“Who cares if we’re not so good at the talking?We could be good at other stuff.”
And wouldn’t that make her the luckiest girl alive?
Ugh.
How many drinks ahead was he?Her focus had been on the wine.He’d drunk both it and bourbon.They’d talked about the alcohol, a lot.Oh, and their plans for the weekend.Their separate plans.She had none and knew far more of his than was necessary, anything to get words in the air and break up the awkward silences.
“I don’t want to try other stuff.”
Yes, she wanted excitement.That didn’t mean she should fall into bed with just anyone.It had to feel fun.It had to be natural.Exhilarating.Thrilling.
Nathaniel might be buzzed, but she hadn’t got the impression he found her irresistible either.If things had worked out, she wouldn’t mind facing him at the office.Now knowing he didn’t turn her on and the only reason she’d go to bed with him was to be polite, it didn’t seem like the best idea.
They worked together; it wasn’t like she could avoid or ghost him.Wild would come.It would.When it was ready.It was just taking her a minute to find her stride.
She stepped off the curb seeking a cab.
Nathaniel was right there beside her.“You could come back to my place,” he said.“There’s wine there.”
“No, thank you.”
“I don’t mind seeing your place,” he said.“I want to see it.I’d love to know where you live.”
Which was an excellent reason not to invite him.
“It’s late,” she said.A cab slowed.“I just want to go to bed.”When she glanced up, the glitter in his eye revolted her.That so wasn’t what she was getting at.“I’ll see you in the office next week.”
“It’s early.”His hand slithered down her back.“Let’s have some fun.Take me back to your place.”
“No,” she said, opening the cab door when it stopped.“I’ll see you next week.”
He grabbed the top of the door before she could get in.“I had a good time.”That dopey smile suggested he didn’t remember their car crash of a night.Maybe he thought that statement would be enough to sway her into amnesia too.“Do I get to kiss you goodnight?”
Maybe he was an amazing kisser.Was that the problem?She just hadn’t given him a chance to… As he descended, her gut made the choice.
“No,” she said.“Good night.”
Getting into the car, she closed the door and gave the driver her address.Sex.Her wild phase was supposed to include sexual freedom.She wasn’t feeling it yet, wasn’t experiencing it, but she would.In time.
FIVE
“ANOTHER STRIKE!”she exclaimed, tossing her purse onto the floor just inside Cam’s door the next day.The room was empty.Damn.“Camden Collier!Cam!Where are you?”
Since the stairs down were right in front of her, she kicked off her shoes and ran down there first.And there he was, reflected in the gym mirror.Halfway down, she stopped to hang over the banister and waved her arm up and down until he noticed her and took the earbuds from his ears.
“How did the date go last night?”he asked, slowing the treadmill.
“It went horrible,” she said, plodding down the stairs.“Date after date.These guys and…” She huffed.“Zero sex.”
“Some guys can’t—”
“It’s not their fault,” she said, dropping to sit on the end of the weight bench.“It’s me.”
The gym was impressive.Fully equipped.Even had its own vast wet room.He still hadn’t showed her what was beyond the double doors at the back of the room, but she’d get there.
“It’s you?”he asked, snickering as he got off the treadmill.“Closed for business?Dried up?Lost that razzmatazz?”
She narrowed her eyes on him.“Like making fun of women, do you?”
