Why Not Tonight (Happily Inc. #3)(30)

“We all will be,” Wynn said with a grin. Then she touched Jasper’s arm. “Come on. Let’s get something at the bar. On our way, we’ll discuss ways to end Natalie’s reign of terror.”

Natalie grinned as they left. When they were out of earshot, she leaned close to Ronan.

“So what do you think? Are they a couple? I mean, I think they are, but Wynn never says anything and I don’t want to ask.”

“Since when? You ask me personal questions all the time.”

“That’s totally different. Wynn’s one of my girlfriends. I have to respect her personal space.”

“But not mine?”

“Not really.”

She was tantalizingly close. He wanted to move that last inch and kiss her. But they were in public, and when he made his move, he wanted them to be alone.

“Who is Jasper? He seems familiar.”

Her brows rose. “You don’t know his face—it’s his name. He’s a writer. His books are thrillers and you’ve probably read them.”

The information clicked into place. “I have. He’s great.”

“Are you going to go all fan-boy? I’m not sure how Jasper will react. Maybe it will be a sweet moment for both of you.”

“Very funny.”

“I am funny.”

She was a lot of things, he thought as he stared into her eyes. Pretty and sweet and sexy. The kind of sexy that made a man ache all over.

“Am I interrupting?” Wynn asked as she returned to the table. “You two are looking intense.”

Ronan straightened, not sure what to say. Natalie grinned at her friend.

“We were talking about you and Jasper, wondering if you were a couple.”

So much for respecting a friend’s personal space, Ronan thought with a chuckle.

“It’s an interesting question,” Wynn said serenely. “Now if only there were an answer.”

*

NATALIE MADE IT to the final round only to have an unexpectedly bad couple of games. She wasn’t sure how she’d become so distracted. It might have been the second glass of wine—something she rarely indulged in—or maybe the blame lay with not having Ronan sitting next to her.

She’d thought it was impossible to concentrate when the man was right there—breathing, talking, laughing. She’d been aware of everything. Of his broad shoulders, of how she could almost feel the heat from his body, of the way he had of looking at her as if she were the most interesting person in the room. It was a heady combination. Yet when she’d moved on to the final round and he hadn’t, he’d left. Just like that, and she’d had, well, nothing.

The whole evening was confusing. While they’d been playing, she would have sworn he was interested in her. She’d tried to tell herself not to read too much into his attention. After all, he’d turned her down before. Yet she couldn’t help thinking, wishing, that he were a little bit interested. But then he’d left and she’d realized she must have misread everything.

What was it about that man? Why him and why did he get to her the way he did?

She crossed the street and walked to her converted house. The front door opened onto a small foyer with three mailboxes, a table for packages, the doors to the two downstairs apartments and a staircase leading up to her larger apartment. She’d barely taken the first step up when she became aware that, despite the late hour, she was not alone. But before her breath could catch or she could start to panic, she recognized the man sitting halfway up the stairs. Recognized his light brown hair, green eyes and faint smile. When her heart rate picked up again, it had nothing to do with fear and everything to do with anticipation.

“Ronan?”

He stood. “I thought you’d be longer.”

“I didn’t make it past the final first round.”

He waited until she reached his stair, then took her hand in his and led her to her front door. She unlocked it and they both stepped inside her apartment.

She had no idea what she was supposed to say or do. Offer him a beverage? Ask what was wrong? Throw herself at him and beg him to take her? The latter was the most intriguing but she couldn’t help remembering the last time he’d turned her down. He’d been kind and gentle, but it had still been a no.

“So, ah, why are you here?” she asked.

He shoved his hands into his jeans front pockets. “I was waiting for you. I meant what I said before—at my place. I couldn’t do anything while you were my guest. You’re not anymore and I can’t stop thinking about you, about what it was like having you in my house. Your invitation haunts me. I keep reliving our kiss and wanting to do it again. That and more. I want you, Natalie.”

Oh. My. God! No one had ever said anything like that to her before. No one had ever been so blunt, just putting it out there.

Deep inside, she felt a shiver, then another until she was trembling. She felt herself melting before he’d even touched her and wished she had something sophisticated or badass to say in return, but all she could muster was “Me, too.”

Which, it turned out, was enough.

He reached for her, pulling her hard against him. Before she could catch her breath, his mouth claimed hers with a delicious power that left her gasping. His tongue teased hers even as his hands began to roam her body.