Page 6

TYLER

I WATCHED Arange of expressions cross her lovely face—her eyes widened then narrowed, shapely eyebrows gathered then rose into a pretty arch, all ending with a slightly open mouth and cheeks the prettiest shade of pink. My teasing always generated some kind of reaction, usually annoyance or anger. But this time I was pretty sure she was just as aroused as I was, furthered by the thought of her pleasuring herself. Only it hadn’t started when I found her sex toy. All night I had been trying to hide how she made me feel.

She moved closer toward me, perhaps in arousal, maybe even anticipation. Or, considering she’d been all over the emotional map tonight, maybe she was getting ready to smack me. Either way, I’d gotten to her. Nothing about tonight was turning out like I expected. According to my academic test scores, I wasn’t a dumb man, but for the life of me I didn’t know how to communicate to this beautiful woman how much I was interested in her.

I felt a little bad for egging her on, but this woman had been under my skin for months. I never understood why she started off behaving so antagonistic toward me. Normally, I considered myself a pretty easy guy to get along with. Her prickly attitude drew out a devilish side to me, and we spent a lot of our time together taking jabs at each other. But that didn’t mean I wasn’t attracted to her. Jen had no shortage of admirers, but getting her to return more than a passing affection was rare.

I tried to ignore my attraction to her since she didn’t seem to want anything to do with me, and I wasn’t someone who begged. She was gorgeous, but it was more than just her long legs and perfect figure that attracted me. I loved her spunkiness and the loyalty she had for those she loved. I could also tell she was the kind of woman who didn’t need a man to be happy. Unfortunately, she sometimes appeared to not want a man at all. I watched as she dodged guy after guy hitting on her. I was secretly pleased when she would blow them off because I knew most of them just wanted in her pants, and she deserved better. And then Jake showed up. Of course if I was completely honest with myself, and I mean only myself, I’d been jealous when I’d seen how friendly she was and how easily she’d hit it off with him. For the first time she seemed serious about someone. Why him and not me? We both were successful, outgoing, and fairly easy on the eyes.

Women flung themselves at me all the time. I always kept them at arms-length, not because I didn’t want a relationship; I loved the idea of coming home every day to the same face greeting me with a kiss and making my house into a home with lots of kids. But most of the women I had met were so superficial or tried to shape me into the image they deemed as the perfect boyfriend, trying to force me into doing things they thought couples should be doing such as constantly entertaining or going out dancing or double dating.

Long ago I grew tired of doing whatever another woman expected of me. I had tried to blend both our needs, but in the end it had been too much, and one explosive moment and one tragedy later, there was no turning back. I forged ahead, doing what I wanted, whatever felt good at the moment, not planning anything long-term, and promising I’d never lose myself in another person so strongly again. I once thought Jen and I were too different, but now I was beginning to think we were more alike than either of us would ever care to admit. Jen and I both hid behind ‘our life is good the way it is’ veil. Maybe that’s why I felt drawn to her more than I’d ever been with any other woman. For the first time, I’d met someone that maybe I was willing to try for something more.

I brought my attention back to the woman before me. Her eyes were focused on my mouth, and her breathing grew more shallow. I felt held by her gaze, like an insect caught in a silken web, knowing there was danger ahead but unable to move.

I found myself struggling to remember all the reasons I should slow this down. Talking about my manhood and her sexual pleasure was more than any man should have to consider resisting. I’d already been trying to hide a semi since I saw the lacy bra covering her tits when she dug for her keys, followed by snuggling her sweet ass against my cock. And now here she was—begging me with those eyes that had so many shades of blue swirled together like marble to do something. But what? Pull her close? Maintain our walls? It was like we were each trying to play the same piece of music, but we weren’t on the same page. I knew the smart thing to do—back away and not take advantage of the situation. No point mucking it up. After all, she had her pink toy in her drawer, and I had . . . well, I had cold showers and Ms. Rosy Palm and her five sisters.

I didn’t know if she sensed my retreat, but just as I began to pull away, she moved forward, her face so close I could feel her warm breath blow gently against my cheek. Slender arms rose to circle my neck.

“Tyler?” she whispered.

