A Different Kind of Forever - By Dee Ernst Page 0,28
her neck, soft, down her throat, a trail of kisses that shook her entire body. She brought her hands up, between them, gripping his shoulders and pushing against him abruptly.
“Stop.”
He let her go, stepped back, and dropped his arms to his side. She pressed her hands against her forehead.
“I’m sorry,” his breathing was strained. “I thought – I’m sorry.”
“No. No, don’t be sorry.” He took a step toward her, hesitant, and she moved away. “I need to think. I can’t think if you touch me.”
He stepped back again, and she pointed. Her hand was shaking. “Sit. Please, sit down.”
He obediently sat down in a wing chair, leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knees, hands clasped. He was watching her face.
“Okay.” She brushed back her hair with one hand and took a deep breath. “I’m forty-five years old.”
“I’m twenty-six.”
“Exactly. Doesn’t that bother you?”
He shook his head. “Not at all. I like being twenty-six.”
She laughed shakily. “Michael, be serious. Doesn’t it bother you that I’m nineteen years older than you?”
He shook his head again. “No. Would it bother you if I was nineteen years older?”
“Please, Michael,” she pleaded, “don’t try to confuse me with logic. It’s not fair.”
He laughed. “Okay. From now on, no more logic. I promise.”
She took another breath. “I haven’t had sex in over six years. Not since before my divorce.”
“Whoa.” He sat back in the chair. “Six years? Shit, nothing like a little pressure.”
“Pressure?” She crossed her arms across her breast, hugging herself. “That’s how much you know. The way I feel right now, the only foreplay I need is for you to unbutton your shirt.”
His mouth twitched. “Oh.”
“Don’t you know how sexy you are? You should read some of your fan sites. I mean, I did, and boy, was I floored.’ She began pacing up and down in front of him, hands flying around her face as she spoke. “But then I saw you on stage. I mean, my God, you’re incredible. You’ve got all this talent and energy and I don’t know what else, and you put it all out there. Shit, Michael, what a turn-on. No wonder all those women want you.”
“That’s what I do,” he said softly. “It’s my job. I love it, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. But it’s only what I do. It’s not who I am.”
I know,” she said. She stopped and looked at him, eyes wide and dark. “If that was all this was about, I could just sleep with you and walk away. And believe me, I am so tempted right now. But I know that you are so much more than just that. And this right now, you and I, this is more. At least,” she faltered, “at least I think it is. Unless you just want to get laid. Oh, shit.” She covered her face with her hands. “That’s it, right?” She dropped her hands and looked at him miserably. “You must think I’m a real idiot.”
“No, that’s not it. And I don’t think you’re an idiot.” He spoke quietly, his eyes boring into hers. “I think you’re one of the brightest people I’ve ever met. I love how passionate you are about things, your work, your kids, your whole life. You’re funny and kind and I think you have the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen. When you smile, you break my heart. I think you’re amazing.”
She looked at him, his blue eyes, the dark, straight brow, the angle of his cheekbones. She knew the taste of him now, and desire came over her, filling her chest and throat. “This is happening very fast. I have to decide what I want to do.”
He stood up. “Yeah, I know it’s happening fast. And for the record, yes, I do want you. If there was a cave nearby, I’d knock you over the head and drag you there by your hair. That’s all I’ve been thinking about.” He had been walking toward her, and she had been backing away, until her back hit the wall and she could go no further. He put his hands up, one on either side of her face, and leaned in. “I’ve been watching you all night, and every time you said something, or laughed, or smiled, or ate something, or drank something, I just wanted to touch you.”
She had flattened herself against the wall, palms open, bracing herself. Her eyes were looking into his and she felt warm and dizzy, breathless, and there was a deep, heavy ache