Page 20 of Calling the Shots

Nothing about the two of us makes any sense. On paper, we’re the most unlikely match of all time.

The way he makes me feel, though? Alive and electric, bubbling over with needy desire. Like I will literally die if he doesn’t kiss me, touch me, hold me, right now.

Thatmakes perfect sense.

So I link my fingers with his and lead him to my bedroom, not daring to look back.

I’m taking a risk, so I may as well enjoy it.

Especially if this is a one-time thing.

My bedroom’s dark and I purposely keep the lights off. Don’t want to scare Mack away before things even get going. Curvy is the polite way to describe my figure, the word I always use on my dating profile. But I have morecurvesthan I would like, no matter which diet I try. Plus, the bonus twins, cellulite and stretch marks. I’m not tall and thin like Jamie or perfectly proportionate like Sloane.

All things being equal, I prefer to have sex in complete darkness. Figure it’s better that way for all involved.

I guide Mack to the bed and hold my breath, waiting for him to say something. To agree with this plan or stop things before we drop more clothing and inhibitions.

“You gonna turn a light on?”

“It’s better if I don’t.” I’m glad the room’s dim, hiding my flaming cheeks in the shadows.

“Yeah? I wholeheartedly disagree.” Mack snakes his hand up the inside of my shirt and palms my breast, squeezing. “I want to see these luscious tits while I ride you.”

Shimmery heat ripples through me, my belly swooping at his dirty words.

"You don’t.”

He pulls me up against his hard body and squeezes my ass, pressing his lips to the shell of my ear.

“Don’t tell me what I want, Firecracker. I’m a grown-ass man and I know what I like. Know what I want. And I very much want to see you, watch your pretty face as I make you come for me and scream my name. But if you’re more comfortable in the dark, I’ll live with it. For now.”

Pleasure skitters across my skin as his warm breath tickles my face, my neck. My thighs clench and I quickly debate the merits of lights on versus lights off.

Taking the scary leap, I unwind myself from him and move over to the nightstand, clicking on the light. “Fine.”

“Ah, there she is.” He stares at me like I’m a real-life supermodel and a bit of my self-consciousness fades away.

With two large strides, he’s in front of me, caressing my face with the rough pads of his fingers. Tracing down the line of my jaw to my chin, he tilts my head up to meet his gaze.

“You okay?” His eyes search mine, waiting for an answer.

Heart pounding and throat dry, I nod. “Yeah, I’m good.”

Nervous as hell, but good.

He doesn’t wait for further reassurance. Instead, he reaches around and grabs the back of his shirt, pulling it over his head. I suck in a breath as his T-shirt hits the floor, taking in his broad chest and the ridges of his abs.

Mack is all man. I’ve never hooked up with anyone as rugged and handsome as he is. Not that my exes were duds or anything, but they sure as hell weren’t Mack.

The hard lines, the stubble, the spicy masculine scent wafting from his skin. The way he’s staring at me right now, like he’s had his snack and that was cute and all. But he’s still hungry and ready for the main course.

Heat unfurls low in my belly under his smoldering gaze. This man is doing things to me and we’ve barely even begun.

He unbuttons his jeans and kicks his pants off. Matter-of-fact and unceremoniously. Like it’s no big deal.

Meanwhile, I’m over here all up in my head, worrying about lights on or off.

Fuck it.