Page 45 of Love Lessons
“Fuck, baby,” I rasp against her mouth. “Gold star.” I give her one last kiss, pinning her body against mine so there’s no way for her to miss the heat-seeking missile of my erection between her legs.
I set her back onto her feet, where she sort of sways for a moment before righting herself. We’re staring at one another, our breathing too fast. As if we’ve just run a sprint together. Neither one of us wants to stop.
It was brave of her to ask me for help. I can see the courage flickering in her eyes right this second. And the honesty.
I don’t know if I’m worthy of it. It’s been years since I really laid myself bare for anybody like she does. I haven’t tried, and I haven’t bothered. Hell, I feel more like a villain than a superhero right now. More Darth Vader than Anakin, that’s for sure.
“Wow,” she says softly. “Sign me up for the next lesson.”
“I think you’re ready. Your room or mine, later?”
“Whichever,” she says, her voice dreamy. She lifts a hand, and I wait to see where it lands. Its destination turns out to be the bridge of my nose, where a single fingertip smooths a line between my eyes. “You get a crinkle right there sometimes. Like you’re thinking too hard.”
My eyes fall closed as she slowly rubs that spot. Up and down. I feel like a kitty cat in the sunshine.
“That’s better,” she says softly.
Her fingertip travels over my eyebrows, one at a time. It’s…nice. It’s not what I think of when I imagine seduction. But at the same time, it’s unexpected. Points for that.
Her fingertip trails down my cheek and then she cups my chin. “Look at me,” she says softly.
My eyes flip open, and I take her in. She’s studying me like I’m a puzzle she can’t quite solve. “You wore the shirt again tonight,” she says. Then she smiles. “I’m flattered.”
“It’s nicer than all my other ones,” I admit. “You’ll probably see it tomorrow, too.”
“Your collar size is larger than Neil’s,” she says as her fingertips stray to my neck.
“You know what they say—big neck, big…”
“Shirts,” she says, as a playful smile finds its way onto her lips. Her fingertips skate down my throat now, tickling the open V of my shirt collar. “I’ve been wanting to touch you here, you know. And here.” She flattens her hand onto my chest. “Ever since that day when you took off your shirt to try the new one on.”
“I already told you that dressing me won’t be half as fun as undressing me. Now are you convinced?”
Her thumb teases the top button of my shirt, as if she’d like to unbutton it right this moment. “I hope to be. Although once your boyfriend tells you that you’re boring in bed, it’s easy to believe that he’s right.”
Well, fuck. “Baby, I told you already—some guys just want variety. He should have manned up and said so. The problem wasn’t you, it was him.”
“You say that now, but maybe he was right.” She gives me a sad smile. “Better bring your A-game to our coaching session, big guy.”
Then she turns and leaves the terrace.
FIFTEEN
Don’t Forget Canada
VERA
The boat ridehome seems to take forever. I’m all keyed up on hot kisses and anticipation.
Andnerves. I don’t expect Ian to laugh at me, but I still have stress about sexy times. He probably has no idea.
After Danforth, I did some sporadic dating. I tried, anyway. But it’s hard to meet available men, and I never found anyone who was worthy of a second or third date, let alone sex. Nobody made the cut.
As we cross the lake, the stiff breeze gives me goosebumps. My sleeveless dress isn’t really cutting it anymore. All the other women onboard snuggle up to their boyfriends or girlfriends. It’s been years since I was half of a couple. I can’t even remember what that feels like—to have a person who’s ready to hold you when it’s cold.
I don’t have any delusions about who Ian and I are to each other. So I stay put on the end of the bench, my arms wrapped protectively around myself. It’s only a ten-minute trip back to the villa, even if it feels like hours.
Ian looks to be checking his messages on his phone. But I hope he’s secretly as distracted as I am right now.
