“Okay. I’m going to wash up then.”
He gestured toward the hallway with a toss of his chin. “First door on the right.”
Steph locked gazes with Nick for a long moment and knew she was in trouble. He didn’t have that air about him that said, Thanks for the f**k, you can go now. No, his vibe was very homey and relaxed. And she was falling for it like a ton of bricks.
Somehow she made it down the short hallway to the bathroom, where she leaned against the vanity and stared in the mirror. The glazed look in her eyes and the flush on her cheeks made her wince.
Damn it, she didn’t need this right now! A relationship was completely out of the question on a good day, but to fall for a guy who had “temporary” written all over him was just plain stupid. Hadn’t she learned anything at all from her years with Tom?
Apparently not.
When dinner was done, she was going home. They’d both gotten what they wanted.
It was time to minimize the damage.
* * * * *
“That was wonderful.”
Steph smiled at Nick as she set her fork down, not the least bit concerned that she’d cleaned her plate. They’d eaten together many times over the last year and after the first time he’d praised her hearty appetite, she’d ceased being concerned about appearances.
“You’re either too generous or you were really hungry.” He stood and picked up her plate from the small oak dining table. Featuring a pine centerpiece lit by three red tapers, it was both inviting and unexpected. There was so much about him she didn’t know. But she wanted to learn. Nick wasn’t good relationship material, but he was a fascinating guy, a great lawyer and a good friend from what she’d heard.
She watched him walk into the kitchen, his fine ass flexing as he took each step.
Occasional glimpses of his c**k and balls kept her hot, and she grabbed her napkin to dab at the fine sheen of sweat that misted her forehead. He was also a fantastic and generous lover, but then she’d always suspected that and heard innuendo to the same.
The urge to bolt she’d felt in the bathroom earlier was now suddenly overwhelming.
It was time to go.
Standing, she reached for her duffle. It was rude to leave without offering to clean, but maybe a little animosity between them would be a good thing.
“What are you doing?” he asked behind her, the volume of his voice telling her that he was still some distance away.
“I’m going to head out,” she said with forced casualness, even as her heart raced.
“Thanks for a great evening.”
Suddenly, she was crowded into the table from behind by a very hard body. “Talk to me, Steph.” His palms flattened on the surface, caging her in place.
“We’ve been talking all through dinner.”
“About everything except us.”
“There is no ‘ us’.”
One of his hands reached into the pocket of her skirt.
“How many condoms did you bring? Feels like you’ve got half a dozen in here.” He tossed one onto the tabletop. “You were planning for a busy night. Now, all of a sudden, you’re done?”
“Yeah, well.” She took a deep breath. “I didn’t expect you to be so good. You took care of things the first go-round.”
“Bullshit. You’re as hot for it now as you were when you jumped me.” Wrapping a hand around her throat, he tilted her head back. He nipped her ear with his teeth and she shivered. “What’s got you running scared?”
She stiffened. “I’m not scared. I just think we both got what we wanted and it’s best to end the night before it gets complicated.”
“Guess what?” Nick bent his knees and rubbed the hard length of his c**k between the cheeks of her ass. Somewhere between the kitchen and the dining room he’d lost the apron. With only the thin layer of her gauze skirt between them, she felt every millimeter of his arousal. “I’m not finished getting what I wanted and it’s already complicated.”
“Nick…” Her eyes closed on a whimper as he cupped the weight of one breast.
Heat flared across her skin. She was suddenly more than hot, she was burning up, melting. He smelled like heaven and felt even better. She’d had a ton of daydreams about him, but they’d always been raw. Carnal. Fucking on her desk or his. Buttons flying everywhere. Rough hands and bruising lips. Never had there been this gentleness, this concern for her feelings and pleasure.
“You had a wish list, Steph. Fantasies about me. Tell me why you don’t want to live them out anymore.” The pads of his fingers brushed across her nipple and it peaked into a hard, aching tip.
“Fantasies aren’t meant to come true.”
“Mine did. Yours too.”
“That’s the problem,” she muttered.
His hand left her breast and lifted her skirt, bunching it in his fists. She should stop him, wiggle away. He wouldn’t keep her against her will, despite the forearm that crossed between her br**sts and the grip that held her neck. But the energy she needed to escape just wasn’t there. It had been so long since she’d been held with such tender lust, she didn’t have the heart to reject it.
“Did I become too real?” he breathed in her ear. “Do you like me, Steph? Just a little?”
Cool air hit her bu**ocks the moment before he stepped closer. His c**k was so hard, so hot against her skin.
His open mouth nuzzled against her throat. “Stay with me.” Reaching beneath her skirt, he parted her and stroked her clit. A soft fluttering touch, circling then pressing.
Rubbing. “Be with me.”
“Nick.” Her eyes drifted closed on a soft moan. She was wet, nearly soaked, and she ached for him. She was starving for the affection he gave so freely. It scared her how needy she was. Until tonight, she hadn’t realized how lonely her life had become.
“Open the packet,” he urged, his voice like rough silk.
She reached blindly for the condom, steeling the reserve she’d had when she arrived. Enjoy him, her heart said, and she would. One last time.
“We’re so good together, Steph.” Nudging her legs apart, he slipped two fingers inside her, moving in and out in a deep glide. “In every way that matters.” The hand at her throat lowered to cup her breast again. It was heavier, full with desire for him.
Expert fingers stroked over her nipple, pinched it, fondled it through her thin shirt and satin bra. That teasing touch radiated outward and left her gasping.