Wish List - Sylvia Day Page 0,7

any trouble, Steph. I like giving you what you want, I like seeing you smile.”

She blew out her breath and fiddled with her collar. “Do you need my help with anything?”

It wasn’t like her to be so nervous or to switch subjects because she was uncomfortable, which told him she wasn’t dealing too well with tonight’s events. He knew it was a lot to throw at her—the photo, the wish list, the sex. Before the Secret Santa exchange they’d been nothing but distant co-workers. Now they were lovers.

He’d had a couple months to adapt to his changing feelings for her. She’s had a couple hours. She was asking for a little space and he had no problem giving it to her.

“No, I’ve got it covered. Go watch TV or something. It won’t be too much longer.”

“Okay. I’m going to wash up then.”

He gestured toward the hallway with a toss of his chin. “First door on the right.”

Steph locked gazes with Nick for a long moment and knew she was in trouble. He didn’t have that air about him that said, Thanks for the f**k, you can go now. No, his vibe was very homey and relaxed. And she was falling for it like a ton of bricks.

Somehow she made it down the short hallway to the bathroom, where she leaned against the vanity and stared in the mirror. The glazed look in her eyes and the flush on her cheeks made her wince.

Damn it, she didn’t need this right now! A relationship was completely out of the question on a good day, but to fall for a guy who had “temporary” written all over him was just plain stupid. Hadn’t she learned anything at all from her years with Tom?

Apparently not.

When dinner was done, she was going home. They’d both gotten what they wanted.

It was time to minimize the damage.

* * * * *

“That was wonderful.”

Steph smiled at Nick as she set her fork down, not the least bit concerned that she’d cleaned her plate. They’d eaten together many times over the last year and after the first time he’d praised her hearty appetite, she’d ceased being concerned about appearances.

“You’re either too generous or you were really hungry.” He stood and picked up her plate from the small oak dining table. Featuring a pine centerpiece lit by three red tapers, it was both inviting and unexpected. There was so much about him she didn’t know. But she wanted to learn. Nick wasn’t good relationship material, but he was a fascinating guy, a great lawyer and a good friend from what she’d heard.

She watched him walk into the kitchen, his fine ass flexing as he took each step.

Occasional glimpses of his c**k and balls kept her hot, and she grabbed her napkin to dab at the fine sheen of sweat that misted her forehead. He was also a fantastic and generous lover, but then she’d always suspected that and heard innuendo to the same.

The urge to bolt she’d felt in the bathroom earlier was now suddenly overwhelming.

It was time to go.

Standing, she reached for her duffle. It was rude to leave without offering to clean, but maybe a little animosity between them would be a good thing.

“What are you doing?” he asked behind her, the volume of his voice telling her that he was still some distance away.

“I’m going to head out,” she said with forced casualness, even as her heart raced.

“Thanks for a great evening.”

Suddenly, she was crowded into the table from behind by a very hard body. “Talk to me, Steph.” His palms flattened on the surface, caging her in place.

“We’ve been talking all through dinner.”

“About everything except us.”

“There is no ‘ us’.”

One of his hands reached into the pocket of her skirt.

“How many condoms did you bring? Feels like you’ve got half a dozen in here.” He tossed one onto the tabletop. “You were planning for a busy night. Now, all of a sudden, you’re done?”

“Yeah, well.” She took a deep breath. “I didn’t expect you to be so good. You took care of things the first go-round.”

“Bullshit. You’re as hot for it now as you were when you jumped me.” Wrapping a hand around her throat, he tilted her head back. He nipped her ear with his teeth and she shivered. “What’s got you running scared?”

She stiffened. “I’m not scared. I just think we both got what we wanted and it’s best to end the night before it gets complicated.”

“Guess what?” Nick bent his knees and rubbed