Free As Lost as I Get by Lisa Nicholas

her emotions in check even while her body gave in.
    She undulated her hips against him, focusing on stroking him inside her body, wanting more than anything to make him lose control before he could tear down all of her defenses utterly. He came with a choked cry, and she kissed him hard to keep him from talking. To hear him say her name right then was more than she could stand.
    He lifted her and managed to carry them both forward until she was on her back and he was lying on her. He was still hard enough to be inside her, and he made teasing little thrusts, raining soft kisses on her face. Gradually they stilled, and she rolled until they lay facing each other. She kept her face buried against his chest, trying to regain her composure.
    “God, you’re amazing,” he murmured, stroking her hair back to kiss her forehead. “I mean, I had thought about it, but I never expected . . . That was . . .”
    Her heart battered at her ribcage. He wasn’t supposed to feel anything for her. He’d thought about this? She leaned up and kissed him, trying to think of what to say that wouldn’t make her a fool.
Focus on the sex, not on the look in his eyes when he came. Get
him
to focus on the sex.
She made a low, throaty groan, stretching and turning it into an undulation against him. “That was so, so good. I hope it lived up to your fantasy.”
    He chuckled. “You sound like you want more.”
    “Who wouldn’t want more of that?” She risked a playful look at him, running a finger down his chest. “I wish I could stay here and”—she said the next word deliberately and slowly—“fuck you all night.”
    “Jesus Christ.” He shivered against her. “You can. In fact, I think you should.”
    She pouted up at him. “I can’t. I have to be at the clinic early in the morning.” It wasn’t a lie. The epidemic was slowing, but they were still overwhelmed.
    “You can stay just a little while longer, can’t you?” His smile was wicked as he tilted his head toward the nightstand. “You’ve got at least two more chances.”
    She shook her head and kissed him again thoroughly, this time for good-bye. “The epidemic.” She gave him what she hoped was a rueful smile. “I should try to get at least some sleep, and I won’t do that if I’ve got you in my bed.” She pulled away and started looking for her clothes. “Your number’s on your IFI card, right? I’ll call you.”

Chapter Five
    The next morning, Susan came out of her room and blinked sleepily at Zoe. “What’re you doing here, girl? That pretty friend of yours from last night wasn’t worth staying over for?”
    “Oh, no. It was fine. I needed to get back to the clinic early this morning.”
Fine
. It had been possibly the hottest sex she’d ever had and all she’d been able to think about while she lay wide-eyed and sleepless in her own bed. So much for reducing stress with a one-night stand.
    “You okay?” Susan dropped into her usual chair, leaning in to look at her. “What time did you get in?”
    “It wasn’t too late. One thirty?”
    “You two didn’t waste any time after you left. I don’t blame you, he’s a hottie.”
    “I thought you didn’t like men.” Zoe stood to get more coffee and poured one for Susan.
    “Honey, I love men.” She grinned and laid on the Texas twang extra thick. “Just because I ain’t ever gonna drive a Mercedes don’t mean I won’t watch one go past.” She took the mug from Zoe and smirked. “And that one looks like he handles like a dream.”
    “Oh God.” Zoe covered her heating face with her hands. “Enough with the car metaphor. I get it.”
    “You telling me the truth though? Things are okay?”
    “Yeah. I just—I don’t think I should see him again, is all.” Another understatement.
    “Well darlin’, that is the point of a one-night stand . . . but it might’ve been smarter to pick somebody you didn’t already know.”
    Boy, was that ever the truth. “I should go get ready.”