Page 63 of Beyond the Hate

“Who says there’s going to be a next time?”

I do, but I’m smart enough to keep my mouth shut.

I lead her to the house and into the living room. “Do you want a nightcap? I have every variety ofBuccaneer’s Whiskeyyou can imagine.”

She considers my question for a moment before shaking her head. “If you drink, you can’t drive me home.”

I step closer to her. “You could stay here.”

The pulse in her neck thumps. “I thought sex was off the table.”

I groan. “I would love nothing more than to flip up this dress, bend you over the couch, and have my wicked way with you.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“I promised I wouldn’t seduce you. I want to show you there’s more between us besides sexual chemistry.”

“I think you proved your point when you snarled at any man who came within five feet of me.”

“I also snarled at the women.”

“I appreciate you being an equal opportunity snarler.”

I debate pushing the matter, but I want more than a moment with Paisley. I can’t have forever. But I want to enjoy her foras long as possible. Having sex tonight is not the best method to get what I want.

I palm her neck. “How about one nightcap and I take you home?”

“What kind of whiskey do you have?”

“Do you drink whiskey?”

“On occasion.”

She’s perfect. A woman who can match me wit for wit and also drinks whiskey. I couldn’t want more. Except to strip her bare and taste every inch of her skin. My cock twitches in agreement. It says forget the whiskey. Good thing it’s not in charge.

“I’ll pour us some drinks.”

It takes every ounce of willpower in my body to step away from her. To walk to the bar and find two glasses. To pour us each a whiskey.

When I return to Paisley and hand her a glass of whiskey, she’s studying me with a confused look on her face.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m not certain how to proceed.”

I lift my glass. “Usually we clink glasses, make a toast about smugglers and mermaids, and drink our whiskey.”

“I mean how to seduce you.”

My cock twitches with such vehemence I nearly fall over. “What did you say?”

“I’m not used to seducing men. Or, rather, seducing men is usually as easy as indicating I’m available for a night of pleasure and then they take over.”

I growl. “How many men have you had one-night stands with?”

She ignores me. “I guess direct is the way to go.” She downs the whiskey in one go and sets the glass on a table. “I’m not wearing any underwear.”

I freeze. “What?” I manage to croak out.

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