What a Man Needs. Patricia Thayer

her quickly, then pulled away. “I’ll meet you in the lobby.”

      Patrick had no idea what he’d done to deserve this night, he thought as he handled the check-in. He quickly stopped by the hotel gift shop and picked up some protection. He might be out of his mind for this woman, but he wasn’t crazy. Yes, he was. That was the only thing that explained his impulsive actions, but when he walked back to the lobby to find Cyndi standing by the elevators, all rational thoughts disappeared from his head.

      Silently, they rode up to the sixth floor, then got off. Patrick took her hand and laced it with his, and together they walked down the long hall, her body brushing against his and causing an unbearable tingling. Suddenly he pulled her into the ice-machine alcove and took her mouth in a heated kiss.

      “Are you sure you want this?”

      “I’m sure.”

      Her hands moved over his chest and he groaned, then with her arms wrapped against him, they continued their journey. Locating their room, Patrick used the key card and opened the door, allowing Cyndi to go in first. He followed and closed the door behind him. When he turned around, Cyndi pushed him back against the door as her lips met his.

      He drank from her sensual mouth, hungry for more. His hands were busy as he ravished her body, and by the time they moved to the bed, her blouse and bra were gone, as was his shirt.

      “You’re beautiful,” he said as he worshiped her perfect breasts. Then he dipped his head and laved the hard bud. She whimpered as she held his head against her chest.

      Cynthia had never felt like this before. She’d never been so sexually aware of a man, or so aggressive. She couldn’t seem to stop herself as her hands raked over Patrick’s perfectly sculpted body. She went to the zipper on his jeans and tugged it down. He only grinned as he helped her remove his pants.

      He stood before her naked. He was perfect. She raised a shaky hand and began to trace his skin on his broad chest, following the swirl of sandy hair that dipped past his waist to his erection. He felt his breathing grow rapid as her hands worked their magic.

      Patrick had to stop her. “You are sin.” He grabbed her hands. “My turn.” He opened her zipper and pulled down her jeans. Cynthia kicked off her heeled sandals then stepped out of her pants. With a long, appreciative stare, he finally pressed her back on the bed, causing her fiery hair to flare out against the pillow.

      He grabbed a condom from the box and prepared himself, then came to her. He grinned down at her, one small part of him hoping he survived this night. The rest of him not caring. He’d die a happy man. Suddenly he became serious as his desire for her turned to desperation. His hands moved over her body, then between her legs, slipping inside to see that she was wet and ready for him.

      “Please, Patrick, I want you,” she cried, squirming against him, her desire and excitement showing in her eyes.

      He moved against her body, then whispered in her ear. “I’m going to fill every inch of you, Cyndi,” he promised as he nudged himself between her legs, slipping into her inch by inch.

      Cyndi raised her hips and he pushed into her again and again. The bed jerked against the wall, but he didn’t stop. He couldn’t, Cyndi wouldn’t let him. He growled as his hips moved against her writhing body. He plunged and withdrew until he felt her tighten around him. With the next thrust she cried out his name, triggering his climax. He drove into her one more time, then he exploded.

      With a groan he collapsed onto her and Cyndi held him close. “That was incredible,” he said.

      “Not bad for starters,” she whispered.

      Patrick raised his head to catch her teasing smile. “I’m going to make you sorry you said that.” He tickled her ribs and she began to squirm.

      “Stop! Stop!” she begged.

      He paused. “I thought you wanted more.”

      “Then let me clarify that.” She moved against him. “Stop tickling me. Don’t stop touching…kissing…tasting…loving me.”

      “My pleasure.” He leaned down and, starting at the top of her sexy body, began to work his way through the list.

      Sometime early the next morning, Cynthia realized two things—she was naked in a strange bed, and she wasn’t alone. Her eyes shot open. It was still dark, or at least it was in the room. And the man softly snoring against her ear was the same one she’d had incredible sex with last night…and at two o’clock and again at four. She glanced at the clock to see it was now 5:34 a.m.

      She drew a calming breath, but it didn’t help. She drew another and slipped from the bed. She picked her clothes off the floor, quickly put them on and slipped on her shoes, all the while praying that Patrick wasn’t going to wake up.

      With her purse in hand, she headed for the door, then paused, hating to leave without saying a word. But what could she say—thanks for the night of incredible sex? And as far as she knew, Patrick didn’t know who she was and she’d like to keep it that way. He took Cyndi to bed, not Cynthia Reynolds. Some things should be left alone.

      With a glance over her shoulder, Cynthia allowed herself the pleasure of seeing the near-naked man in bed. He’d been a wonderful lover, but she couldn’t take the chance of spending any more time with this man. Not that she wouldn’t like to, but she had her career to think about.

      Cynthia turned and walked out the door. Keeping her head down, she joined an older couple on the elevator. When the woman’s eyes showed recognition, Cynthia tensed.

      “Say, are you that actress… What’s her name? Cynthia Reynolds?”

      Cynthia shook her head. “You know, I get that all the time. Myself, I don’t see it.” The doors to the lobby opened and Cynthia made her getaway. She hailed a cab back to her hotel. Luckily, she used a private entrance and could get to her private suite without anyone stopping her, wanting to know where she’d been or where she was going. She only had to face her sister in a few hours and convince her that she hadn’t done anything last night that she regretted.

      She might have been stupid to make love with Patrick last night, but she’d never regret it.

       Two

       W ith a groan, Patrick rolled over in bed, his mind filled with erotic images. He blinked, suddenly recalling the sexy woman he’d made love to nearly all night long.

      Cyndi. Patrick smiled as he reached out for her, but he found the other side of the bed empty; just her scent lingering on the pillow. He sat up and glanced around the dark room only to discover he was alone. He swung his legs over the side of the mattress. His clothes were still scattered where he’d tossed them, but there was no sign of Cyndi’s things. He got up and walked to check the bathroom. It was deserted, too.

      There was no trace of her anywhere. He sank against the doorjamb. “Looks like you’ve been dumped.” Not that he’d had much experience in taking women to hotel rooms, but he hadn’t seen this coming. Especially after what they’d shared last night…just hours ago. It was a blow to his ego, he admitted to himself. He wasn’t planning on carrying this attraction that far anyway, but she didn’t need to run away.

      He felt his anger grow as he slipped on his briefs and jeans. Well, the hell with her. He didn’t need the complication anyway. He had the ranch to worry about and it was going to take all his attention when he expanded the vineyard. He sat down and pulled on his boots. And Cyndi No-last-name didn’t fit into those plans. She’d probably done him a favor by leaving. No awkward moments. No regrets. He wasn’t into commitment anyway. Not with the possibility he might inherit his father’s bad habits. Besides, he’d already raised a family—his three sisters. He finally had time to himself.

      It had taken him a lot of years to turn the Tanner Ranch into a profitable operation. Added to the cattle, and the breeding and training of horses, he had the Christmas tree farm to watch over. And his dream of the Tanner Vineyard would take all his time and energy,