“Well, I hope you don’t mind if I stay here until he demouses my room,” I said, setting my bag down on the hard wooden chair. “Or rather, I hope your girlfriend doesn’t mind.”
“My...” He stopped, a little frown pulling down his eyebrows. “I gather you are referring to Lisa. If so, I assure you that she is just an acquaintance. She was sent to... well...”
“I heard her cover story,” I said, holding up a hand to stop him. “It’s none of my business what you do even if we were about to hook up before your kitchen caught on fire.”
“Why don’t we agree to forget Lisa? She is my guest here, but nothing more than that,” he said, moving over to where I stood. A shiver ran down my back at both the heat in his eyes and the way he brushed a strand of hair off my cheek. “I’d much rather talk about you staying with me in this room, and how you suggest we set up the sleeping arrangements.”
I reached up and pulled his head down to mine, laying my lips on his in a way that let him know I reciprocated that shimmer of passion in his eyes. His mouth was aswonderful as I remembered, but this time, rather than this just being a kiss, Alden’s body got into the act. His hands were on my behind, pulling me tight against him, his legs as hard as steel where they pressed into mine. I melted against him, feeling all my soft, squishy bits making the differences between us obvious.
His lips parted from mine for a few seconds. “You taste spicy.”
“Cinnamon mints,” I murmured, nibbling on his lower lip. My body felt like it was filled with fire, making me restless and wanting, and missing something that I badly needed.
“I like it.” He hoisted me upward a little, angling his head to better kiss me. I slid my hands up his bare back, careful not to dig my fingers into him as I wanted, since I knew he must be feeling the effects of his fighting earlier. “Would it be inappropriate if I suggested we conduct those activities that were interrupted this morning?”
“Not inappropriate at all, although you have to let me take a shower first. It was hot standing out in the sun all day.”
“If you insist, although I don’t find you in the least bit objectionable.” He released me, giving my butt a friendly squeeze as he did so.
“Trust me, when you got to the part where the toddler with sticky grape lips decided to slobber on my knee, you’d object. Be back in a couple of minutes.” I was in the act of peeling off my pretty blue gauze dress before I even closed the door behind me, and took what had to be close to the world’s fastest shower.
When I stepped out of the shower to dry myself, I spotted a folded piece of paper on the floor.
You are beautiful.
I felt warm down to my toes, and not just because of the warm shower.
With nothing on but a towel, I opened the door to Alden’s bedroom, and struck a pose, the letter in my hand. “Thank you.”
He was lying on the bed, hands behind his head as he glared at the wall next to his bed. He shifted his gaze to me, the glare melting into a look that turned quickly to one of approval. “For what?”
I lifted the note. “I like your messages.”
His gaze shifted, and I couldn’t help but notice that his feet moved restlessly, a sure sign he was feeling embarrassed. “Ah. That. Yes. I thought... it seemed like a way to...”
“I know. And it’s cute. And fun. Do you mind if I do some, too?”
“No, but you don’t...” He waved a hand in the air. “You don’t have problems talking.”
“It’s still fun, though. So. Here we are. Both of us wearing towels, and alone. Together. In a room with a big bed.” I strolled forward, trying to appear worldly, as if it were nothing to be on the verge of having sex with a man I’d met the day before. “How do you want to do this?”
An indescribable look crossed his face. “I thought the traditional method would be appropriate.”
“Traditional?” I shook my head, puzzled about what he meant. “You have a tradition for this?”
“Well... yes.” Now he looked confused, too. “I don’t know what sorts of things you like, but I’m fairly orthodox. Why, are you looking for something a bit more flashy?”
“Right,” I said, sitting down on the foot of his bed. “I think we’re talking at cross-purposes. I asked howyou want to do this because I’m feeling pretty uncomfortable since we just met, and although we have that spark, and I like how you kiss, and I want to do many things to your delicious body, it’s a little uncouth to run at the bed, and leap on you the way I’d like to.”
“Oh, that,” he said with a little laugh. “I thought you were inquiring how I wanted to have sex. I was a bit worried you were going to want something kinky.”
“Define kinky,” I said, looking up the length of his body. “Do you have any playtime handcuffs? Or scarves? Scarves would work, too.”
His eyes widened. “Are you talking bondage?”
“Mmm.” I got to my knees and crawled up his legs until I could sit on my heels next to his hip. “Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. And I’d very much like to try it.”
“Bondage?” he said, his voice rising on the word. “You wish to be my mistress?”
