Heath (Wild Boys After Dark, #2)(22)

“It means that what we did I don’t usually do. I have, years ago, in college, with a girl I dated for two years, but not since.” His chest constricted with the realization of what that meant. He must have seen something in Ally from the start that made him feel comfortable enough to go there with her. “Holy...I didn’t even realize that.”

“The girl who cheated?”

He nodded.

“Were you in love with her?” There was no hint of jealousy in her voice, but her eyes warmed with compassion.

He lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “I thought I was. But I don’t know.”

Her brows knitted together. “I’m sorry. That must have been a very painful experience.”

“It was, and it’s not one that I’ve shared with many people, which makes me wonder what exactly you’ve done to me, Allyson Jenner.”

To his surprise, she crawled over his lap and straddled him, pressing her hands to his shoulders and flashing a playful smile.

“I don’t know, but I’m going to keep you pinned here while I tell you about myself, because guys are weird when it comes to women.” She ran her finger along the collar of his T-shirt. “That whole double standard thing sort of freaks me out. So this way you have to at least hear me out before walking out of this apartment.”

“You do realize you’re totally turning me on right now, right?” He lifted his hips and caught her lower lip between his teeth before pressing a kiss to it.

“Yes, well, that’s the danger of pinning a man beneath you, I suppose.”

“Allyson, are you sure you’re okay with what I’ve told you?”

A serious expression slid over her face. “You’re not a teenager, Heath. If you weren’t sexually active, I’d think it was a little weird. If I were my sister, I might have ended things right away. Mandy’s great, but she doesn’t see sex the same way I do.”

“And how is that?” He fingered the ends of her hair.

“I’m not sure how to put it into words without it sounding bad, but it’s kind of a stress reliever or a rejuvenator. Gosh, that makes me sound slutty.” She started to slide off his lap. He settled his hands on her hips and held her in place.

“Stay. Talk to me.”

“I…I haven’t had many sexual partners, but I’ve had a handful.” She searched his eyes, and he knew she was looking for his response. He wasn’t ready to form one yet. He wanted to hear what else she had to say.

“And?” he urged.

“I haven’t dated anyone seriously since my last boyfriend cheated.” She narrowed her eyes and pointed a finger at Heath. “Before I say any more…” She dropped her finger and softened her tone. “I’m realizing how stupid it is to think that a no-strings-attached guy might be faithful when other guys who asked for monogamy couldn’t.”

“You do realize that being faithful comes from within, right? I made a decision not to be in a monogamous relationship because I’d been hurt and didn’t want to experience that again, not because I cheated.”

“Me too.” She twisted her hair again. “Are we fooling ourselves?”

“That depends. Are you a cheater? Because I know I’m not.”

“No, I’m not a cheater!” She swatted his chest.

“Then we’re not fooling ourselves.”

“So, you can handle my promiscuous past?”

He saw the worry in her eyes. “Sweetheart, you weren’t exactly sleeping around with half the docs in the hospital.” He arched a brow and she smiled. “As long as from now on there’s only me, I think I can handle it.”

He lowered her to the couch and came down over her smiling face. “Besides, I really…” He kissed her lips. “Really.” He kissed her jaw. “Really like you.”

“I have one more question.”

“Mm-hmm?” He nibbled on her neck.

“Have you…? It’s hard to concentrate with you doing that.” She closed her eyes and rested her head back.

“Finish your thought,” he whispered against her ear, before taking her lobe into his mouth and making her brain fuzzy again.

“Safe sex.” She panted. “Have you always practiced safe sex?”

He drew back, knowing he was looking at her like she was ridiculous, but he couldn’t stop himself. “Yes. You?”

“Always.” She pulled him into a hard, fast kiss. “Now please show me how much you want this to work between us before it’s time to get ready for work again.”





Chapter Eight


“I CAN’T BELIEVE you are working on three hours of sleep,” Amanda said as they carried their lunch trays to a table in the crowded hospital cafeteria Tuesday afternoon. “And you still manage to look as pretty as Rachel Bilson. So not fair.” Amanda and Ally looked similar in body type and hair color, but Amanda wore her hair straight and shoulder length while Ally wore hers longer and let her natural waves tumble freely. The other big difference was that Amanda dressed in a preppy style while Ally tended to dress trendier, sexier.

Ally sank into a chair with a sigh. “Good sex is rejuvenating. How many times have I told you that? And Rachel Bilson? She looks twelve. Can’t I be a young Sandra Bullock? She looks smarter and has a real body.”