The Guy Next Door

by Toni Blake

  So it surprised her when, a moment later, he looked up and whispered, “Damn—I’m sorry.”

  She widened her eyes in surprise as she met his gaze. “Sorry? For what?”

  “I…” he grinned sheepishly, “…usually have longer staying power.”

  She returned a half smile. Okay, maybe it had been a little quick. But the passion had made up for it enough that she hadn’t even noticed. “What happened?” she asked sweetly.

  “You happened,” he replied.

  “Oh.” The heat of a blush rose to her cheeks. “Well, I forgive you.”

  “I’ll make it up to you,” he promised. “Soon. Really soon.”

  When he shifted his weight a little, Holly began to actually feel the kitchen floor beneath her—only now that she was coming back down to earth did she notice how incredibly hard the ceramic tile was and that her back ached from lying on it. And in spite of that, she grinned.

  “What are you smiling about?” he asked.

  “I just—” she shook her head, “—can’t believe we did it on the kitchen floor.” And in fact, for the first time in her life, Holly felt like she was truly living, doing the kinds of things she heard about people doing, acting spontaneously. And so far, she didn’t regret it a bit.

  “I can’t believe we did it, period,” he said, laughing.

  And her eyes widened in teasing accusation. “Why not?”

  “Because I thought you didn’t know me well enough.”

  “I don’t,” she confirmed, “but I made an exception.”

  He tilted his head, eyes gleaming. “And what did I do to rate such an honor?”

  “Well,” she pointed out, “you did fix my shelf. It would have been rude of me not to thank you.”

  They both laughed, and then he playfully nibbled at her breast.

  When she responded with a small moan, and he said, “I’ve got a suggestion.”

  “What’s that?”

  He flashed a matter-of-fact look. “The floor was fun, honey, but my knees are killing me. Let’s go get in bed.”

  As she bit her lip and glanced around the room, reality still coming back to her piece by piece, she caught a glimpse of the clock on the microwave above them. “It’s not even seven o’clock,” she said, laughing.

  “Um, I wasn’t suggesting we go there to sleep,” he explained in a low rasp.

  And she considered the suggestion for only a second before saying, “Race you.”

  ***

  Derek watched her sleep. Her red-blonde hair cascaded over the pillow like a fan and he wanted to touch it. But he didn’t want to wake her, so he only looked.

  He still couldn’t believe it. Any of it. One innocent-seeming phone call and a few minutes later he’d been on the floor with her.

  He couldn’t believe the wild side of her he’d seen tonight. It had been the most exciting sex of his life. Because he knew that Holly wasn’t usually like that. Because he knew she’d been like that only for him.

  For him, this woman had concocted a plan to lure him to her house. For him, this woman had bared her soul, and her body, in the most candid, open, arousing way he’d ever experienced. For him, this woman had even sent her child away for the evening.

  That last one almost affected him as deeply as the innocent frankness she’d displayed—the way she’d just laid it all out and gone after what she wanted. Because only yesterday morning she’d told him that Emily was her first priority and that each night of her life was set aside to be spent with her daughter.

  It made him feel important.

  And it made him feel like a rat.

  On one hand, he knew the complete abandon they’d experienced could never have taken place if Emily had been here crying and eating and wetting her diaper.

  On the other, though, he felt like he was stealing something from them both. Sure, from his perspective, it was easy to say it was just one night and not a big deal—but Holly had made it clear that every night with Emily was valuable to her. So in effect, he’d tampered with time that they cherished, with a mother-child bond he knew nothing about.

  He was crazy about the woman and this night had been so right, so perfect, all that he’d dreamed. But he hadn’t wanted her to feel like she had to send her baby away just to be with him.

  Or did he? Hell, it was all so confusing.

  Even just being so crazy about her was confusing. That wasn’t his usual way. Usually, he was all about casual fun and casual sex. But something about this didn’t feel casual—inside him. And how the hell had something like that happened so quickly? After all, he’d just met her.

