He drops the key card on a desk that’s just inside the door of the suite. It’s much more impressive than the room I was in earlier. Leanna ordered the other five bridesmaids and me to her hotel room late this afternoon to help her get ready.
It was cramped, but no one cared. We spent the time leading up to the ceremony sharing stories about the bride while she had her hair and makeup done.
When it was my turn I talked about our law school days. It wasn’t overly sentimental because that’s not who Leanna is. She didn’t shed one tear at all today on what is supposed to be the happiest day of her life. She knows exactly who her new husband is and what he did in Las Vegas. The only positive is that there were three divorce attorneys in attendance. I have a feeling at least one of them will be taking her on as a new client before the end of next year.
“I grew up in California, but I live here now,” he offers as he loosens his black necktie. “What about you?”
My life started in Pennsylvania and then my journey dotted the landscape of the country before I ended up in New York City days before my tenth birthday. He doesn’t want to know all of that, so I keep the answer short and sweet. “I’ve lived here long enough that I consider myself a New Yorker.”
That draws a smile to his lips. “Who called you a coward, Jane?”
I thought the promise of no-strings-attached sex would wipe that memory from his mind, but it hasn’t. I had no idea he was standing in the shadows when I walked out into the bitter cold. I needed to catch my breath after an infuriating discussion I had with Gretchen, one of the other bridesmaids.
She called me a coward when I scoffed at her suggestion that I have dinner with her brother. I hate blind dates. I’ve never been on one that has ended with the anticipation of a second date.
Gretchen made a point of telling me that she doesn’t believe I’m adventurous enough. It stung because she’s right. I can count on one hand the times I’ve done anything spur-of-the-moment or out-of-the-ordinary. Four of those were before my eighteenth birthday eleven years ago.
“No one important,” I answer as I set my glass down on the coffee table. “For the record, I’m not a coward.”
“You came up to a hotel room with a man you just met. If that’s not brave, I don’t know what is.”
I know what is, but that’s not a conversation I have with just anyone, especially a man I’ll never see again after tonight.
I feel a pang of something when I think about that. I like him, and it’s not just because his eyes are mesmerizing and his smile is genuine. I can sense that he’s considerate even though the only thing he’s done for me so far is buy me a drink.
If only a guy like this was waiting for me when I agreed to a blind date. I can already tell that we’d talk for hours. He’s approachable and patient. He’s also hot-as-sin. His brown hair is just the right length for me to fist in my hands.
“I want to kiss you, Jane.” He slides his jacket from his shoulders, taking care to drape it over the back of a blue armchair. “I’ve wanted to kiss you since you turned around when we were outside.”
I don’t care if the words are honest or not. I’ve wanted to kiss him since then too. My body speaks for me as I take a step closer to him.
He closes the remaining distance in an instant and then his full, soft lips crash down on mine and I know that I’m never going to forget this night or this man.
Chapter 4
Evan
I stripped her slowly after we kissed.
That kiss made me weak in the knees. The last time that happened I was in grade school and Mary Bowman planted a wet one on my cheek during recess. We agreed to go steady, but our inability to communicate because of my shyness ended my first budding relationship within the week.
Thankfully, I’ve come out of my shell since then. If I hadn’t, I sure as hell wouldn’t be in the position I am right now.
I’m still dressed, but beautiful Jane is not thanks to me.
She’s sprawled on her back on the bed; her blonde hair fanned around her head. She looks like every dream I’ve ever had since I first experienced the insane pleasure of being with a woman.
Small waist, supple breasts, and soft curves.
I rest a knee on the bed and lean down to kiss her again. It’s a dangerous move because my dick is
as hard as steel in my pants. It’s straining against the zipper of this rental tux. Another taste of her mouth will inch me closer to coming.
She moans into the kiss this time as her hand circles the back of my neck. Her touch is soft and tender. She’s not trying to control anything. I can tell that she wants me to set the pace.
I break the kiss and trace a slow path with my lips down her neck. Her skin is sweet. It’s peppered with a light coat of some fragrant lotion. Beneath that is the scent of her. It’s intoxicating and arousing.
I can’t remember a time when I’ve wanted a woman this much.