Page 8 of Nothing to No One

“Are you cold, Fawn?” When he leaned in to ease away from the cool wall, his mouth came closer. She stopped breathing, fearing the taste of his breath would thrust her into orgasm there on the spot. “You can put the jacket on if you’d prefer.”

More clothes? No.

Opening her hands on his chest, she took the liberty of insinuating herself closer. “You’re a real gentleman.”

Something she hadn’t encountered for a while.

His short laugh was almost a scoff. “Are you flirting with me?”

“You’ve already kissed me.” The adrenaline of want paired with the infusion of alcohol inspiring her confidence. “We’re past flirting, beau.”

When he ran his hands up her sides and down over her breasts, she pushed into the caress. If she was allowed to strokehis chest, he should be allowed to touch hers. Fair was fair; didn’t hurt his attention melted her insides.

Taking the hint, he put her out of her misery and kissed her without an ounce of hesitation. He opened his mouth, scooped a hand through her hair, and hauled her tight to him like she’d belonged to him forever.

The need was beyond physical. Just like in the elevator, that sensation, whatever it was, beckoned. Begged her to settle herself in him, to give in to him. Intuition betrayed surrender.

Whipping off his loose tie, she fought to feel him as his hands explored her. Natural instinct didn’t dawdle, he snatched her over to straddle his lap. Her fingers worked on unbuttoning his shirt as his, under her skirt, squeezed her ass, pulling her flush against the bulge in his slacks. She rocked herself against his erection until a desperate rush of blood sped through her heart, intensifying the buzz of alcohol coursing through her.

Suddenly, he gripped her arms, separating their mouths. “Wait, baby. Shit, hold on.”

Wait? No. No waiting. She wanted him. Wanted to keep going, to explore some more, to feel as invincible as he stimulated her to be. Her body was drawn to his and although he still had hold of her arms, she swayed in, taking another short kiss before their foreheads met.

Panting into the narrow ether that existed between their mouths, she slowly returned to reality. They were strangers. Complete opposites too. They couldn’t have anything in common. Just because they were attracted to each other… or maybe they weren’t really attracted to each other at all. Maybe they were only responding to the confined, stressful situation.

“We shouldn’t be sitting on beds together,” she whispered.

“Not until after at least three or four dates.”

Her lips curved. They could have freaked out. Well, she could’ve freaked out, he was probably much better at dealing with romance stuff. More experienced anyway.

Rather than panic and run, she stuck close, relaxed, and accepted his teasing comfort.

“We did have a drink together, that’s got to count as one,” she said, loosening to sit back. His hands slid from her upper arms to her wrists. “Though liquor’s probably where the problem started.”

“We should’ve done dinner first.” He threaded their fingers together. “Don’t think there’s anything around here to eat.”

“There are gummy bears and marshmallows in your gift bag,” she said, to which he reacted with amusement. “Kids from the community center made the suggestion.”

“I guess that’s a start.”

Climbing off him, she went to grab the bag from by the door and brought it back. Kneeling on the edge of the bed, she didn’t venture far and made a point of pushing it across to him without getting close.

“Okay,” he said on a laugh, obviously getting the point of her playful, exaggerated distance. He dug out the candy packets and held up one then the other. “Which do we start with? Shame we don’t have a flame to toast the marshmallows.”

“Nobody carries a lighter anymore. Start with the gummy bears. They’re more nutritious, right?”

“Nutritious?” he asked, putting the marshmallows back to open the gummy bears.

“They’re fruit flavor.”

He tipped the bears into his palm and held it toward her, side-nodding. “I promise no more kissing. Come over here. Ladies’ choice.”

Scooching a little closer, still on her knees, she selected a couple.

“Are you allowed to eat these?” she asked, collecting the red ones to set them on the corner of his jacket.

“Why wouldn’t I be allowed to eat them?”

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