Quentin opened the door and stepped out of the room. Billie looked up from the romance book she had in her hand and quickly tossed it aside. "You're not seriously going to hang out with me wearing nothing but a towel, are you?"

"You don't expect me to just sit in your bedroom alone wearing nothing but this, do you?" Quentin motioned in a way that brought Billie's attention to the full length of his body. Not that she needed a reminder that he was standing there nearly naked.

"I think that's best, yes," Billie said. Picking up the book, she walked toward him and handed to it to him.

"Thanks for the sensational read," Quentin said, not taking the book from her, "but I don't think this towel is discreet enough for the way your mother writes."

"You're not suggesting?" Billie looked down at the book in her hand.

"Erotica? No, but she knew hot and steamy. See for yourself. Check out page 67," Quentin offered with an eyebrow raised and a half-cocked grin.

Billie cracked open the book and began to read. Quentin enjoyed watching her reaction to what she was reading. Her eyes darted over the page, heat crept into her cheeks. He could see her breath starting to increase causing a more rapid rise and fall of her breasts.

"OKAY! That's enough," Billie clapped the book shut, and placed it immediately back on her bookshelf. What was her mother thinking, writing such sexy stories? Billie felt even more embarrassed that her own mother obviously had more experience than she did when it came to men.

"Come on in here," Quentin said with a wave of his hand as he walked back into the bedroom.

"I'm not going in there with you," Billie said as if she expected that once he had her alone behind doors, she expected him to ravage her. 

"Oh, for heaven's sake, Billie. I picked out three outfits for you I think you'd look great in for when you meet my mother," Quentin informed as he entered the room.

"Wait?! What?! Did you go through my things?" Billie asked, infuriated. "What gives you the right to...?" In her anger, she followed Quentin blindly into the bedroom. She stopped in her tracks. Damn him! He's too good at manipulating her into doing what he wants her to do.

There were, however, the three outfits strewn across her bed. He really did go through her things, or at least her closet.

"I think any of these three would look amazing on you."

"First of all, don't you dare go through my personal belongings again, and second of all, what's wrong with what I am already wearing?"

"Nothing you look wonderful if we were going on a business lunch or something," Quentin picked up a sundress with a flared skirt. The dress was a shade lighter than her eyes. "This one is my favorite."

"Then you wear it!" Billie retorted. "I really don't appreciate you rooting through my closet.

Quentin held the dress against his body. "Not really my color. What are you afraid of? Hiding a box full of sex toys in there or something?"

"What?! N-no!" Billie said vehemently and cursed herself when she'd seen the smile grow across Quentin's lips.

"You do, don't you? I'll be damned. Well, it makes sense. A woman as passionate as you without someone to be passionate with has to find an outlet somewhere." Then Quentin covered his lips like he made a fopaux. "Sorry, I didn't mean to say outlet. I'm sure they could very well run on batteries. Depends on how often you use them. I'd be happy to give you a hand, you know, should the need arise?"

Billie felt mortified. This was not a conversation she planned to continue. She snatched the dress out of Quentin's hand and went back into the bathroom to change. Anything to get out of the room he was in.

It did not help that Billie feel the need stirring right now. Having Quentin standing there with the view of her bed behind him, wearing nothing but a towel was an image she now believed was burned in her brain.

Billie took her time getting ready. The dryer must be nearly done by now. She figured she could chance to leave the bathroom.

"Wow!" Quentin exclaimed when she resurfaced. He was sitting on her bed. "Come here. I'll zip it up for you?" he offered when he noted how one side of her dress had slipped off her shoulder.

Billie slid it back in place. "That's fine. I got a little do-hickey I use."

Quentin got up and walked over to her as she searched her bureau for the 'do hickey'. Soon enough he was right behind her. Billie jumped as she felt his fingers touch her back and she straightened like a steel rod. His fingers glided along her spine as he finished zipping up her dress.

Quentin turned her around in his arms and Billie frowned at him. "I told you I have it. Don't you have any filter when it comes to personal space?"

"Of course, I do. I just prefer to be close to you."

"Well, I prefer a little more space," Billie said, pushing away from him.

"What are you so afraid of? I promise you, Billie we won't ever have sex," Quentin declared.

Billie didn't know why she felt hurt by his declaration when she wanted him to stay away. Quentin pulled her against him. Her palms trapped against his bare chest.

"Oh no, we won't ever have sex, Ms. Billie Dupree. I make you this promise, right here, right now. We won't touch that bed or any other unless we are making love."

