Heroic Measures (Blackbridge Security 6)

“Oh, hey,” I manage, drawing another sneer that does nothing to diminish the beauty of her face.

Why do I like her a little rabid? That’s an issue I’ll focus on another day.

“What is this shit?” she snaps, tossing the card at me.

I don’t bother to look away from her as it hits my chest as soft as a whisper before fluttering to the ground.

I give her a smile, clamping my hands behind my back so she doesn’t see the nervous tremble in them. For a man who has such steady hands, she sure has the ability to take all of that away from me.

We had great sex, legendary sex, sex made for the record books.

But even that single occurrence doesn’t help to dissipate the nerves that are making me shake. Maybe it’s her just being here or the possibilities of what the night could lead to. Maybe it’s the risk that she’ll just walk away without so much as stepping inside and giving me the chance to persuade her to get naked.

Whatever it is, I suddenly feel like that shy kid all over again. We’ve seen each other completely naked for fuck’s sake, but that doesn’t ease my mind at all.

“You can’t just invite me over for sex, Jude.” She huffs, one leg cocking to the side as she crosses her arms over her chest.

Of course, my eyes dip. I know what those beauties look like bare, and I have no control of myself when my tongue licks at my lower lip with the memory of how perfect her pretty, pink nipples are. Like ripe peaches meant to be savored and worshipped. My teeth literally ache to nip at them, pinch them, suck them into my—

“Eyes up here, buddy.”

I obey, finding her cheeks a little pink as she shifts to cock the opposite foot out.

Is she turned on?

God, that would answer so many prayers.

“You invited me over for sex,” I manage with a nonchalant shrug. “I just wanted you to know that the offer stood on my end.”

Her eyes dart, but she must have more self-control than I do because she jerks them back up to mine before they lower past my chest. Or maybe that’s the part she likes the most?

I flex my pecs in an obnoxious way, and she narrows her eyes, but it’s not disgust in those vibrant blue orbs. I’m no expert, but she’s impressed, or is that… hunger?

“Do you want to come in?”

She doesn’t budge.

“We can argue just as easily inside.”

She huffs, arms flapping down to her sides as she storms past me. I close the door, feeling as if I’ve already won half the battle.

“You can’t just hand someone a card and expect them to show up.”

I keep my distance when she spins around, when really all I want to do is wrap my arms around her and shut her up with my lips on hers.

“I learned that trick from you, even though I get a little homicidal thinking about you pulling that very same trick with other men.”

“I’ve nev—My personal life is none of your business.”

“And you didn’t have to use the card. You could’ve trashed it and joined your friend in class.”

“I needed to put you in your place. You’re too cocky.”

I shift my hips, drawing her eyes to the growing issue in my jeans. “That so?”

“Ugh!” she huffs, her hands flying up in irritation. “You got lucky!”

“You got lucky,” I counter. “Twice.”

She looks away, refusing to acknowledge the pleasure I gave her.

“The next time, you’ll probably fall on your face or come before you even get the condom on.”

“Wanna test that hypothesis?” I challenge even though there’s a very good chance she’s right. Anticipating sex is one thing. Knowing exactly what it feels like to slide into her tight, slick heat? That’s a whole other ball game.

“Not with me. It will happen with the next girl.” She crosses her arms again, nose tilted up as if she’s just proved some kind of point. “I honestly feel bad for the women that come after me. They probably won’t be as forgiving.”

“Maybe.”

“There’s so much you need to learn.”

“So very true.” I don’t even try to keep the huskiness out of my tone. My eyes drift down her body, and I’m dying to get my mouth on her again.

“You need lessons.”

“I love learning.”

“Good thing because this could take forever.”

“I’m no stranger to hard work and long hours. Don’t mind staying after class for extra tutoring either.”

She fights a grin.

“I’m willing to teach you how to please a woman, with one stipulation.”

“Lay it on me.”

“No sex.”

“What?”

“No. Sex,” she says slowly as if I’m suddenly hard of hearing.

“But how—”

“You need lessons in how to please someone else. You don’t have a problem with getting off.”

“You’re going to teach me these things?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve seen porn like this.” I wink at her in an annoying, overexaggerated way. “Will your stepsister be joining us soon?”