Operation Date Escape

you.”
    “You’re welcome,” he replied, the smooth, husky drawl of his voice drawing her in, making her want again.
    The urge to let her gaze drift down that hard, lean and very naked body was overwhelming, knowing exactly what she’d find. And, unlike her ex-husband’s, it wasn’t a Tinker Toy.
    Don’t do it.
    All it would take to get her back into that bed beside that sexy, lone dimpled grin of his was knowing that he wanted her again. And she wasn’t about to take that chance. Instead, she raised her chin, focusing on the ceiling fan above him. “I should get dressed.”
    “Are you all right?”
    She lowered her gaze just enough to see the concern on his face. “What?”
    “Tell me I didn’t hurt you when we...”
    “No,” she said, cutting him off. “You didn’t hurt me.” Unless one counted his having pleasured her until she thought she might die from it. “I just have to go.”
    He reached out to run his hands down her arms in a light caress. “This was big for me, too,” he admitted, his tone one of both patience and tenderness. After a moment’s hesitation, he let his hands fall away. “I’ll get dressed.”
    “No, don’t,” she blurted out, feeling her perfect night unraveling around her.
    He arched a questioning brow. “I’m not so sure it’s a good idea for me to drive you home naked.”
    “ I don’t need you to drive me home. I can call a cab to come get me.”
    He shot her an incredulous look, his smile gone. “I brought you here. I’ll take you home. If you’re sure that’s what you really want.”
    What she wanted was to climb back into bed with him as her blanket. She gave a reluctant nod. “I think it would be for the best.”

    Best for whom Cole wanted to ask her. She was running again . He knew that look. Heard the panic in her voice. “All right,” he said with a sigh and then turned to reach for his briefs. “Look, Kels─”
    The bathroom door closed behind him before he could finish what he’d been about to say. Muttering a frustrated curse, he sank down onto the edge of the bed, yanking on his briefs.
    He should have known better. If anything was guaranteed to send a woman like Kelsie running, it was asking her to stay the night. She’d already admitted to having a problem with commitment thanks to her ass of an ex.
    Although maybe he should be thanking her ex for being an ass and letting her get away. Otherwise, he might never have experienced the mind-blowing, soul-stealing kind of passion he’d just shared with her. Something he’d never felt with any other woman.
    He glanced toward the bathroom door as he pulled on his jeans. Okay, so maybe he’d pushed her a little too fast. It hadn’t been intentional. She just had a way of making him want to say the hell with using the brake, full speed ahead.
    Pushing off the bed, he walked over to his dresser and grabbed a clean t-shirt from the drawer. He’d shower when he got back from taking her home. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be pushing her; he’d be pulling her. Right into the shower with him.
    He tucked in his t-shirt and zipped his jeans. Then he stepped over to the bathroom door and tapped on it lightly. “Uh, Kelsie...”
    “Yeah?” Her voice sounded as unsteady as he felt.
    “I just wanted to let you know that I’ll be out in the kitchen when you’re ready.”
    The door opened and she stepped out, looking incredibly sexy with her mussed curls, flushed cheeks, and thoroughly kissed lips. “I’m ready.”
    His first thought was to move toward her, intending to draw her into his arms. Thankfully, he caught himself before actually going through with it. He gave himself a much needed mental head slap. She was ready to go home not back into his bed. She needed space.
    “I guess we’d better get going.”
    She nodded and followed him out to the kitchen where he grabbed his truck keys from the counter. Opening the door, he motioned for her to go ahead of him. “After you.”
    She paused in the doorway, giving him hope that she’d had a change of heart about leaving. Then, with a soft sigh, turned and walked out.
    The drive back to her place felt like one of the longest drives he’d ever made. It was also the quietest. Kelsie said very little, keeping her gaze pinned to the passenger window.
    He fought the urge to frown. The silence was killing him. What was going on in that pretty little head of hers? Regret? Hell, he hoped not.
    Another few blocks and he gave in to the need to know.