Page 132 of Sin With Me

“I want to strip him with my teeth, lick him with my tongue, and ride him wearing his cowboy hat until the sun comesup.”

“So, he’ll be just like any other guy then?” Grace stopped her brush.

“What do youmean?”

“I mean that since David’s death, you’ve used men the same way you do toilet paper. Once.”

“I don’t know Grace, this one may be a wipe,” I teased.

“Oh, gross, you wouldn’t use a wipe more than once, Em!”

“No, but they’re tougher, rougher, and hopefully well lubricated.” What I’d failed to tell Grace was that no man had touched me since David. I might have flirted and elaborated about my dates a bit, letting her imagination flourish, but I’d never allowed another man to touch me. David had been my first and only lover. I’d known him since we were kids, and I was the reason hedied.

“One of these days, you’re finally going to open up to someone new, fall in love again, and settle down, Em. And when that day comes, I hope you’re ready. The last thing I’d want you to do is to throw away theone.”

I rolled my eyes. Grace had been talking about the one for a long time. She hadn’t had any luck finding the right man until I literally brought Hunter onto her doorstep. Or maybe none of them could compare to Marcus, her fiancé who had died saving her life. Grace had never experienced the kind of freedom I had by dating men for pure enjoyment, and she’d treated her dates as if they were all the one, ultimately scaring them off before they got a chance to know what a wonderful woman she was. That is, until she found Hunter, to whom her clinging issues didn’t matter.

“I don’t know if he’s the one, Grace. I just met him. But he’s definitely not from the city quarters, and he’s so different and genuine.”

“Wow, look at you. You mean to tell me he actually has a personality? That’s an improvement.”

She picked up her curling iron and began working her magic with styling my hair. I was glad I’d had a chance to jump into a quick shower right after work so that we could have this time to get ready.

“Of course he has a personality. I wouldn’t be gushing over him if he didn’t, would I? Now stop interrogating me, finish up, and help me pick an outfit. We don’t have muchtime.”

“I’m doing your makeup, too.”

Of course she would be. Neither I nor Grace would have it any otherway.

After the first fifteen minutes of throwing my clothes onto my bed, pushing aside all the skimpy dresses I usually wore, I’d finally found a peach one that hugged my figure but fluttered out just above my knees. It was sexy but cute at the sametime.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you wear that. You look gorgeous.”

“That’s because I haven’t. I knew I was saving it for the rightman.”

At my words, the intercomrang.

I pressed the button, saying, “I’ll be rightdown.”

“Go get him, Em.”

“Thanks, Grace.” I hugged my friend feeling the fluttering butterflies in my stomach turn into a wild elephant stampede.

* * *

Downstairs,Eric stood in the lobby with his back turned, looking out the front door. His wide shoulders and narrow hips gave him that perfect shape of an irresistible hunk. My body tingled with desire. His tight behind fit perfectly in his jeans, and I’d already imagined squeezing it to feel the taut muscles. I’d never seen a man wear jeans on a first date. Most of the ones I’d dated had worn suits and looked like they had a pole stuck up their asses, the way they stood when they saw me. But not Eric. My Cowboy’s style was much sexier and more relaxed, which I totally appreciated as it removed any unnecessary tension. But this was just a date, to get to know him better and to make my work easier. It couldn’t be more because my brothers would freak if they knew I was getting involved with a client, and I’d have to go back to my job of investigating cheaters. That was the last thing I wanted. If they only knew how much pain that responsibility had brought me. But I wasn’t a quitter or a whiner. I would do what had to be done. Solve this case, and maybe then see whether Eric and I had something more than sparks flying each time we saw each other. And what my brothers didn’t know wouldn’t hurt them. Orme.

Letting out a long breath, I made my way toward the front. As my heels clicked, echoing with each step, Eric turned slowly toward me, removed his cowboy hat, and smiled. I paused for a moment, taking in his strong stance, hard muscles, and that one dimple that formed on his right cheek. My gaze lowered to the bouquet of freesias in his hands. The delicate yellow and purple flowers were so lovely and so different than the roses I was usedto.

“Hello, Emma.” His deep voice vibrated through my body and I nearly melted. If we continued at this rate, I’d be in his arms way sooner than I wanted tobe.

“Hello.” Was that all I could say? What did he do to me to make me so breathless?

He reached forward to hand me the flowers.

“Thank you. Do you mind if I leave them here? I wouldn’t want them to be without water.”

“Of course.”

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