Page 9 of A Man After Midnight

Chapter Four

The closing of the hotel door jarred her awake. Caroline opened her eyes and stared blankly across the rumpled bed, realizing she lay on her stomach. Naked. The jostling of trays and the smell of coffee had her scrambling to sit upright and reaching for the sheet just as the bedroom door eased open.

“I ordered us some breakfast,” Wren told her as he entered. He wore a white terry robe that gaped a little to reveal part of his chest. He held a tray in his hands, piled with food. Caroline scooted with as much dignity as possible while keeping the sheet firmly in place, until her back hit the headboard. Her gaze zeroed in on the cup of hot, black coffee on the corner of the tray.

He set the tray on the corner of the bed and then climbed on the mattress, stalking her on hands and knees. A wicked smile lingered on his lips and desire brightened his slate grey eyes.

“You may not want to bend too close,” she warned, holding a hand up. “Morning breath. I should run to my room and brush my teeth.”

“Then you might not come back,” he countered, his gaze lingering on her lips. He bent his head and captured her lips, nibbling on them before pulling back. “I have mouthwash if you’re too self-conscious, but I have to admit you taste amazing.”

“Hmm,” she replied. “Good answer.”

He winked. He reared back and retrieved the tray, setting it between them. Caroline fixed her coffee with cream and sugar while Wren picked up a pancake and ate it by rolling it up to take bites.

“What plans did you have for today?” he asked in between bites. “We could go sightseeing, maybe explore near Central Park, SOHO district, and Chinatown.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be attending conferences?”

“I can always ask for the footnotes.”

“You were supposed to be a one-night stand, not a tourist buddy.”

His eyes narrowed. “I don’t really do one-night stands, Caroline.”

She gave a pointed look around the room. “Then how do you explain last night?”

“I never intended for things to lead to sex,” he replied. “At least not right away. But you’re incredibly beautiful, and you excited me to the point of bursting.”

Caroline set her cup on the tray. She ran her fingers through her short bob of a haircut and gave a sigh. “Can I be honest with you?”

“Of course,” he answered, though there was a note of wariness in his tone.

“I’m kind of freaking out,” she admitted.

“Why?” he asked, genuinely perplexed.

She took a deep breath. “I’ve never, ever, slept with someone I’ve just met! I’ve never, ever…” She fell silent for a moment as the images replayed in her mind. “I’ve never been that expressive during sex.”

“You mean liberated.”

“No. I mean I’ve never acted like that during sex. It’s always been very, well…” she paused as she searched for the right word.

“Missionary?”

Caroline frowned at him.

“Admit it.”

“All right,” she replied, a bit reluctant. “I admit that sex has always been more for the man than for me.”

“Some men are selfish. But you liked when I tied you up. You even initiated love bites.” He turned his head a little to show off her mark.

Caroline felt herself flush. “Stop it.”

“Why?” he demanded. “There’s nothing wrong with a little role playing. A little voyeurism. Maybe even a little pain.”

“Only perverted people like that kind of sex,” she said in a low tone.

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