One Daring Night by Mari Carr Read Free Book Online Page B

like that got out, my womanizing reputation would be ruined.”
    “I just wanted to say…if you decide to leave before I wake up…I had a really great night.”
    She expected him to escape. And why wouldn’t she?
    “You can tell me that again tomorrow.” He lifted her so that he could tug the covers on her bed down, then the two of them settled beneath them together. She snuggled into him, her head resting on his chest. Eric had never wanted to stay with a woman after sex. Never felt the need to hold someone close.
    With Joni, he never wanted to let go.

 
     
    Chapter Four
     
    Joni opened her eyes and groaned at the bright light flooding her bedroom. She squeezed her eyelids shut again, but it didn’t help. Fucking tequila. “Uh. God.”
    She was startled when she heard a male chuckle next to her. She turned her head, surprised to find Eric lying next to her.
    “You’re still here.”
    Eric gave her a funny look. “You didn’t think I would be?”
    She shook her head. “No. Not at all.”
    He was shirtless and under the covers. She tried to recall exactly how the night ended, but she couldn’t remember anything other than his incredible kisses, a lot of fondling and then him going down on her and her coming so hard her teeth rattled.
    Beyond that…
    “Did we…I mean…I don’t remember us…”
    “We didn’t have sex, Joni. But we still had a pretty good time.”
    “Oh. Yeah. I remember the good time.” And she recalled him being completely sweet—telling her he wouldn’t take advantage of her when she was drunk. She was still sort of overwhelmed and touched by that. In a world filled with idiots and jackasses—her previous boyfriend included—she couldn’t believe she’d been lucky enough to meet a gentleman.
    Then she remembered his bet with his friend. Maybe his actions weren’t based on chivalry as much as money. Ten thousand bucks was a lot of cash to lose just for sleeping with her. “So I guess you kept your vow.”
    He nodded, looking at her more seriously than she thought the question called for. “Yep. So far I’m still on track.”
    Joni glanced at her bedside table. “You know, it’s nearly ten o’clock. You had plenty of time to make your escape.”
    Eric stretched out, putting his hands behind his head, looking for all the world like lord of the manor. Joni tried to ignore how much she liked having him in her bed. “I’m not going anywhere until you’ve given me breakfast.”
    Joni sat up, then grabbed her head. “Ouch. As long as you’re cool with coffee and dry toast, I think I can accommodate you. Not sure my stomach can handle much more than that.”
    Eric sat up as well. “That sounds perfect. I’m feeling a little queasy myself. I lost count on the shots.”
    “Me too.”
    She laughed, then tried to grab the robe hanging on a chair near her bed while still remaining under the covers. While he’d seen plenty last night, it had been in the forgiving dimness of her bedside lamp. There was too much harsh, bright light this morning for her to let him get too good a look.
    Joni tugged on the stubborn covers, then realized Eric was holding them. She shot him a dirty look. “Let go.”
    “Nope. Not sure why you’re so shy. I saw it all last night.”
    “I was drunk. Inhibitions low and all that jazz.”
    He laughed. “I liked what I saw.”
    “You were drunk too.”
    She and Eric continued to fight over the blankets, but the tug-of-war ended when she heard loud cursing outside.
    She giggled. “I think Jeff is here to get his stuff.”
    Eric’s humor faded. “Are you okay with me being here? I can duck out quick or hide if you think it’s going to make things too hard for you.”
    More generosity. “I don’t give a crap what he sees. He sure as hell wasn’t trying to hide his affair from me last night. Out and about with that woman.”
    Eric glanced toward the window when the cussing got louder. Joni took advantage of his distraction, slipping from the bed