  He leaned over and placed a feathery kiss on her forehead.

  “Hmm?”

  He hadn’t meant to wake her, but he’d liked the light, airy way her voice had sounded just then. “Go back to sleep,” he whispered.

  Instead, though, she opened her eyes and smiled at him. Even in the darkness, he saw the lovely twinkle of green in her gaze.

  “What are you smiling about this time?” he asked.

  “Just thinking about tonight,” she admitted.

  He nodded against his pillow, not bothering to hide how he felt. “Well worth smiling over.”

  “Derek,” she said, “I want you to know that…well, I’ve never done anything like this before.”

  “Anything like what?”

  “Sleep with someone I hardly know.”

  “That’s okay,” he said. “I feel like I know you.” He meant it. It came with the being crazy about her part.

  “Or seduce someone,” she added.

  He tried to hold his grin inside, but admitted, “That part I knew.”

  “How?” she asked. “Because I was so bad at it?”

  He chuckled. “No—actually you were pretty damn effective at it.”

  Then she tilted her head against the pillow, smiling softly. “Then how’d you know it was my first time?”

  “Your eyes,” he told her. “They kind of gave you away.”

  “What do you mean?” she asked on a blink.

  “They just had this…really pretty, innocent kind of look in them.”

  “Oh…” Her voice sounded feathery and romantic.

  “You should go back to sleep,” he told her. “You have to work tomorrow.”

  “So do you,” she pointed out.

  He flashed a grin. “Yeah, but I’m the boss. I can go in late if I feel like it.”

  “Mmm,” she said, sounding jealous. “That’s a luxury I certainly don’t have.” Then a sigh snuck out. “God, how nice it would be to make my own schedule, to find a way to spend some more time with Em…”

  Derek could practically hear her thoughts. “You miss her right now, don’t you?”

  Her sheepish look only added to his lingering guilt. “Well…yes. I mean, I had an incredible time with you tonight, but I still…”

  “It’s okay,” he told her. “You’re allowed to miss her.”

  She smiled at him from beneath sleepy eyelids.

  Inspiring him to playfully add, “But I’ll see if I can take your mind off it for a few minutes.” Then he rolled over on top of her and lowered a warm, passionate kiss to her lips.

  ***

  Holly glanced at the clock next to the bed. Darkness still loomed, but daylight fast approached. It was nearly five a.m. And still they kept wanting each other.

  She shifted her gaze to the man below her as she sat on top, straddling him. His hands slid slowly up and down her thighs, adding to her heat as she began to move on him.

  “Unh…” he breathed below her.

  She undulated in small circles, her body gyrating rhythmically above him, and a small moan escaped her as well. And soon she found herself moving harder, pressing her palms against his stomach for balance.

  “Ohhh…” he groaned.

  She leaned her head back as a tingling, excruciatingly sexy pressure built inside her. And she let the impulses in her body take over, drive her, command her, as the sensat
ions grew more intense and the circles tighter and hotter.

  “Aw baby…” he whispered up into the air.

  And, mmm, his sexy voice was all she needed. The pleasure broke over her like crashing waves, pounding at her body, filling her with power yet taking all her control, then finally calming, quieting, delivering her to the smoothest, sweetest tranquility she had ever known.

  She collapsed on Derek and breathed her satiated exhaustion into his chest.

  After which he began to stroke her hair, whispering, “Was it nice?”

  In reply, she bit her lip, then kissed his neck. “Mmm. Very.”

  “I’m glad.”

  Only a restful moment later, he started to thrust sweetly into her again. And she raised herself above him just slightly so that she could sprinkle his chest with light kisses. When the kisses turned to playful nips and bites, he moaned, his drives becoming deeper, harder. “Oh yeah,” he rasped.

  She raked her teeth across his chest once more, then lifted kisses to his neck, chin, mouth. And he murmured a heated “Mmm…” between more tiny kisses that grew warmer, stronger.

