A SEAL's Courage (Military Match #1)(27)

He punched in a quick reply.

Yup. Can u b here by 6?

What they’d no doubt end up doing tonight filled his head, and if he didn’t cool his jets, he’d need a cold shower before she even got here. Either that or he’d pounce on her the minute she stepped through the damn door. His body burned, and the only thing capable of dousing this flame was her.

His phone beeped and her reply popped onto his screen.

I can. What’s for dinner?

That her reply arrived seconds after he’d sent his did nothing for the electricity fizzling along his nerve endings. It meant she was sitting somewhere doing the same thing he was—waiting on a text from him. Which filled his mind with visions of her. Was she in those pajamas he’d kill to peel off her? Or was she at work? He decided to ask.

Wait and see. ;) U at the shop?

Yes. Helping Elise fill all the custom orders. Anything I can bring tonight?

Nope. Just u. She was more than enough.

Great. C u later. I look forward 2 it, u know.

She had to go and say that. His cock twitched in his jeans, reminding him how long it had been since he’d last made love to a woman.

Me 2.

God help him when she got here.

*



By the time she actually arrived that night—five minutes early, no less—he was wound like a freaking top and so damn nervous he could barely stand himself. He’d spent the day reminding himself that he needed to take things slowly with her, for her sake, but one look at her as she stood on his doorstep had his brain scrambling. In a pair of jeans and a form-hugging, long-sleeved T-shirt, she looked good enough to eat, but those brown eyes filled with a heat and longing that burned him up from the inside out.

While some part of his brain said he ought to greet her, invite her in, Trent could only stare. Everything had changed between them. Their relationship had gone from platonic to sexual, and the quiet intimacy they’d shared last night flowed like an electric arc that leaped between them. Right then, he couldn’t remember a single reason why he shouldn’t pick her up and carry her back to his bed.

Focus, damn it! He wanted, needed, to do this right. According to their agreement, they’d make love for only one night, and he wanted her burning before that night arrived. She was a virgin, after all. He needed to take this one step at a time, not pounce on her like that jackass at her birthday party had.

He dragged a hand through his hair and stepped back, pulling the door open wider. “Come in.”

Lauren stepped over the threshold, standing close enough her perfume floated around him, and opened the lid of a small black box she’d brought with her. Inside were six perfect dark chocolate truffles, the top dusted with a sprinkle of spice.

“I know you said I didn’t need to bring anything, but I figured if you’re cooking, I’d bring dessert.” She plucked a chocolate from the box, holding it out to him. “Here, try one. These are new. I’ve started combining flavors. These are cardamom and chili.”

Damned if his mouth didn’t water at the sight. Since that first truffle she’d stuffed in his mouth that night nine months ago now, he’d become addicted to her chocolates. That was the night his attraction to her had started, and just like back then, taking this one from her meant eating it from her fingers. If he had to do that, he’d bust the damn zipper on his jeans.

When he didn’t immediately take the bite, she wiggled it. “Come on. They’re good. I promise. Try it.”

Despite every instinct warning him against it, he leaned down, biting the chocolate in half. The familiar flavor melted on his tongue. The slight citrusy flavor of cardamom and a hint of spicy chilies filled his mouth, along with sweet, velvety dark chocolate. He closed his eyes, savoring the lusciousness melting on his tongue, unable to stop a quiet moan from leaving his mouth. “These are my favorites.”

When he opened his eyes again, she studied him, keen interest mixing with a soft heat in her gaze. A pleased grin blossomed on her face, illuminating her eyes. “So you do eat my chocolate. I’m honored. I was sure after that first one I shoved in your mouth months ago you’d simply refuse to eat them.”

He plucked the other half from her fingers, holding it to her lips. She hesitated, then opened her mouth and leaned forward, accepting the bite from him. “Exactly the opposite, actually.”

The warmth of her mouth closing over his fingers had his heart skipping a beat. When her tongue actually brushed his index finger, his blood thickened, desire burning through him. When she closed her eyes and moaned, a soft little purr from the back of her throat, he fisted his hands to keep from bending down and tasting the chocolate on her lips. Oh, he hadn’t counted on that.

He cleared his throat, forcing his brain to work, but the words left his mouth on a hoarse whisper. “I’ve bought a box every month since that first one. It’s my guilty pleasure.”

“Good.” Lauren winked at him as she slipped her coat from her shoulders, then hung it on the rack by the door. As if to torment him further, she moved into the apartment, her fingers skimming his back as she passed him. The action set fire to every nerve ending she touched.

Halfway between the living room and the foyer, she stopped, sniffed the air, and peered back at him. Like she hadn’t a clue that she had him dangling by a thread. “Smells good in here. What’s for dinner?”