Page 75 of No More Heartbreakers

“No. Not until you’re ready.”

“But Iamready. Or at least Iwasuntil you decided to get all high and mighty on me.”

“I’m not being high and mighty. I’m trying to do this right.”

I purposely let the sheet fall, and to my satisfaction, Aric’s eyes immediately dropped to my exposed breasts.

“This is ridiculous. It’s not like I’m a virgin or something.”

He dragged his eyes to my face and kept them studiously trained there. “No. But by all rights you should be.”

Aric took my hand inside his. “That… asshole didn’t deserve to take your innocence. If he hadn’t lied to you, tricked you, you stillwouldbe a virgin. I’m not going to follow up his crime with one of my own.”

“What?Crime? Aric—I want to do this with you. I know you’re not like him.”

“That’s right. I’m not, and I’m going to prove it. We’re not going to sleep together until you know what you really want, and until what you really want… isme.”

“You don’t have to prove anything. I do want you.”

“For more than one night?” he asked, studying my face closely. “For more than two months?”

The two of us stayed unmoving, facing each other in the bed, him in his boxers, me in a sheet. A standoff in the semi-nude.

And then I was in motion, feet on the floor, grabbing my skirt from the chair in the corner and jerking it on ferociously.

“This is so stupid. I can’t believe this. First Hale, now you. What kind of guy demands a commitment before he’ll have sex?”

“The kind who cares about more than sex. The kind who cares aboutyou. Please don’t be mad.”

Aric got out of the bed and came to stand in front of me. “I wondered last night what the hell was wrong with Hale, how he could have been with you for so long and not have slept with you. Now I get it—your first time was so wrong. Your next time should be completely right. You wanted the romantic fairy tale. And I think deep inside you still do. You deserve to have it.”

“What Iwantedwas to have sex with you tonight, but you can bet I’ve gotten overthat.And Iammad.”

I pulled on my blouse without bothering to button it and went to the living room to find my shoes.

Aric followed me. “You won’t be once you cool down. Come on. Don’t leave like this.”

He caught up to me and wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, hugging me close and whispering into my ear.

“This is right, Heidi. You’ll see.” He pressed a soft kiss to my cheekbone.

Stopping, I slumped back against him, my fury subsiding at his persuasive tone and his gentle touch. I still wasn’t happy, though.

“The only thing I can see is you turned down the chance to sleep with me, and you’ll be lucky if you ever get another one.” I pouted, stewing in a gumbo of sexual frustration and embarrassment.

He chuckled at my empty threat. “Iwouldbe lucky to have you. But I’m holding out for the jackpot—keeping you.”

How exactly was I supposed to resist this guy?

And he was right. I couldn’t stay mad at him. A few minutes later we were back in bed, snuggled together in a cozy spoon.

Under the weight of his arm, against the radiant warmth of his body, I felt a sense of bliss I hadn’t felt, well, ever.

There was no more fear about Aric—well at least about whether he was another Jason. Jason would never have stopped until he had gotten everythinghe’dwanted, regardless of what was good for me.

No, Aric had turned out to be something entirely different. Someone I could open up to. Someone I could trust.

Someone I could… love.

---