“Yes?”

“Forgive me for being out of line. I know that the women here are supposed to select which of us they want, but I couldn’t just stand there and not present myself to clearly the most beautiful woman in the entire room.”

The sound of his voice caused a tremble in places that had not moved in Ava in a very, very long time. “I like a man who knows what he wants, but you don’t have to flatter my ego by telling me I’m the most beautiful woman here.”

“What if you are…to me?” the masked man asked.

Ava studied him as best she could. Briefly her eyes moved past him to watch the women on the stage. A few of them were openly arguing over men on the platform. Others had already moved off with their prizes.

She turned her attention back to the bold man in front of her. “Then I would say you have excellent taste.”

“I’m glad that’s something we can agree on,” the man said. He reached out and curved his arm around her hip, pulling her closer.

Despite her natural instinct to back away, Ava allowed herself to be brought chest to chest with the stranger. The scent of him assailed her senses. Spicy. Bold. Hot. Just like him.

She swallowed. “So tell me, is there anything else we can agree on?”

He nodded. With his free hand, he brushed his thumb across her lips. Her mouth opened slightly in anticipation of him placing his thumb inside. She was somewhat disappointed when he didn’t. Instead his hand slid down to the back of her neck. He held it in his hands. “We can agree that I want you very, very much and that instead of standing here talking, we could be in your room really getting to know each other.”

She stared at him, and he leaned close and took the lobe of her right ear into his mouth. He sucked it into his lips and she felt the first swipe of his moist tongue. It had been so long since she felt desire, since she knew a man really wanted her. She wanted this, needed need this. As the man released the lobe of her ear and stared at her waiting, Ava made a decision.

“So what do I call you?”

“Whatever you want,” he answered.

“Then how about Marco?”

“I’ll be Marco or whoever else you want me to be.”

“Sounds good.” Her gaze drifted to the food buffet. “Shall we eat first?”

He offered her a small smile, even as his eyes appraised her again. Then he nodded his head. “Why don’t we have a little room service…” He grinned and dimples appeared on both cheeks. “Before the room service.”

“I like the way you think.”

“Then give me just a minute, bella,” he said before walking away to capture a waiter’s attention.

He returned with a determined look in his eyes fringed with long dark lashes.

“Is it all set?” she asked.

“Indeed.”

“Then for tonight at least, I’m all yours. Room 304,” Ava said.

Turning, she took a step to leave the ballroom. Marco’s hand settled possessively around her waist. Tonight was going to be the night. She was putting the memory of Joseph’s touch out of her mind forever. As they came to the open doors of the elevator that would take them to her room, Marco slipped his hand inside her dress. So swiftly no one would see them, his hand pushed the side of her dress up with it as his fingers walked a pattern to the band of her panties. Ava didn’t stop him.

As the elevator doors closed behind them, his fingers grew bolder, rubbing her between her legs. She was sure he could feel the dampness of the lace.

“Ready for me, are you?” he whispered, rubbing the soft bud through her panties.

Ava groaned. “Yes.”

The elevator doors opened. They’d made it to the third floor. Marco’s eyes bored into hers.

“Then it’s a good thing we’re here.”

Ava didn’t meet his eyes. She exited the elevator trying to put some distance between them. Walking down the dark burgundy and gold carpeted hallway, she noticed that this floor was much smaller than she thought. It appeared there were only four doors on this entire hall. Number 304 was at the very end. Reaching into her small clutch, she withdrew the key she’d been given. For a moment she just held it. Then she felt Marco’s presence behind her. His erection pressed into her.

“Do you need some help with that?” he whispered, voice close to her ear.

“No. I’ve got it.”

She nodded, but still didn’t put the key into the lock.

“You’re not having second thoughts, are you?”

She turned to face him. “Of course not.”

Marco leaned forward and braced his hands on both sides of the doorway. He leaned down closer to her so that their lips were only a breadth apart. “Good, because I’d really hate not to be able to finish what I started in that elevator.”

Ava nodded and turned around. She stuck the key into the door and unlocked the room. Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside. Before she could react, Marco shoved her back into a wall and slammed the door shut.

Chapter Eleven

Marco’s lips crashed down on hers as her back slammed into the wall. He grabbed her arms and pressed them above her head. His kiss was greedy. Passionate.

Ava’s heart galloped. What have I gotten myself into?

With his free hand, Marco grabbed her face in a forceful grip. His tongue licked her bottom lip. Ava felt like she’d been electrocuted. He held her firm. She could tell that he was used to being in control. And she didn’t like that. Her natural inclination was to show him who was boss. As she tried to move, Marco held her in place.

So that’s the way he wants to play it. Ava bit down softly on his lip.

He growled, before taking a step back. His breathing was heavy as his eyes bored into hers.

She smiled. “Is there a problem?”

“You’re fighting me for control.”

“I was under the impression, that this weekend was all about you giving me what I want.”

“It is, but a woman like you is always in control. Why not relinquish that in the bedroom?” he asked. He pressed himself against her.

She could feel the firm evidence of his arousal. “And what do you know about a woman like me?”

“All of the women at Gina’s party are wealthy, successful, independent… Used to being in control. I assume you’re no different.”

“You got that right.”

“Well then?”

“Well what?”

“Are you going to answer the question? Or am I going too deep?” he pressed.

Ava reached out, allowing her fingers to trail across his bare chest. “I’ve never met a man who made me want to submit in the bedroom.”

His pink lips split into a grin. Without another word, Marco grabbed her and scooped her up into his arms.

Ava’s eyes stretched wide as he carried her down the short hallway that opened up into a small living room. She barely noticed it as he moved quickly down another small hallway that lead to a large master bedroom. She had never seen anything like this on a cruise ship. The bed was set on a bronze wire frame. Intricate tangles of the frame showcased the creator’s artistic flair. Marco tossed her onto the bed.

“Hey,” Ava protested.

“Hush.”

He pulled her towards the end of the bed and knelt. She lay perfectly still as he dragged her dress up over her hips. Her black lace panties were now directly in his eyesight. His fingers caressed the wet spot her treacherous body had created on the material.

“I love a woman whose body knows what it wants.”

Ava didn’t say a word. He chuckled and then his thumbs grasped the top of her panties. Slowly, he eased them down, his eyes never leaving hers. Ava swallowed. Goosebumps rose on her arms. With amazing dexterity Marco removed the black lace without once catching it on the heels of her shoes.

Suddenly, shyness threatened to overwhelm her. She was lying on the bed, legs spread open letting a stranger have an up close and personal view of a place only her late husband had seen. She shuddered.