Page 73 of No More Heartbreakers

I wiggled beneath him. “Hurry,” I said again.

But Aric didn’t move. His body stayed tensed above mine as he stared down into my face, his eyes full of emotion.

“You’re so beautiful, Heidi. So tiny and perfect,” he whispered.

In this intimate position I wouldn’t have thought myself capable of blushing from mere words, but my face heated instantly. I fought to keep from looking away, forcing myself to hold his gaze.

“So are you.”

His chest moved against me in a quiet, rumbling laugh. “What?”

“Not tiny. Just beautiful. And perfect.”

He smiled. “Better. Guys don’t exactly love being labeled ‘tiny.’”

“Egomaniac.” I slapped at his shoulder softly. “You don’t need me to tell you. I’m sure you’re well aware of the magnificence of your ‘manly attributes.’”

“Magnificent.See, now this is the kind of adjective I’m looking for. Now we’re talking.”

It was a surreal moment, the two of us so close we were nearly joined, his skin pressing against mine along the full length of our bodies… having a conversation.

I nudged my pelvis up against him in a not-so-subtle hint.What are you waiting for?

Not that I was an expert, but this didn’t seem like a situation in which a guy would normally get chatty. Aric seemed to be stalling.

I watched the amusement on his face dissolve. His hands stilled in my hair. His eyes searched mine. His tone was quiet and… humble, for lack of a better word.

“Magnificent enough for you to want to be my girlfriend?”

My intake of air was audible in the silent room.

Sugar.Now, really?

The last thing I wanted to do right now wastalk. We hadn’t discussed anything regarding a relationship, and I really preferred to keep it that way.

Hoping to distract him, I lifted my head and attempted to kiss him, but he pulled his face back.

Apparently, he wasn’t going to let it go. And I literally couldn’t run away this time with his weight pinning me to the bed.

I sighed.Fine.“Aric—you’re so talented.”

He rolled off of me abruptly and lifted onto one elbow, looking down at me in the moonlit room.

“Wait—this is starting off really bad.”

I dragged the sheet up to cover myself, feeling chilled without his warmth over me. “What do you mean? I said you were talented.”

“Yes. Right after I asked you to be my girlfriend. Sounds like you’re warming up for a ‘Dear Aric’ speech.”

“No,” I assured him. “Not at all. Let me finish.”

The tension of his body lessened slightly though he stayed quiet.

“As I was saying, you’re very talented. And you’re ambitious. I’m sure you’re going to finish your contract here and move on. How many months do you have left now?”

“Ten.”

“Ten. Right. I’ve got two. And you’ve been encouraging me to send for other jobs since the minute you met me.”

---