The Pairing

by Katie Ashley

  “I have a feeling you wouldn’t have asked the original question if you weren’t intoxicated.”

  With a snort, she replied, “Drunk or sober that woulda been a helluva line to hear from a man.”

  “I’m glad you think so.”

  After spending a few moments in tense silence, Megan leaned forward to flick on the radio. “Do you mind?”

  “Go ahead.”

  Humming along with one of the songs, she laid her head back on the seat. “I won’t hurt your ears by singing.”

  “Do you not sing?”

  “Oh, I sing, but I don’t do it well. Emma’s the one with the voice.”

  “So I’ve heard.”

  Turning to look at him, Megan asked, “Did she ever sing for you?”

  “Sadly, no.”

  Megan harrumphed as she crossed her arms over her chest. “She made out with you, but she wouldn’t sing for you? That’s just rude.”

  Pesh made a strangled noise. “Emma told you…about us?”

  “Mmm, hmm.” She grinned at him. “I hear you’re a great kisser.”

  Cutting his eyes over to her, he gave her a pained look. “It really wasn’t like that for us. I mean, we weren’t in love with each other.”

  “Yeah, that’s what she said. Course, she did admit that you got her all hot and bothered.”

  “S-She did?” he stammered, embarrassment coloring his cheeks.

  “Hey, the ability to get a woman hot is nothing to be ashamed of. Hell, I got turned on when I first saw you today. Like my panties got wet.”

  “Megan, don’t,” Pesh warned, gripping the steering wheel to where his knuckles turned white.

  Turning in her seat, she eyed him before licking her lips. “You don’t want me to say how you got me hot in a church? How you still get me hot acting all bashful about the sex talk?”

  “Please. Just don’t.”

  “Fine,” she muttered, before flouncing back in her seat. She didn’t speak to him for a long time. Instead, she closed her eyes and laid back with her head cushioned on the head rest. When the car started to slow, she snapped her eyes open. She didn’t know if she fell asleep or passed out. Sitting up, she peered out the window at the posh houses of the subdivision they were in.

  As they pulled into the driveway, Megan couldn’t help staring up at the house. “Holy shit, this place is beautiful.”

  Pesh chuckled. “Thank you.”

  “I know you think it’s just the alcohol talking, but I’m serious. You have great taste.”

  “I hope you’ll like the inside just as much.”

  “I’m sure I will.”

  After he came around to open the door, she hopped out of the car a little too fast. Her wobbly legs wavered, and she ended up crashing into Pesh’s chest. Staring up at him, she gave an apologetic smile. “Sorry about that.”

  “It’s fine. Need some help?”

  With the alcohol fueling her libido, she replied, “If it means having your hands on me, then sure.”

  Pesh grimaced, but his arm still came around her waist to steady her. She loped along beside him. After he unlocked the door and punched in the alarm code, she followed him inside. Her blurry vision took in the expansive kitchen with his gleaming stainless steel appliances. She followed him as he made his way into the living room.

  Motioning toward the couch, he said, “Why don’t you have a seat while I fix you some coffee?”

  While it was a nice idea to sober herself up, she didn’t want any coffee. She just wanted Pesh. Grabbing the lapels of his suit coat, she pulled herself flush against him. “When did you put this back on?” she wondered aloud. She felt so tiny against his massive chest. It was a good feeling though—one of safety and protection. It also lit her even more on fire with lust. Cocking her head, she glanced up at him to survey his expression. Even in the semi-darkness, she could see his dark eyes burning with desire. She ran her hands up his chest to his neck. She tugged him down to where his face was inches from hers. Fortified with liquid courage, she brought her lips to his.

  She couldn’t help the little moan that came from deep in her throat. Pesh’s mouth was warm, soft, and inviting. The brief connection made her want him all the more—for him to devour her. Tentatively, she slid her tongue across his bottom lip, beckoning him to open for her. Almost instantaneously, the warmth of his tongue met hers. They slid against each other, tasting, searching, and seeking. He gripped her face in his hands, holding her captive as his tongue plunged in and out of her mouth. Emma had been right—the man could kiss like there was no tomorrow. He knew when to be gentle with his mouth and then when to switch to more demanding, almost conquering kisses. If he could practically make her soak her panties with just a kiss, what the hell could he do with his dick?

