He pressed down on me, guiding me to the mattress so he could move on top of me. Suddenly realizing whose bed we were on, I pushed against him. This was wrong. “Stop, we can’t.”
“What’s wrong, kitten?” he murmured against my neck, pressing damp kisses along the column of my throat.
“This is Ben and Emmy’s bed.” I pressed a palm flat against his chest, putting some distance between us.
He looked around like he was noticing our surroundings for the first time. Then he rolled off me and we lay side by side. “Let me take you home then.”
“I can’t. I’m sorry. This just isn’t me.”
He pressed a palm to my cheek, giving it a careful pat.
“I didn’t mean to lead you on. I just can’t do this.”
His thumb lightly rubbed my cheek and his other settled against my hip. “You had fun the other night, right?”
“Yes,” I admitted.
“Let me ask you something.” He hesitated just a moment, his thumb lightly caressing my skin. “You feel this between us, right? This . . . connection?”
I blinked at him, refusing to answer. Of course I did. I’d be dead not to.
“We owe it to ourselves to give in to this. It’s not always like this, you know? This chemistry we have. And I know you feel it, too.” He swallowed, continuing to watch me. “I know you’ve sworn off men, so I’m not asking for anything in return. No commitment. No strings. Just us. Exploring this. Giving in to this sexuality between us.”
Original. A man who wanted casual sex without any chance of commitment. “Are you high? What in the world makes you think I’d be interested in that type of arrangement?”
His eyes locked on mine. “You can’t deny the chemistry between us. Imagine how good it will be when we f**k.”
I inhaled swiftly, biting my lip to keep from whimpering.
Braydon continued, “Sex and intimacy is a physical need. An ache all of us have. I could fulfill that for you.”
I remained silent while I contemplated his words. On the surface they made sense. I had physical needs. My vibrator usually satisfied those. For the most part. Sort of. But Braydon was gorgeous. And funny. And sexy. And he certainly wasn’t cut out to be my Mr. Right, so there’d be little harm in indulging in whatever this was with him. Right?
“One taste wasn’t enough, kitten,” he growled.
Our eyes connected and I searched for meaning behind his proposal. Why did he want me? And why did he want sex but not a relationship? What was that wounded look he worked to cover with his sexy bravado?
I knew this was wrong on so many levels. This was Braydon, male model and player extraordinaire. He was so far out of the realm of anyone I’d consider dating. But even as the thoughts tumbled inside my head, I knew that wasn’t what this was. He wasn’t asking to date me. And just once, I wanted to do something crazy. Act on my body’s hidden desires for a man so devastatingly beautiful I’d want the lights on during sex—cellulite be damned—just so I could watch him come apart. I wanted to be naughty. To have an adventure that I’d remember fondly for years to come. And Braydon seemed all too happy to oblige me. Maybe it was the wine that had left me hazy and warm, but his idea didn’t sound that bad.
He mistook my silence for acquiescence and leaned in to kiss me again, his lips softly molding to mine, then growing more demanding as the intensity between us ramped up. My arms circled his neck, my fingers roaming into his hair, and I pressed my body to his. His hips pressed to mine and I felt his heavy erection nudge against my belly. I pulled back just a fraction.
“Bray . . .” I breathed, pressing a palm to his chest. I didn’t know what I was asking for, but the needy quality to my voice was a dead giveaway.
“I don’t mean to get you so riled up,” he chuckled.
“You don’t.”
His fingers pushed my hair back from my face and remained buried in my hair, lightly massaging my scalp. “I can see your pulse fluttering in your neck, the blush coloring your chest. I excite you.”
“You scare me,” I admitted softly.
“You want me to f**k you. To teach you the ways a man can pleasure your body.”
I sucked in a breath and held it, shocked by his words. He did excite me. Possibly more than any man had ever before.
I couldn’t believe I was actually considering this—hanging on his every word. This wasn’t me. But after a string of bad first dates, lousy sexual episodes, and so many run-ins with my vibrator that I needed to replace the batteries—his offer was intriguing. I couldn’t look away. His deep blue eyes gazed into mine so adoringly. He was mesmerizing. Utter male perfection.
“It’s intoxicating knowing how feisty I get you.” He brought his hand to my jaw and glided the back of his knuckles along my cheek. Shivers slipped down my body at the soft contact. No one had stroked my jawline like that before. So gentle, so soft. His touch was addictive.
“What do you want?” I found my voice, however shaky.
“Me and you. Pleasing each other. Giving in to this.”
“You just want to sleep with me?” I wanted to hear him say it. I doubted he was offering to take me out and wine and dine me.
“Among other things.”
“Like a one-time thing?” I held my breath for his response.
“Once wouldn’t be enough, and we both know that.”
Oh. The ache between my thighs intensified.
“Let’s not overthink this.” His fingers whispered against my skin.
I sat up on the bed, needing to distance myself from his sweet touch before I did something I might regret. I drew a deep breath, trying to clear my head from the wine and simultaneously ignore the ache between my legs that his presence alone inspired. “You’re suggesting a friends-with-benefits type of arrangement?” I asked, pressing my fingers to my temples. I wished I hadn’t drunk so much. My brain felt numb and heavy.
Braydon sat up beside me, watching my reaction. After a moment, he reached for his glass of wine and took another sip. “Hmm.” He swirled the wine in his glass. “I prefer something more original. Pleasure pals . . . bed buddies . . .”
I smiled despite the insane conversation we were having. “Fuck friends.”
“If you like.”
“I don’t know . . . I don’t think I can do that. . . .” I said softly.
He took my hand. “Don’t answer tonight. Let me take you home and tuck you into bed.”