“Yeah? You can explain why you stole my underwear six months ago and now you keep them hidden in your dresser drawer?”
How the hell had he forgotten that? Every time he opened the second drawer on the left, there they were, accusing him of being a pervert. Reminding him of how she’d looked that night in the hotel room when he’d unzipped her dress and slid it down.
“I didn’t steal them,” he said carefully. “You left them behind.”
Her cheeks pinkened, and she covered her mouth, but it looked like she was hiding a smile. Please, God, let it be a smile.
“I thought it would be rude to just leave them there. You might have called, looking for them later.”
“I might?” she asked.
“I don’t know! I just…took them.”
“And what have you been doing with them since then?”
“What?” he gasped. Now the pictures flashing through his mind weren’t so pleasant. “Nothing! They’ve just been in my dresser, taunting me like a damned telltale heart!”
“Oh, God,” she gasped, and she was definitely smiling now. In fact, she was laughing like crazy. “The telltale heart?”
“Seriously, I felt like a pervert.”
“I’m sorry,” she gasped, tears leaking from her eyes.
He finally relaxed, though he couldn’t quite bring himself to join in her laughter. “You should be. What kind of girl forgets to put her underwear back on, anyway?”
“The dirty, slutty kind?” she gasped, laughing even harder.
“Exactly. And I had to live with that shame.”
Her laughter finally subsided to giggles. “Are you sure they stayed in your dresser the whole time?” She held the pale silk panties in front of her hips. “You never tried them on?”
“No!” he yelped.
“You sure? A lot of guys are into that.”
“I’m sure as all hell.” He narrowed his eyes at her naughty smile. “Why? Is that one of the things you’re into?”
“No, but I try to stay open-minded. If you wanted to try them on…”
“I do not,” he said emphatically. “Though I wouldn’t mind seeing them on you again. Or off.”
She disappeared back down the hallway, and Eric followed her. “What are you snooping in now?”
“Nothing,” she answered, stuffing the underwear in her purse. Thank God, he was finally free of the responsibility. “There’s not much to snoop in here.” She glanced quickly around at the bare walls. “You are definitely a stereotypical single guy.”
Beth took a brush from her purse and began brushing out her long dark hair.
His heart skipped at the sight of his old T-shirt rising up her thighs every time she stroked. He leaned against the doorway to watch. She was beautiful in heels and tight skirts, but she was even prettier like this, relaxed and natural, her makeup worn off.
“So…” he ventured. “Can I ask what you are into?”
Her brush stopped, midstroke. “What?”
God, her thighs were gorgeously full. Tonight he’d have to make time to explore every inch. When he glanced up, she was staring at him, but when their eyes met, she started brushing again.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“I don’t think it’s any secret that you’re more experienced than I am. Or at least more adventurous. So is there anything I’m missing out on?”