The insecurity in her voice called to me on some level I didn’t begin to understand. But I did understand how soft her skin felt and how delicious she smelled. And I recognized a need to have her unlike I’d ever wanted another woman. I knew deep down I was a selfish man. Hell, that’s all I’d been for the past ten years, and that same selfishness had hurt the only other woman I’d ever loved. I had to be better than that for Jen. I lifted my hands in a desperate attempt to hold her back, but I accidently brushed against one of her full breasts. I heard her gasp at the same time as I felt her nipple pebble beneath my hand that had frozen in place. Instinctively, my fingers closed around the silk-covered mound that fit perfectly in my palm. Desire shot through me.

I’m a man, not a saint. I kissed her.

It was like striking a match—hot and instant. What started as a simple meeting of the lips was immediately transformed into something more magical, more sensual, and . . . and just so much more.

She parted her lips and ratcheted the kiss up another notch. I eagerly accepted the invitation. I put a knee on the bed and leaned into her, pushing her into the mound of pillows behind her. My groan followed her whimpers as we explored each other’s mouths for the first time. Her hands moved upward to hold my head to hers, while mine cupped and squeezed her breasts, using the slick material to help rub her nipples into tight buds. Her sudden inhalation of breath was the encouragement I needed to lie down on the bed next to her. One hand left her breast to cup the back of her neck while the other hand slid down to the edge of the silky material I’d just helped her put on. Only this time, my hand slipped under the material to slide along the tops of her thighs. They kept moving over her hips and up to her stomach taking the material along with them. My thumbs brushed near her naval, and I felt her shiver beneath my hands.

The logical part of my brain fired one last warning.Back away. She’ll resent you in the morning.But it was nearly overwhelmed as Jen started unbuttoning my shirt. I had already stripped my jacket, bow tie, and cummerbund and left them in the car. Her hands slid under the material and ran up and down my skin. I didn’t move to stop her; it felt too damn good.

“Jen, I don’t think—“

“Shhh, don’t think.”

I grabbed the fingers she had placed over my lips and gave them a kiss. “Jen, if you don’t tell me to stop, I won’t be able to. I know you had a couple drinks—”

“I’m not drunk, Tyler. I know what I’m doing. Let’s just say I’m finally admitting what I’ve—” she paused and looked me unwaveringly in the eyes, “—what we’ve wanted all along, that’s all.”

She felt the attraction, too? I wondered, especially recently, but she hid her feelings so well. Still, the timing . . .”I . . .”

“Tyler, I want you. I’m tired of fighting it. Just one night. I want to feel something again. It’s been too long.” Her sad eyes widened, and mortification creased her face. “Unless you don’t want me? I . . . I just assumed . . . I . . . I’m sor—”

I pulled her so tight against me so that there was no space between us. “Do you feel that, Jen?” I asked pulling one of her legs over my hip so she could feel how hard I was. “Never think I don’t want you because I do. But I don’t want things to get weird between us.”

She relaxed at my words and slowly started moving against me. “We won’t let it. We’re both adults, Dr. Cranston. We can handle this. We’re just releasing the tension that always exists between us, that’s all.” She smirked at me. “It’s either you or b.o.b.”

I tensed at her words and pushed her back from me as if she’d slapped me. “Bob? Are you serious? Who’s Bob? Shit, are you just playing me here?”

She laughed out right at me.

“What the hell, Jen?” Anger, fueled by jealousy, rushed through me as I sat up. She rose to sit beside me and placed a restraining hand on my arm. “No need to be jealous, Doc. Be. Oh. Be.” She was still giggling at me while I remained completely confused. She glanced over her shoulder toward her nightstand. “Battery Operated Boyfriend.”

Relief and understanding suddenly struck. She’d played me, and I’d shown my cards. “Oh. Well, then.” I looked at her with raised eyebrows, still uncertain, but making no move to stop her as she slid my shirt off my shoulders. Her warm lips found the newly exposed skin of my shoulder and moved along my collar bone. All thought flew out the window. I slid my hands up along her sides, taking the material of her nightwear with them. She sucked in another breath as my fingers neared her nipples, but I deliberately avoided them, teasing her. She pulled her mouth away from me, and I used the opportunity to pull the material over her head. Searing blue eyes held me captive, challenging me to continue.

I wavered.

I groaned.