Secret Weapon

Actually, he had. His conscience had nagged him repeatedly. But his rampant desire to be with her, to feel her soft body wrapped around him, to revel in the sweet heat of her depths surrounding his hard shaft made him lend a deaf ear. He’d wanted her. Desperately. He had for years.

“I was afraid you’d turn me down. I thought if I took advantage of the fantasy … then you found out it was me … you’d agree to keep going with the relationship.”

She grinned. “You figure you’re that good? Fuck a woman once and she’ll want you forever.”

He cringed at the rough word, but he knew she was using it just to push him, to see how he’d react. She always tried to keep him off balance. Hell, she always succeeded in keeping him off balance.

Now it was his turn. He stared her straight in the eye.

“Actually, yes.”

* * *

Janine stared into Sloan’s piercing blue eyes and felt her composure crack. Under his compelling gaze, she became intensely aware of his strong masculine presence. He was taller than Derek, his shoulders were broader, and his thick, wavy dark brown hair was a little longer. His lips were full and his nose strong and straight. And that square chin of his … so sexy. Her insides began to quiver and her breasts swelled. Suddenly, he wasn’t her old friend Sloan. He was a strong, vibrant male, all rigid muscle and broad shoulders. Imposing. Authoritative. Powerful.

Oh, God, she could jump him right now.

She gripped the armrests of the chair.

He stood up and stepped toward her, his muscular body lithe and agile. He took her hand and drew her to her feet. The heat of his body overwhelmed her even before his lips captured hers and she melted against him. His tongue drove past her lips and curled into her mouth, then swirled inside. Her tongue danced forward and curled around his. Her nipples puckered, pushing against his solid chest, and heat washed through her.

Finally, he released her mouth and smiled down at her, obviously confident he’d proven his point.

And he had. He was that good. She knew she’d remember that kiss forever. Just like she had their first kiss. And the one last night. If he actually made love to her …

She sat down again and he returned to the couch, still smiling.

“I see,” she said. “Well, in case you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m not really into relationships. At least, not the way you probably mean. I like to be free. I have relationships with several men at a time. They’re all casual, and they all understand that I see other people.”

“And sometimes more than one at the same time.”

She drew her shoulders back and held her head high as she stared into his eyes. “Exactly.”

“Okay.”

Her heart sank. Was that, Okay, that means we’re dead in the water before we even start or …

“How’s Saturday for our first date?” he asked.

“Saturday?” She toyed with her ring, pivoting it back and forth.

This was moving so fast. She needed to get used to the idea of … oh, man, having sex with Sloan. It was such a weird concept, yet … totally compelling. Especially after that kiss.

Actually, every kiss he’s ever given me. There had only been three. Her first kiss ever. The kiss last night. And this one. The first one, there’d been the issues with Ben. The one last night had quickly been followed by his lecturing. Tonight’s, though, had opened up a whole new world of possibilities.

She gazed at his intense blue eyes, knowing that despite their powerful chemistry, he’d never be able to accept her type of relationships. Maybe giving him a chance would prove to him once and for all that it would never work between them. Maybe it was the only way she would ever be able to convince him.

“Janine? Is Saturday okay?”

“Sure, Saturday will be fine.” She gazed his way. “But I have a few stipulations.”

* * *

God damn it! The woman always had to have her own way.

Sloan tapped his fingers on his knee as he stared out the back passenger window of the moving car.

Sure, Janine had said she’d come on a date with him, but she wanted Derek and Jonas, a friend of Derek who was visiting from out of town, to join them. It wouldn’t be much of a date with those two tagging along, and he sure as hell didn’t need chaperones.