Page 38 of Loving My Enemy

My hand slowly joined the party, running over his big hard pecs and down his six-pack abs before I boldly brushed my knuckles over his denim-covered erection. Antonio jumped back, his hazel eyes wide like he’d touched a live wire. “We can’t. Not here.” His words came out like sharp pants, and I had to bite back a smile.

“You mean, you want to?” I was so confused by his behavior. By the kisses, the hot and cold behavior. I didn’t even know which way was up anymore.

“Of course I do.” He flashed that grin that did naughty things to my body and all I could think about was what came next. Did we get naked? Sex? Would I get an orgasm?

“Vargas, get your ass back in here! We’re starting,” Ry called out and the moment was over.

Antonio looked at me with a wide grin, winked, and ducked back inside, leaving me to wonder what in the hell “of course” meant. Did he mean,“of course I want to have sex with a willing woman”or with me? I was out of my depth and breathless by thetime I rejoined the girls at the table where a fresh round of ice-cold beer had been set in front of each seat.

But as the final round got under way, another thought occurred to me. Antonio didn’t like me but he wanted me and I pretty much felt the same, which meant that I could—theoretically—have sex with him without getting my emotions involved. Couldn’t I?

“Are you paying attention?” Janey whispered.

“Sorry. Bill Clinton is the answer.” I was too distracted to be here, but I’d promised. “Have you ever slept with a guy just for the sex?”

Max stared at me, shocked at first, but then understanding dawned. “Yes, and I highly recommend it, but just remember that no form of birth control works every time.”

“That’s true,” Penny chimed in. “If you don’t want him for more than a night, imagine having to spend the next thirty Thanksgivings and Christmases and birthdays with him.” Penny’s ex had recently started making an effort to see their son, so I understood her point. “They’ll always be there. Always.”

Bo leaned in and whispered, “If Nina were here, she would tell you to only sleep with the wrong guy until you’re ready for the right one.”

“Why?” I asked, intrigued by this counterintuitive advice.

“Because falling for the wrong guy sucks.”

“I haven’t fallen for any guy. Ever.” Maybe I needed some good old-fashioned heartbreak. It was an experience—not one I was looking forward to—but maybe that part couldn’t be helped. I was pretty sure I wanted to have sex, for real this time, with Antonio.

“Don’t sleep with him,” Janey warned. “Sorry, but I don’t think you’re the casual-sex type.”

“I’m not. But maybe I could be.” Maybe casual sex was what I needed. For me. Just for me.

Chapter 23

Antonio

Istood on Elka’s doorstep and took a few deep breaths, hoping she wouldn’t kick me in the nuts for not following up with her after trivia night ended. I wanted to. God, I wanted it more than I wanted my next breath. But she needed a night to think on it, to make sure it was what she wanted.Fuck it.I pressed the doorbell and held my breath. Besides, I had a secret weapon.

The door opened and there she was, long blond hair falling around her shoulders, still slightly damp from a recent shower. And I knew the whole universe was conspiring against me because she wore another of those flirty little dresses, this one a pale-peach color with small white flowers everywhere. It was the kind of dress that made a man spend all evening wondering what was underneath. “Antonio, what are you doing here?”

“Feeding you.” I flashed a smile that had gotten me out of trouble dozens of times over the years, especially with women, as I lifted the bags filled with food.

She blinked once and stepped back. It wasn’t joy on her face but it wasn’t fear either. “All right.”

Her easy yes felt like a trap, but I was trying not to be cynical. “You’re not gonna fight me on it?”

“I don’t think I have to anymore, do I?” She wrapped her arms around her waist in a protective gesture and took another small step back.

I frowned, searching her face for signs of deception. “Because we kissed?”

She rolled her eyes. “No, Antonio. Because you got the answers you were looking for and you’re done with me. This dinner is to make you feel better. I love food so I’m willing to give it a shot.” It almost felt like she was challenging me to prove her wrong.

“You’ve got me all figured out, don’t you?”

“Not even close,” she said and pushed the door closed, twisting the lock before darting around me and walking to the kitchen. It took me a second to stop staring at her shapely legs and her rainbow-colored toenails, before I followed her inside. “But I’ve gotthisall figured out.”

“You’re wrong, Elka. I’m here for you.” I stared at her until she looked up at me, until she was unable to look away. Her blue eyes darkened the moment she saw the dark intent in my eyes.

“For sex, you mean?”

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