Boyfriend for Hire(29)

I raise an eyebrow. “You can bake too? I think I might be in love with you.”

As soon as I say it, my face turns red. I may be totally smitten with him, but I don’t want to come on too strong, too fast.

Luckily, he just laughs, setting down the plates. “This is my real specialty,” he says, handing me a fork.

I’m so full, I definitely have a food baby, but I can’t resist trying Nic’s dessert. Especially after how good the main course was.

“Oh my God,” I say loudly after my first taste. “What is that?”

“Limoncello tiramisu.” He laughs as I dive in for another bite.

“You sure know the way to a girl’s heart—and to her hips.” I grin.

“I’m just happy I’m finally dating a girl who actually eats,” he says, then takes a bite himself. “There’s nothing worse than cooking for someone who doesn’t enjoy food.”

“Well, you’ll never have that problem with me,” I say with a snort. “I think I’m going to become obese if we keep hanging out.”

“You’d look beautiful no matter what,” he says, smiling at me.

I glance up at him quickly, my heartbeat speeding up. How does he always know the perfect thing to say?

He looks so good, and he’s sitting so close to me on the couch that I’m having a hard time resisting reaching over and pulling him on top of me. I watch him carry our empty dessert plates back into the kitchen, admiring the muscles in his broad shoulders.

He walks back and sits even closer to me on the couch, bringing me a fresh glass of sparkling water.

I hope this is the moment we can finally finish what we started a week ago. And if he’s even half as good in the bedroom as he is in the kitchen, I’m pretty sure I’m in for a wild night.

“I feel like you’re too good to be true,” I say, sipping my drink.

“Trust me, I’m far from perfect.” He smiles, looking down. “It’s me who’s lucky to be with you.”

“Well, if you’re expecting elaborate homemade dinners from me, you might be disappointed. I love to cook, but I’ve never made anything like that before.”

“I don’t know,” he says. “If I’ve learned anything about you, it’s that you’re way too humble, and you always bring the unexpected.”

“It’s funny, that’s exactly how I feel about you,” I say quietly, looking into his warm brown eyes.

He leans forward on the couch, and I scoot in closer to him so our legs are touching. Before I know it, our breaths are mingling and his hand is resting against the back of my neck.

“Gonna kiss you now,” he murmurs, his lips almost touching mine.

I make a wordless sound of agreement, and then his mouth meets mine in an urgent kiss. We’ve been building toward this moment all night. All the laughing and smiles and shared glances have turned into something much hotter and needier than either of us are sure what to do with—other than finish what we started.

His tongue slides into my mouth as our kiss grows fiercer. It’s packed with heat and emotion, and dear God, this man can kiss.

I sit up and swing my leg over his so I’m straddling him, sliding my hands across his hard chest. My body feels electrified as he runs his hands down my back, pulling me against him roughly. I arch my back and let out a low moan as he kisses my neck, and I feel my nipples harden inside the cups of my lacy bra. I can’t remember ever wanting anyone this badly.

As his lips find mine again, I rock my hips against him, finding that he’s hard and . . . holy shit, he’s hung like a freaking horse.

“Nic . . .” I groan, pressing my hips forward.

“Yeah, sweetheart?” His voice is rough and growly, and oh my God, why is that so hot?

I don’t even know why I said his name, don’t know what it is I’m asking for. “You’re so hard,” I murmur.

He makes a groan of frustrated need, and my pulse riots in my throat. “I want you,” he admits, pressing one more quick kiss to my lips. “So fucking badly. But what I want and what I’ll let myself have are two very different things.”

My lust-soaked brain struggles to understand his meaning. But Nic continues, touching my cheek gently with his thumb.

“I’ve made too many mistakes. I need to do this the right way.”

I press my lips to his. He’s sweet. I think he’s saying he wants to go slow, but as far as I’m concerned, this is the fourth time I’ve been out with him. I’m ready to toss all my rules out the window.

I slip my hands beneath his shirt, running my fingers along his abs, but he pulls back. He stares deep into my eyes, and there’s that same conflicted look he had last Saturday night.

Nic swallows and takes a deep breath, then lifts me off his lap. He brushes a strand of hair out of my face and kisses me again, more sweetly this time, before pulling back again. Whatever inner conflict he’s fighting has won—for now, it seems.

“Thanks for coming tonight,” he says, standing and running his hands through his hair. “I had a great time. Can I walk you down to your car?”

I’m totally floored by the turn of events. I was sure we were headed for the bedroom, and I already have major lady blue balls. I try not to let him see my disappointment as I stand and pick up my purse, then follow him to the door.