Connor hurried to the kitchen, grabbed a glass from the cupboard, and filled it with cold tap water. He downed it in a few gulps but still felt parched. He refilled it and drank it all, wiping his mouth on his sleeve.
Marcelle waited for him on the couch, her long legs tucked up under her butt. Although it was cold outside, it was warm in her cabin, thanks to a toasty blaze in the fireplace. She’d worn some cute shorts and a tight T-shirt. Her black braids were pulled back into a ponytail, showing off her round cheeks and healthy skin.
She was fucking beautiful. He was an idiot for standing here in the kitchen when this amazing woman awaited him on the couch.
And yet he couldn’t move.
He remembered the first time they’d hooked up. It had all unfolded so easily. He’d finished working a late shift and so had she. They’d crossed paths at night, each of them walking to their separate cabins. Their eyes had met. She’d smiled and nibbled her bottom lip. He’d moved to her and touched her cheek. It had been that simple. Within seconds, they were in her cabin, naked on the floor.
They’d been able to give each other what they needed, with no questions asked.
Tonight, his questions numbered in the thousands.
“I don’t want to leave a dirty glass behind.”
Marcelle inclined her head. “That’s kind of you.”
“Just let me wash this.” He grabbed a dish sponge.
“Connor, the glass can wait. Please put the sponge down.”
He did, dropping it into the sink. Swallowing hard, he braced his elbows on the counter.
Why was this so fucking hard? He and Marcelle had slept together many times. He’d slept with other women, too. He knew the moves. He understood the signals. He didn’t need to play games with Marcelle. They got each other. All he had to do was turn around and say, “Let’s do this.” She’d be there in a flash.
And yet his feet seemed wired to the kitchen floor.
She appeared behind him and put a hand on his back. “Are you okay?”
He jumped and pulled away from her.
“Whoa. It’s all right if you don’t want to be here.” Disappointment softened her words. “No one’s forcing you to stay.”
“I’m sorry, Marcelle. I’m being a fuckwad.”
She ran her finger over his shirt buttons, popping the top one open with sly finesse. “No, you’re not. It’s been a while since we, you know. I’m a bit nervous too.”
“You are?” She smelled good. Fruity and nice. Not like Elaine’s rose scent but still pretty. He invited his mountain lion to take a sniff. The creature turned its head, disinterested in her perfume. Sulking, it padded back to its corner.
“Sure. When I saw you sitting with Elaine, at first I thought maybe you guys were together.” She laughed. “But then I realized how crazy that sounded. I mean, you and Elaine? She was your best friend’s wife. I knew you wouldn’t touch her with a ten-foot pole.”
“Right. Crazy, eh?” Acid made his stomach churn.
“But there’s no reason for us to be skittish. We have done this before.” She drew closer, and her hot breath danced over the exposed skin at his throat. “And if I recall correctly, we did it very well.”
Connor sucked in a breath as she slowly popped the rest of his shirt buttons and slid her hands over his chest. His own hands remained at his sides, like weights.
What’s wrong with you? A hot woman is practically begging to have no-strings-attached sex with you. This should make your day, your fucking week.
Only he couldn’t get the image of another woman out of his head. One whose laugh was so sweet he would do anything to hear it. Stand on his head. Cross his eyes. Whatever it took.
What was Elaine doing right now? It was getting late. Maybe she’d fallen asleep on the couch.
What if she was having another night terror? He should be there with her.
Marcelle’s lips brushed his jaw, and the tip of her tongue darted out to taste him. He should be rock hard, but his cock was so out of it, it could have been snoring.
She moved closer, and her breasts crushed against his chest. Her lips neared his.
