Page 40 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 1

She’s not shy and gives me the time and space to admire her. Not from an arrogant perspective, but the trust we established last year has carried forward. She asks, “Do you always get even?”

“Only when it comes to beautiful women teasing me with the tiniest panties I’ve ever seen.”

She drags the tips of her fingers over my chest. “So, this is a thing you do regularly—pick up women on other dates, seduce them with good conversation and wine, and then bring them back to your hotel and rip their panties to shreds?”

Chuckling, I reply, “I’m not dangerous, remember? I’m just an attorney.”

“I think I underestimated your profession.”

“No, you underestimated me.”

Pushing me gently to the side, she rolls on top of me and kisses me, our lips—finding, feeling, reacquainting. She pulls away just enough for our breath to release and inhale again. “I won’t make that mistake again.”

I caress her cheek. Her eyes close momentarily, and she leans into my touch. I still can’t read her for anything, but she’s a riddle I can’t wait to unravel. One day, I hope to understand what every sigh, moan, and furrowed brow means, which smile is the one that comes naturally when she’s smiling just for me and which is the grin she shares with the rest of the world. I’m convinced that there’s something so genuine about our time together. Despite our auspicious beginning, more is developing between us.

Popping the waistband of my boxer briefs, she says, “Off. It’s only fair.”

“Is that what we’re doing? Tit for tat?”

“Literally.” She reaches behind her back and unclasps her bra. Sliding the straps slowly down her arms, she teases by wriggling the straps in her hands.

As soon as her tits are revealed, I cup them in my hands, kneading and rubbing my thumb over the buds until they bloom for me. She lifts on her knees, and says, “Your turn.”

I’m quick to discard my briefs, anxious to have her settled back on top of me again. “Oh, fuck.”

“What?” The alarm I feel wavers across her face.

“I don’t have a condom.”

Even with wide eyes and raised brows, she still manages to be stunningly beautiful. “Really? Being unprepared is so unlike an attorney,” she teases, one brow cocked even when the other falls into place.

Lifting her to the side, I set her on the mattress and push off the bed. “As shocking as it may seem, I’m not the player you think I am.”

I search the floor for my boxer briefs, thinking I’m going to have to run to the store down in the lobby. Natalie let me right back into her life, so I won’t close that door by walking away from something she’s clearly into as much as I am.

She giggles. “I never said you were a player. Judging by looks alone, you could be, though.”

Smirking at her, I look at this sexy-as-fuck woman naked on my bed, wanting to memorize every freckle, curve, and mark that’s uniquely her. “Thanks.” Unfortunately, I can’t leave her waiting, so I look around the room, wondering if I stashed a condom anywhere or left one packed in my bags from past trips.

She rests back with her hands under her head. “Any luck?”

“No, but I’m not giving up that easily.” I go into the bathroom and start digging through my Dopp kit. It’s not a place I’ve ever stashed condoms, but desperate times call for—I can order some!And I have plenty of ideas on how to pass the time while we wait.

When I rush back into the bedroom, I stop in my tracks when I spot Natalie holding a foil packet between her fingers. “Some of us,” she says, “come prepared.”

Snatching the condom from her, I say, “Good thing one of us is.”

“For the record, Counselor, it doesn’t upset me one bit that you’re not walking around Manhattan on the prowl for a one-night stand. Other than prowling for me, of course.”

I move onto the bed next to her, turning the packet over. When I look beside me, I catch her gaze. I reach over and angle her chin toward me. “You have my word that you won’t be a one-night stand.”

“Promise?”

Sitting up, I run my hand along the length of her thigh.Sexy. Strong.She’s captivating in ways that had me craving her company long after she vanished last time. I lean down and kiss her, lingering to whisper, “It won’t be proven in my words, but through my actions.”

The sound of her gasp is almost lost under the thunder of my beating heart.What’s come over me?

Staring into her eyes, I succumb to a force that keeps pulling us together, one that I have no say or hand in directing. I kiss her. Praying this is enough of a distraction to take her off the scent of my deeper feelings.

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