  As she started to feel lightheaded and weak on her legs, they stumbled over to the couch before Pesh collapsed back, taking her with him. Straddling his lap, she gazed at him momentarily before his mouth attacked hers again. As his tongue once again invaded her mouth, she began to raise her hips and grind against him. Groaning, he broke the kiss by throwing his head back. He gulped in long breaths of air like he was a dying man deprived of his last breath. She felt the same way.

  She kissed a trail over his chin and down his neck. “Pesh, I want you,” she murmured into his skin.

  His chest heaved up and down with her declaration as if he was finding it hard to breathe. She broke away to stare into his eyes. “Please.”

  Pesh couldn’t believe the delicious nightmare he found himself trapped in. A beautiful, sexy blonde writhed against him. The hem of Megan’s dress had ridden up to her hips, and a tiny scrap of lace underwear was the only thing covering her core as she rubbed herself against his crotch. Her heat and her arousal scorched through the fabric of his pants to singe the skin of his growing erection. He wanted nothing more than to flip her on her back, tear away the underwear, and plunge himself deep inside her. It had been so, so long since he had been within the tight walls of a woman. While his conscious railed against him for even entertaining the thought, his body was onboard.

  “Please,” Megan whimpered, as she continued to rise and fall over his erection.

  “We can’t…we shouldn’t.”

  She ran her hands up his chest before wrapping them around his neck. “But I could make you feel good.”

  “I’m sure you could.”

  “And I know you could make me feel good, too. I’m already drenched just kissing you.” Her fingers raked through his hair, tugging desperately on the strands. “I need this, and you need this.”

  His body was completely onboard with how much he needed her. If she pressed any closer to him, she was going to set him off and make him do something he hadn’t since he was a teenager, which was come in his pants. But his once hazy mind was starting to refocus and overpower the desire pumping through his body. He could not and would not take her when she was drunk. It was completely against his character. He’d never taken advantage of a woman, and he never would.

  He gazed into her hooded eyes. “But it would be so very wrong.”

  Her lip trembled. “Don’t you want me?”

  “Yes, without a doubt.”

  “Then why won’t you have sex with me?”

  “Because you’re inebriated.”

  She rolled her eyes in a huff. “You’re sooo proper, aren’t you? A proper gentleman.”

  He cupped her face in his hands. “If not taking advantage of you in your state of intoxication makes me a gentleman, then I suppose I am. What kind of man would I be to take you now only to have you wake up with regret and remorse?”

  “The kind of man who wants to get laid!” Her hand dipped between them to grasp his erection, causing him to hiss. “I feel you against me—I know you want this as much as I do.”

  Although the devil on his shoulder raged at him, he quickly removed Megan’s hand. “Believe me when I say I won’t have sex with you like this. I would never disrespect you so much
as to not make love to you like you deserve.”

  She blinked a few times as if she was having a hard time processing his words. “Regardless of what you have going on in that head of yours, you are better than this. You deserve a man who will take his time with you and show you what pleasure through making love really is.”

  “I’ve never had that,” she whispered regretfully.

  He gave her a sad smile. “I didn’t think you had.” He brushed the hair out of her face and cupped her cheek. “If I take you, I’ll be making love to you. I’ll have you begging and pleading, but you’ll be coming so many times you’ll lose count. You’ll understand the difference between a quick tumble and the all-consuming power of a physical connection fueled by an emotional one.”

  She rapidly blinked her blue eyes in disbelief while her cheeks flushed. “Oh God, did you actually just say that?”

  “I did.” He gave her a teasing smile. “And you’ll be calling out my name more than his.”

  “I…” she began before she quickly clamped her lips shut. Her eyes widened before she scrambled off of his lap. Before he could question her on what she was doing, she threw up all over the front of her dress.

