One of his hands tipped her face up. Why are you in my bed?
Its...my bed.
No...this is my bed. He spoke slowly, thickly, as if he wasnt quite awake. Or at least the one that you gave me. I think. Am I in the wrong bed?
No, he was in the exactly right bed. And now that her initial nerves had worn off, Hannah was becoming aware of several things.
One, he smelled good. Really good, like soap and sleepy warm, male skin.
Two, he felt good. Really, really good. All sleek skin and tough muscle.
And oh yeah, as far as she could tell, he was nearly naked. To test, she arched up, just a little, because wow, he felt incredible. She wasnt really trying to take advantage of him, at least not until he woke all the way upokay, maybe she was, just a littleand when she did, she encountered...yep, more sleek skin and tough muscle.
No clothes.
At her movement, hed gone completely still. She could feel him becoming more...awake.
Abruptly, he rolled off her.
Shoot! She hadnt moved to step two quick enough! Flash skin, then kiss him.
She needed to kiss him in order to render him a walking, talking sex hormone!
But then she was suddenly blinking at the lamp he flipped on.
He was glaring at her. Hannah?
Hadnt they already established that it was indeed her?
She opened her mouth to say yes, it was still her, but then she realized he was holding his side. Oh God, did I hurt you? Horrified, and angry that she could have forgotten about his side, even for a second, she rolled toward him.
No, I just moved wrong, he said, straightening gingerly, giving her a good look at his scar, which was at least six inches long, red and angry.
Her heart squeezed. Oh, Zach. Im so sorry.
Im fine, he said roughly.
Yeah, he was fine. Actually, amazing was a better word. And still nude. The sheet had fallen away from his chest, pooling low in his lap. Those shoulders shed admired earlier were no longer slightly slumped with exhaustion, they were straight and quite frankly, mighty impressive.
Not that shed seen many to compare by, but she had a good imagination.
His arms were long, tanned and solid muscle.
But it was his stomach that really grabbed her. Solid as a rock and rippled, all the way down to...
With a low, inarticulate sound, he hauled the sheets closer to himself and frowned at her.
Blushing, she looked away quickly. Nope, she wouldnt have trouble finding a spot to kiss. If she even got a chance, that is. Seems her bad luck streak hadnt changed much since high school.
Zach blinked at the clock and let out a soft oath as he ran a hand over his face. Whats going on here?
Im... Trying to seduce you, darn it! Actually, this is my room.
He was still confused. Because you were sold out and you didnt want to turn me away?
No, because I wanted to jump your bones. Um...not exactly.
The No Vacancy sign was blinking when I drove up, but I didnt think He swore. Im sorry. With a disgusted shake of his head, he rose from the bed.
Hannah, who just a moment ago had been ogling him, squeaked in shock and covered her eyes. He was very naked.
Hannah?
She kept her eyes firmly covered as he rustled about. Yes?
Its safe.
Oh, some seducer she was. From between her fingers, she stole a peek. Indeed, hed pulled on his jeans, though he hadnt snapped them yet. He was standing there, looking rumpled, tired, edgy and deeply annoyed.
Not to mention so stunning she could hardly breathe.
It occurred to her that he was now staring at her, really staring at her, in a way that made her start tingling all over again.
In all the excitement, shed completely forgotten her own state of undress. He sounded a little unraveled when he said, Youd better get covered, too.
Laughing nervously, she grabbed the sheet and wrapped herself in it, wondering if it was too late to get back on task, wondering how to get close enough to kiss him.
Ill gather my things, he said. Ill sleep downstairs somewhere until morning.
No, thats
Yes. His voice was suspiciously husky. His eyes were dark, his mouth grim, and he purposely avoided looking at her. Id better go now. Um...Hannah? He sounded hard pressed for air as she got out of the bed. The sheet, its not quite covering...
She craned her neck and saw that he was right, she hadnt managed to cover her backside. She was giving him quite a show of panties, which never seemed to stay in place. Oh! Grace under pressure. She had no choice. She jerked the sheet around her and took a step toward the bathroom where she would hopefully disappear into thin air.
But true to form, she tripped and fell flat on her face.
Zach rushed around the bed, and before she could so much as take a breath, she was scooped against that wonderfully hard, sleek chest shed so admired.
You okay?
Aside from being a bumbling idiot...yeah, she was just dandy. Im fine.
