Page 63 of Tour Wars
Was he nervous? From their past conversations, she knew he’d been with a few women before, most notably the grad student he’d dated while he was at Harvard. Maybe he was too wrapped up in this ridiculous notion of being a gentleman to take the next step.
Then I’ll do it.
With a saucy smile, she stripped off her t-shirt and shorts, revealing a lacy black bra and matching panties. Normally, she wasn’t the sexy lingerie type, but she’d purchased them a month ago, hoping to use them with Paulo. She was infinitely happier that TJ would reap the benefits, especially since he was staring at her in slack-jawed admiration.
She cocked her hip. “Your move, Dr. Mayer.”
“Sorry. I was momentarily overcome by…ah…the sight of you.” He pulled a handful of condoms out of his pocket and set them on the nightstand. “But I brought supplies, so we’re covered there.”
“Thanks. Just so you know—I’m clean. After I learned about Vince’s ‘double life,’ I got tested, and there hasn’t been anyone since.” While admitting the extent of her sexual drought was embarrassing, she wanted to be as open with TJ as possible.
“Same with me. I mean, I got tested after my last girlfriend cheated on me, and, yeah, it’s been a minute.” He gave a self-deprecating laugh. “If you want to be precise, it’s been a year and a half, so we’re kinda on the same page.”
“Good to know. We don’t have to worry about birth control since I have an IUD.”
A slow smile spread across his face. “So I won’t need to use a condom?”
“Not unless you want to. I trust you.”
“Okay, then. Now that we’ve gottenthatout of the way.” He gestured to his polo shirt. “I kept this on for a reason. Once I remove it, I’m officially off the clock as a tour guide and will no longer be subject to the rules set forth in the Buon Viaggio binder.”
She laughed. “Ooh, yes. Take it off. Butslowly.”
With a little hip roll, he pulled it over his head, twirled it in the air, and flung it across the room. She gazed at his bare chest, taking her time to appreciate the view. His shoulders and arms were nicely muscled, his chest dusted with light brown hair. She continued staring as he stripped down to a pair of red boxer briefs that barely hid his erection. Taking his hand, she tugged him onto the bed with her. Even if they had all night, with no chance of interruption, she didn’t want to wait any longer.
After placing his glasses on the nightstand, he settled himself beside her so they were lying face-to-face. With gentle fingers, he traced the curve of her cheek. “I can’t believe I’m here with you. I feel so privileged.”
Her heart soared at the tenderness in his voice. Clearly, this meant more to him than a quick romp in bed. She kissed him, softly at first, her lips barely grazing his. A delicate dance, teasing and promising more while building up the anticipation between them. When he tangled his fingers in her hair and pulled her closer, she responded with passion. Kissing him harder, sweeping her tongue against his, nipping at his lower lip. A bolt of desire shot through her, filling her with an ache that demanded more than kisses.
She pulled away and quickly unclasped her bra. After tossing it aside, she pressed her bare skin against his, inhaling his scent and delighting in the warmth of his body. With the same gentleness he’d shown earlier, he pushed her onto her back and positioned himself over her. For once, she was more than willing to cede control. His warm brown eyes captured hers, showing not just lust but affection. Like he trulywantedher to feel cherished. She was thrumming with need, ready for him to take things further.
Until he whispered, “You’re so beautiful. So gorgeous and—”
“Stop.” She stiffened, an icy fear taking hold where the warmth had been. “No compliments. Please. I don’t need them.”
After Vince and Luca, she didn’t want anyone else filling her head with meaningless praise. She wanted honesty.
He looked down at her with a pained expression. “I can’t seduce you and say nothing. That’s not right.”
“I…just.Please.”
“Fine. How about this?” He nuzzled his lips against her collarbone, feather-soft kisses that made her tingle all over. “You might be stunningly beautiful, but you’re also stubborn as hell. You’re one of the most stubborn women I’ve ever met.”
“Mmm. Yes. That’s good. More of that, please.” She wound her fingers through his hair.
More kisses followed, trailing from the hollow of her throat to the valley between her breasts. He chuckled softly. “You’re a brilliant scholar, but you constantly one-up me at every turn. It’s annoying as fuck.”
She gave a grateful moan. “Iloveannoying you.”
He swirled his tongue around her nipples, teasing them with the lightest of touches before sucking on them until she gasped. “I don’t know which dreams I’ve enjoyed more,” he murmured. “The ones where I’m making love to you or the ones where I’m forcing you to admit I’m right at an academic conference.”
The sensations were so delightful she could barely think straight, but she loved what he was doing. She was on fire, her body as primed as Mt. Vesuvius, ready to explode. After two years in the desert, she’d finally found her oasis. When he tugged on her panties, she shimmied them down past her hips and flung them to the side. But he only let her sit up for a second before pushing her back onto the bed and taking control again.
Yes. Take control. Have your way with me.
With a nudge, he parted her legs and slid his fingers between them. The pressure was exquisite. When he found the right spot—like a pirate knowing exactlywhere to dig for treasure—she gave a little cry. “Yes. Like that.”
“You’re so wet, Em. So wet and sexy and…shit, I can’t think of any other insults.” His lips traced a path around her navel while his fingers continued stoking the fire within her, igniting her further.
