One Sweet Night Read online

  He brushed his lips against her neck. “Sex with you is great, but I want a lot more than just great sex.”

  She closed her eyes. So did she, but…”I’m forty and divorced. Did you know that?”

  “Yes I did. I called Ti after Tia left and grilled him as much as he’d allow me to. He told me your age and marital status. So you see I know everything there is to know about you.”

  But Ti hadn’t told him everything because he didn’t know everything. She sighed. “Tonight has been very nice, Danny, but—”

  “Look Jule. I’m single, but ready to get serious. So what’s your point?”

  “My point is I have thoroughly enjoyed tonight with you, but now isn’t the time to do anything except sleep.”

  “Jule—”

  She shook her head. “We can talk later. Right now I can barely keep my eyes open.”

  “Fine, you’ll quickly discover I’m a man of my word. I mean what I say and I always get what I want.”

  Why was she pleased rather than annoyed by his soft words which almost sounded like a threat?

  “I’ve had five weeks to think about you. In the morning, I’m still going to want more than a night or weekend with you.”

  She wasn’t sure of anything except that she didn’t want him to walk out of her life in the morning or when the weekend was over. How much more she wanted, she’d decide when her ability to think rationally returned.

  Judging by his intensity, she doubted if he were thinking anymore rationally than she was. In the morning, he would probably thank her for not having taken him seriously. Hell he might not even be there in the morning. With her luck, he’d probably sneak out the moment she was asleep.

  That possibility kept her awake long after he slept with an arm around her waist and his big body curled against her back. Once he’d come to his senses, he’d leave. Yet he had hinted at wanting more than a brief fling with her. Hinted? He’d come right out and said as much. Of course she’d be disappointed if he left without waking her. But she wouldn’t be surprised.

  Staying awake wouldn’t make him want her once the night was over. Reluctantly accepting that fact, she finally surrendered to exhaustion and fell asleep.

  Jule woke to the feel of a pair of warm lips brushing against hers.

  “Morning, sleeping beauty.”

  She opened her eyes.

  Dan sat on the side of her bed. With the sun shining into her bedroom, she saw that his hair was damp. Instead of the casual pull over and biker shorts he’d arrive in, he wore a light, short-sleeved top and jeans.

  Clearly, he’d already left and decided to return. There could only be one reason for his return.

  Holding the cover against her bare breasts, she sat up. She glanced at her bedside clock. 8:20 a.m. “Ready to go? I guess I should ask why you returned.”

  His smile vanished. “Are you ready for me to go?”

  Not before hell froze over, but despite her shameless behavior and unguarded admissions from the night before, there was no need to reinforce the less than favorable opinion he must hold of her.

  He arched a brow. “Do you want me to go?”

  “You’re wearing different clothes so you’ve clearly already left. How did you get back in?”

  “You left your keys on the table in the hall. I took them when I left.”

  Charming. Where did he get off taking her keys without her permission? “Oh?”

  He stroked her cheeks. “Don’t worry. I didn’t make any copies. I hope you believe that.”

  “I do.”

  “Now it’s your turn, Jule. Answer my question. Do you want me to leave?

  She tightened her grip on the blanket. “When I asked you to go last night—”

  He shook his head. “This isn’t about last night. We didn’t know each other then.”

  “We still don’t know each other.”

  He narrowed his gaze. “You seem hell bent on being difficult. Maybe I should warn you that I know how to handle luscious, difficult women.”

  Her lips twitched. What a find. A handsome hunk capable of making being difficult sound like a compliment? “Hmmm.”

  “We know more about each other than we did last night. We know we’re more than sexually compatible. Now answer my question. Do you want me to leave?”

  “What happens if I say yes?”

  He shrugged. “Then I’ll go.”

  She frowned at his unexpected and unwelcome response. “You will?”

  “Stop beating around the bush, Jule and tell me where I stand.”

  Chapter Six

  She met his dark gaze briefly before lowering her lids. She moistened her lips and then slowly shook her head. “No.”

  “No, what?”

  Damn he was insistent.

  “Look at me, Jule.”

  She lifted her chin, but continued to keep her lids lowered. “Why?”

  He cupped her face between his hands. “I want to know what you’re feeling.”

  She lifted her lids and looked into his eyes. “I’m feeling awkward and a little regretful.”

  “Awkward I understand. Why regretful? Didn’t I please you?”

  Her cheeks burned, but this time she didn’t attempt to look away. “You know you did.”

  He trailed a hand down from her cheek to caress her neck. “Then what’s to regret?”

  “You’ve showered and you’re fully dressed.”

  He stroked his thumb over her face. “And what significance do you attach to those facts, Jule?”

  “You woke me up to tell me you’re leaving.”

  “You know when I plan to leave you?”

  “After you’ve had another roll in the hay?”

  He removed his hands and sat back. “Let’s get two things straight right now. Last night was more than a roll in the hay.”

  Don’t be so quick to believe him, Jule. He’s young, sexy, and wicked in bed. He could have his pick of young supermodel type women. Why would he choose you over one of them? “Number two?”

