Operation Date Escape

there.”
    “Hi,” Nanci replied, returning his smile.
    “I was beginning to think you’d gotten lost. My directions that bad?”
    “ Not at all. Your directions were great.”
    “ Having second thoughts then?”
    “No way,” she replied as he let her inside his apartment. “And your directions were great. I’m late because I was pulling best friend duty.”
    H e closed the door behind her. “Best friend duty?”
    “Yeah, Kelsie had a few too many drinks tonight.”
    He pulled her into his arms. “She okay?”
    “I made sure she got home safe and sound, but I wouldn’t say she’s okay. I made her promise to call Cole tonight. That’s why she’s in the condition she’s in.”
    He lowered his head to brush his lips along her neck. “I’ve never known Cole to drive a woman to drink, but I guess there’s always a first time.”
    She tipped her head back, giving him better access to the flesh he was teasing. “It’s a first for her. She never gets drunk. If anything, I’ve been the one who’s had to be driven home a few times in the past.”
    “A regular wild thing, huh?”
    She smiled. “On occasion.”
    “My kind of girl.” He pushed a strand of hair from her face. “So what’s up with Kelsie? Why’s she so stressed out about calling Cole?”
    “She’s torn between her feelings for Cole and her fear of getting hurt again.” If she ever crossed paths with her best friend’s ex again she might very well have to kick the ass’s ass.
    “ I hope for Cole’s sake she gets past her fear and gives him a chance.”
    “Me too.”
    “Now,” he said, running his hands down over the curve of her jean-clad bottom, “getting back to our relationship...”
    Their relationship? “I didn’t realize we had one seeing as how you never called me back.”
    “Never’s stretching it a bit. I did call.” He lowered his head again to kiss her.
    “Took you long enough.”
    “I was playing hard to get.”
    She pushed him away.
    He lifted his head with a grin. “Ah, come on. I thought you’d appreciate the challenge.”
    He thought right, but she wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of admitting it. “You know, Joe, two can play that game.”
    “Babe, I can’t get much harder than I am already,” he replied, his voice husky with desire. He reached for her hand and placed it against the front of his jeans where his erection pressed against the faded denim.
    Her body reacted like a summer flood to his need, making Nanci press her thighs together. “I should leave and make you suffer like I did while I was waiting to hear from you.”
    He released h is hold on her and hand and backed her up against the wall. “But you won’t,” he assured her as he slid his hands beneath her shirt, his long fingers skimming the flesh hidden beneath the whisper-thin cotton.
    She closed her eyes, hating the control he had over her body and loving it at the same time. It wasn’t until the chill of the air conditioned room caressed her heated flesh that she realized she was no longer wearing her shirt.
    “Joe−”
    “Shh,” he murmured against her lips before covering them with his own. His fingers deftly worked the clasp at the front of her bra, giving him access to what he sought. His hands cupped her breasts while his thumbs teased the rosy tips.
    She tunneled her fingers through the thick blonde strands of his hair as liquid heat pooled between her thighs.
    His mouth left hers, his lips venturing lower to capture one of the taut buds . He drew on it slowly, torturously. She squirmed restlessly, her hips lifting in a silent plea for more.
    “Tasting you again is all I’ve thought about for days,” he murmured against her kiss-dampened flesh.
    She moaned softly as he undid her shorts and slipped his hand inside.
    “God you’re wet,” he groaned.
    “Joe...,” she pleaded.
    He withdrew his hand eliciting a whimper of protest from her. “I’m not taking you here in my hallway.”
    “Why not?” He could take her in the closet and she’d be more than willing at that point.
    “Because when I sink myself deep inside you, I want to see you looking up at me, see the hunger I’m feeling reflected in your eyes.” He scooped her up easily into his arms and started through the apartment.
    “How about I look down at you?” she asked anxiously as he lowered her onto the thick comforter that covered his king-size bed. “I’m usually on top.”
    “Not tonight.” He flashed a sexy grin as he