Dare to Hold (Dare to Love 4)

How the hell he maintained a thread of normal conversation was beyond him.

“I’ll put the crib in my room for now. The bedroom is big enough.”

He thought about his large house, the one he’d bought as a surprise for his soon-to-be growing family before he’d discovered his wife had had an abortion without asking him. But he’d loved the house, and moved in anyway. Four bedrooms, three and a half baths, plenty big for… Shit.

He was not going there.

“And since my room décor is neutral, I can do whatever I want in the baby area…” Meg trailed off, realizing she was rambling, and a hot flush rushed to her cheeks. “I’m really sorry. You can’t possibly be interested in decorating talk.” She could barely meet his gaze.

“Meg?”

“Yes?” She glanced up at the sound of her name, a rumbling caress coming from his sexy mouth.

His navy eyes were focused on her, and she felt his gaze as if he were physically stroking her skin. Goose bumps lifted on her bare arms.

“Take my word for it. If you’re speaking, I’m interested.”

And that interest showed in his intent stare and focus. Not to mention, she’d felt his erection pressing against her when she’d sat on his lap earlier. She’d done her best not to squirm in her seat.

“Look, I’m sure this can’t be easy for you, but life has a way of throwing you curveballs. The important thing is how you roll with them. Have you eaten?” he asked, surprising her with the subject change.

“I was going to make myself a sandwich when I got hungry.”

Her stomach chose that moment to grumble, loudly. God, could things get any more embarrassing? She had a hot guy she wanted to jump in her living room, and she was going on about baby furniture while her stomach made unattractive noises.

She’d just have to roll with it, as he’d said. “If you’re hungry, I could make you one too? Unless you didn’t plan on staying…”

“What’s wrong?”

“I just realized… Why are you here? Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad you showed up when you did, but … why?” She’d been so thrown by Mike, so relieved to see Scott on the other side of the door, she hadn’t thought to ask.

“I came to see how you were doing. And—” He slipped a hand behind her neck, his touch a hot brand on her skin. “I didn’t like not speaking to you all week.”

Her stomach flipped delightfully at the admission. “I felt the same way,” she said, unable to not tell him the truth.

“Now that’s good to hear.” He spoke in a low, husky voice. Then he moved in, his lips this close to hers, his breath warm against her mouth. “Because staying away was fucking hard.”

His thumb swiped over her lower lip. A hot, aching feeling settled between her thighs along with dampness and a deep yearning for fulfillment. “Scott—” She didn’t know what she wanted to say, just that she wanted, no, needed him.

His eyes darkened with serious intent. She wanted his hot mouth on hers desperately, and barely breathing, she waited for what he’d do next.

But the doorbell rang, jarring them both. She jumped, he swore, and the moment was broken.

“That’ll be a cop to take your statement.” Scott shot her a look of regret before he rose. He paused and drew a long breath.

His hands, she noted, were clenched in tight fists. At least she wasn’t the only one frustrated.

He strode across the room to answer the door, giving Meg a chance to breathe. Stunned, she leaned back against the couch. What the hell had just happened? One minute they’d been talking about restraining orders and baby furniture and the next she’d thought he was going to fuck her right here.

Jesus. She rubbed her eyes and groaned before glancing over to where Scott spoke to a very young-looking uniformed officer.

She studied Scott, pleasure suffusing her as she took him in. In his faded jeans that molded to his hard thighs and taut ass, and navy tee shirt, he was hot. Well built, dark hair, and much more clean-cut-looking than the type of guy she usually went for. But everything about Scott was different, from his looks to his commanding air. Meg had been bossed around by men before, but Scott’s brand of control made her feel safe and cared for, not put down and concerned.

He affected her emotionally and sexually, tying her in knots of confusion and need. For the last week, thoughts of him had distracted her during the day. She’d sit in her classroom and recall his big hands on her breasts, his mouth on her nipples, and then she’d hear someone shout … and she’d come back to herself, realize she was sitting alone, tingling and aware.

And the nights? He’d consumed her dreams, turning them hot and erotic. She’d actually feel his thick cock pounding into her, going so far as to cause her to orgasm in her sleep. She groaned and squeezed her thighs tightly together, aware and aroused even now.

But because she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about him, his silence for the last week had left her thinking she was distinctly forgettable. Meg didn’t sleep around often or randomly. That she’d had sex with Scott meant something, no matter how hard she fought the notion. She’d wanted to be memorable in return. Now he was here…