Package Deal(28)
Amanda was silent. When she turned toward him again, he riveted his gaze on her face, daring her to look away.
He kept his voice low, his desire obvious even as he challenged her. “You’re not a virgin, Amanda. You know what making love is all about.” His hands caressed her face, encouraging her, too aware of how tight his pants felt. Could she tell?
She nodded. “That’s why we have to slow down. I have to be absolutely sure it’s what I want, that it’s right.”
“And with the right person?” Make it me. I could be that person—if you’ll let me.
She nodded. “That, too.” One hand traced a finger from his chin down to the middle of his chest.
Would she move her hand lower? He held himself in check when what he wanted was to grab her and hold her tight. “Don’t you trust me?” I’m trustworthy. Touch me. Try me. “Are you afraid of getting pregnant again?”
The corners of her mouth curved upward with the hint of a smile, but she remained silent for a long beat. “With my history, you’d think that.” Her hands deserted him and smoothed her blouse over her beautiful breasts. “No. I’m protected. I—”
“I won’t take advantage of you, Amanda. I wouldn’t do that.”
“That isn’t it. I’m just not ready in my head—in my heart. Not yet.”
Not yet? Then she isn’t ruling out the possibility? “Maybe later?” How long do we have to wait—for the rest of you to say yes? Especially your heart. I need to know that, too.
“Maybe. And there’s something else.”
“What’s that?” He loved how she looked at him, her head slightly cocked to one side, the way her eyes shone back at him. What was she thinking when she suddenly smiled?
“If I’m going to sleep with someone, I’d prefer a comfortable bed rather than the backseat of a car.”
He nodded, relieved. “Understood.”Was she thinking of his big four-poster? I can take care of that. He grinned back at her, letting one hand cover hers, the one that had been moving nervously in her lap. “You haven’t answered my question.”
“Which one?”
“Does this mean you will—or won’t—go steady with me?” He willed his pulse to stop racing.
“That seems such an arcane concept.” Her hand stopped moving, and slowly grasped his.
“Spoken like an English major—answer the question.” He watched as she tucked her blouse back into the waistband of her skirt.
“Yes.” Her voice was quiet as Amanda slid away from him and sat primly in the passenger seat, only her hands betraying her tension.
What is she thinking?
“Marcus, will you please take me home?”
He narrowed his eyes at the change in tone of her voice. “Are you mad at me?” he asked, turning the key to start the engine.
“No.” She took a deep breath before answering, her voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t trust myself.”
He stopped the car with a jerk. “You don’t need to trust yourself. Trust me!” He started to reach for her again, certain she had changed her mind.
But her hands came up between them and she shook her head. “Not tonight.”
When they got back to her house, he walked her to her door. “Amanda, I can wait as long as it takes for you to feel right about this.”
Her eyes held his gaze for a long moment before she looked away.
“Thank you. That means a lot to me.”
She bussed his cheek before opening the door and slipping inside, away from where he wanted her to be. With him. In his arms. In his bed.
Chapter 6
It was snowing in Omaha when Marcus deplaned. Mike was waiting for him at the baggage carousel. “Just one bag?”
They walked outside into the blowing snow in the direction of the parking garage. “I can’t stay the whole Christmas break, Mike. I need to get back—sooner than I told you.”
“You said you had three full weeks. Evelyn’s going to be pissed—the boys, too.”
“I’m still working on the book. I need time to write.” He zipped up his jacket. “I forgot how cold it can get this time of year.”
“Are you sure there isn’t another reason you don’t want to stay cooped up with us?” His brother smirked. “Watch the sidewalk. It’s slippery.”
“No questions, okay?” Marcus plucked a mound of white fluff off a tree limb on the way to the car and tossed it in his brother’s direction. “I need to get back—and most of the reason—well, part of the reason anyway, is the book.”
Mike grinned. “Okay, I get it.” They talked of other things as they drove.