  He smiled. “I don’t plan on leaving you a single second before hell ices over.”

  She felt almost dizzy with relief. A foolish grin spread across her face. “Yeah?”

  “Yeah.”

  “You weren’t leaving?”

  “I’m dressed because I run three miles every day, during which I sweat a lot. After my morning run I went home to shower and change.”

  “Oh.”

  “I told you last night I was still going to want you this morning.”

  “I know, but you probably weren’t thinking very clearly then.”

  He laughed. “That’s true enough, but I almost always mean exactly what I say.”

  She moistened her lips. “I need you to be careful what you say to me. After last night with you, I’m feeling a little…”

  “What? What are you feeling, my lovely?”

  “Vulnerable. Before last night I was feeling so lonely and starved for sex that I might believe something I shouldn’t. Where would that leave us?”

  He moved closer to slip an arm around her waist. “Trust me. I want to cherish you, not hurt you.”

  She closed her eyes and laid her cheek against his shoulder. “Last night was wonderful and I’d love to spend the weekend with you.”

  “Then we’re partially on the same page.”

  “Maybe, but please don’t promise or hint at anything beyond the weekend, Dan.”

  “Jule—”

  She pressed a finger against his lips. “Let’s just enjoy the moment.”

  He sighed and released her. “How many times do I have to tell you I want more than the moment before you believe me?”

  “If I allowed myself to, I could imagine and believe all sorts of things I shouldn’t.”

  “What kind of things?”

  “Things like…You and I could…We could…”

  “Go on. We could what?”

  “Have a relationship that isn’t based solely on sex.” She caress
ed his cheek. “There’s something about you that makes me imagine all kinds of wild, impossible things.”

  “You and me isn’t impossible—unless all you want is a weekend of sex.”

  Commonsense told her that’s all she could reasonably expect. It was foolish to want or hope for more than that after one night. Nevertheless, she shook her head silently.

  He smiled. “Good.”

  Men. What was good about her admitting to feelings she shouldn’t even have?

  “Now stop being shy.”

  “What?”

  “Release your death grip on the cover.”

  When she opened, he caressed her bare breasts. “You are such a beautiful woman.”

  A pleased feeling spread through her. “Yes?”

  He leaned forward to kiss her breasts.

  Her eyelids fluttered down. “Hmmm. That feels so good.”

  He pinched her nipples. “Then let’s make love again.”

  Last night he had thrilled her by fucking her and having tender sex with her. She had loved both experiences. Clearly he had too, which must explain why he spoke of making love instead of having sex. Shouldn’t he call what he wanted to do to and with her what it really was? Fucking? “Love?”

  “Yes.” He cupped her breasts in his palms. “I want you more this morning than I did last night.”

  The desire to lie on her back and spread her legs was difficult to overcome. All that would get her was fucked again. Before that happened, she needed a clear head. She couldn’t keep thinking with her pussy.

  She eased his hands away from her breasts and pulled the cover back up to cover them. “We’re sexually compatible, but—”

  He pressed a finger against her lips. “It’s more than that, Jule. At least it could be, if you’ll just give me—us a chance. Just give us a chance. That’s all I ask.”

  She ran a hand over her hair. “I’d love to, but we need to be realistic, Dan.”

  “What’s unrealistic about our making love again?”

  “Last night I was lonely and horny.”

  He gave her an unabashed grin. “I’m confident I changed that.”

  Smooth and just maybe a little over confident. “You did,” she admitted.

  “And this morning, Jule?”

  “I’m a little afraid of what I’m feeling and wanting with you.”

  “What’s bothering you?”

  “What kind of a future can a 40-year-old divorced woman and a sexy, twenty-eight-year-old stud share?” Especially when they’d also have to deal with the issue of race.

  He arched a brow. “I’m not twenty-eight nor do I want you to think of me as a stud. That implies there’s no more to me than my cock and nothing could be further from the truth.”

  She groaned. “You’re not…Please don’t tell me you’re even younger than twenty-eight.”

  “And if I were?”

  She sighed. Oh, damn! “How much younger?”

  “I’m twenty-six.”

  “Twenty-six? But Tia said you were only a few years older than Ti and he’s twenty-six.”

  “Tia has her facts mixed up. I’m twenty-six.”

  “Great.”

  He shook his head. “Trust me, Jule, my age isn’t going to be an issue between us—unless you make it one.”

  “Where did you and Ti meet?”

  “We met at a trade show during our senior year of college. Even then I had a game plan and within weeks of our meeting, I knew I wanted to include him in that plan.”

  “You’re his boss?”

  “Yes.”

  “Ti’s a software engineer. Do you design software?”

  He grimaced. “The company has been far more successful than I’d envisioned at this point, so I’ve had to acquire and practice other skills to keep us in a position of strength and growth. That doesn’t leave much time for me to design software anymore.”

  “Ti drives a new Mercedes so if he’s doing that well, the company must be doing very well.”

  “You want to discuss my financial bottom line?”

