Page 109 of Perfect Fit
“You were pretty gutsy last night, so I wouldn’t have figured you’d take the coward’s way out.” He cocked an eyebrow, his expression serious.
Did the man never smile? “And I wouldn’t have thought you were the type who’d want a woman to stick around...after.”
Which made her wonder why he hadn’t let her check out unnoticed, even if he had been awake. It would have spared them both the awkwardness of... this. Then again, they’d have to play this conversation out sometime.Might as well get it over with,she thought.
Then his words came back to her. “I was gutsy?” She straightened her shoulders a bit at that.
Erin was tough with her brothers and at work, where she had to be in order to keep up with her boss and hold her own against defense attorneys and their clients. But gutsy with men? That was a first, and she kind of liked hearing it.
“I left the bar with you. That took nerve,” she said, almost pleased with herself.
He eyed her without cracking a grin, but she’d swear she saw a hint of amusement in his eyes. Before he banked it, that is.
“I meant you were gutsy in bed.”
His words, along with the deep rumble of approval in his tone, warmed her inside and out, and the heat of a blush rose to her cheeks.
“Thank you,” she said, immediately horrified. Had she really just said that?
That earned her a sexy grin she’d never forget.
“Back to my original point. We go way back. So no, I didn’t expect you to sneak out,” he said. “Regrets?” he asked, surprising her with both the question and the suddenly defensive edge to his voice.
She immediately shook her head. “None.” It saddened her that he’d think she’d have them.
Not that it surprised her. No one in town had welcomed him with open arms, and if anyone found out about last night, they’d think she’d lost her mind. And if her brothers discovered her secret... She refused to go there. If regret hadn’t kicked in yet, she doubted it would. And she wouldn’t want him to think she was embarrassed that she’d slept with him.
“You surprise me,” he admitted, studying her intently. “And I didn’t think there was much left in this world that could.”
He sounded as if he’d seen and done too much in his lifetime. A part of her wanted to reach out and soothe his hidden pain. But before she could dissect her thoughts or, heaven forbid, act on them, he spoke.
“But your instincts about me were right on. I’m not much for long-drawn-out mornings after.”
Disappointment stabbed her in the heart, andthatwas too dangerous to even contemplate for long. “Glad to know I’m still on my game,” she said, forcing flippancy when she felt anything but.
Now that it was time to say good-bye, it wasn’t just awkward; it hurt a little more than she’d imagined it would. Which was what she got for thinking she could handle a one-night stand with a guy she’d always had somewhat of a thing for. No matter how young she’d been at the time.
“Since it was just a one-night stand, you won’t have to worry about a repeat performance.” She tossed the words as flippantly as she could manage.
“Pity,” he murmured.
She jerked in surprise.
Just as she was wondering if she had the nerve to ask him to turn around so she could get dressed, he flipped the covers off himself and rose from the bed—stark, gloriously naked.
All thoughts fled from her brain. She tried to swallow and choked instead, ending up with another blush as she continued to cough until the spasm passed.
“And that just confirms why it has to be one night only,” he muttered low, obviously more to himself than to her.
Erin hated puzzles and enigmas. “What does that mean?” she asked.
“Erin, honey, in a world where nothing and no one is what they seem, you’re real. And that makes you dangerous.”
“More riddles,” she told him.
He ignored her. Strolling over to the dresser, he opened a drawer and tossed her a pair of drawstring sweats and a faded gray T-shirt. “Here. You’ll be more comfortable—not to mention less conspicuous—leaving in these.”
She swallowed hard. “Thank you.”