  “I want you to do it,” she whispered hotly in his ear.

  “Oh God,” he sighed, “I am.”

  And then she felt his release, heard him moaning his pleasure, and she let the sound saturate her soul.

  She rested her head on his chest again, smiling devilishly inside to know that now her words, her voice, had pushed him over the edge. She’d never experienced this wholly bold, sexual side of herself before—and she was discovering that she enjoyed it.

  She lifted her head to look into his eyes. “I kind of like surprising you that way,” she admitted.

  He flashed a sexy grin in the dark. “I kind of like it, too.”

  ***

  Holly moved around the bedroom, getting dressed for work, watching Derek sleep. It was strange to be watching him instead of Emily. The sight warmed her heart with pleasant—not to mention hot—memories of the night they’d just shared. But something was missing, too. Her sweet little Em.

  She tucked her blouse into her skirt, then reached for a dainty necklace. Facing the mirror, she flipped her hair over her shoulder and hooked the chain behind her neck.

  That was when she heard the sheets rustle and glanced over to find Derek watching her with half-open eyes. One glimpse of him, rumpled and naked in bed, sent a fresh surge of desire rocketing through her already—wow, he looked good in the morning.

  “Hi,” he said with a sleepy-sexy smile.

  “Hi,” she returned, a warm blush rising to her cheeks, suddenly feeling timid. Without warning, she found herself biting her lip in embarrassment as she remembered some of the things she’d said and done last night. Looking back, she could scarcely believe her actions. But she’d been unable to help herself. He was a different kind of man than she’d ever known, and those differences had apparently brought out differences she’d never known about herself, too.

  Derek’s enticing morning smile and messy hair were nearly enough to send her diving back into bed with him. But she had to be sensible. The night was over and her real life and responsibilities called.

  This must be how Cinderella felt at the ball. But it was way past midnight and Holly needed to do whatever she could to try and tie these two worlds—the world of last night, and the world of her real life—together.

  “Can I make you some breakfast?” she asked.

  He tilted his head to the side. “Sure you have time?”

  She nodded. She’d only had to get one person ready today instead of two. “Bacon and eggs?”

  “Mmm,” he said. “That sounds like a better breakfast than I’ve had in ages.”

  “Well,” she said, again feeling her own blush even as she spoke, “I want to replenish your strength.”

  Which brought a wicked grin to his face. “I lost count,” he told her. “How many times?”

  The heat in her cheeks increased, but she still met his warm gaze. “Four, I believe.”

  His eyes widened. “Damn, guess I do need my strength replenished then.” He pushed back the covers and glanced over the side of the bed. “Uh, any idea where my underwear might be?”

  “Probably in the kitchen,” she said, still shocked by the truth, by the very words as they spilled from her lips. “Why don’t you take a shower, and I’ll make breakfast and, um…gather up your things.”

  He smiled. “Sounds like an offer too good to refuse.”

  She wasn’t sure why she averted her eyes as he got out of bed and walked toward the bathroom. Old hints of her usual, more conservative self maybe. But when it hit her how silly that was now, she glanced around in time to catch a fabulous view of his butt, which looked, not surprisingly, as good as the rest of him. Her body tingled.

  She felt as though she was floating on air as she padded to the kitchen, started the promised breakfast, then plucked Derek’s clothing up from the floor, piece by piece. She put everything in a tidy pile just outside the bathroom door, still shocked by the entire event—and still pleasured by memories of it, as well.

  A few minutes later, Derek appeared, dressed in the same clothes from last night. She looked up from the stove just in time to see him approach from behind, wrapping his arms warmly around her waist. “Thank you for last night,” he breathed hot in her ear. “It was incredible.”

  And her stomach fluttered. “For me, too,” she whispered above the crackling of bacon in the skillet.

  “Can I help?” he asked about breakfast.

  “No,” she told him. “I’ve poured the juice and coffee—all I have to do is take up the bacon and eggs. Which, much as I regret it, will be easier without you wrapped around me.”

