When We Met by Susan Mallery

you’re a big outdoor guy.”
    One of his eyebrows rose. “You want to go camping?”
    â€œNo, I want to offer you a deal.”
    His hand moved from the table to her bare knee with lightning speed. She felt the warmth of his skin on hers, along with a distinct clenching between her thighs. And this was all without him even trying. Imagine how much trouble she would be in if he put a little back into it.
    She knew she had to clear her throat before she could speak. Rather than let him know how he affected her, she took a sip of her martini, then gave a little cough.
    â€œI’ll help you with the Acorns and you help me get proficient enough with the outdoors so I can fake my way through a camping weekend,” she said.
    â€œDone.”
    She laughed. “You don’t want to think about it?”
    â€œHell, no. You’re talking about learning how to hike and maybe kayak. I have two months of weekly sessions with seven-year-old girls. It’s not a fair trade for you, but I don’t care. You offered and I’m saying yes.”
    â€œYou’re very obsessed with their ages.”
    â€œThey’re babies.”
    She pretended to look concerned. “You do realize most seven-year-old girls are already dating these days, right?”
    His mouth dropped open. “No way.”
    She laughed again. “Just messing with you because I can.”
    The palm on her knee moved toward her thigh in a very steady, very purposeful way. His hand was large, his fingers long. Suddenly nothing was very funny and she found herself wondering if they could get a room upstairs. Just for an hour or two. Or five.
    He stopped at the hem of her dress. Just stopped. He didn’t move, didn’t hint that there was more. Even so, she found herself breathing a little faster. His gaze held hers captive.
    â€œYou were saying?” he asked.
    â€œI have no idea.”
    â€œGood.”
    She nodded. “You like that you get to me.” Normally she wouldn’t have admitted anything like that, but why ignore the obvious?
    â€œIt makes things equal between us.”
    â€œYou’re saying I get to you?”
    â€œWhy would you think otherwise?”
    Because every woman had doubts, she thought. She put her hand on top of his. “Now what?”
    â€œNow we order dinner.”
    He pulled back his hand, then reached up and tucked her hair behind her ear. He leaned in close enough for her to feel his breath on her cheek, then he spoke very quietly.
    â€œOf course I want you, Taryn. I’m breathing, aren’t I? Because it would take being dead to not want you. You told me you wanted me to work for it and I’m more than willing to do that. To wait to feel your skin against mine, your mouth, your breasts, all of you. But when we are together, it’s going to be my way. It’s going to be slow. There won’t be an inch of you I won’t touch, won’t please. I want to learn everything you like and then figure out how to do it so well I can make you come anytime, anywhere. And I will.”
    It was both a challenge and a promise, she thought, as a shiver trickled down her back. Her breasts tightened as they seemed to get heavier, and the very center of her began to ache and swell.
    She turned her head to face him and found their mouths were inches apart. “That’s an ambitious goal.”
    â€œGo big or go home.”
    â€œI thought it was Semper Fi.”
    â€œThat’s the Marines.”
    His eyes were made up of a thousand shades of gray. He had a handful of small scars on his cheek and forehead. His mouth was perfectly shaped.
    She raised her hand and traced the scar on his neck with her thumb. “He’s dead, isn’t he?”
    â€œYes.”
    He slipped his hand through her long black hair and cupped the back of her head. “I want you,” he breathed. “And I’ll wait.”
    Part of her wanted to protest. Not waiting