Take Me (Take a Chance 4)

She cocked her head, her whole body going weak and tingly. He wanted to see her again. Was that a good idea? No, probably not. “Why do you want it?”

“So I can never call you back.” He laughed nervously. “Why do you think I want it?”

So he could come back, rock her world, and then leave again. The thought was tempting but she tried to avoid entanglements. The man always ended up wanting more than she was able to give. Always. At this point in her life, she was married to her career and was perfectly fine with that. “I think I’ll pass.”

His eyes darkened and he dropped his hands at his sides. “Really?” She heard the disbelief in his voice.

“Really.” Already, he wanted more than she wanted. “But thanks.”

He shrugged and shoved his phone back in his pocket. His actions were jerky, but when he looked up at her, his expression suggested he didn’t give a damn. “Well, then, okay. It was a great night.”

She swallowed hard and nodded. She hated the after-sex awkwardness. “’Bye. And can you lock up when you leave?”

He started for the door, then stopped mid-stride. Cursing, he spun back around and grabbed her. Hauling her out of the bed bare assed naked, he crushed his lips to hers. Immediately, desire curled in her belly, demanding more. Demanding satisfaction.

He twined his tongue with hers, his hands everywhere on her body. Then, without warning, she was back in the bed alone. Feeling bereft. And hating it.

But he was already out the door—and out of her life.

Collapsing back on the pillows, she heaved a sigh and closed her eyes. From now on, whenever she fantasized about a man in the dark, all alone in her bed…it would be Mike.

Always Mike.

Chapter Five

Three days later, Mike sat at his desk grading papers, the late afternoon sun casting a soft glow over his desk. He slashed through an incorrect answer with his red pen.

No, the War of 1812 was not fought against France, but rather Great Britain.

No, Thomas Jefferson’s purchase of land from the French in 1812 wasn’t called Jefferson’s Deal, but rather the Louisiana Purchase.

But when he accidentally marked a correct reply as wrong, he set the pen down and rubbed his temples. Son of a bitch, he couldn’t concentrate today worth a damn. Ever since Friday night, he could think of nothing but Morgan. The way she smelled. The way she tasted. Hell, the way she moaned when he was deep inside of her.

She wouldn’t leave him the hell alone.

He should have been happy when she’d refused to give him her number. Now he didn’t have to make excuses about why he didn’t want a relationship with her. Didn’t have to deal with the tears when he told her he couldn’t see her again. Didn’t have to deal with anything but the amazing, mind-blowing sex they’d shared the other night.

At first he had thought the reason he’d been upset about Morgan rejecting him was because she’d pushed him away first, like she’d claimed. But he suspected that might not be the case at all, and instead wondered if it was because he hadn’t wanted her to push him away at all.

It was an insane thought deserving of immediate assassination.

A knock pulled him back to the present. Garrett popped his head in through the cracked door. “Hey, are you going to Brianna’s casino tonight?”

His sister Brianna managed the Golden Hand and tonight they had some big huge show going on. It was part of the revitalization that her now-husband, Thomas, had orchestrated to bring new life to the casino. “Oh, fuck, that’s tonight, isn’t it?”

“Watch your mouth.” Garrett shot him a look and closed the door. “It might be after four, but there are still some after-school activities going on.”

Mike massaged his temples. “Sorry. It’s been a rough day.”

“Lucky for you, we have tomorrow off for parent-teacher conferences. When’s your first appointment?”

“Eleven, so I’ll get to sleep in. Thank God. I need it.”

“I figured as much when you barely said a word at lunch.” Garrett came to his side. “What’s wrong, anyway?”

“Nothing.” Mike forced a smile. “I’m just recovering from the other night.”

“Ah.” Garrett grinned. “You went home with her, didn’t you? The girl you kept checking out.”