He hadn’t understood her message at all. And she hadn’t understood the reason he’d pushed her to ride him like that. She’d thought it was because she woke some need in him. That she made him lose control and was asking her to love him. But it had been want, not love.
What a fool she was. Joe didn’t do that kind of emotion. Joe just did escape. Joe just did easy.
Well, fair enough. So would she. That’d be the last thing she learned to master from him.
She gave the guy behind the counter a vague wave and just acted like she knew where she was going. That she was supposed to be there five minutes before the gym closed for the night.
Fake it ’til you make it. She could show her confident face now, right?
And it worked. No one stopped her as she climbed up the stairs to that door marked Private. She knocked on it before she lost her nerve.
She heard sounds of heavy footsteps. Two seconds later, the door swung open.
“I wasn’t expecting you.”
He was barefoot and bare-chested. Only a pair of basketball shorts clothed him. He didn’t appear to have shaved since she last saw him two nights ago. The stubble looked good. The belligerent glint in his eyes, not so much.
“I thought I’d try some of that spontaneity,” she said quickly. Still faking the confidence. “Lesson number two, remember?”
He leaned against the doorjamb. “We’ve checked that one off though, haven’t we?”
“Yes. There’s something else I want to cover.”
“Oh?”
She narrowed her eyes and took in his slight pallor. And at the way he was blocking her from entering his studio. Was he was hoping she’d get the hint and leave? Had he really thought he could end this early? Was that what that shitty parting comment had been about the other night? He wanted out?
Too freaking bad. She wasn’t letting that happen. He wasn’t reneging on their deal. Six lessons. He liked having sex with her. She could see his cock hardening already—the outline pressing against his shorts. So she wasn’t letting him reject her now. She wasn’t going to be destroyed by him.
“Angry sex.”
That glint in his eyes flared, but he shook his head. “I only do fun.”
“No, you don’t. Isn’t sex an escape for you? A release from all that work and no play?” She lifted her chin and dared him with every fiber of her being.
Slowly, not taking his eyes from her, he stepped to the side.
“Why are you angry?” he muttered as she walked in.
“The graphics guy hasn’t got the navigation font right for the app. It’s a delay I can’t afford. All in all it was a frustrating day, so I figure I need a release.” She stepped up to him and challenged him. “So why don’t you show me how a good, hard fuck can make me feel better.”
He looked angry now. He shut the door forcefully behind her.
“You really need this last lesson?” he said. “Isn’t the app almost ready?
She unbuttoned her coat and let it fall to the ground. “I didn’t come here to talk about it.”
Her bra was cut out over the nipples, her panties crotchless. It was the ultimate outfit a woman wanting to be “well-screwed” would wear. And it was the ultimate statement of just how far she’d “come” since they started this.
Angry sex? Hell yes.
She pulled the condom from the waistband of her panties and tossed it at him. “You might want to get ready.” She turned and placed her hands wide on the wall. She didn’t want to look at him in this instant. Couldn’t. But she’d come too far to fall at this final hurdle. “Because I’m ready right now.”
She closed her eyes, unable to believe she’d just said all that. Was doing this. Brazen wasn’t the word.
…
Joe knew he shouldn’t. But he couldn’t help himself. How the hell could he not? And isn’t this what he did? Took what was offered—nothing more. Nothing less.
He stepped forward, his hand already outstretched. She looked so beautiful in all that white-edged black lace.
“This isn’t a good idea.” Why didn’t his voice sound normal? Had he suddenly come down with strep throat?
He didn’t believe the reason she gave for her anger, but there was no denying the energy crackling from her. No denying the way his body was reacting to her presence. She was like a fantasy lifted from the pages of some porno. Only better.
So much better. Shimmering. Pulsing. Real.
“Sure it is,” she said. “I just want to let go. Like you.”
One last time.
He palmed her butt. This outfit? So whorehouse. So killer. He was harder than he’d been in his life. And furious with it. The thought of her pulling this sweet, hot stunt for some other guy?