Page 18

They'd departed from the hotel before the gala officially ended, to be sure Maisie wouldn't see them. After the incident with the bartender, she'd been paranoid, to say the least, even if he didn't seem like the type to rat her out.

“You're acting like a skittish newborn foal.”

She laughed. “I suppose I am.”

“You worried about what I have intended for you tonight?” The way his blue eyes swirled with intention and lust stole her breath.

“A little, if I'm being honest.”

“Don't be. I won't do anything you don't want me to do.” Dave opened the door to his car then got out. He came around the vehicle and opened her door. “You're always in control and you can always tell me no.”

“What if I don't want to?”

“Then we'll see where this takes us.” He took her hand and escorted her inside. The small security light illuminated the area for them as they walked up the stairs to her apartment.

Tension radiated between them. Her heart pounded and her stomach clenched. Getting down and dirty with Kenny had been one thing, it happened. There were no pretenses or thoughts. No questions or understandings. The sex between them was dirty and fast. It was also amazing sex. Looking at Dave as they crested the staircase, she wondered if they could do the same.

You've been friends for years, it might be awkward.And, therein lie the problem. They'd known each other for a long time. Since they were ten. Since she'd had her accident. She should have been comfortable with him, yet a bit of her worried about what would come next. “Have—have you done this before?”

They stopped outside her apartment. “Sex? Sure. You?”

Heat filled her cheeks. “You know I have.”

“I did. I enjoy seeing your cheeks turn a rosy shade of pink though when you're bashful or embarrassed.” He wrapped his arm around her middle and tugged her close. “I can also see the worry and concern in your eyes. You're thinking about our friendship.”

She dipped her chin.

“None of that,” he said, lifting her face so she had to stare at him. “I've loved you since the minute I saw you. Scar and all. This just seems like a natural progression.”

“You love me?” She cocked a brow.

He nodded then kissed her. It started sweet, simple. Nothing like Kenny's powerful hunger. Then Dave deepened it. He consumed her. His big body loomed over her as their tongues tangled together. She moaned into it, wrapping her arms around his neck. How two different kisses could set her on fire, she'd never understood.

Dave pulled back then, breaking the kiss. “We should do this inside. Not out here. Not where we can get caught.”

She let out a shaky breath and nodded. “I agree.”

The minute they were inside her apartment, Dave had her pinned to the door. He placed her legs around his waist, surprising her. The muttered curse falling from his lips turned her on. Both men, Kenny and Dave acted as though they'd been starved of her. Like they couldn't get enough, and it confused her. How did she earn this kind of devotion from them?

His hands slid up the outside of her thighs, pushing the flowing gown out of the way. The cool air of the room licked across her exposed flesh and goosebumps were left in its wake. She moaned, burying her face in the crook of his neck. He palmed her ass, squeezing and kneading the round globes until she thought she'd go insane.

“Bedroom,” he muttered.

“Down the hall,” she said, pointing in the general direction.

He didn't put her down, instead carried her where she pointed. He also didn't let her go as he put her on the bed. Instead, he ground his hips against hers and let out a muffled curse. She ached for him. In this position, he had to know how wet he made her. How stiff her nipples were and how her pulse hammered at her throat.

“Dave...” she whispered.

“I know,” he replied. “I feel it too.”

He stepped away, removing his clothes one piece at a time. She lifted her trembling hands to do the same and he stilled her, with a shake of his head. She stared up at him as he pulled down his pants. The black boxer-briefs outlined the thick stalk of his erection along with the wet spot at the tip of his cock. He cupped himself and groaned. She'd been entranced as he stroked himself through the barrier. The length of his dick grew with each pass until she thought he'd burst from his underwear.

“Take off your dress, leave your stockings and garter on.”

The corner of her mouth kicked up. “How do you know I have panties on at all?” Knowing full well he'd felt it when he palmed her ass.

“Don't toy with me right now,” he grunted. “I've waited for this moment for a long time.”