Page 38 of Perfect Together

She straightened her shoulders defensively. “Tyler and I hadn’t set a date yet, and I did not and would not cheat.”

“I didn’t say you would.”

“You painted me with that same brush.”

“For a little while,” he allowed. “And I apologized.”

She nodded. “You did. But I sense you’re still holding it against me.”

He shook his head. “No. It’s just that you need to understand what that did to me and my ability to trust—”

“Anyone. You won’t let yourself fully trust anyone.”

He inserted his hands into his pockets, letting her words speak for him.

“Okay, now I know.” And she supposed she could understand though he was acting like an ass. She sighed and waited to see what he’d say next.

Sam groaned. “I just don’t want any unrealistic expectations between us.”

“What was it I said at the fundraiser? I’m not looking for complicated or serious myself. So... tell me your problem again?”

“Put like that, I supposed I don’t have one.”

She cocked her head to one side. “Sam? Are you still thinking about things?” she asked, her voice a husky purr as she stepped closer. “Because I’m thinking we’re talked out, thought out, and in agreement about what we want to come next.”

***

It wasn’t likeNicole to be forward or brazen, but she forced herself now, sensing that any step they took next hinged on her convincing Sam they were on the same page. Not having him was unacceptable. Especially when she knew, from how angrily he’d dragged her away from Tyler, he desired her as much as she did him.

True, her experience with men was limited to Tyler and one other, but her realm of flirting was much broader. She knew how to schmooze a man in order to get him to loosen his wallet for a good cause. How different could it be to get Sam to relax and trust that she wouldn’t push for more than he wanted to give?

She braced a hand against his T-shirt, feeling his heart beat through the thin cotton fabric. “Don’t you want to pick up where we left off the other night?”

He grasped her wrist with a low growl. The next thing she knew, he’d pulled her against him and sealed his lips over hers. So much simpler than she’d anticipated, Nicole thought, before his tongue darted out, swiping over her lips, and she stopped thinking at all.

She already knew Sam was a master kisser, and he didn’t disappoint now, taking control of both her and the situation. And she gladly ceded power. He devoured her with his mouth and ravished her with his tongue. Their bodies came together, and he rolled his hips against hers, slowly, methodically, over and over until flames lit her up from the inside out.

Together they created a raging inferno—there were no other words for the heated passion flaring between them. When he lifted his head and she looked into his eyes, they sizzled with the same urgency thrumming through her.

“Home?” he asked.

She managed a nod, thrilled with the knowledge that she’d broken through the last of his reserves. Now she hoped she didn’t get crushed in the dust when he was through.

Nicole had been packing for her move, and boxes surrounded them once they were at her apartment, but the atmosphere didn’t matter. She and Sam had been building up to this moment since they’d laid eyes on each other months ago.

She shut the door behind them, and Sam spun her around, her back coming up against the wall. She didn’t know who was more desperate. Her hands went to the hem of his shirt, his to the bottom of her tank. Clothes ended up in piles on the floor.

He cupped her breasts, and she fit perfectly in his palms. She arched her back, pressing her nipples against his flesh, seeking pressure. He gave it to her, brushing his thumbs over the turgid peaks. She moaned, and he tweaked them harder between his fingers, working both breasts at the same time. Sensation spiked from her nipples to her core.

“You are so much more beautiful than I imagined,” he muttered. “I need to see more.”

With a fast rip, he tore the flimsy bra from her body, baring her to his hot gaze.

“Oh, man.”

She trembled beneath his yearning stare, so sinful and hot, she could almost come from that look alone.

“This is why I ended things with Tyler,” she said.