  Jule shook her head. “I don’t want you to think I’m a gold-digger. I—”

  “It’s all right. I know you’re an accountant so I’d expect you to be interested in such things.” He grinned suddenly. “But as gold diggers go, you’re sexy as hell.”

  She made a fist and tapped it against his shoulder. “I’m not a damned gold digger so I’m not interested in your money.”

  He lifted her fist from his shoulder, opened it, and pressed a warm kiss against her palm. “Really? What are you interested in?”

  Keeping her gaze locked on his, she smiled. “Your beautiful mind fascinates me.”

  “I’m very glad to hear that, Jule. Now, if you’re not planning to spend the day in bed, I’d like to take you to a late breakfast or an early lunch.”

  The possibilities of what would happen after lunch intrigued her.

  “Jule?”

  Dare she believe such a young, handsome, skillful lover wanted more than a single night of sex? More important than his ability in bed, he seemed to know how to take no for an answer without sulking or walking away. Just maybe they could share a short term relationship. But they’d have to take things slow and she’d need to be careful not to fall for him.

  “Jule? What are you thinking?”

  She smiled. “That I’m starving. Give me forty minutes to shower and dress.”

  He rose from the bed. “I’ll wait in the living room.”

  She watched him leave the bedroom before she hurried into the bathroom. As she showered, she decided to enjoy the moment with him and let the future take care of itself. They would no doubt turn heads wherever they went. But if he didn’t mind, neither would she. She’d work on fully enjoying their sexual relationship without worrying about how long she’d be able to hold his interest.

  If things somehow worked out between them, she’d owe Tia a debt of gratitude. If things didn’t work out with him, she’d still be grateful to Tia for having introduced her to a man who had helped her regain confidence in her ability to attract the opposite sex.

  When she walked into the living room an hour later, he turned from the window.

  They considered each other in silence before either spoke.

  “Damn you’re beautiful, Jule .”

  “We’d make a good looking couple.”

  His smile turned into a grin. “True that.” He picked up a bouquet of roses from one of her end tables before he crossed the room to her to kiss her cheek. He laid the roses in her arms. “These are for you.”

  The roses brought tears to her eyes. Karl had never failed to satisfy her sexually, but he’d never been overly romantic. He’d last sent her flowers on their fifth wedding anniversary. He’d never given her roses.

  A lump formed in her throat as she looked at him. “They’re lovely, Dan. Thank you.”

  He tipped up her chin so he could look into her eyes. “So are you.”

  She shook her head, struggling to hold tears at bay while she caressed his cheek. “Are you always so sweet and considerate?”

  “No.”

  “No?”

  “Being too sweet or too considerate in a relationship can land a man in unwanted entanglements.”

  She stepped away from him. “Really? Then I’ll have to watch you, won’t I?”

  He shook his head and took her free hand in his. “Don’t misunderstand me. I was speaking in generalities. Haven’t I already made it clear that I’d love to be entangled with you?”

  She sighed. “It’s not something I’m proud of, but when I agreed to meet you last night, I expected a one night stand.”

  “And now?”

  “And now I’m going to need you to go slowly, Dan. I have to get used to dating again. Right now I feel like I’m exposing myself in a way that makes me feel vulnerable.”

  “You want to take this slow?”

  She nodded.

  He caressed her cheek. “I’m sure you’ll be
worth the wait.” He offered her his arm. “Are you ready to eat?”

  “Yes. Where are we going?”

  “I know this bed and breakfast just outside the city that makes the best pancakes I’ve ever tasted. I’m assuming, of course, that you’ll want a real breakfast and not just a few carrot stalks.”

  She arched a brow. “Why would you assume that?”

  He reached behind her and palmed her ass. “You didn’t get this luscious ass by eating rabbit food all the time.”

  She smiled, pleased that her less than ideal rear end seemed to fascinate him. “I work hard to keep this butt of mine round like this,” she teased.

  “Your hard work is paying off big time.” He slapped her ass and grinned. “Let’s go eat a huge breakfast so you can keep it.”

  A handsome younger male who didn’t expect or want her to be as slender as a twenty-year old? She slipped her arm through his. “Lead the way handsome.”

  He rubbed her ass. “Will you follow where I lead?”

  She’d always prided herself on being independent. She’d insisted Karl view her as an equal partner in their relationship. Maybe it was time she rethought her I-am-woman mantra. ‘We’ll see.”

  He slipped his arm around her shoulders. “Yes we will.”

  She leaned against him. “I have a feeling you’re used to getting your way with women.”

  “Yes I am. I’m not known for being patient, but when I really want something, I can wait.”

  His implication was obvious. She smiled. He sure knew how to make a woman feel sexy and special.

  They left her condo and walked out to the parking lot. He held the door open for her. As she slipped inside, he brushed his hand against her ass.

  Once they were both seated inside, he slipped a CD in the stereo and sang a series of love songs during the forty-minute drive. He had a warm, deep voice. After a surprised glance at him, she closed her eyes and enjoyed the experience of being serenaded.

  It was over breakfast that she surrendered to her curiosity. She sat back in her chair and studied his handsome face. “Let’s talk.”