Page 12 of The Bad Boy's Good Girl

“Why would it be awkward, Bronx?”

“You’re gonna make me say it?”

She nodded and a twisted sense of pleasure shot through her, warmed her from her fingertips to her soul. She wanted him to acknowledge the elephant in the room. See if he had an explanation for his behavior. His mouth opened and closed several times and she felt even better knowing he couldn’t do it. “Let me help you. I was drunk and depressed and practically threw myself at you.” It was embarrassing to even admit that she’d tempted him beyond all reason until he gave her what she wanted. A distraction.

“So far, so good.”

She nodded. “You couldn’t resist what I offered so freely, so you took my virginity and made it good. Really good. And then you left in the middle of the night and pretended like it never happened. Did I miss anything?” Nola thought maybe she would have to reevaluate her standing as a good person because when his skin went from sun kissed butterscotch to ghost white, she felt pleasure. Good. She didn’t regret what happened between them—not much anyway—but she wished his exit hadn’t tainted the memory.

“Shit, Nola, I didn’t realize.” His expression darkened and she wondered what was going through his mind but couldn’t bring herself to ask. “I’m sorry. If I’d known, I would have gone slower, would have made damn sure it was good for you.”

Was he kidding? “It was good, Bronx. Better than I thought it would be. Except the vanishing act.” He opened his mouth to speak but she stopped him with a hand to his arm. “I wasn’t expecting a date or a proposal, Bronx, just you know, something other than you slipping out like a thief in the night.”

“How is that even possible? Did you go to an all girl’s school?”

“You know I didn’t.” She’d moved to Serendipity when she was very young, went to school at a nearby university and took this job, all to stay close to her grandma.

“Then how?” He leaned forward. “How on earth was someone like you still a virgin?”

Someone like her? She wanted clarification but she was afraid it might not be the compliment it sounded like. “Easy. I was focused on school and taking care of Grammie, until recently.”

“Is that what it was, finally doing away with it?”

“Wow, you sweet talker,” she deadpanned. “No. I was drunk and upset, and you’re hot.”

“That’s all?”

“That’s most of it. You’re not getting the rest.”

He grinned. “I’ll just keep on believing that you’ve secretly wanted me and finally took your shot.”

It wasn’t far off so she just shrugged. “You’ll believe what you want, Bronx. If your ego needs another adoring fan you can pretend to feed the beast.” He laughed again and Nola thought maybe she was becoming addicted to the sound.

They ate in silence for awhile after the food was delivered and Nola felt so full she thought her stomach might split the front of her dress. “That mac & cheese is damn good,” he told her as he stole another forkful from her plate.

“My eyes were definitely bigger than my stomach,” she groaned. “I’ll just have to roll home.”

“I’ll roll you,” he offered with a twinkle in his eye.

“I’m good, thanks.” The last thing she needed was to have this man within a few feet of her bedroom. Her sofa. Really any flat surface.

“Come on, Nola. If you don’t let me give you a ride then I’ll be forced to walk with you and I don’t want to.”

“It’s just a few blocks,” she insisted.

“After putting away most of your mac & cheese I don’t want to walk.”

She stood. “Perfect, because I didn’t ask you to. I’ll be right back.” She needed a break from this man and his potent masculinity that had her body strung tight like a bow. If she closed herself in his itty bitty sports car, his scent invading her senses, it would be a done deal. She would invite him in to satisfy the craving he’d started within her. “Stay strong,” she told her reflection before exiting the bathroom and joining Bronx. “We should get the check.”

“It’s been paid.”

She frowned. “How much do I owe you?”

“Consider it our first date.” His lips twitched at the argument that was forming on her lips and she decided to bite it back.

“Thanks for dinner, Bronx. See you Monday.” She was halfway down the block when he finally caught up with her.

“Stop being so damn stubborn, woman.” Gripping her arm, he turned her and they walked several steps side by side until she came to her senses.

---