“I am. But in all seriousness, thank you for such a fine meal. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten anything so tasty. And that’s including your macaroni and hot dogs.”
“Oh, stop.” She blushed at the compliment.
They chatted about his work and her friends, and he told her about all the ribbing he’d gotten for being such a poor liar.
“Being a bad liar is a good thing,” she said as they entered her apartment.
He shut and locked the door behind them. “Oh?”
“I like honesty in a man.”
“Yeah? How honest?”
“Well, if a man told me I looked pretty and he wanted to kiss me, that would be nice.”
“Yeah?” His voice sounded gritty, and he watched as she carefully eased out of her jacket and toed off her sandals. “How about if a man thought you looked gorgeous and couldn’t wait to take all your clothes off and fuck you? Would that be too much honesty? Or not enough?”
Chapter Thirteen
He couldn’t help it. He hadn’t meant to be so crass, but staring at her all night, pretending to just enjoy the meal when he wanted nothing more than to make love to her, had been frustrating, exhausting, and hard as hell. A lot like the current state of his body.
Maggie stared at him, like a doe caught by the eye of a hungry predator, he thought, the description apt. She looked him over, from his head to his toes, and centered on his obvious erection.
“I’ve been like this all night, since I laid eyes on you in that tight, red shirt, with you allperkyand beautiful.” He deliberately stared at her chest, loving the tight points of her nipples stabbing at the fabric. He’d brought several condoms on the off chance she’d agree to having sex. But he kept returning to their conversation about her being safe if he did come inside her, skin to skin.
And didn’t that thought make him hard enough to pound steel.
Maggie licked her lips.
He groaned.
“I’m ready if you are.” Yet she sounded more nervous than excited.
“We don’t have to do anything if you don’t want to,” he reiterated. “I still had a great time tonight.”God, please say yes.
“Doyouwant to?”
His eyes widened. “Are you kidding?”
Her eyes warmed. “Then come with me.” She took him by the hand, shot him a shy smile, and led him back to her bedroom. Inside, she stood there, watching him. “How about we start with a kiss? You’re pretty good at that.”
Falling on her and ripping her clothes off probably wouldn’t make a good impression. Fuck, he was hurting and wanting, and she seemed to want slow. But fine. Anything for Maggie. He leaned down to kiss her, wrapping his arms around her, always conscious of that cast and to be gentle.
Maggie shocked him by turning the tables, taking charge of the kiss until they were both panting. Then the shy woman turned aggressive by pressing him to take off his shirt. He did and kicked off his shoes.
“Keep going,” she urged, kissing him again. Her hand on his chest started a fire inside him, leeching away his ability to think as she ran short nails over his nipples and down his chest to his abs.
He shuddered and broke away, breathing hard. “Hey, I’m not going to be the only one naked.” Exhilarated at the excitement in her breathy “yes,” he eased her shirt and shorts off her, leaving her in matching red lace bra and panties that took his breath away.
She should have looked ridiculous in red lace with her arm in a cast, but the cast took a back seat to her trim belly, full breasts, and long, slender legs. For a small woman, she’d been built with perfect proportions.
“You know, as much as I love you in red, I want you naked. Now.”
He helped her remove her bra, a front clasp that parted with ease. Then her panties, slowly edging them down her body. He knelt and kept his eyes down, seeing her pretty nail polish, doing his best to keep in control.
Slowly, he stood and really looked at her.
“You are…” He drew her closer and ran a hand over her shoulder, past her breasts and down her belly. Her breathing came faster, her lips parted as she stared at him. He felt her gaze on his mouth, but he couldn’t stop watching his hand. When he slid it between her thighs, he felt her hot and wet on his fingers.
