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“I understand. You’re sick.” He helped her out of the nightgown in record time. “I’m not some lech.”
“No? Dammit.”
But he didn’t grin. He was too busy taking in her curves as she shrugged off the nightgown and set it aside. She liked her body and thought she’d aged well. Most of the time when she checked herself out, she could bury the complaints she had in positives. She had nice breasts, a small waist. Decent legs. But she also didn’t normally compare herself to women like Brad’s ex, who probably thought twenty-eight was old.
She had to say something. Just had to. As much as she wanted to absorb the appreciation in his clear, bluish-gray eyes, nerves rose up again. “I’m not shy, and I’m not indecisive. Most of the time. But that doesn’t mean I’m incapable of noticing differences.”
He lifted her chin with a single fingertip. “I want you. And only you. If there’s anyone else in this bathroom, you’re inviting them here. Not me.”
She nodded and wet her lips. In other words, if she didn’t stop making him prove his desire, she might not have to worry. Nothing drove a man away faster than insecurity. And that wasn’t her. She wasn’t some shrinking violet without a clue as to her own worth. Any guy would be lucky to have her.
Even Brad.
This didn’t have to be some big huge issue if she didn’t make it into one. They could…explore, see how things went. If she laid down the ground rules, she’d have to trust he would abide by them. She’d have to trust him.
“I’m happy here,” she said quietly. “Living with you and Kim. I know it’s not a permanent arrangement, but for the time being, it works for me. It’s not that I don’t want you too. I just don’t want to jeopardize anything. I don’t want to hurt your sister. She’s been so wonderful to me, and I don’t want her to think I’m taking advantage of the situation. Of…you or her generosity in letting me stay here.” She frowned when he smirked.
“You’ve wanted to cougar me since the first time we met. Don’t try to be coy now.”
She would not smile. That was precisely what he wanted. “Brad, I’m serious.”
“Okay. Let’s be serious.” He laced his fingers with hers, his palm warm and ridged with calluses. She was used to men with soft hands, men who worked strictly with their minds. Imagining this man putting those hands on her body…
God. She nearly shuddered before she realized he was still speaking.
“How do you want to handle this?”
“For right now, we’ll keep this between us.” She waited for his objection, but he didn’t say a word. “Okay?”
“For how long?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe we’ll do it and that will be that.”
“Not likely, but whatever makes you feel better.”
She frowned at his knowing tone. “We’ll play it by ear. I’d prefer we not make a big thing out of this. Kim’s got her new guy anyway. She probably won’t even have time to care.”
She knew that wasn’t true, and she also knew the risk she was running by keeping her best friend out of the loop. But she didn’t want drama or questions. She just wanted to have a fling. And if no one knew, life wouldn’t become messy if—when—it ended. Right?
At least her logic made sense in her cold-addled head.
“If it turns out we’re better suited as friends, nothing will change. You have to believe me, Sara.” He gazed down at their linked hands, then up at her with a penetrating stare that made her knees weak. “This is about going after something I think we both know could be amazing. It’s not about ruining something that’s already pretty great.”
She angled her head, letting her hair shield her eyes. She felt way too exposed when he was looking at her like that. “So how come I’m the only one who’s naked?”
His jaw flexed, and that little nervous tic helped her regain her footing. “You’re not feeling well.”
“No. And on the way to going after something amazing, I’d rather not risk a lackluster performance when I’m not at full strength. At least not ‘til I’m sure you’ll stick around for repeats.”
He stroked the backs of her fingers with his thumb. “You can be sure,” he murmured. “But I’ll defer to your judgment. Today.”
“Such a gentleman.”
“Yeah, and you’re also naked, so what’s not to like?”
She smiled, almost forgetting that she hurt all over. He was making this so easy. “Are you up for helping me with my shower? And speaking of up…” she licked her lips as she glanced at the definite rise beneath his jeans, “…maybe you could demonstrate what you told me about earlier, with a live visual in front of you.”
He reached over his head and gripped the back of his T-shirt. “You never say what I expect,” he muttered, tossing the shirt aside and immediately going for the button on his jeans.
