Best Laid Plans

He can pull my hair on my front porch.

He can bite my neck without it leading to anything more than information.

Intel.

That way we stay friends.

Besides, he’s not playing the same long game I am. He’s a short-term guy, and I respect that, but I’m a long-term kind of woman.

I dig down deep. “I’d like to ask for your help.” Taking a breath, I pause before I lay it all on the line. “I’m not terribly experienced in the bedroom, but I’m incredibly curious, and I’d really like to know if being tied up, taken over the back of the sofa, stopping for an impromptu hookup while out for a drive, making out in an elevator, or having my hair pulled so hard I see stars is my cup of tea. How would you feel about doing some research with me? Say, over the next week?”





14





Gabe





Come again?

Did she say what I think she said?

As in, the answer to all my prayers?

I have half a mind to punch the sky and do a victory strut.

But one, I’m not an asshole.

Two, I’m not simply trying to get in her pants. I want to get under her skin, like she’s under mine.

But pants . . . pants are a good start.

And it’s getting tight in mine.

I scratch my jaw. Part my lips. Try to speak. But my throat is dry. “What?” It’s all I can manage to say, and it comes out like a scratch.

“Sorry,” she says, backpedaling, sounding as contrite as she did the day I found her by the lake. “Did I offend you?”

Please, offend me more. Offend me so much you ask me to take you home right now.

“You’re going to have to try a lot harder to offend me.” I eye the couch. “Why don’t we sit down?”

That way maybe it won’t be so obvious how much I like her plan. How much this is like a fevered, dirty dream, one I don’t want to wake up from.

She sits, crossing one bare leg over the other, her polka-dot skirt riding higher to reveal more flesh. I nearly groan out loud—I’ll be able to get my hands on those legs soon. Run my palms up her thighs. Spread her open. Touch her where she wants it most. Taste her. Dear God, the prospect of kissing her all over is frying my brain.

Maybe it’ll happen tonight? If she wants to conduct this sex symposium over the next week, we’d better get started stat.

Yes, the situation south of the border is indeed escalating.

I keep my eyes fixed on her face. “You want to do a little research in the bedroom?”

She nods, clasping her hands in her lap. “Yes, but I promise it’ll be easy. Very manageable.”

Yeah, having her naked is something I can absolutely manage easily.

“Whatever you have in mind works for me.” I take my time, lift my chin, cautious of seeming too keen. “But why do you want to do research?”

“Good question. The answer is that I’ve only ever had three serious boyfriends, and to be completely frank, none of them were terribly adventuresome.”

“That’s not going to be a problem with me,” I say quickly. Maybe too quickly. But holy fuck. This is like a pot of gold falling into my fucking lap. Maybe I have a leprechaun looking over me.

True, I planned to ask her on a date. To give us a go. But I can work with this brand-new twist. It’s a different route, but I bet this path can take us to the same destination.

And hell, will it ever make the drive so much fucking fun.

She breathes deeply, like she’s been waiting for a long time to exhale. “Good. I’m glad you don’t mind a little light practice.”

Light? I was thinking more like hot and heavy, but if that’s the term Arden wants to use, who am I to quibble? “I don’t mind at all. Not one bit.”

She smiles and leans back against the cushions. “God, I was so nervous.” She runs her hand through her pretty hair, and I follow her every move, thinking I’ll be getting my hands on that hair. She did mention hair-pulling, after all. Fortunately, that’s one of my favorite things to do. And Arden’s hair, all those lush blonde locks, is prime for yanking, tugging, and wrapping around my fist.

“You don’t have to be nervous. I’m glad you asked me. Better me than anyone else.”

She drops her hand to my leg, squeezing my thigh, sending a bolt of lust to every corner of my body. “Please. As if I would go to some other guy.”

“Damn straight. I’m your man.” I tap my chest. “Now, let’s go back to that list. If memory serves, you want to know if you like being taken over the back of the couch, screwing in a pickup truck, making out in an elevator, and having your hair pulled so hard you see stars. Did I get that right?”

Just saying all that out loud sets my skin on fire. Is it my lucky day or what?

Twin spots of pink spread wider across her pretty cheeks as she nods. “I’d say you have that down pat. I thought we could probably tackle everything in a week, and maybe a little taste of each one would give me a better idea.”

“Tasting is always a good idea,” I say, and my voice goes a little raspier, a little huskier.

Obviously.

Because hell. The prospect of getting my lips all over her is making my mouth water. I could spend all night tasting her everywhere. Exploring her body with my mouth. Yes, this is definitely my lucky day.

“I wrote a list, so there are more items, but that’s the general idea. To sample each one.”

Damn, do I ever want to see that list. Reading it will be like finding buried treasure, opening a chest full of glittering rubies, sapphires, and diamonds. Her pleasure will be a thousand priceless gems.

“Like when you get a taste at an ice cream parlor,” I say. And a taste leads to a cone. Or a sundae. With a cherry on top, pretty please.

“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m thinking.” She holds up her thumb and forefinger to show a sliver. “Just a little taste is all I need for my research project.”

“And when would you like this research to start? Since you have some kind of time limit, I’m assuming ASAP?”

Please say now, please say right fucking now.

She smiles a little impishly, like she’s up to something naughty, and, hell, is she ever. She has some very naughty secrets up her sleeve. “Tonight?”