Page 54 of Book of Love


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Chapter 14

Well, she hadn’t exactly intended to blurt it out like that.

But the way he was blustering around her house with his fists clenched, all worked up over her life and intensely frustrated by his apparenthunger for her…

He stopped, his eyes darkening with either consternation or disbelief. Or both.

She bit her lip. Her face was hot. “Um, actually…well, I meant that I…”

Her voice trailed off. There were no words in the English language—or probably any other language—to express that she’d “meant” anything else.

Will you have sex with me?was not open to interpretation.

“I should explain,” she said weakly.

His throat worked with a swallow. “You don’t—”

“Lincoln, I’m a virgin.”

That was twice in the span of sixty seconds that she’d shocked the hell out of him. If she confessed her dislike of Hemingway, he’d probably fall on the floor.

“It’s not because of religious or even particularly moral grounds,” she continued quickly. “It just hasn’t happened for a bunch of reasons…but the closer I get to thirty, the more it’s become a bit troublesome. And after all this time, I’d really like to know what the fuss is all about.”

“Thefuss?” His voice sounded strangled.

“It’s not like anyone can avoid it.” Grace’s stomach tightened with anxiety. Now that they were on this path, she couldn’t retreat. “Movies, the internet, TV…sex is everywhere. Not to mention, there’s a healthy dose of lust in the plays and poems I teach. So maybe your lecture about my life had a tiny bit of merit. I do want to expandcertainhorizons. Hence, my…er, question.”

She looked at him warily. He was still staring at her, his breathing heavy and his eyes brewing with intensity.

The air thickened. Her blood warmed, and her heart began a slow, rolling beat that echoed in her belly. She skimmed her gaze over his mouth, recalling the delicious way his lips had felt pressed against hers.

“I know I said I wanted only one thing from you.” Her knees suddenly weakened, and she sank down on the sofa. “But I’ve been thinking I want to add to that list. I didn’t mean to spring it on you like this, but I…I’ve been hopingyoumight be the one to show me what the fuss is all about.”

His eyes darkened. “Grace, I—”

“Look, the pieces are all in place.” She held up her hands, hoping he wouldn’t notice she was trembling. “Neither of us wants a relationship, but I trust you, and I’m pretty sure you trust me too. Plus you’re experienced, which is useful, and you’re only here for a short time, so as long as we keep our personal stuff separate from our working relationship, everything will be nice and tidy.”

He studied her for a moment, then stalked across the living room so swiftly that her breath caught. Before she could blink, he was sitting next to her, close enough that she could feel his body heat and smell his warm, spicy scent.

“I’m glad to know I’m useful,” he curled his hands around her wrists, “but I’ve never hadnice, tidysex before, and I don’t intend to start now. I like it sweaty, hot, and often downright dirty.”

A flush swept from her face to the tips of her toes. “Um, I meant just the…the situation. No complications. The sex…er, that can be whatever we want. If you…if we…”

Her courage was faltering badly. What was she thinking? That he’d be honored and delighted by her request?

She stared into his topaz eyes and suddenly saw him leaving Bliss Cove and returning to his big, exciting life tracking gorillas in Uganda and mountain biking in Bolivia.

“I actually had a much more professional speech planned,” she whispered.

“Hmm.” He shifted his gaze to her lips. “Can’t say I’m a fan of professional speeches.”

“You prefer bumbling awkwardness?”

Amusement creased his eyes. “I preferyou.”

Her heart gave a little jump. “Does that mean—”

“But I’m not going to have sex with you.”

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