Page 71 of A Really Bad Idea

I want to yell at him, tell him he’s a confusing bastard who is throwing mixed signals around. Either he wants to have this baby with me or he wants me to meet someone new. He has to know that he can’t tell a woman she’s more and then walk away. If I’m smart, I’ll end this ridiculous plan of ours before it goes too far.

I don’t do or say any of those things.

Instead, I do the only thing that feels absolutely right.

I kiss him.

With my hand on the lapel of his jacket, I grip the fabric and pull him toward me, scorching him with a kiss that burns straight to my core.

When his hands grab my face and hip, I don’t hold back as I give him every bit of anger and excitement I have in my body. We’re lips and tongues and hands, devouring each other, just as we did in the park—except, this time, it’s like we’re making up with each other for something … everything.

“You have to warn a man if you’re going to kiss like that,” he says, breathless.

“How do I kiss?”

“You consume me.”

He’s right. I’m completely ravenous. The elevator ping has me looking at the opening doors. “Where are you going?”

His hooded eyes flit to the elevator as his brows curve in. “My room.”

“You were leaving me?”

“I was hoping you’d follow.”

My heart is riled as my body zings with a current. “You got a hotel room?”

He nods slowly. “No expectations.”

My hand is still gripping his jacket. I watch as his Adam’s apple bobs with a hard swallow. I run a hand over the skin and let it travel down his chest.

All our moments have led up to this one. He asked for three dates, and it is the wisest thing he’s ever done. I might have known this man for most of my life, but he’s shown me in three dates what I always knew but never truly acknowledged.

I want this man. Not just for his body, but also for his mind, his actions, and his words.

He taught me to deny my fears. I’m looking ahead.

He showed me his most vulnerable thoughts. I find him even stronger.

He makes me feel like the most desirable woman in the world. And, tonight, I desire nothing more than him.

“I don’t want you to be my friend tonight,” I whisper.

His lips part with a sharp inhale. “How do you want me to treat you?”

“Like a lover.”

The earth stops.

My words have caused a complete cease of time and space. The only moving thing in this world is Christian’s eyes as they dilate black, the promise of my words weighing heavily on the moment.

His chest puffs. His hands grip the silk on my hips tighter, and then he lets go of my dress.

He steps away.

His hand finds the call button, summoning the elevator again. It’s here in an instant.

We walk into the elevator. I stand to one side, him on the other. Our backs against the walls.