Page 40 of Moonlighter

I try to brace myself, but it’s no good. His mouth is there before I’m ready. The kiss is slow—first, a gentle slide, but then his lips part mine as he tastes me softly. It’s the gentleness that’s so shocking. Like he’s holding himself back. Like he’s savoring this.

I’m savoring it, too.

But just when I lean forward for more, he pulls back. Those firm lips are justgone. “I don’t like you,” I say immediately.

“Yeah, you do,” he insists. “You’ll like me even better when I’m unzipping that dress upstairs.”

My body flashes cold and then hot. We can’t possibly do that. This trip is already so weird. “But then what happens?”

“Well, I’d have to remove your bra. And I’d want to spend some quality time with the breasts that have been torturing me since we arrived here. I’ll suck on your tits until you’re begging me to—”

I reach up and put a hand over his mouth. “That isnotwhat I meant.” Although, I sure liked the sound of it. “You can’t just say things like that in a crowded room.”

His eyebrows lift, and his expression says,I think I just did.

I drop my hand. “What I meant was—what happens after the fun part is over?”

“More fun parts?”

“Awkwardness always follows fun,” I point out.

His grin is knowing. “Like it isn’t awkward already? We share a bed, and you’re not very good at staying on your side.”

I wince.

“And it’s awkward that you’re pretending not to shiver every time I touch you.”

“That’s…a hormone thing. Just chemistry,” I babble.

“No kidding. But why waste it? Four nights, Engels. If you want, we can keep pretending that we don’t both need the same thing. But I’ve got better uses for your time. Naked uses.” He holds out a hand, waiting for me to take it, so he can lead me off the dance floor.

“You’re serious about this.”

“Absofuckinglutely.”

I hesitate for a half second, tops. Then I put my hand in his.

“Smart girl,” he says under his breath as we stride forward together toward the lobby, hand in hand.

Before we’re clear of the party, a couple of acquaintances try to flag me down. “Hey, Tim!” I call out. But I don’t slow down. In fact, I accelerate, instead, which makes Eric chuckle.

He slaps the elevator button the moment we reach it.

That’s when the first bit of awkwardness sets in. We’re just standing there holding hands. And by the time the elevator arrives, there’s an elderly couple also heading upstairs. They press the button for the third floor. The ride ought to feel short, but it doesn’t.

“I didn’t cheat!” the man crows as the doors close.

“I saw you!”

“It’s a misunderstanding,” he says.

“There was an ace in your shirt pocket! And a king under your butt on the chair.”

“I have no idea where those cards came from!”

The elevator doors part, thank God. The couple moves slowly out of the elevator. “You have a good night,” Eric calls after them. He’s probably coming to his senses already. Who would want to hook up with a hormonal pregnant lady?

The doors begin to slide closed again, and before we continue our ascent, Eric’s rough hand is cupping my face. Before I can even make sense of it, he’s taking my mouth in a hot kiss.