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Category: Erotica/Erotic Romance/Romance
Description: Loving her is easy. Proving to himself he deserves her? Baby steps? Playing with Fire, Book 4 King of one-night stands, all-around man whore, that's Eric. And you know what? He doesn't give a rip. After being dumped by the two people who mattered most to him, numbing himself with alcohol and anonymous sex was the easiest thing to do. Men, women, they're all the same to him. Feelings, caring, it all just gets in the way. Then he meets Stacy. Sweet, beautiful, a delicate combination of shy and forceful, she's unlike anyone he's ever known. She sees right through his façade and makes him face his ugly truths, brutal reminders he doesn't deserve her. He wants her like no one else--and it scares him out of his mind. Stacy can't help herself, she's attracted to gorgeous, sexy, hurting Eric. There's more to him than meets the eye--even though what's meeting her eye right now is a complete mess. Broken hearts will do that to the strongest man--she should know. If she can get him to forgive--especially himself--maybe things could work out between them. But first, she can't let him get away.
eBook Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd., 2011 2011
eBookwise Release Date: July 2011

4 Reader Ratings:

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Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [175 KB]
Words: 39334
Reading time: 112-157 min.

Stacy really didn't care anymore about Eric redeeming himself. Having him so close, sitting right next to her on the couch while they watched some horrible comedy on one of the movie channels she had, she was ready to toss everything she said to him earlier right out the window.

God, she was weak. Who knew she was so damn weak? All because of a guy--a guy who was so horrendously wrong for her it wasn't even funny.

But he was gorgeous. And sweet. He'd been sweet since the moment he slipped inside her car. Oh yes, and sexy. Incredibly sexy and she wanted him with an intensity that was growing harder and harder to ignore.

Especially when he just stretched himself out on her couch and settled his head in her lap like he belonged there.

"I'm tired," he murmured, closing his eyes.

She glared down at him. The temptation to touch him was strong but she didn't. Yet. "What do you think you're doing?"

He cracked his eyes open for a quick moment. "Making myself comfortable?"

"I'll say," she muttered and he chuckled.

"Isn't this what friends do? Hang out together?"

"In each other's laps?" The incredulity in her voice rang through.

"Yeah, probably not, but I must admit I'm not good at this friendship thing." His lids lifted again, revealing glittering golden brown eyes. "The friendship thing when I want it to be more than a friendship thing, I should say."

Sighing, she reached out and drew a straight line across his forehead. "You're driving me crazy."

He settled himself more deeply into her lap, almost snuggling against her thighs. Arousal coursed through her, as strong and swift as a river current. "You're driving me crazy."

"I told you I'm not ready for this." She sounded a little desperate, a lot freaked out but she didn't care anymore. This was too much to deal with. He was too much to deal with.

"Haven't you ever done something just to do it, Stace? And not worry about the repercussions?"

"No," she whispered. She never, ever had.

He reached up, trailed his fingers across her jaw. "You've never done something just because you know it'll feel good?"

"Not really." She swallowed hard. His fingers on her face felt good. Just hearing him say the words "feel good" made her want him. Made her want to tug her clothes off, tear his clothes off and roll around naked on the floor with him.

When was the last time she had sex? Unfortunately with the trouble between her and Keith's also came a complete lack of sex. They'd rarely done it the last few months they'd been together.

She was primed. Okay, she could admit it, she was desperately horny and eager for a man's touch. This man's touch.

Consequences be damned.

"You should try it sometime." He closed his eyes. "You might find out you like it."

Stacy studied him, the sound of the crappy movie growing distant until all she could focus on was his even breathing, the rise and fall of his broad chest. He wore a plain navy blue T-shirt that stretched tight across his firm muscles. Noticed the hem rose away from his jeans, revealing a sliver of skin. Perfectly flat, perfectly delicious skin with a smattering of golden hair right at the center, which most likely ran from below his navel down.

Her mouth went dry at thinking of where that hair ended. What would he do if she slipped her hand beneath his slightly loose waistband and touched him? Probably encourage her to go further, be bolder.

He didn't hold anything back. And she admired him for that.

Giving in to one of her many urges, she touched him. Let her fingers drift across his hair, testing the silky smooth strands. He sighed, his eyelids fluttering open and he smiled up at her.

"That feels good."

Yes, yes it did. She did it again, let her fingers thread through his hair, her fingertips press against his scalp and he moaned.

Oh God, she didn't think she could take this much longer.

Fingers trembling, she let them drift. Down across his forehead, the side of his face. Across his cheek, his nose. He smiled, the slightest curve of lips and she touched them. Just the corner of his mouth first, then she traced his upper lip. His lower lip. They parted and she let the tip of her finger sink in. Felt the gentle swipe of his tongue against it.

A strangled little noise escaped her and his hand came up. Fingers clamped around her wrist and his eyes snapped open. Quick as lightning he moved, scrambled out of her lap so he was on all fours next to her. His face in hers, she felt the warm drift of his breath, noticed the way his lids lowered, his gaze focused directly on her mouth.

As if he was about to kiss her.

"Let me, Stace." He slid closer, his lips so close to hers she felt them move when he spoke. "Let me in."