“I’m not curvy enough. I’m too tall.”
“You don’t look too tall from where I’m standing.”
“Most men aren’t as tall as you.”
“My sister stands near six feet tall. I’m used to tall women. I like tall women.”
She said nothing, just chewed on her bottom lip.
“Listen, I’m attracted to you, and I know you’re attracted to me. Okay, so we both have issues. Maybe we both need some therapy. But can’t we get to know each other? It’s been a long time since I met a woman who I want to get to know, Melanie.”
“I’m not who you think I am.”
“I know you’re brilliant. I know how far you brought my brother in just a few months. And I know you’ve done that for others as well. So you’re feeling a little inadequate right now. Don’t we all feel like that from time to time? I’ve felt inadequate for the last twenty-five years of my life.”
“I have no business being in a relationship with you or anyone.”
Fine. “Who said anything about a relationship? Why don’t we just go to bed?”
She blushed from her forehead down to the tips of her fingers. My guess was she was pink all the way to her toes, though she was wearing pumps and I couldn’t see them.
“So I’ve embarrassed you?”
“I’m not used to men being so forward.”
“Hey, you started this. You kissed me the other day, remember?”
She blushed even rosier.
“Melanie, I’m not asking for your hand in marriage. I’m not even asking for anything beyond tomorrow. But why not? I fucking want you so much I can’t see straight. Let me take you to a hotel. Let me take you into my bed. I promise you that you won’t regret it.”
Chapter Eight
Melanie
I was too weak to resist him. He wanted me, and I wanted him. No reason to look beyond tomorrow.
In a pink haze, I somehow ended up in a suite at the Carlton with Jonah removing my clothes. I hadn’t said more than a few mumbled words since we’d left my office.
He brushed my blouse off my shoulders, and his breath caught on an audible inhale. “I don’t know why you said there is nothing special about your body. You’re beautiful.”
I warmed all over. With my pale skin, I easily colored like a raspberry.
He unhooked my bra, and my perfectly average breasts tumbled free.
Again I heard his breath.
“My God.” He sighed. “So fucking beautiful.”
He set me down on the bed. Then he lifted my hips and pulled my stretch pants and beige panties over them, down my legs, and off.
I sat there, naked, forcing myself not to cover my chest with my arms. Thankfully, I had shaved my legs yesterday, but my dark-blond bush was in full glory. I didn’t shave down there. What would he think about that?
I ceased worrying when he began to take off his clothes. He unbuttoned his paisley western shirt, and I bit my lip. With each new inch of bronze that was exposed, my heart beat faster. And then a little faster. A smattering of black and silver chest hair grew around his coppery nipples. He removed his shir
t and slung it over the back of a chair. He sat down next to me, and I sneaked a look at his crotch. Sure enough—the bulge.
I squirmed. I knew I was wet. I knew what he’d find when he looked between my legs.