Smokescreen

“Well then, she’s right. Don’t do that again or I won’t be responsible for my actions. Fucking you on this table is looking pretty good right now.” Without hesitation, he goes back to eating.

Laci looks between us and grins at me. Never in my life has anyone spoken to me like that and desire fills my body. If dinner weren’t so delicious, I would kick her out and drag him back to my room.

For the rest of the meal, I try to contain my enthusiasm but it’s hard. We make small talk until finally everyone is done. Laci helps me clean the kitchen and Max goes to make a few phone calls.

“You are so getting laid tonight,” she squeals.

“No. I’m not. Remember last night I was cursing his name and in two days, I have to lay out my plans for JOS. I can’t cloud my mind right now.”

“You’re a prude. Have sex with him.”

“It’s not like that. With him, it’ll never be just sex. There’s so much more there. The feelings between us run deep. I don’t know how this happened so fast. It scares me a little. Remember the whole ‘emotional connection’?”

She gives me a sympathetic look and nods slightly.

We finish up the kitchen and I walk her out. We look around for Max, but hear the shower running. She gives me a hug and throws in some lewd remarks, then leaves. I turn off the lights in the living room and lock up the house. My last glass of wine is untouched on the kitchen counter and I immediately grab it.

So much has happened that my mind is spinning. I sip my wine and stare out the window into the darkening night. His scent fills the room before I hear him. The aroma of woods and spice drift through the small space and I turn to see him in the doorway. Nothing could prepare me for the sight in front of me. His hair is wet and slick from the shower and his eyes bright and vibrant blue. His body is rock solid and reminds me of a sculpture; hard, toned, and defined. A tattoo trails from his right collarbone, covering some his chest and bicep. The bright blue gym shorts hang low on his hips. Involuntarily, I lick my lips.

“Fucking hell, you make this hard,” he hisses.

My eyes dart to his groin and the outline of his firm erection stretches against the fabric.

“That too, babe, but I was talking about this between us.” He adjusts himself and walks to me.

All sense of vocabulary leaves me and I can’t speak.

“Bella, I have a confession to make.”

“Okay,” I whisper.

“I have supersonic hearing. I can hear most noises and voices within a few yards.”

“Okay.”

“I heard you talking to Laci tonight about no sex. And as much as it kills me, I want to respect your wishes.”

My mind tears away from the half-naked man in front of me to remember what I said. Shit! He heard me talking about waiting to have sex.

“You are right about one thing though, between us, it won’t be just sex.” He takes my wine out of my hand and takes a long sip then places it on the counter.

“Come with me.” He bends down slightly and lifts me so my legs wrap around him. I lean in, never breaking eye contact.

Being this close to his warmth has my body on overdrive. Instantly my nipples strain against my silk shirt. He takes me to my bedroom and lays me on my bed, hovering over me.

“What do you need to do to get ready for bed?”

“Huh?”

“Your nightly routine? What do you need to do until we get in this bed and don’t leave until morning?”

Listening to his words, I want to throw my usual routine out the window and crawl under the sheets with him.

“I need about ten minutes in the bathroom. I usually shower in the morning, but I want to jump in real quick.”

He lays his forehead against mine and breathes in deep. “Ten minutes, then I’m coming in to get you.” He rolls off me, untangling my legs, and swats me on the ass. I hurry to the bathroom and turn on the shower. Throwing my hair in a bun and grabbing my toothbrush, I jump in the scalding water and rush to get ready for bed. I shave my legs and buff my body quickly. Once my face is thoroughly washed, I dry off and look around for some pajamas. Of course the only thing I have is a deep purple, satin nightie on the door hanger.

I finish my regimen and try to push down my nervousness. We’ve already said no sex, so why the jitters?