Face-Off by Nancy Warren Read Free Book Online

for you?” he asked in a low, sexy voice. “Yes.”
    â€œWhat’s that?”
    She smiled the smile of a woman who is with a great lover.
    â€œEverything.”

6
    S IERRA WOKE UP WITH A START, barely aware of what had woken her until she felt the unmistakable sensation of a man’s lips on the back of her neck. She smiled, half in and half out of sleep, feeling the delicious sense of a body well-loved.
    When his hands reached around to play with her breasts she realized she was naked. And that she’d fallen asleep.
    â€œI fell asleep,” she said, turning to face him. “I didn’t mean to. I should probably get going.”
    His eyes were slumberous and sexy. “You should stay for breakfast,” he mumbled. Now that the back of her neck was unavailable, he kissed his way across her shoulder, heading for her breast.
    â€œBreakfast? I can’t stay the whole night.”
    He stopped in his tracks and glanced up at her. “Darling, you already did.”
    Only now did she realize that it was light outside. She squinted at the fancy clock on the bedside. It was eight in the morning.
    A strangled sound came out of her mouth. “I can’t stay the night.”
    Amusement faded from his eyes and for a second she got a glimpse of the tough player who’d once terrorized opposing teams. “Why not? Somebody waiting for you at home?”
    â€œWhat?” She rubbed her eyes, and, as his meaning sank in, she snapped, “No, of course not.”
    â€œThen what’s the problem?”
    â€œI don’t—” She stopped, not sure how to explain her confused feelings, threw her hands up. “I just don’t. Not any of it.”
    He still regarded her somewhat warily, but the sharp suspicion had faded. “Well, you sure did last night.”
    â€œIt was different last night. It was dark and I thought it would be simple to slip into bed with a stranger and then slip out again and go home.”
    He stroked the side of her face with his finger, this tough guy with his delicate caresses. “But you’re not built that way. I could have told you that.”
    â€œHow could you know?”
    He shrugged. “Gut instinct. A lot of women are interested in guys who play hockey. You get a sense of who wants bragging rights and who wants something real.” A sudden frown darkened his eyes. “At least, most of the time you do. Sometimes we all get fooled.”
    She suspected he was thinking of the ex Mrs. Jarrad McBride and she really didn’t want the shadow of a swimsuit model darkening this bed, especially not while she happened to be in it. Naked.
    â€œI didn’t even know who you were until I saw that commercial. Then I had to look you up on Google.”
    â€œI know.” He stroked the side of her waist where it curved, traced it to her hip and let his hand settle there, warm and comforting.
    â€œYou must have thought I was stupid.”
    â€œNope. I thought how nice it was to have a conversation with someone where I was just a guy she was getting to know.”
    â€œI can’t believe how well I got to know you.” She shook her head. “This time yesterday, I didn’t even know you existed.”
    â€œNow you do.”
    She rolled over to face him. “I guess you’re right,” she agreed. “I’m not really the casual-sex type.”
    He kissed her nose. “Believe it or not, neither am I. I tell you what. Since I accidentally made you stay all night, how about I take you for breakfast?”
    â€œHow does that make me staying over here any better? If we go for breakfast?”
    â€œDoesn’t. But I’m hungry. I can’t think when I’m hungry.”
    â€œWell…” But it wasn’t like she had anything pressing to do at home. Laundry that could wait. And besides, after all their night-time activity, she was hungry too.
    â€œOkay. But I need to shower