to say. “I’m not going to push myself on you, Gabriella, if that’s what you’re afraid of.”
    “Of course, I’m not afraid of you.”
    “Good.” He smiled. “I’ve never instilled fear in a woman before. I’m the nicer brother of the three.”
    “I heard you’re the bad brother.” She clamped her lips shut, her eyes going wide.
    He stopped in front of the hotel and so did she. Great. So she knew about his past? But then again, who didn’t? “My reputation always precedes me.”
    She cocked her head to the side, contemplating him. “You’re actually quite the gentleman.”
    If she was referring to the other night, she didn’t know how much it took for him to use such restraint. Normally he would’ve jumped her. Hell, he would’ve had his hand up her skirt and his fingers beneath the front of her panties by the time the cab stopped at their destination.
    “I’m trying to walk the straight and narrow,” he said, his voice tight, his jaw aching from gritting his teeth.
    “Really?” She tsk ed and shook her head. “Well, isn’t that a shame?”
    Gabriella turned on her heel and entered the hotel, not once looking back.
    And leaving Rhett in the dust.

Chapter Eight
    The moment Ella stepped off the plane and onto the tarmac, the fragrant, salty sea air washed over her, lifting her dragging spirits. She’d slept hardly at all last night, spent the long hours tossing and turning in her more-than-comfortable bed. A mixture of emotions had run through her all the while—such as worry over messing up the most important job of her life by having sex with her boss. Images of her tumbling into bed with said boss, their naked bodies wrapped around each other, their mouths fused...
    Needless to say, she’d kept herself awake with her overactive imagination.
    Slacking when she should’ve been preparing to leave and apprehensive at seeing Rhett after last night’s interlude, she’d boarded the private Worth jet full of nerves. Pointless considering he’d hardly paid her any mind, spending the majority of the trip on his laptop, tapping away at the keyboard. He’d barely glanced in her direction. She should’ve been insulted.
    More like grateful he didn’t notice her wretched state.
    “It’s beautiful,” she murmured to herself, her gaze locked on the swaying palms in the near distance. They were only at the airport and she was already enchanted. What might happen when she saw the ocean, when they finally arrived at the hotel? Full sensory overload?
    “It is.” Rhett stood beside her, the sound of his deep