  When she wavered on her feet like she was going to collapse, Pesh tumbled off the couch, reaching out for her. Grabbing both of her shoulders, he steadied her. She glanced down at her dress before gazing back at him. Pesh’s heart ached at the sight of tears pooling in her eyes. “Are you all right?”

  Her chin trembled before big, fat tears slid down her cheeks. “Oh God,” she whispered.

  “Please don’t cry.”

  “T-This is s-so embarrassing,” she hiccupped.

  “It’s okay. You don’t have to be embarrassed.”

  Moaning, she covered her face with her hands. “First, I made a fool out of myself coming on to you and now I’ve puked in front of you like some sorority girl who can’t handle her liquor.”

  “Stop beating yourself up. Come, let’s get you cleaned up.”

  He slid an arm around her waist to steady her on their way down the hall to the bedroom. She continued to weep softly as they made their way into the bathroom. Using his free hand, he flicked on the light. “Can you stand in the shower?”

  With a weak nod, she replied, “I think so.”

  “If not, there’s a ledge you can sit on. Let me turn on the water for you, and I’ll get you a towel.” He propped her up against the counter before striding over to the shower. Once he felt the water was a good enough temperature, he then went over to the closet. He pulled out a towel before returning to Megan who had her head in her hands.

  With his free hand, he took one of her hands and pulled it away from her face. “Please stop beating yourself up. I hate to see you so upset.”

  “I can’t help it. I’m such a fool.”

  “No, if you’re a fool, then so am I. We both wanted each other.”

  “But I got drunk…I never get drunk anymore.”

  “It was an accident. Things like that happen.” He cupped her chin and forced her to look at him. “You are none of the negative things your mind is calling you right now.”

  “Really?”

  Her broken expression, coupled with her need for his reassurance, nearly crushed him. He had to fight from taking her in his arms. He knew if he did that, he would end up doing something he shouldn’t with her. Finally, he nodded. “But you do smell, so go on and get in the shower.”

  The corners of her lips curved up in a half smile. “Do you have something I can change into? And maybe a toothbrush?”

  He nodded. “One second.” Leaving her in the bathroom, he went back into the bedroom to his closet. He took out a pair of scrubs he knew would be too big and too long for her and then coupled it with an Emory University T-shirt. When he got back to the bathroom, Megan was struggling with the zipper at the back of her dress.

  With a defeated expression, she dropped her hands. “Could you please help me?”

  “Of course.” He sat the clothes down on the counter. He then reached up to tug down the zipper. The back of the dress gaped open, exposing her cream colored skin and navy blue lace bra and panties. He closed his eyes to try and block out the glaring images rocketing through his mind. His lips on her skin, his tongue licking up her spine, his hands curving around her ribcage to cup her breasts. He forced himself to step back. Clearing his throat, he replied, “Done.”

  Glancing at him over her shoulder, Megan gave him a weak smile. “Thank you.”

  He took out a spare toothbrush from underneath the counter and placed it next to the clothes he’d brought her. “Let me know if you need anything else.”

  “Okay.”

  Whirling around, he strode out of the bathroom. Not wanting to go too far in case Megan needed him, he began pacing around the bedroom. He momentarily faltered when he heard the shower turn off. He waited for her to appear, but she didn’t. Just as he was about to knock on the door, the whirring hum of the hairdryer started. He continued his pacing as she dried her hair. Next, he heard the sink water turn on as she brushed her teeth. When it was quiet once again in the bathroom, his feet froze as he stared anxiously at the bathroom door.

  When it opened, Pesh’s breath caught. Appearing fresh-faced and clean, Megan looked so beautiful as she tentatively stepped into the bedroom. “Everything okay?” he asked.

  She jumped at his voice. “Um, it’s fine. Thank you again for the clothes and for letting me shower.”

  “You’re more than welcome. And there’s no need to thank me.”

  Chewing on her lip, she glanced from the bed to him. “I texted my mother to tell her I was staying the night at Emma’s.” Before he could say anything, she quickly added, “Thank you for putting my purse in the bathroom. That was very thoughtful of you.”

