Perfect Fit - Brenda Jackson [63]
Her fingers tightened on her purse. The latter type of kiss was reserved for lovers, a couple that had been intimate or was just about headed there. It was not one that would be appropriate for a first kiss and definitely not one shared by just friends.
The elevator doors swooshed open, and so did her breath. She sighed, tried to relax and decided to just follow Gabe’s lead. She had a feeling he’d done this before. He did not come across as a man who would take advantage of any situation, and from their conversation at dinner, he knew that she hadn’t dated a lot and that Erol had been the only guy she’d been seriously involved with.
As if he’d read her thoughts, he threaded his fingers through hers as they walked down the hall to her apartment door. She inhaled deeply. Maybe she was getting worked up for nothing. There was a possibility he might not want to come inside. There was an even greater possibility that he would give her a handshake instead of a kiss.
Fat chance.
He would kiss her. She felt it. She felt it in the warmth of his hand holding hers. She felt it in the quiet sound of his breathing as he walked beside her. She felt it in the occasional brush of his thigh against hers. She also felt it in her own labored breathing.
Okay, so we will kiss. One kiss. I can handle that, no big deal. But deep down she knew it was a big deal. The physical attraction between them was strong. Way too strong for friends who’d only shared dinner. For business associates. For mere acquaintances.
They came to a stop in front of her door. He untangled his fingers from hers and took a step back as if giving her space. She immediately felt the loss of his closeness. Glancing up, she met his gaze. His eyes grew dark under the scope of hers, and she suddenly sensed heat gathering first in the taut nipples of her breasts, then moving lower to that area between her legs.
She was utterly astonished at what she was experiencing. Undeniable need was rippling through her. Desire the likes of which she had never experienced before, not even with Erol.
“May I come in for a second?”
The sound of his voice, low and husky, nearly startled her out of her thoughts. The hall light illuminated his features. Somehow he suddenly appeared bigger than life, and the most sensuous looking man she’d ever laid eyes on.
Her thoughts went back to his question. He had asked to come inside, which meant that he hadn’t assumed anything. If she said no, he would accept her answer and leave.
But if she said yes …
She finally nodded as he continued to hold her gaze. “Yes, you may come in.”
Sage opened her purse and pulled out her key. Nervously, she inserted it into the lock. Her fingers were shaking, but the door eased open. She walked in with him following behind. She flipped a switch that brought a soft glow to her living room and took another step inside. She glanced over her shoulder as he closed the door behind them.
“Would you like something to drink?” she asked, turning to him and nervously licking her lips. She hadn’t entertained a man in her own place in so long she wasn’t sure what was proper anymore. She would give just about anything to get some advice from Rose about how to proceed. But then again, maybe Rose wasn’t the one to get advice from. Her friend’s definition of a good evening was ending it with sex, hot sex, even on the first date, especially if you really liked the person and thought he was safe.
Sage’s hands tightened into fists at her sides. She really liked Gabe and thought he was safe.
“No, I don’t want anything to drink, but I would like for you to come here for a second, Sage.”
She