Page 38 of Back in Black

He didn’t quite have the energy to laugh, but he at least managed a smile.

Turning his head toward her, Drew found her silky black hair mussed around her face. Her eyes were heavy, her lips swollen.

So fucking sexy.

And thinking about sexy . . . he remembered the tightness of her, the fit. “So how long has it been for you?”

Incredulity fell over her face before she slanted him a look. “You already knew that my tastes were . . .” She searched for a word and settled on “. . . exacting.”

Of course she was—and it flattered him. “But I passed muster, huh?”

Smiling, she ran one finger down his chest. “You do possess a sort of raw appeal.”

He turned toward her and smoothed back her hair. It was so sleek, it felt liquid. Everything about her was ultimately feminine, and yet strong. Particularly her sexual appetite.

She pressed her cheek into his palm. It was the weirdest thing, especially since he was well sated, yet far from done.

But right now, with Gillian Noode, maybe for the first time with a woman, he felt . . . tender. Affectionate.

Drew shook his head. No way in hell was he ready to head down that road just because of awesome sex. Okay, it was more than sex, but still . . . “Clean up, food, and then back in the bed.”

“Mmmm.” She smiled again. “The upcoming order?”

“For the rest of the night.” He kissed her hard and fast and rose from the tangled sheets. “You can stay put and I’ll play the gentleman if you want.”

“Dinner in bed?”

With Gillian, he wouldn’t mindeverythingin bed—especially if she stayed just as she was now: smiling, sweet-tempered, responsive to him, and best of all, naked.

He looked her over and wanted her again. Already.

Shit.

Sounding a little hoarse, he said, “Yeah.” And then, before he started doing something stupid, like declaring himself to a woman he barely knew but who wanted to change him in every way imaginable, he said, “Relax. I’ll be right back.”

WITH his heart thumping and his body taut, Brett pushed back his chair and came around to Audrey’s side of the table. Startled, she stared up at him. A smile would have helped, but he couldn’t quite drum one up around the thrumming of lust. He held out a hand, and when she accepted it, he pulled her to her feet.

“Here?” she asked in a near squeak.

Brett hesitated. Did she regret taunting him? Was she having second thoughts, or did she just enjoy teasing him?

Since he was falling fast, it might be time to find out. Drawing a breath, he said, “Come on.”

Leading her back to the stairs, he walked down a few steps then turned to her. They had a few seconds of privacy here, and he hoped it would be enough.

Ah, no, she wasn’t teasing him, Brett thought. Looking at her, he saw a reflection of everything he felt. Already Audrey breathed too deep and her brown eyes were wide, darker, and glittering.

She wanted him.

But unlike him, she had reservations that he’d have to help her overcome. Once he did, he felt sure they’d both enjoy themselves for however long things lasted.

Audrey slicked her tongue over her bottom lip. “Our food should be ready soon.”

Brett wanted to groan at her uncertainty—but he had promised her. Besides, when they finally got together, he wanted her with him one hundred percent.

Flattening one hand on the wall beside her head and staring down at his feet, he worked to compose himself. When he felt in control again, he faced her. “It’s up to you, Audrey. What do you want to do?”

For an answer, she looked at his mouth, and with every second that passed, the tension ramped between them.

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