Sweet Surrender by Maya Banks Read Free Book Online

across her skin. She swallowed the knot in her throat. She wasn’t some inexperienced virgin, but here, sitting in such close proximity to a man telling her she was beautiful—and adorable—had her completely flustered.
    She loved the subtle complexities of attraction. Loved the feeling and challenge of meeting someone new and exploring those first awkward moments as they felt around, both being subtle yet forward.
    “I can live with that,” she said huskily.
    He withdrew his hand and resumed eating. She wanted him to touch her again. A simple caress, him looking at her just so, his masculine scent…her stomach curled into a nervous knot of anticipation.
    She studied him as he ate, watched his movements. He was strong and confident. She liked that. But would it extend to the bedroom? Would it extend to his relationships? She shook her head a bit. No more was she leaving it all to chance. How many more men would she have to go through before she found what she wanted? Would she ever find what she wanted—no, needed?
    Friday seemed a light-year away. She was nervous as hell at the idea of waltzing into some fetish club by herself, but another part of her was proud of the fact that she’d ventured so far out of her comfort zone.
    Strong. Confident. If she wanted those qualities in a man, then maybe it was time she started exhibiting them herself. Like attracted like, didn’t it?
    “I’d give up beer for a week to know what’s going on inside your head right now.”
    She blinked and refocused and saw that Gray was staring at her. “Oh, sorry. Was just thinking.”
    He chuckled. “Like I said, I’d love to know about what.”
    She wouldn’t blush. Would. Not. Blush. She could feel herself losing the battle as the wave of heat crept up her neck. Damn it.
    He hooted with laughter and picked up a napkin to wipe his mouth. “That blush just gave you away, darlin’.”
    She groaned. “It’s not polite to keep pointing out my faults.”
    He leaned forward and tipped her chin up with his finger. “Not a fault at all. I find it sexy as hell.”
    Goose bumps trickled down her spine, back up again and over her shoulders. Her nipples tightened, and the muscles in her pussy constricted.
    A dot of ketchup rested in the corner of his mouth, and it gave her an excuse to touch him. God, she wanted to touch him. She raised a finger and gently wiped the ketchup away. When she would have withdrawn her hand to wipe it on a napkin, he captured her finger then raised it to his mouth.
    His lips closed hot over the tip, then his tongue swirled over the skin, licking away the ketchup. The action sent a shock wave through her system. She sat, stunned at her reaction.
    Slowly he pulled her hand away, sliding his tongue along her finger until it left his mouth. When he released her, she let her hand fall to her lap, trying to disguise the shaking.
    “I should go,” she said, saying the first thing that popped into her mind. That was a lie. She didn’t want to go but didn’t know what to say or how to react to the blatant sensuality between them.
    “Why don’t I follow you back?” he offered. “I’m headed home too. I’ll see you to your door.”
    “O-okay.” She sucked in several steadying breaths so her voice didn’t waver so damn much. After collecting her purse, she dug for her cash and started to flip a few bills onto the countertop.
    Gray held out a hand and shoved her money back to her. “I got it.”
    She slowly pulled the money back and stuck it back in her purse. “Thanks.”
    She waited as he paid their tabs, and then he turned around to face her. “Shall we?” he asked, gesturing toward the exit.
    Why did this feel like a freaking date? And why was she so damn nervous? She was never this insecure, this jittery. She’d never felt anything but comfortable with her dates. Was that the problem? Had they all been nothing more than buddies? Nice boys whom she had nice sex with?
    Nice sex. Ugh. She wanted the dirty