  He leaned in for a quick peck on the cheek, then retreated to the table in the dining room.

  When they began to eat, he quickly complimented the food, which she appreciated. Bacon and eggs were simple, but a couple of meals with Derek were reminding her that it was nice cooking for someone besides herself. And it felt good to share a morning meal with someone who could answer her when she talked. She adored Emily’s company, but adult conversation provided a different kind of satisfaction.

  She watched him from across the table and wondered how to bring up what she wanted to ask him. She had no idea what kind of response to expect. But the honest approach had certainly worked last night and she couldn’t think of any other way.

  “What are you doing tomorrow?” Which was Saturday.

  He glanced up, a piece of bacon between his fingers. “Nothing special. Why?”

  “Well, I was wondering if you’d like to go to the zoo with Emily and me.”

  Derek opened his mouth to answer—but then stopped, thinking it through.

  He’d just spent an amazing night with this woman. And he’d also just about forgotten that Emily even existed. He hated the way it made him feel to suddenly remember her—but he couldn’t help it. The image of himself pushing a stroller didn’t hold much appeal. In fact, after the wild abandon he’d experienced with Holly last night, it seemed like an impossible picture—like two opposite ends of the spectrum.

  “I…don’t know,” he finally told her, hesitating and feeling a little put on the spot.

  “Oh,” she said, suddenly sounding nervous and uncertain.

  And—shit. Guilt gripped him by the throat. He didn’t want to be a jerk here, didn’t want to make her uncomfortable, so he should try to explain himself. But he didn’t like admitting to her how he really felt about this. He’d look like just as big of a jerk that way, too.

  And hell—quick as that, he found himself scrambling for an excuse. “I just remembered that I, um…have this thing I have to do tomorrow. In the afternoon. It slipped my mind.”

  He wished he could roll his eyes at his own lameness. He used to be a much smoother liar, but had gotten out of practice. And he was unable to read the change in Holly’s expression.

  “Oh, okay,” she said. “No problem.”

/>   But as her eyes dropped to her plate, she sounded hurt, like a woman who knew when she was being lied to. And she also sounded tense, like a woman who didn’t like it one bit.

  His stomach sank. And for a second he considered backing things up and telling her he’d go to the zoo. But it just didn’t feel right to him. He didn’t want to play daddy to Emily and he didn’t want to give Holly the impression that he did. He swallowed heavily, searching for some kind of an explanation, but his mind stayed blank—at least as far as coming up with anything convincing to say was concerned.

  “It’s…my friend,” he finally managed. “I promised my friend that I would…do this thing. That’s all.” Still lame. Lame as hell.

  And she didn’t reply, but the look on her face told him that she either wanted to cry or to explode with anger.

  “I’m sorry, Holly,” he finally told her, his stomach churning with the weight of the moment.

  Next to him, she took a deep breath. “No big deal,” she said without meeting his eyes. Then she shoved a forkful of scrambled eggs into her mouth, her gaze planted squarely on the napkin holder that set between them on the table.

  Shit. How had things turned so cold and awkward so quickly? He suddenly had a feeling that it would be better for both of them if he just left.

  Quickly shoving the last bite of a strip of bacon into his mouth, he pushed back his chair and stood up. “I should go.”

  She didn’t protest, but instead simply nodded and continued eating.

  Derek walked to the door, and when he reached it, he stopped to look back at her with a sigh. He wanted to say something, do something—anything—to somehow try and fix what he’d just single-handedly destroyed. He couldn’t believe he’d shared such an earth-shattering night of passion with her and had now managed to blow the whole thing already.

  “I’m sorry about the zoo, Holly,” he said again.

  “I told you, it’s no big deal,” she replied, her tone suddenly almost snappish as she rose from the table herself. “Now I have to hurry, or I’ll be late. Goodbye.” And with that, she moved briskly toward the hallway, retreating to leave him standing in the living room alone.