Page 12 of My Reluctant Valentine

“What? I’m just stating facts.” She pulled out a navy blue set that made me gasp. “Now this? This is going to make him forget how to speak English. Possibly how to breathe.”

“It’s beautiful, but...” I touched the lace hesitantly. “I’ve always been too... much. The male residents used to say—”

“The other residents,” she cut me off, “were intimidated by a woman who’s both brilliant and beautiful. You think Cole looks at you and sees too much? That man looks at you like you’re a feast and he’s been starving.”

“You really think so?” I hated how small my voice sounded.

“Girl.” She stopped sorting through lingerie to face me fully. “You know what my James says? He says God gave the best women curves because straight lines don’t make hearts.”

Something tight in my chest loosened. “That’s... actually really sweet.”

“Exactly. And from the way Cole was eye-fucking you in the lobby this morning? This lingerie isn’t going to stay on long enough for you to calculate its structural integrity.” She added three more sets to our pile. “Now stop overthinking and start trying these on. We’ve got a man to render speechless.”

By the time the office closed, I was a nervous wreck. I’d read every medical text on first-time intercourse, but none of themprepared me for the look in Cole’s eyes as he waited for me in the lobby.

“Ready?” His voice held such dark promises.

I clutched my bag of scandalous purchases. “First-time sexual encounters often result in—”

“Ella.” He guided me to the SUV with a hand on my lower back. It was such a protective and dominating gesture that of course I creamed my panties yet again. I should have bought more cotton I thought almost hysterically. I wanted this so badly. With him. But I was afraid I’d make a mess of it. “Stop thinking about statistics.”

“I can’t help it. Did you know that the average duration of penetrative intercourse is approximately—

“Trust me, little doctor.” He opened my door with another of those wickedly sexy smiles. “Nothing about tonight is going to be average.”

When we reached the hotel, he took me to my room and ordered me to pack a bag for the weekend. Then, we got on the elevator and headed up. I looked at him in surprise. He didn’t answer, just led me to a suite when the doors opened. Inside, the drapes were drawn, but soft lighting and the glow from an electric fireplace gave the room a warm and cozy feel. Through an open doorway I could see rose petals scattered across a massive bed.

“I thought you’d be more comfortable here than at my place. For the first time.” His voice was gentle despite the heat in his eyes. “Though something tells me you’re about to quote a study about romantic ambiance and oxytocin production.”

I closed my mouth, caught.

His laugh was pure sin as he stalked toward me. “No more studies. No more statistics. Just you, me, and all the deliciously filthy things I’m going to teach you.”

As his hands slid under my shirt, I decided maybe it was time to stop thinking and start learning through hands-on experience.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Cole

I couldn’t believe I finally had her in my arms.

“I should shower,” she said, looking up through those long, thick lashes. “It was a long day.”

“Okay.” Of course, I immediately pictured her in the shower, wet and naked, my hands sliding over her skin, teaching her things that definitely weren’t in her anatomy textbooks.

She put her arms around my neck and I pulled her close. “What put that smile on your face?”

“Oh, just thinking of a lesson I’ll be teaching you before the weekend is over. In the shower.” I wanted to kiss her but I was afraid I’d lose control and not give her the time she needed. So, I let her go before I took her straight to bed. Took the night too fast. “Your heart rate just spiked. Experiencing some of that vasocongestion you mentioned?”

“Actually.” She responded in that prim and proper voice I’d come to love. “I’m experiencing multiple physiological responses, including increased blood flow to my erectile tissues, vaginal lubrication, and—”

I growled, cutting her off mid-medical term. “What did I say about clinical terms, little doctor?”

“You started it.”

“And I will finish it.”

“So you keep telling me. But when are you going to start it?” I could see her gathering her courage.

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