He took a deep drink of his wine, knowing if he weren’t so damned tired he could probably come up with a decent excuse not to speak to her class. His head was starting to feel as though it was full of thick, wet cement and the wine was making it set. He really neededsleep.
But, if there was a woman in the world he owed a favor, that woman wasShari.
Much as he’d been trying to push it to the back of his mind, the vision of her naked in candlelight would stay with him forever. He didn’t think he’d ever seen anything so beautiful. The way he was going, chances weren’t great he’d ever see her naked again, but damn it he was going to do his levelbest.
She was still looking at him expectantly and he knew he owed her. As long as no one knew he was also Lance Flagstaff there wasn’t any danger he’d be accused of corrupting young minds. So he shrugged. “If you really want me to, then sure. My schedule’s flexible. Let me know when the class times are and we’ll work somethingout.”
Her full lips parted on a warm smile. “Thanks, Luke. I really appreciateit.”
There was a pause and his eyes felt so heavy he knew he had to go before he added to his suave image by falling asleep in the dregs of his gelato. He stumbled to his feet. “Can I help you with thedishes?”
“No thanks, I’ve got it.” She rose, headed toward her front door, opened it for him and edged back into the no-goodnight-kisszone.
He turned to her. “Thanks fordinner.”
“You’re welcome.” The atmosphere was suddenly strained and once more he could kick himself for his earlier foolishness. He didn’t want this promising relationship to end because of an unfortunate experience with low bloodsugar.
Her lips were slightly pinched and he felt the weight of awkwardness pressing on him. There must be something he could say to relieveit.
“Well,” she said, “goodnight.”
Oh, hell. Being an idiot hadn’t killed him yet. They had to get beyond this. “So, am I ever going to see you nakedagain?”
Anger and a touch of hurt sparked in her eyes. “Not inthis—”
He cut her off before she could finish, knowing he didn’t want her making claims that he had no intention of letting her keep. He grabbed her shoulders and pulled her to him, kissing her hard to cut off her words, then softening his lips until her squeak of protest turned into asigh.
He took his time to savor her softness and to feel her body’s resistance slowly, slowly, melt. It wasn’t easy and it went beyond technique, to a deeper level of communication, where he was telling her how much he wanted her with his lips, his tongue, letting her feel his body’s arousal as he pulled her tight againsthim.
He pulled away slowly, enjoying the slightly stunned expression on her flushed face. If he weren’t so far beyond tired that he’d make a worse fool of himself if he attempted to take her to bed now, he’d do just that. She was so ripe and womanly and so exactly what he needed at thismoment.
She whispered slowly, as though the word was a playing card she’d forgotten she was holding. “Lifetime.”
“Don’t count on it,” he said andleft.
