Standing in the Shadows (McClouds & Friends #2)(42)

"Don't you dare come waltzing out of that bathroom buck naked and then just leave me hanging!"

She gasped. "But I—but I thought—"

"What? You thought what? That strutting around naked in front of me would be good sport? Big joke, huh? Dangle bait in front of me and watch me jump."

His inexplicable fury bewildered her. "Connor, I—"

"Don't you dare tease me like that, Erin. Don't… you… dare."

She finally found her voice. "You got it wrong."

"Wrong how? Say it louder. I can't hear you."

She shoved against his chest, but he would not budge. It was as if he were rooted to the ground. "Do not yell at me!"

"Let's hear it, Erin." His voice was soft, but no less menacing. "How am I wrong?"

She reached to cover her breasts, but his hands flashed out and wrenched hers wide open, pinning them against the wall. He leaned closer. The hard bulge in his jeans pressed hard against her pubic bone. "No way, Erin. This was your idea. Take responsibility for it."

She stared into his eyes. "I just wanted…" Her throat closed, and she tried again. "I wanted to—"

"What? What did you want? What crazy game are you playing with me?"

"Don't swear at me! I am not playing games! I wanted you!"

His face went blank. "Huh?"

"I want you!" Anger gave her the strength to wrench her hands loose. "God, Connor! Is it so hard to get? Could I possibly be more obvious? What do I have to do, send you a singing telegram?"

"Me?" he repeated.

She shoved at his hot chest, and this time he stumbled back. "Yes, you! Idiot! I had no idea you would be so ridiculous about it!" She dove for the bathroom. "Let it go. Never mind. I promise, I will never—"

"Fuck, no." He grabbed her shoulders and pulled her around to face him. "We're not letting this go. No way."

She'd been hoping for a smooth segue into a sensual dance, in which Connor would take the lead and she could follow his cues and hide how awkward and inexpert she was. It wasn't going to be like that.

He was so worked up. Trembling in the grip of some intense emotion. A thrill of delicious, primitive terror went through her. "Ease up, please," she whispered. "Your hands are hurting me."

His hands dropped. "Sorry," he said gruffly.

She rubbed the sore spots his fingers had left. "You scared me."

He shook with a short burst of ironic laughter. "Yeah, well, you scared me, too."

"Dad said you had nerves of steel. I wouldn't have thought that just a naked girl could faze you."

He let out a long, ragged sigh. "It depends on the girl. God. Look at you," he said softly. "Your body is gorgeous."

She blushed. How gallant and sweet of him, to carry on about her perfectly ordinary body. "Um, thank you."

He stared as if he were in a trance. A flush was burned into his high cheekbones. She reached up and touched it with her fingertips. The muscles of his face shifted beneath hot, velvety skin.

She explored his neck, his shoulders, and slid her arms around his waist, sighing as their torsos touched. "I like your body, too," she whispered. She brushed her fingers across the ridges of muscle and bone and scar tissue. Her faintest, touch made him shudder and gasp.

He placed his hands tentatively on her shoulders. "My hands don't know where to land." His voice shook. "You're so soft and warm. And you're naked. Everywhere."

"So touch me everywhere," she said.

He threaded his fingers into her hair and let them slide down its smooth length. "Am I dreaming? Prove to me that I'm not dreaming."

"OK." She slid her hand down over his back and pinched his muscular butt. "How's that?"

He hid his face against her hair, laughing silently. "I'm convinced," he said." My dream Erin would never do a thing like that."

The implications of those words sank in. "Dream Erin?" she whispered. "You mean you've thought about me before?"

"God, yes. I've wanted you for years." His hands were all over her, bold and eager. Circling her waist, caressing her bottom, her hips.

She hid her hot, smiling face against his chest. "I bet your dream Erin would never pinch a man's butt, huh?" She started to shake with helpless laughter. "I bet she's a picture-perfect porcelain doll with shiny black patent leather shoes and ankle socks who never puts a foot wrong, right?"

He frowned, baffled. "Huh?"

"I bet she's a mealy-mouthed twit with an apple for the teacher. I bet she would never scare a guy half to death by jumping out of the bathroom stark naked. But guess what, Connor? Say good-bye to your dream Erin. She's history. No more Ms. Nice Girl. I quit."

"Look out." He looked fascinated. "Are you going to put on a leather miniskirt and five-inch heels and rob banks?"

"No. I'm going to seduce you," she announced.

A delighted grin lit up his face. "I'm cool with that. But if it makes you feel any better, my dream Erin never wore patent leather shoes. She was always bare naked. Wide open while we made love. All that creamy skin damp and rosy."