Hearing the car door open, and then the sound of footsteps, Sarah’s heart started pounding twice as fast.
Nighttime. A glass of wine. And that dance with Ian at the pub. It all equaled her having foolish thoughts she shouldn’t be harboring.
“I don’t need front door service,” she said tightly.
“It’s included with the ride home.” He stood beside her as she fumbled in her purse for her keys.
He wasn’t making a move to touch her, and she said thanks silently for that. Because she knew the minute he did, she would come undone. It would be as if someone tugged the center of a bow that had already come loose.
She found her keys and then unlocked the door. Still, he didn’t move.
“Thank you. And as you can see, I’m safely home.” She stepped inside, the doorframe in a death grip between her fingers.
“Yes. I can see.” He didn’t move.
All she had to do was say goodnight and shut the door. That was it. She didn’t move.
“Sarah.”
Her name on his lips was almost a sigh of regret. A whisper for permission.
She didn’t know what to say. To do. Emotion thickened in her throat and she struggled to breathe in. Her chest rose with the effort, and then shuddered as she exhaled raggedly.
He finally moved. Took the step to close the distance between them.
“Invite me in.” His deep, honeyed words made everything inside her turn to liquid.
“What are you, a vampire?” she whispered, trying for humor. Anything to diffuse the thick awareness and tension between them.
Their mutual need was so vibrant it was almost visible.
“No.” He cupped her cheek. “I’m the man who’s going to make you come at least five times tonight. If you’ll let me.”
Her panties dampened and her knees gave out. There was a moment she literally had to pull herself up and get a grip on herself.
His words didn’t even shock her anymore. This was Ian. He lived to shock. Lived to offend. Nothing had changed.
Only he was even worse now. This man was trouble. He was a damn felon, for God’s sake. Why was she even considering letting him into her life again? Let alone her body.
He wouldn’t be good for her, and certainly not for Emily. Her heart twisted at that last thought and she shook her head.
“How long has it been since you’ve been touched?” His lips hovered over hers. “Since you’ve been with a man?”
Too long. Especially since her last experience was one she’d tried to block out.
“We can’t do this.”
“We can do whatever we please, doll. It’s the beauty of being an adult. It doesn’t have to be serious. It can simply be about the pleasure. About having fun while you’re here.” He brushed his lips across hers, so very lightly. “Are you looking for something more serious right now?”
“No.” The idea of another relationship with him just distressed her. Made her stomach hurt. “But I don’t know if I can do a fling.”
“You could try. We’re good together. You can’t deny it.”
They were. And that memory, combined with the way her body came to life with him now, was tempting her beyond the threshold of restraint.
He caught a strand of her hair and coiled it around a long finger. “You’re more than a mother, Sarah. You deserve to feel like a woman for a bit. Let me help you.”
It had been so long. And his words were too close to the thoughts she’d had that day in his garage.
Sex. Rarely did she have the urge for it. But since she’d come across Ian, the urges had not only been there, they’d been constant.
“You want to. It’s something your body can’t hide from me. Nor your eyes.”
He kissed her then. His lips were firm, seeking, and pulling a reluctant response from her.
“I don’t know if I can,” she whispered when he lifted his head. “You’re right. I want to…”
“I know I’ve hurt you.” He kissed her forehead. “And I’m sorry. I’m going to try like hell not to do it again.”
The sex would be good with him. So good. But could she do it? Just have great sex with Ian and walk away at the end of the month? Never look back?
No. Logic told her this was a bad, horribly bad, idea. But her body and heart were begging for more. Craved the intimate contact from the only man who’d ever truly brought her soul to life.
“Invite me inside,” he urged again. “Let’s see what happens. If you want me to stop—at any time—I swear to you I will.”
She closed her eyes and drew in a slow breath. Then, ignoring the voice in her head that told her she’d regret it, she stepped back into the house and pushed the door open wide.