“Nothing. Personal preference. Don’t worry about it.”
“It’s almost like you want me to ask.” He never would have questioned it, if she wasn’t so quick to change the subject. The sharp tang of the ocean lingered in the air, reminding him this was only a break in the rain; it wasn’t done yet. With the orange glow of the setting sun behind Bailey, he was treated to a stunning view.
“It’s a lot of things.” She whirled away from him and slowed her pace until they walked side by side. “The people are different up there. I have more solid contacts. I like the big-city feeling. The clubs are better.”
“You go dancing?”
“Dancing. Picking up guys I’ll never see again.”
That image wasn’t going to leave him alone anytime soon. Bailey swaying to the music. Grinding. Flushed. Lost in the beat. “What?”
“You heard me.” She glanced sideways, a smirk on her full lips.
Fucking hell. A wave of possessiveness washed through him, but it was tempered by fantasy. Picturing himself as the random guy she teased. Feeling her up on the dance floor. Finding a dark corner and making her squirm. His cock strained against his jeans, and he tried to be subtle about adjusting himself. “I like the sound of it. I wanted to see if you’d repeat it.” Not the way to dial the conversation back.
Her playful sideways glance said she didn’t mind. “One-night stands. I hit up a club, find an anonymous guy, get laid, and go our separate ways.”
“So wicked.” He tried to push the images out of his mind with his exhale. It didn’t work.
“You disapprove.”
“Not that my opinion of your free time matters, but no. I like it.”
“Now who’s wicked?”
A drop of rain hit his nose, and another his cheek and arm. The warm rain didn’t ease the heat flowing over his body. “You don’t get an exclusive claim onnaughty.”
“Which is good. Imagine how dull life would be if I were the only one.” She peeked up at him through her eyelashes. “What about you?”
“What about me?”
“You’re no stranger to the casual hookup.” The sky opened up and dumped down sheets of water, soaking them both in seconds. She closed her eyes and turned her face up.
He refused to let the sudden rain and the past it summoned rattle him, despite the way it threatened to steal his good mood. She was a much better focal point. He wasn’t sure which captivated him more—her awe or the way her wet top accentuated every inch of her torso, down to the perky nipples. He forced his attention back to her face. Definitely her awe.
“Will you think less of me if I tell you I’ve never sought it out?” he asked, though for the first time in a long time, he was considering a one-night stand.
“Too busy working?” She quirked her mouth in amusement.
He had the occasional girlfriend, but they never cared for his schedule, and it’d been years since he had time to go on the prowl. “Guilty as charged. At least one of us is getting laid.”
“That’s one way to look at it.” She laughed.
They reached her front porch, and the awning took the storm from them. She unlocked the house and let them in. “Wait here. I’ll go grab some towels.”
A small square of tiles sat inside the door, with a mat on it. He did his best to keep the water from dripping on the carpet, and watched her ass until she vanished into another room of the ranch-style house.
She returned seconds later and threw him a fluffy towel. “Catch.”
“Thanks.” He wiped away the excess water, but only took his gaze from her to dry his face.
She tossed her head forward to dry her hair, and he caught a glimpse of a purple glare peeking above her tank top. He traced his fingers over the bruise. “What happened?”
A soft groan escaped her throat, and she leaned back into his touch. “The crash you heard earlier? Hit me in the back.”
“Looks nasty.” He trailed his touch down her soft skin, as he pulled more of the shirt back. “You should ice it.” With each new contact, her sighs drilled deeper inside, jolting his senses, and tugging at his cock. Damn it, he wanted her.
“I’ll be fine. Do you want the shower first?” She spun to face him.