Page 114 of Boyfriend of the Hour

“So, how do we do this?” Nathan wondered, pulling my attention back.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, at dinner, it was easy. I don’t date often, so just coming to the restaurant?—”

“And making out in your office?” I cut in slyly.

His mouth quirked. “Er—yes, that. That was all that was needed. Or all that was needed for most people who know me to believe I’m in a relationship. But for you…”

I put a hand on my hip in mock outrage. “What are you saying, sir?”

Nathan rolled his eyes. “Joni, I ran into you after you had a one-night stand with my former roommate. Forgive me for saying so, but it didn’t seem like unusual behavior.”

Just like that, the air was punched out of me. Nothing kills the mood like telling the girl you’re with that you noticed she’s kind of a slut.

No man likes a girl like that. I don’t care how “happy” he is at the moment.

“For the record, I couldn’t care less.”

That did it. I scowled. “Oh, no?”

Nathan shook his head. “It wouldn’t matter to me where you’ve been or who with before me. Just as long as you’re with me now.” He stepped closer. “Are you with me now?”

There was no insecurity in those big brown eyes. No uncertainty. Just a question, plain and simple. Honest and direct.

So,so, Nathan.

“I’m with you,” I confirmed.

He nodded. “Good.” Then he looked around. “But my question still stands. What do we do now that will convince people I’m more than another one-night stand?”

“You mean how do we convince them we’re in love?” I wondered, though for some reason, the idea made me feel embarrassed.

I didn’t stop to wonder why I thought the idea was so ridiculous. Why imagining myself the object of someone’s continuous adoration and desire was absurd enough to make me blush.

Nathan nodded again. “Your friend obviously went off to share what you said, but this is a performance space. I imagine these people enjoy a good show.”

I had to think about it. I mean, Ireallyhad to think about it.

Because the truth was, I may have had my fair shares of partners, but I was increasingly certain I’d never actually loved any of them.

Even Shawn.

Maybe, especially Shawn.

“I think the MDMA just passed the blood-brain barrier,” Nathan said as he looked around, brown eyes now slightly dilated. Then they landed back on me and took on a hazy sort of expression.

My fingers were starting to tingle. And his skin lookedsosoft.

His hands, though, weren’t exactly soft or hard. And I knew that now, from holding his hand and also from having him touch me—really touch me—in his office only a few hours ago.

He had calluses on them from the gym, but he kept them incredibly clean, probably because of all the time in surgery. Right now, though, the rest of my body tingled with the memory of those hands, the way they felt when they moved up my waist, the slight scuff of his fingernails when they dragged my dress down…

“Pick me up,” I said abruptly.

Nathan also seemed to be caught in a daze as he turned toward me, close enough that our bodies were almost touching. “What?”

I leaned back to look him in the eye, though my hips seemed to move toward him. “Pick me up. And then twirl me around slowly. Like a princess in a movie.”