Page 100 of Seduction Under the Southern Stars

Ooh, a mega session. I wonder what that entails?

I think about it while I finish getting ready, and then again as we get in the car and Linc heads out on the state highway toward Arrowtown. It’s our last night together; tomorrow he flies to Christchurch to join the cruise, and after that he’s heading back to the UK. One more night to try all the things I’ve dreamed about.

No, I mustn’t think like that. Linc isn’t going to be the only man I ever sleep with. He’s opened the gate in the wall around me, and that means I’m now able to consider dating someone else. I just need to find a man like him, who’s kind and patient, as well as sexy and gorgeous.

I look up at the mountains that tower over me like a well-meaning father, protective but somehow intimidating too, and sigh.

“Penny for them,” Linc says.

I just give him a wistful smile.

He frowns and picks up my hand in his. “What’s the matter?”

“Probably best not to ask.”

“Aw, come on. We’re friends first, right?”

“Yeah, I know. I was thinking about how you’ve helped me, and once you’ve gone I should start dating other people.”

His eyes meet mine, then return to the road. “Right,” he says.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to spoil the mood.”

“Not at all. That was why we did this, wasn’t it? To help you get over that hurdle?” His words are kind, and he’s still holding my hand, but his expression has hardened.

“I’m sorry,” I say again, feeling guilty. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”

He doesn’t reply for a moment. I can see the wheels and cogs whirring in his brain. Eventually, he says, “So you think you will be able to date someone else?”

I look out of the window again. “I don’t know. The thought of letting another man touch me the way you did this morning makes my heart rate skyrocket, and not in a good way.”

“That’s because you’re picturing a stranger,” he says. “But you’d only go to bed with someone once you know and trust them, like you know and trust me, right?”

“I guess. In essence, though, my situation hasn’t changed. The guy, whoever he ends up being, is still going to have to wait for me, and what man wants that?”

“Lora, if he meets you, and he likes you, he’ll be patient with you. If he won’t wait, he’s not worth your time, believe me. And besides, most men like the chase. They enjoy seducing the girl.”

“Talking her into it, you mean?”

“No, no, I mean flirting, encouraging, and teasing her out of her shell.”

“Is that what you did to me?”

He glances at me, lips curving up. “Maybe a little.”

“Or maybe I seduced you.”

His eyebrows rise as he considers it. “Hmm.” He lifts my hand and kisses my fingers. “You were very good at it.”

“Thank you. It was my first time.”

He laughs and releases my hand so he can signal and turn at the roundabout.

Maybe I did seduce him. It was certainly me who asked him if he’d like to have sex. If I did it once, I can do it again, right?

Except I can’t imagine doing it with anyone other than Linc.

“So,” he says, “I wonder whether we’ll get the Bell Ring today?”

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