Matching Mr. Right(57)

A sigh escaped as something shifted uncomfortably in her chest. He really and truly thought she was beautiful. If they never slept together again that’d be okay, because just him saying it, meaning it, would be something she’d always treasure. When happy tears threatened to escape, she figured maybe she’d better lighten things up a bit. This was a one-night stand. Nothing more. And there was no crying during sex. Or was that baseball?

Didn’t matter.

Then he kissed her so deeply her mind couldn’t focus on anything else. She could happily kiss Nick for hours.

When his full lips left hers, she drew a deep breath and let go of all the tension she’d bottled up as his mouth slowly left hot trails of pleasure down her body again. Just when she didn’t think she could stand another second of his glorious torture, he made his way even further south. For a man in a hurry, he was making sure she was insane with need before he got his due. Big points there.

He laid slow kisses on her stomach and then her inner thighs, finally hitting the bull’s-eye. Her back arched in silent invitation.

Nick obviously got the hint, because he smiled and said, “My turn.”

He wrapped her up tight in his arms and whispered, “You’re perfect Shelby,” and her heart was forever his.

But it was the way he stared so deeply into her eyes as he moved inside her and made love to her that sent an overwhelming need to kiss him, to share the rapture raging through her with him. She ran her hand into his thick hair and pulled his head down to hers again. The powerful need in their kiss accelerated her trip to the edge of the cliff she so badly needed to jump off of. Unable to stand another second, she pleaded, “Now, Nick. Please?”

And they both dove off the cliff together.

As her heart rate settled a bit, Shelby ran her fingernails up and down Nick’s damp back. He weighed a ton, but in a nice way. She laid a soft kiss on his cheek. “I can’t imagine how Beth put up with that for two whole years.”

He laughed and nipped her shoulder. “It wasn’t like that with her, Shelby. Or anyone else.”

“Does that mean it was really good for you too? Because—”

“It was fantastic. Now what about that pizza?”

Typical man, worried about his stomach at a time like this. “I’ll go warm it up.” She poked him in the ribs. “Move it.”

After he switched their positions so she was on top, she started to roll off of him, but he stopped her and pulled her close. He stared into her eyes again before he kissed her. It was slow, sweet, sensuous, and somehow different than any of the other times he’d kissed her before. “Thank you, Shelby.”

She wasn’t sure if he was thanking her for the sex or for getting the pizza. Unfamiliar with after-a-one-night-stand etiquette she simply replied, “You’re welcome,” then quickly found her robe and padded to the kitchen. She put three slices of pizza in the toaster oven and then grabbed two bottles of beer from the fridge. While she waited for the pizza to heat, she leaned against the counter and closed her eyes.

She’d never felt that before. It was like she could feel his pleasure as if it were her own. And the way he’d just kissed her? The heat still lingered on her lips. Had she gone and ruined everything by falling in love with a man who wasn’t capable of loving her back?

By the time the toaster oven dinged, she figured Nick would have joined her in the kitchen in his rush to get out the door and maintain his never-spending-the-night policy. But because he hadn’t, she loaded everything on a tray and headed back to her bedroom.

Nick, still naked except for the sheet tossed carelessly over his waist, was on her side of the bed, digging through her nightstand drawer. Paying her back for the other night, no doubt.

Watching him made her whole body heat again at the memory of what they’d just shared. “Looking for something in particular?”

“No, just snooping.” He held up a paperback book. “Any good?”

She laid the tray on her nightstand, thrilled he was still there and that things weren’t awkward. “Fantastic, and I’m done so you can have it. Move over. You’re on my side of the bed.”

“This is my side too. I can’t sleep on the other side.”

She sat on the edge of the bed and handed him a slice of pizza. “I thought you’d be dressed and ready to bolt out the door by now.”

He shook his head before taking a huge bite. “Nope. I’m not done with you yet. I figured we’d eat and then I’d let you have your way with me. And in the morning, I’ll make you breakfast. I make awesome eggs.”

Shelby’s heart did a backflip. If she’d been wearing panties, they’d have melted right off.