  “You’re welcome,” he replied. Then he thought of her text. “So you’re staying at Aidan and Emma’s?” After all, the last thing he needed was to have her here—a reminder of what he couldn’t have. It would be enough to drive any man crazy.

  Megan shook her head. “Do you mind if I stayed here instead?” When he started to open his mouth, she shook her head. “I promise no funny business. I just don’t want to go home yet. If you don’t want to me to stay, you can take me to Emma’s.”

  “Of course you can stay.”

  “I can sleep on the couch or in the guest room.”

  He shook his head. “You’ll sleep right here.” He walked over to his massive king-sized bed. He turned down the covers before glancing back at her. “Come on. Getting some rest will make you feel better.”

  She eyed him hesitantly. “I really can’t take your bed. That would be imposing.”

  “I don’t mind. I promise.”

  “Only if you’re sure?”

  “I’m sure.”

  Tentatively, she started walking over to him, her eyes never leaving his. She eased down onto the mattress before sliding beneath the sheets. When she appeared comfortable, he covered her up. As he started to go, she reached out to grab his arm. “No, please don’t go. Don’t leave me alone.”

  His brows shot up in surprise. “You want me to stay with you?”

  “Yes, please.”

  “In this bed…with you?” When she nodded, he exhaled a ragged breath. “Megan, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “Don’t overthink it; just stay with me.”

  Although his brain was raging war at him to make the sane and responsible decision, he replied, “Give me a few minutes.”

  “Okay,” she replied softly.

  Turning, he strode into the bathroom. He didn’t bother glancing in the mirror because he was pretty sure he wouldn’t like what he saw. Instead, he stripped off his suit and tie. Although he probably should have thrown on more clothes, he left his boxers on and grabbed a white shirt off the hamper. After pulling it over his head, he went back out into the bedroom.

  Megan lay on her side in the bed, her face turned toward the bathroom.
Her eyes were closed, but they popped open the moment he entered the bedroom. Without a word to her, he walked around the other side of the bed and climbed inside. Lying on his back, he propped one arm over his head. His other hand rested on his chest. He twisted his fingers into the fabric of his shirt over his heart. Somehow he wanted to still the erratic beating.

  Just when he thought he might be comfortable, Megan turned over to face him. “You’re so far away,” she whispered.

  “I thought it was for the best.”

  The corners of her mouth momentarily turned down in a pout. Then she inched closer to him. He sucked in a breath and tried not to hiss when he felt her head nuzzle against his chest. Before he could stop her, she had thrown an arm around him. Thankfully, she didn’t try anything else. And within a few minutes, her labored breathing signaled she had fallen asleep. Pesh stared up at the ceiling and willed himself to be able to go to sleep as easily.

  Surprisingly, as Megan’s soft snores echoed against his side, his eyes grew heavy. For the first time in two years, he fell asleep with someone in his arms.

  Sunlight streamed across Megan’s face, causing her to squint her eyes tighter closed against the bright invasion. She was warm and comfortable, and she didn’t want to wake up. But the tranquility of her morning was shattered when a soft snore came from behind her. It was far too deep to be one of Mason’s.

  Panic prickled its way up her skin. Where am I? Her eyes frantically scanned the room. Overcome by both masculine décor and smells, she realized she was in a man’s bedroom, or more importantly a man’s bed. She hadn’t woken up this dazed and confused since she got hammered for the first time. She couldn’t even remember what day it was. This was bad. Very, very bad. She had to get out of there and get home to Mason. What kind of mother was she to wake up in a strange man’s bed?

  As she tried to roll over, she found herself entrapped by a strong arm wrapped around her waist. Her gaze flicked down to the tan, muscled arm. Who the hell did that belong to? A whimper escaped her lips. Oh God, had she actually slept with a man she had no memory of? Never in her life had she made such a mistake as that. Nausea overcame her, and she knew she needed to get out of bed and into the bathroom.