Alex thought about kicking himself, and quickly tossed the idea aside. He'd gotten through life using charm and wit, and tonight was no different. He'd been clever enough to survive his father's disdain and hide his disability from the world. No way could he confess to Honoria that, short of living off his trust fund and becoming a tennis bum, there was little else he was fit to do with his life.

When Honoria gazed at him with those big golden eyes, he'd dived in with both feet, saying all the right words and sucking up her sympathy like a dry sponge. She had a comfortable way about her that made him forget about the secrets he'd kept hidden all this time. He hadn't meant to share so much of his feelings with her, but hey, if the ploy helped get her into his bed, why not?

Smoothly, he moved his hand from the small of her back to her upper arm and pulled her near. She melted into him and he smiled inside. She was so damned easy, it almost took away all the excitement of the chase.

They entered the elevator and he tilted up her chin with his thumb. "Honoria. Honey, look at me."

Trembling, she licked her lips with a delicate pink tongue, and he felt the quiver in his gut. The elevator lumbered upward and he bent his head, brushing his lips against hers in a practiced caress. She tasted like raspberries and chocolate and every other good thing they'd just shared.

Leaning into her, Alex moved his mouth, drinking in her sweetness. Then Honoria wrapped her arms around his neck and opened to his demand, molding her breasts to his chest, her hips to his groin. Her mouth reminded him of a summer peach, succulent and ripe under his lips, and he realized he'd been wrong. She was creating her own kind of excitement, sucking the air from his lungs and driving him crazy with need.

Pushing against her, he backed her into a corner and let his passion rise. His hands moved to her waist and he lifted her up, nestling his knee between her legs. He'd known there would be sexual chemistry between them, but this white-hot desire was more than he'd imagined. If he played his cards right, they were going to have one hell of a week together.

The elevator doors opened and, reluctantly, he broke away. Back to reminding him of an innocent, Honoria blinked in surprise and fixed her golden gaze on his chest.

Alex nodded toward the door. "We're here."

She took his hand and followed him down the hall. After opening their door with the card key, he escorted her inside. Flicking on the lights, he thought about his next step. Should he bring her to his room or hers? Should he lead, or would it be better if she were the one to decide their first step? Would she appreciate being taken, or would she enjoy it more if he were subtle?

He reached out to pull her against his chest, but before he could touch her she gazed down at her feet.

"Oh my God! Alex!"

Honoria raced to the bathroom and he jogged behind her Great going, Vandencort, he thought. Get the woman alone and all she wants to do is hurl. She opened the door and shrieked. He looked down at the soaked bathroom tiles and realized they were standing in an inch of water.

She fumbled with a stack of towels and turned toward the toilet. He followed her, but when she opened the door she jumped backward. Pushing her aside, Alex stared at the water bubbling up from the fixture.

The porcelain throne erupted like Mount Vesuvius, drowning them both.