Wrong Room (Accidental Pleasures) Read online

  Wrong Room

  An Accidental Pleasures Story

  Wrong Room

  By Geri Foster

  Copyright 2013 by Geri Foster

  Cover Graphics: Kim Killion and Lilburn Smith

  Editor: Andrea Grimm

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, businesses, events, or locales is purely coincidental.

  Author contact information: [email protected]

  Acknowledgments

  This book is dedicated to the wonderful people who buy my books and have come to be great friends. I’m very blessed.

  Always,

  Geri Foster

  CHAPTER ONE

  Alexis Ryan opened the door to her Vegas hotel room and placed her luggage on the floor next to the dresser. The suite smelled of air freshener and clean linen. She walked over, slid open the door, and stepped onto the balcony. July heat threatened to melt any make-up left on her face after the trip.

  Since she’d been in Dallas her entire life, Las Vegas heat didn’t bother her at all. Being born on July sixteenth, she’d suffered through those raging Texas summers from day one.

  Howard.

  The reason for her surprise visit to Sin City.

  Not wanting to completely wilt, Lexi went back inside and opened her small suitcase. A smile tugged at her mouth, and her pulse thundered loud enough to silence an ocean.

  Never before had she been this daring or this foolish. Depending on the outcome, she could succeed or make a complete idiot of herself in one slick move.

  Lexi pulled out a tiny red and black teddy and held it up for inspection—exactly the thing needed to tilt Howard over the edge and right into a “will you marry me” frame of mind.

  They’d been a couple for almost two years, and their relationship reminded her of a couple who’d been married years. The catalyst for her decision had been when he started wearing his retainer to bed. Then, pajamas. Talk about a turn off. Their sex life was as exciting as a snail race. However, life with Howard would be a no-brainer. Dull and boring, but also secure and predictable.

  Even though they claimed to love each other, Howard had yet to pop the question, and she’d grown impatient. By all accounts, he should have asked for her hand when they’d celebrated her birthday.

  The words never came.

  Instead, they went for a quiet dinner and turned in early because Howard’s allergies were acting up. The letdown made her feel insignificant and raised serious questions in her mind about their stale relationship.

  While they kept their own places, often Howard would spend the night because of the shorter commute to his office. It concerned her that Howard chose a home in the suburbs where the taxes were cheaper, but not as convenient to his job. Claiming he liked to be practical didn’t remove her doubts. At times she feared her proximity to his job might be the only reason he hung around.

  A smile teased her lips, but she resisted the thought of how Howard would react to her surprise. Business brought him to Vegas for the week, but she’d decided to follow him for the weekend to add a little pizzazz to their lives. If a proposal didn’t happen, she’d take that as a sign to slowly back away and eventually end the relationship.

  The naughty lingerie had her hands trembling. Their sex life could use a boost, and this little piece of red and black lace and satin just might do the trick.

  Laying the teddy aside, she picked up the phone and asked room service to bring up a bottle of their best bubbly. If the liquor and the teddy didn’t do the trick, then she had a serious decision to make. At thirty, if she planned on a family, she didn’t have a lot of time to waste.

  * * *

  Jack Harrison and two of his buddies were having the time of their lives. You didn’t turn thirty-five every day, and that mile-marker called for a celebration. The three musketeers had sworn back in college if they made it out of their twenties and all the way to thirty-five, they’d have beaten the odds of dying young. With Spencer’s birthday in January and Roger’s in March, Jack was the last of the three to make the promised age.

  Looking around the table, Jack realized Roger Banks and Spencer Adams had been with him most of his life. They’d grown up in the same neighborhood and had gone through school, including college, together.

  Roger had married his high school girlfriend right after graduation, and Spencer had met his wife Jennifer in their junior year at Yale. Not that he’d planned it, but Jack had somehow managed to avoid the marriage trap. Wife and kids weren’t out of the question in his life. It all came down to not meeting the right woman yet.

  Shitfaced, Roger raised his glass for the umpteenth time. “Happy Birthday, little brother.”

  “Thanks,” Jack said. Ironically, he stood two inches taller than Roger at six two and outweighed his buddy by a good twenty pounds. Yet, Roger had continued referring to Jack as “little brother” for the last thirty years.

  “Here, here,” Spencer added. “We’re all on the downslide now.”

  A round of laughter echoed through the crowded room. They’d been partying for hours and decided to play it safe and continue their revelry in their hotel bar.

  “We have yet begun to live,” Roger shouted. “Here’s to great friends, good booze, and more good times ahead.”

  They raised their glasses and spilled more liquor than they drank. Roger put his hand on Jack’s arm. “And you just wait until you see our birthday surprise.” His friend tried to wink, but didn’t have the coordination to pull it off.

  Spencer laughed. “You’re going to love our surprise. It’s just want you need.”

  Shaking his head, Jack leaned back. “I appreciate it. I’m sure you put a lot of thought into this whole weekend. I’m really happy your wives let you out of the house, so we could celebrate.”

  Spencer and Roger were enjoying the hell out of their brief freedom. They’d been more excited about the trip to Las Vegas than Jack had been. While he liked to party as much as the next guy, his security company was down two men. When that happened, Jack usually picked up the slack, so his customers wouldn’t be left hanging.

