Free Champagne Cravings by Ava McKnight Page B

just of her environment, but
also her sexuality. She doesn’t flaunt it or go for shock value…she’s just
naturally a sexual person, I think.”
    “Ah,” Mike said with a hint of amusement in his voice. “You
really are envious.”
    That verdict was a no-brainer. I said, “I’m not inhibited
sexually. Chase and Brandon would have been bored with me after the first night
if that were the case. But emotionally and subconsciously, I’m my own worst
enemy. I care too much about what people think of me and I don’t really put
myself out there. I admire people who do. Like you.”
    He lifted my hand to his lips and muttered, “Trust me, I
care about what you think of me. I’ve always thought in terms of doing
what’s right for me, and me alone. But these past few years, and really quite
recently, I’ve considered I have to expand that circle and do what’s right for
you too.”
    I stared up at him, surprised. “That’s what this
take-our-time thing is about this weekend?”
    “Yeah, well…” He seemed to search for the right words before
saying, “Think about how I’ve chased you and pulled back and then chased you
again over the past three years. I hit on you, you tell me ‘not a chance in
hell’, but I know the attraction is mutual, so I back off and then something
sparks between us and I go for it again.”
    “You have made your intentions clear,” I assured him.
    He shook his head. “Not really. I mean, yeah, I’ve been
straightforward about wanting to sleep with you. I’ve been hot for you since
the first time I met you.” He grinned at me, a wicked glint in his beautiful
blue eyes that was eclipsed by a more somber expression as he said, “But I know
your story, Lace. I’d never forgive myself if I hurt you, especially because I know your story. And the fact we’re really great friends. That’s why
I’ve always pulled back instead of pushing harder.”
    “What changed your mind last night? Because you definitely
pushed.” I was quick to add, “And good Lord, can you resuscitate a dormant
libido with just a kiss.”
    He chuckled. “That’s good old-fashioned chemistry. We have
it in spades.”
    “Yes, I guess we do.”
    In a contemplative voice, he said, “The thing with last
night is, I was just going about my business, doing my thing, when I realized I
hadn’t had sex in like, two months or so. And I hadn’t missed it because I’d
never really been fulfilled by it. Hence the need for a different woman so
frequently. I was getting laid, not making love. And that’s when I thought of
you. My broken shower was the catalyst I needed in order to see things for what
they are—and try to get you to do the same.”
    As I took all that in, he continued.
    “I didn’t come here last night to be with you in the sexual
sense. I wasn’t expecting you to come home when I was naked—that wasn’t a
scheme, just bad timing. Or maybe good timing, considering the progress we’ve
made. Anyway, I had planned to hang out and wait for you—with my clothes on.
Quite frankly, Lace, I’d rather be sitting on the sofa, eating Chinese takeout
and watching a movie with you than having sex with another woman.”
    “Wow,” I whispered as panic rocketed through me. I moved
away from him and stood. “That’s kinda heavy, don’t you think?”
    He seemed to consider this, then nodded slowly. “Yeah. But
it’s also the truth.”
    I didn’t doubt that. He wasn’t the type to lie to a woman to
get what he wanted from her. Particularly this one.
    He sat forward, resting his forearms on his thighs, his
hands clasped together between his parted legs. With an earnest look, he said,
“I know my reputation. And I’m not going to sit here and try to convince you
I’m a reformed womanizer because you finally caved. I have to prove it. I know
you trust me, but it’s not explicit. You don’t yet believe I can be faithful.”
    I had to give him some credit, especially since he was being
so open and