One Night On The Virgin's Terms - Melanie Milburne Page 0,22

corners of her mouth with her linen napkin and, setting it aside, sat back in her chair. ‘That was amazing. Thank you for taking me out tonight. I’ve had the best time.’

‘My pleasure. I enjoyed it too.’

She twisted her mouth. ‘You don’t seem like the West End musical type. I thought you’d rather go to a classical symphony concert.’

Louis shrugged one broad shoulder and then leaned forward to pick up his cocktail. ‘You’re making me sound staid and boring.’

‘You’re definitely not that.’

His eyes locked on hers and a faint prickly sensation ran down her spine and down the back of her legs. She ran the tip of her tongue over her lips and drew in a wobbly breath. Either that strawberry gin cocktail was going to her head or Louis was making her feel things she had never felt before. The energy in the air shifted, a subtle tightening, as if all the oxygen particles had been disturbed.

A band was playing in the background and Louis leaned forward to put his cocktail back on the table. He pushed back his chair and stood, offering his hand to her. ‘Would you like to dance?’

‘Sure. Why not?’ Ivy took his proffered hand and went with him to the small dance floor. They moved in perfect time to the sweetly cadenced ballad, and she was conscious of every point of contact with him. One of his arms was around her, his other hand holding hers, her cheek resting on his chest right where his heart beat so steadily. Her heart was doing an Irish jig in her chest, and when he tipped up her face to meet his gaze it did a backflip.

His arm around her tightened just enough to bring her closer to the heat of his pelvis, his mouth slowly, ever so slowly, coming down to hers. His lips were warm and gentle, but then his pressure increased, sending shooting sparks of pleasure through her body. His tongue stroked for entry—a lazy let-me-play-with-you stroke that sent a lightning bolt of lust straight to her core. She suddenly remembered they were in a public place, on a dance floor surrounded by other people, and she pulled back, biting her lip where his tempting tongue had just been. ‘Sorry. A bit public for me.’

He gave both her hands a squeeze and smiled. ‘You’re right. Now is not the time or place.’ He led her back to the table and they each took their seats.

Ivy aimed her attention at his mouth rather than hold his gaze. ‘But when and where will be the time and place?’ He didn’t answer for so long, she brought her gaze up to meet his.

His expression was difficult to read, but somehow she sensed he had come to a decision in his mind. ‘What are you doing next Friday night?’

‘I haven’t got anything planned. Why?’

‘I have a place down in the Cotswolds. I thought we could spend the night there and drive back on Saturday morning.’

Ivy blinked. ‘Does that mean you’re going to...?’

‘You have a one-track mind.’ His tone was playfully reproving. ‘No, it doesn’t necessarily mean we’re going to sleep together.’

‘But what is the point of us hanging out together if you don’t do what I asked you to do? I’ve only got three weeks now until my birthday. Time is rapidly running out.’

‘Why the big hurry to do it before your birthday?’

She opened her eyes wide. ‘Why the hurry? Because I made a promise to myself that I wouldn’t still be a virgin by then. If you’re not going to help me, say so, Louis. It’s not fair to string me along if you’ve no intention of—’

‘I would do it in a heartbeat if I was confident we both wouldn’t regret it in the end.’

‘You know what I think?’ Ivy shot him a heated glare. ‘I think you’re the one who’s worried about getting hurt in the end. You spend your life sleeping only once with women you’ll never see again because you’re worried about feeling something for someone.’ She snatched up her bag from the table. ‘Thank you for this evening. I’ll make my own way home. And I’ll find someone else to help me, so you’re off the hook. Goodbye.’

‘Ivy.’ His voice had a commanding note. ‘Wait.’

She turned from the door to face him. ‘I’ve wasted enough time waiting. I get it. You don’t want to help me. You’re not attracted to me even though you give a very good impression of it. But I’m