Page 70 of No More Heartbreakers

And I had walkedawayfrom this last night? I’d never been more turned on by the sight of someone.

“Looks good on you.” His deep voice rolled across the room and washed over me.

I looked down at myself. His t-shirt was huge, hanging almost to my knees. I’d removed my makeup, and I felt more naked than if I’d stripped bare.

I padded across the carpet to the bed and climbed in. As soon as I got within reach, Aric pulled me against him, guiding my head to his chest.

He leaned over and switched off the lamp on the bedside table, leaving the room dark, but not pitch-black thanks to the moonlight filtering through the open shutters.

I rubbed my palm over his solid chest, enjoying the various textures of his body, so different from my own.

One of his hands came up to hold mine. We laced our fingers together. “You ready to sleep?” he asked.

“Pretty soon, I think. I actually feel exhausted.”

“I’m not surprised. Lillemor says emotional experiences can do that to you.” He paused. “I’m glad to know what happened. It helps me understand you.”

“Thanks for telling me about your past, too, last night. I’m sorry I made assumptions.”

I was quiet for a few minutes. There was a thought I couldn’t get out of my head. Finally, I had to ask.

“So then … you haven’t called any of those numbers?”

“Numbers?”

His other hand brushed my hair away from my face and petted it again and again.

“You said it happened all the time—girls giving you their numbers?” I hated the needy sound of my question, but I wanted the answer.

It wasn’t really my business, but I couldn’t help but wonder.

“No. I haven’t called a one of them. Not since I’ve been in the fair state of Georgia.” Aric laughed softly. “Want to know why?”

I nodded against his chest.

“Because I didn’t have the only number I really wanted to call. Can I get that from you, by the way? Do you think I’ve earned it yet?”

My cheek pressed into the warm, smooth skin of his shoulder as I smiled. “Hmmm, I’m not sure.”

Aric tickled me then rolled us to the side, pulling me back against him in a tight spoon. His voice was low and suggestive in my ear.

“What will it take? Hmmm? Just tell me, and I’ll be happy to give you anything and everything you want.”

I giggled. “I thought you said we weren’t going to do anything tonight.”

In complete opposition to my words, I pressed my hips back into him, gratified to feel a hardness growing against my bottom.

Aric sucked in a breath and pulled his lower body away. His hand went to the side of my hip, holding me in place.

“And I meant that.”

He snuggled his chin over my shoulder, his shadow beard scratching lightly against my face.

“Seriously, are you ever going to give me your number? So many times I’ve wanted to call you—I guess I would’ve had to make up some stupid work-related reason. I just… I’ve been thinking about you. A lot. You wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve driven by that crappy little apartment building of yours.”

My head lifted. “Hey.”

“Sorry. I mean that charming little dollhouse you live in.”

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