Billie gasped. The sincerity of his tone and the truth of his words shone in his eyes. She wanted so desperately to believe he meant them. That he had every intention of making that happen but she knew Quentin was too good at pretending.

Billie turned her head away but Quentin wouldn't allow it, lifting her chin so she had to look at him. "Is there nothing I can say, that would make you trust me?"

Billie shook her head no.

"Then I'll just have to show you." Quentin's other hand reached up for her face, he pulled her in close and captured her lips. Once again, he was kissing her as he had on the balcony, pouring himself into her. Begging her to surrender to him. He didn't want to take. He wanted her to offer herself to him.

Billie tried to resist but it was too much to bear. With a sigh, that sounded nearly like a whimper she kissed him back. She knew she shouldn't. Billie knew she was playing with fire, but she wanted this. God help her, but she wanted him.

**

Quentin felt the shift happen in that kiss and his breath nearly caught in his throat when he felt Billie's tongue enter his mouth. He groaned with pleasure and pressed her firmly against him.

Her hands roamed over his body. Her nails skimmed down his bareback. He maneuvered her against the wall and grabbed her hands and pinned them above her head as he continued to kiss her lips, her jaw, her ear, and down the length of her neck.

Billie moaned and Quentin changed positions. Now holding both her hands in his one, he glided his free hand over her body, paying particular attention to her breasts. Her eyes locked on his as he looked down at her. Desire was set ablaze in those flame-blue eyes of hers.

"Don't look at me like that, Billie."

"Why ever not?" she said her voice a breathy whisper.

"Because it makes me want to go back on my promise. I want you so badly."

"I suggest you then, you get creative."

He knew what she was offering and he knew better than to turn this gift away.

"I can do creative," Quentin said with a sexy as hell grin. "Care to tell me where you hid that box?"

Quentin let her hands go and Billie reached over to her bureau. She was grateful for Quentin's arm around her because she didn't think her legs would work if he let her go. Quentin however, most likely kept hold of her because he was afraid, she'd change her mind.

Billie fumbled with one hand to reach a particular drawer, but Quentin did not ease up on the pressure. His hands continued to roam in ways, Billie wasn't even sure a toy would be necessary, as she slid the drawer open.

Quentin glanced at the drawer but ignored it. She knew he must feel it, too. How much she wanted him. How close he had her already.

He stepped back from her and pulled off the towel. Billie devoured him with her eyes. This was going to be a test of wills, a battle of control. He stepped towards her again and picked her up, shifting her skirts. Her panties stayed in place but she could feel him pressed hard against her as her legs wrapped around him.

In this position, he had access to all her most sensitive areas. Billie cried out as he rubbed against her, her back to the wall, his face buried in her chest. Her hands wound themselves in his hair. He was relentless in his pursuit to please her.

"Quentin, please," Billie begged she was so close she could barely breathe and he gave her what she wanted.

Billie quivered in Quentin's arms. He carried her over to the bed and laid her on it. For one brief moment, she thought he was going to join her. She knew her traitorous heart wouldn't have stopped him. Instead, he briefly kissed her lips, walked across the room, picked up the towel he discarded, and went into the bathroom.

Billie then heard the water running and wanted to laugh, knowing although she was more than satisfied, poor Quentin would be left to his own devices. She stared at the ceiling, pondering how it was she's gotten this far in her life and no one has ever made her feel the way Quentin just did.

Billie stared at the bathroom door and bit her lower lip. She felt bad leaving things so one-sided. At that moment it was decided. Her dress was left on the bed. Her panties and bra stayed in place.

Quentin seemed surprised to see her standing there when she opened the door. She was surprised at herself.

"I can see you have things well in hand," Billie teased bringing a grin to Quentin's lips. "I can help with that if you want?"

"You'll get your underwear wet."

Billie shrugged, "They are already wet."

Quentin's grin grew wider. "Was that a sexual joke, Ms. Dupree? I'm not exactly sure why you're standing out there. You can't possibly expect me to say no."

Billie's gaze was downright seductive as she opened the shower door to join him, "Actually, I was counting on you not saying no."

He pulled her into his embrace. "Then I'm happy I didn't disappoint you."

"Oh no. You definitely don't disappoint," Billie agreed, before sliding her hand between them, causing Quentin to suck air between his teeth at her touch.

"Ready for round two?" Billie teased as she caressed him.

Quentin growled, "So ready."