Combustion by Elia Winters Page B

sexy, sitting there swinging her feet, her dark eyes sparkling in the light from the lanterns. He’d sworn off relationships after Mallory, wasn’t going to go through that heartache again. But Astrid wasn’t proposing a relationship—and he wasn’t surprised; she was dynamic, bold, adventurous, and he was a straightforward businessman like every other businessman. She was proposing sex. If it didn’t mean anything, couldn’t they share one night and be done with it? No heartache, no complications?
    â€œJust one night. One night, and this never happens again.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Right?”
    â€œOf course. You’re still a self-righteous prude, and I doubt I’d be able to stand more than one night.” Her smile indicated that she was teasing, but she’d made it clear what she thought of him already.
    He looked around the workshop. “So…what happens now, exactly?”
    Astrid hopped down off her bench. “Now, I think you take me home.”

Chapter Fifteen
    Astrid had a half-mile walk and four flights of stairs to consider what she was doing, but she couldn’t think of a better choice than to take Eli Rutledge to her bed, right then. They walked mostly in silence, neither willing to break the spell. When they finally reached her flat, she fumbled with the lock on her door before sliding it home and stepping inside.
    When she turned to him, she knew at once he was having second thoughts. He leaned against the closed door, hands in his trouser pockets, looking around as if he hadn’t seen the flat a few days earlier. Hands on her hips, she waited for him to process whatever protest he was considering. At last he said, “Astrid, are you sure about this?”
    â€œYes. Are you?”
    â€œOne night.” He held up a finger for emphasis.
    She nodded, managing not to roll her eyes. “One night.”
    â€œThen back to business.” He ran a hand through his hair, as he always seemed to do when he was nervous.
    â€œAll work and no play, just the way you like it.”
    He ignored her comment, seeming to steel himself, his shoulders tensing and then relaxing, as if he were preparing for some great test. “All right.”
    When he turned to her again, all trace of his restraint vanished. He stepped into her, pressing her back against the closed door, his own body flush against hers as he kissed her again. Astrid felt arousal running through her as his mouth moved seamlessly from her lips to her jaw and up to her ear, nipping at the tender skin of her earlobe and whispering into her ear, “God, I want to fuck you so badly.” Hearing the prim, proper Eli Rutledge whisper “fuck” in that low voice made her legs wobbly. She’d thought she’d be leading the way, but he kissed as if he was well-versed in it, and she could feel her body yielding. His breath felt hot against her ear and neck as he slid his mouth down to her throat. She’d forgotten the thrill of a rough beard against her skin.
    As Eli dipped his tongue into the hollow of her throat, Astrid leaned her head back against the door, hands reflexively clutching his shoulder blades. He nipped her collarbone, first gently, then harder, making her moan. Yes, wherever he had learned to do this, he was definitely not new at it. Eli’s hand slid from her back to the curve of her ass, then down to her thigh before he hitched one of her legs up over his hip and drew her up on tiptoes. His erection rubbed her clit through the thin fabric of her skirt, the friction enough to wring another gasp from her. Yes, more of that . She pressed against him, riding him through his trousers, wanting to prolong the sensation.
    When he stepped back, she moaned at the loss of contact, but he was only drawing her farther into the room, his lips returning to hers. “Where is your bed?” he asked against her mouth.
    It only took a minute to drag him