Okay, then. And he withdrew those arms, though his gaze lingered a bit where the sheet dipped down, revealing the top of her lacy chemise. Im sorry about intruding, he said.
Its not your fault. She stared at his jaw which was almost within reach of her mouth. If she could just lean in and connect...
But he turned his head away so that he was no longer looking at her. I was really asleep, he said. Really out of it.
She could see that was true, his exhaustion was palpable, and guilt filled her. I know. She felt a twinge of shame at her deception, and at not being totally honest with him. This isnt the way our guests are usually treated.
He looked at her then, his gaze filled with all the heat and longing shed hoped for.
Shed done it!
Then he let her go and stood. I dont exactly feel mistreated. With a tight smile, he walked out of the bedroom.
* * *
BE HOME, BE HOME, Hannah prayed silently, huddling on the edge of her bathtub, gripping her cordless phone close to her ear.
Her other ear strained for any hint of movement beyond the bathroom door, which shed shut herself behind for a moment of privacy.
She had no idea what Zach was doing out there, but she certainly didnt want him to hear this.
What? came the very welcome, very irritated sound of her brothers voice.
Thank God youre there, she whispered into the phone.
Of course Im here, its three in the morning on this side of the country. Whats the matter? You okay?
Im fine. I need...information.
Now?
She glanced at the closed door, behind which was Zach, sexiest man on earth, wearing nothing but jeans and attitude. Right now.
Okay, make it good. I have to work at six. As in three hours.
Its...about... She let out a long breath. This is difficult.
Michael was a few years older than her. Hed gone to school with Zach. Theyd been fast friends, and together had caused more than a few mothers to bite their nails to the quick. If anyone knew how to create a seduction, it would be Michael. Listen, I need to know how to... Just say it. Seduce a man.
Michael was a few years older than her. Hed gone to school with Zach. Theyd been fast friends, and together had caused more than a few mothers to bite their nails to the quick. If anyone knew how to create a seduction, it would be Michael. Listen, I need to know how to... Just say it. Seduce a man.
Utter silence.
Michael?
I couldnt possibly have heard you correctly.
I think you probably did.
He swore. Okay, lets pretend its perfectly normal for you to ask that of me, Id like to know why you want to seduce someone. Now. After snubbing your nose at men for years.
Because Ive matured?
Youve always been mature.
Okay, then because I just realized what I was missing.
Hannah. Seriously. Why?
Isnt that obvious?
Humor me.
She sighed and took another glance at the closed door, hoping Zach couldnt hear her. I dont want to be a virgin anymore, she whispered.
There. Shed said it. Now will you help me or not?
Hannah He swore again, and she imagined him sitting up in bed, hair as wild as hers, frustrated because he couldnt strangle her. Why are you doing this to me?
So you dont know how to do it either. Disappointment hit her like a wave. Now what?
A choked sound came over the phone. Oh, I know how to seduce someone, Michael assured her. Im just not sure I want you to know.
Karrie told me all I have to do is flash skin, then kiss him, then flash more skin. Thats all. But it didnt quite work, and now Im wondering if
Wait a second. Back the train up. You flashed some guy skin?
I tried, she admitted miserably.
Who, Hannah? He sounded tense. Who is this youre attempting to seduce? And why now, all of a sudden, are you tired of being a...a
A virgin, she hissed. See? You cant even say it, you must understand why I dont want to be it!
Okay, look. Ive got some time coming. Ill fly in for the weekend, we can talk
No! God, that was the last thing she needed right now, her big brother going all big brother on her. Cant you just tell me where I went wrong?
Hannah
Please, Michael, she whispered, suddenly, ridiculously close to tears. I have to do this. I want to do this. I just need a...a tip. Thats all.
He let out a long, slow breath. I can be there in a few days
No.
I want to discuss this with you
No. Either give me a tip or go back to bed.
Use a condom, he said through his teeth. Promise me.
Done.
Okay. What Karrie said. He sounded strained. It should work. God. I cant believe Im telling you this, but despite what women think, we...men like a little romance too. Music, candles... Dammit, this is so stupid
No, it isnt! Excitement and renewed hope filled her. I have candles She broke off at the knock at the bathroom door.
Then came Zachs low, unbearably sexy voice. Hannah?
Thanks, Michael, she said quickly. Ive got to go.
Hannah, wait
Love you. She disconnected, stared at the door, chewing on her bottom lip.
Romance. Music. Candles.
She could do that.