‘If we both wanted that...then why did we stop?’
‘Apart from the fact that we were about to get it on in a public place, you mean?’ His face twisted at the memory. ‘Or that you’re a virgin?’
‘Is that what offends you most? That I’m a virgin?’
‘Of course not. But you’ve been saving yourself all this time for a partner who will deserve you. I’m a player, Birdie, even my sister warned you off me. I can only end up hurting you.’
‘You don’t get it, do you? It isn’t about deserving it or saving it. It isn’t about getting hurt. It’s about picking who and what I want.’ She stopped, licked her lips, swallowed. ‘And I want you.’
She wasn’t even sure she recognised her own voice at that point, loaded as it was with something that felt dangerously like raw desire. Need.
‘You don’t want me.’ He shook his head, but his voice was too thick. ‘Trust me, you don’t know me.’
‘I want you. One night, that’s all.’
‘You’re not the kind of girl who does one nights.’
‘I might be, I just haven’t tried it yet.’
‘You’re not.’ His voice sounded strangled, and she liked it that she was getting to him. ‘You’re the kind of girl who holds out for more. Who deserves more.’
‘You don’t know as much as you think.’
‘I know I’m not a good man, Birdie,’ he warned her.
But his voice rumbled deliciously, and something shifted through those clear blue pools, sliding inside her and working its way down her body.
‘Maybe I don’t want a good man,’ she bit back. ‘Maybe a bad man is exactly what I need.’
‘Birdie...’
There was no denying the answering note in his voice. As greedy and demanding as the call roaring through her entire body. And when she allowed her hungry gaze to roam his body, she realised the tell-tale shadow—right where he was hardest—gave away all the things he was trying to keep from her.
Hayden Brigham did want her. Badly. It was the headiest feeling she’d ever known. Bridget felt her hands begin to shake, her entire body start to tremble. But not with fear or uncertainty, but anticipation.
Either she had to be bold now or she had to live with regret for the rest of her life. It really was now or never.
Sliding her hands down to the waistband of her yoga pants, she hooked her thumbs inside and then pushed them down in one smooth movement until they were lying in a soft puddle at her bare feet. She stepped out of them.
‘What are you doing?’ It was a warning, but it was hoarse and lacked any real punch.
Bridget chose to ignore it. Instead, she took the hem of her tee and pulled it over her head, leaving it to fall on top of her trousers. And then she was standing there wearing only her prettiest, wispiest thong.
And an expression that dared him to make the next move.
‘Birdie,’ he muttered, but he didn’t add anything else. And he didn’t move.
For a moment she almost faltered, but she could hardly stop now. Not when she’d already stripped. At least Hayden looked tormented rather than, say...disgusted.
Slowly, very slowly, she took first one step towards him. Then another. And Hayden shook his head weakly but he didn’t speak.
‘Cat got your tongue?’ she asked sweetly, pretending that her heart wasn’t clattering noisily behind her ribcage.
‘You’d better be sure this is what you want, Birdie,’ he growled at last. ‘Because if you come much closer, I can’t guarantee my actions.’
‘How much closer?’ She barely recognised that husky, needy voice as her own. ‘This much closer?’
She took another step.