  To skip the weekend was out of the question. He simply didn’t have the heart to back out at the last minute, so here he sat, hoping his staff had a quiet weekend in Dallas.

  The bartender brought them two more rounds. Always the logical one, Jack knew he’d be smart to refuse, but how could he? After all, it was his thirty-fifth birthday.

  * * *

  Lexi woke with a start. Glancing out of the sliding glass doors at the black sky tinged with the halo of a million lights from the strip, she gasped. Afraid she’d overslept, she grabbed her phone and checked the time.

  Surely, Howard would be in his room by now, but she wasn’t ready. Most of the ice in the container holding the champagne had melted. At this hour, she’d hoped they’d be having dinner, and then she’d planned to bring him back to her room and change into the sexy outfit.

  Now, she had to hurry or Howard would be asleep before she had the chance to seduce him. Nervous, but eager, she quickly went into the bathroom and threw on some make-up. No time to straighten her hair, but she could get by with just piling it on top of her head.

  Careful no
t to rip anything, Lexi slipped into the sexy little piece and adjusted the straps. Her eyes widened when she turned and stared at her reflection in the mirror. Never one to obsess about her looks, Lexi took a second glance and muttered, “Holy moly.”

  The skimpy teddy with rhinestone clasps and shaped underwire bra enhanced her breasts and narrowed her waist. As she laced up the front of the garment with the thin satin ribbons, she felt sexier by the second. The Brazilian style cut panties had a snap crotch.

  She’d never worn anything this racy or small before. Yes, she had a bikini, but what she wore now sent a whole different message and made her legs look long and lean as a Vegas showgirl’s. Swallowing, she picked up the full arm, black satin gloves and slipped them on.

  If this didn’t garner a wedding proposal, nothing would.

  After blotting her lipstick, she grabbed her cell phone and speed-dialed Howard. Tension left her body when he answered on the second ring. “Hello, Howard.”

  “Hi, Alexis.”

  Seductively, she licked her lips and ran her palm down the side of her silky outfit. Falling back on the bed, she lowered her voice. “How’s Las Vegas?”

  “Hum, okay, I guess. Hot.”

  “Are you in your room?”

  “Yes, we—I mean. I got in a couple of hours ago.” He paused and cleared his throat. “I’ve been meaning…”

  In her most sultry voice, she rolled on her stomach and purred, “I’m here, Howard. Right down the hall from you in room 733.”

  “What?”

  “I flew in to surprise you. Now get dressed and meet me in my room. I’ve ordered champagne.”

  “Why?”

  “Why am I here or why the bubbly?”

  “Both.” He didn’t sound happy to hear from her.

  She wondered briefly if he was alone, but Howard wasn’t that kind of guy. “I just wanted to see you.”

  “But, I can’t. I don’t want to.”

  Lexi sat up and cut the sexy voice. “What the hell, Howard? Don’t you want to come to my room and be with me?”

  “No, I can’t.”

  That didn’t sound right. “Why can’t you?”

  “I…well.” He swallowed. “Sandy met me here and we…”

  Sandy? His ex-Sandy? The one Lexi helped him get over? “What’s she doing here?”

  “Well, she called last week, and she’s really sorry for all she put me through and suggested I meet her here.”

  “You’re in Las Vegas for a meet-up with your old girlfriend?” Anger sped through her veins quicker than poison. “You lied to me? You friggin’ jerk.”

  “Listen, Alexis. Don’t get so upset. You know I don’t like scenes. Try to be sensible.”

  “No, you should have been honest and told me you were sneaking off to be with Sandy.”

  “I didn’t want to do that until I found out if there was anything left between us.”

  Furious, she tapped her toe against the carpeted floor; her other hand fisted tight enough to squish an ant. How had she been played a fool by a stupid, lying bastard she now hated? “So, what did you find out?”

  A long pause told her the news wasn’t going to be in her favor. “I’m sorry, Alexis. Sandy and I were married this afternoon.”

  The air swished from her lungs, and she gasped. “You what?”

  “We’re married.”

  Unable to hear anymore, she disconnected then threw the phone on the bed. Boiling anger made her want to hurt someone for the first time in her life. Heat pumped her blood at an incredible rate. Lexi shook as rage rolled off of her body.

  The bottle of champagne set on the table, mocking her. Popping the cork, she took a big gulp. Icy water dripped down her cleavage and brightened the red of her outfit. After a deep breath, she took another drink, then another before she finally sat back down on the bed, realizing what a fool she’d been. Another drink of the liquor seemed to ease her self-disgust, so she tipped the bottle and guzzled more booze.

  When she thought of their pathetic relationship, she was stunned by how much she’d overlooked and excused. Tears threatened to blur her vision. She was amazed at how sneaky Howard had been and how she’d missed every sign. A scream erupted from her throat loud enough to shake the walls.

  Perhaps she simply hadn’t bothered to look at the obvious. No, she simply hadn’t wanted to see the truth staring her in the face. Better to live in a safe little world where everyone obeyed the rules.

