Matched For Love(38)
“I thought since we both haven’t had sex for a while, it might be good for us, physically speaking, of course, and since Annie said I could, if maybe you and I should sleep together? Just as friends. I have to marry Annie, if she says yes. But I think it’d be better if you had pointless sex with me rather than some guy like Jason. Not that I can’t be a little adventer—”
“Stop. Please, Deek.” Lori dropped her head into her hands and did the moaning thing again. But the moan was a little different this time. Not so much in pain but more a whimper.
He didn’t see the problem. It was a logical solution that they’d both enjoy the hell out of. Why would she be willing to sleep with Jason just for sex and not him? It made no sense.
And then there was the other thing. “Your sister said something else.”
Lori let out another long moan. He took that as a sign to go on.
“Rachel said that you probably wished that I loved you. Is that true? Because I didn’t think a woman like you would ever be interested in a guy like me.” When Lori didn’t answer, he added, “You can just moan once for yes and twice for no, if you’d like.”
Lori slowly sat up and sighed.
Still looking straight ahead, she whispered, “I think Annie is the luckiest person in the world to have you, Deek.”
That didn’t answer the question. “Does that mean you like me too?”
“Too?” She finally looked at him. “Do you have feelings for me, Deek?”
He pulled into her driveway and threw the gearshift into Park. Then he turned to her and took her hand. “I have so many confusing feelings about you that I don’t know what to do with them sometimes. I love being with you more than any other woman I know. But I have an obligation to Annie and Asher that has to come before how I feel.”
She nodded and pulled her hand free. “I know they have to come first. Let’s just be friends and forget this whole entire night ever happened. Literally. Okay?”
He wanted her to say she had feelings for him too. But apparently, she didn’t. Not like that anyway. “Okay. If that’s what you want.”
“It is. Night, Deek.” She opened her door and got out.
He felt like he’d been stabbed in the heart with one of the icicles that hung from Lori’s garage.
As she walked in front of the hood, he rolled his window down and called out, “Wait. I screwed that up.” He shut down the engine and got out of the car. “What I should’ve said was that I wanted to be the first man you slept with since your husband. Because I care about you, and I want it to be with someone who understands that it might be hard for you to be with someone else. I mean… It was for me. After Annie left us.” He lifted his palms, begging for better words to express what his heart was trying to say, but there were no more in the well. He let his hands fall to his sides again. “I wanted it to be nice for you, Lori. That’s all.”
He stared at her, waiting for a response. But she just stood there with a major frown on her face. He’d screwed that up too, dammit. He’d be better off leaving before he made things any worse. “Good night, Lori.”
He started back for the car, but before he could open the door, she called out, “Maybe you’d better come inside.”
His heart soared as he turned to face her. “Really?”
She nodded. “I assume Asher is here. Probably sound asleep by now.”
His heart sank to his tennis shoes. “Right. Of course. I can’t believe I almost forgot my son.”
He walked beside her to the front door, feeling like he’d lost his best friend. After Lori had punched in the code to release the lock, she opened the door, then shut it behind them. The house was dark and silent. Everyone must be asleep.
Without turning on any lights, she shrugged out of her coat, and then turned and started unbuttoning his.
“Am I staying?” he whispered.
“Yes, please. I’d very much like you to be my first since Joe too.” Lori leaned on her tip toes and kissed him. “But you can’t stay all night. I don’t want the kids to know. And we’re just doing this as friends, to end our celibate streaks, nothing more.”
“Deal.” His heart nearly burst out of his chest as she took his hand and led him toward her bedroom. He’d dreamed of making love to Lori for so long that it’d be hard to take his time, but he would.
He’d use everything he learned to make it the best sex she’d ever had.
10
DOING RESEARCH CAN REALLY PAY OFF IN THE END.
Lori dragged Deek inside her darkened bedroom and then quietly closed the door behind them. She was going to end her celibate streak and sleep with him. Her heart pounded with anticipation. She’d been mortified that Rachel had told Deek the personal things she had, but when Deek said he’d just wanted the first time to be nice, her heart had melted a little.