Page 11 of One Wild Wedding Weekend

“All of it,” she said, throwing up her hands and taking a literal step backward. “I never sleep with a man on the first date.”

His lips quirked. “I believe you told everyone I’m not your date.”

“Even worse,” she muttered.

“Tell me to leave or let me undress you,” he said soberly.

She stared at him in silence. Did she want him to go? She should. But she really didn’t. She was going to indulge herself just this once. Like an inoculation, tonight would help her get past this love-hate relationship with Tristan Hamilton.

“Stay,” she said quietly. “Stay and make love to me.”

Three

Tristan thought he might be dreaming. But his hair was wet, and he felt the thick pile of the carpet under his bare feet.

He sucked in a breath, praying he wouldn’t wake up if this was a delightful mirage. “Come here, woman. Let’s get you out of that dress.”

Daley’s brown eyes were huge, her pupils dilated. “Okay,” she whispered.

He turned her around and lowered the zipper, watching in hushed silence as the graceful curve of her spine was revealed. Her body was like a woman’s body should be, soft and lush and welcoming.

He practically stuttered when he saw what was underneath. “You weren’t kidding,” he said. “You threw on the dress and nothing else? To get ice?”

She peeked over her shoulder at him and grinned. “I was in a hurry.”

He realized she had clutched the bodice to her chest. “Let it go, Daley. I want to see all of you.”

Her smile faded. “We can’t go back from this.”

“Then, what the hell? We might as well enjoy ourselves.”

Without warning, a pile of blush-pink tulle and satin fell to the floor in a pool at Daley’s feet. With his throat dry and his heart knocking against his ribs, he held her hand as she stepped away from her finery.

Now he could take her in from head to toe. The view was something akin to seeing the Sistine Chapel for the first time: Shocking. Exhilarating. Awe-inspiring.

He exhaled sharply. “I always knew you were a knockout. But my imagination wasn’t up to the task.” He put his hands on her waist and slid them to her curvy hips, pulling her close. “I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to coax you into bed.”

Daley rolled her eyes at him. “You didn’t do anything. I’m the one who asked for ice.”

He grinned. “Ice? And yet somehow, I never knew that was code for getting naked together.”

“I think there’s a little more to it than that.” She put her hand on his hip. “May I?”

A dark flush spread over his cheekbones. “Be my guest.”

When Tristan held his arms out at his sides, Daley took a deep breath. She fumbled with the knot in the towel. “You must have been a Boy Scout,” she muttered. “Maybe I need a knife.”

“No knives,” he said quickly. “Here. Let me help.”

And then it was done.

Tristan Hamilton stood in front of her in all his glory. Tall, handsome and fully prepared to rock her world.

She was determined not to let him think of her as unsophisticated. When she wrapped her fingers around his erection and squeezed gently, a whistling breath escaped his lips. “Easy, Daley.”

“Am I doing it wrong?” she asked, feigning innocence.

“Hell, no. But I haven’t even kissed you yet.”

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