  What a fool.

  The bottle of booze swinging from her hand felt much lighter now. To her surprise, she was feeling better by the minute. She didn’t think a few more mouthfuls would hurt, until she stood and nearly face planted on the floor.

  Holding up the bubbly, Lexi saw she’d drank more than she’d intended.

  Setting the bottle down, she realized drinking herself into obliviousness wasn’t the answer. Certainly not because of that coward Howard. Yeah, she liked that, Howard the Coward. The creep who’d lied through his teeth.

  She plopped on the bed and tried not to visualize Sandy and Howard in a loving embrace. No matter what, she couldn’t keep the images from flickering through her mind. Standing slowly, she decided Howard deserved to hear what she had to say, and she was determined to do it before her common sense kicked in.

  Yes, she had a few things to tell Mr. Rat Bastard and his bride. Stiffening her resolve, she made a decision.

  Taking the keycard from her purse, she snatched up the bottle and headed for the door. She’d paid for the booze; she’d damn sure drink it if she wanted.

  Vengeful heat rolled off her body. Wound tight as her outfit, she stormed out the door and headed for Howard and Sandy’s room. The carpeted hall muffled the sound of her red stiletto heels, and that annoyed her. She wanted a hard surface that would announce her determination for the whole floor to hear.

  Lexi stopped in the middle of the corridor. Shocked, she glanced down and saw she still wore her fuck me get-up. Oh my, Howard the Coward would be horrified at that language. Her beautiful sexy outfit put her at a disadvantage. Death would be easier to deal with than Howard and his new bride seeing her like this. And how serious would they take a jilted woman dressed like a hooker?

  Snarling, she’d turned back toward her room when the elevator dinged and the doors slowly slid open. Horrified anyone would see her like this, she sprinted for her room. For what felt like hours, she fumbled with the plastic card only to find her library card in her hand, instead of the room keycard.

  With her left hand holding the bottle of bubbly across her chest and the other covering her crotch, she stared at the opening elevator. Male laughter filled the air.

  Oh my God, where to go now?

  Desperately, she knocked on the door next to hers. Nothing. Then she slipped across the hall and tapped on the door opposite hers. As people spilled out of the elevator, the room door opened, and Lexi dashed inside.

  Once in the room, she turned and looked at the most handsome man she’d ever seen. “Ah, excuse me, I’m…”

  The man reached over and pulled her against his chest. “Well, happy birthday to me.”

  Oh my God, his smile went one step beyond dazzling, all the way to knock dead gorgeous. Wow! He looked like a birthday present to her. Chest bared, he wore a tight pair of jeans and a smile sexy as hell. Tousled dark hair held a bit of a curl, and his sky blue eyes brightened with desire. What a package.

  “It’s your birthday?”

  “Yeah,” he said in a deep voice that had her squirming. “And my lucky night.”

  “Oh, did you hit the jackpot?”

  With eyes as hungry as woman on a six-day cleanse, he smiled. “Oh, yes. I hit the jackpot all right.”

  “Good for you.” She remembered the outfit she wore then looked at the bottle in her hand. Holding up the champagne, she asked, “Want a drink?”

  He took the bottle and downed the rest of the contents. Turning briefly, he put the bottle on the dresser then leaned down and captured her lip
s in a kiss that sent her desire from maybe a ten to ten-thousand in warp speed. Nothing exciting like that had ever happened to her before, and certainly she’d never been kissed so raunchily. Even her toes went all kinky.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck. Unable to help herself, she pressed closer against his warm muscular chest.

  Yummy, he tasted of champagne. And sex, if sex had a flavor, it would be this tantalizing kiss that had her heart zinging faster than a zip line and her head spinning like the rinse cycle in a washer. Or was that the liquor? His lips stroked her in a slow torturous grind that had her panting. When he licked her mouth as if she was an ice cream cone and it was August, she nearly melted.

  Hands on her back, he pulled her closer. Long, strong arms had her completely wrapped in an embrace she didn’t want to escape. Strong biceps flexed and tightened the hold. They were so close she felt his bulge against her stomach.

  With his hot lips on hers, he stroked his way right into her mouth. Fire and wanton desire shot through her veins with astonishing force. She groaned shamelessly and sent her own tongue deep into the recesses of his moist mouth.

  This time he groaned, and she felt wonderful and light. She knew better than to make out with a stranger, but this guy was so delicious, and he helped ease her pain of being tossed over the bridge by that loser Howard. Just the creep’s name popping into her thoughts made her hungry for the stranger, who obviously knew his way around a woman. And it was his birthday.

  After he broke the kiss, he leaned back against the door, staring at her in the dim light. “Man, tomorrow I’m going to kiss Roger and Spencer. They really outdid themselves.”

  Hungry for his lips back on hers, she said, “You’re going to kiss two guys? Are you gay?”

  Hand in hand, he led her to stand next to the bed. “I’ll let you decide that later.”

  Lexi felt completely aroused as he slid his hands down the sides of the sexy teddy to playfully finger the black lace. It would’ve been proper to tell him normally she’d never wear something this revealing, but the thought couldn’t make it from her brain to her mouth.