Hunks Pulled Over (12 page)

“What do you expect me to do? I mean when a beautiful woman refuses to give me any information about her I’ve got to do some investigating on my own.”

Leaning across the table, Emerald slowly smiled at him. He loved how her light brown eyes lit up. “I thought you told me how much you loved a mystery. I can’t give all of my information away. How mysterious is that?” she flirted.

“Darling, don’t worry, I could find out everything I wanted to know about you and still be amazed. You have this quality about you that will never get old. I’m hoping this won’t be the last time we share a meal together. I like being here with you tonight. Our dinner this evening was the first time in a very long time I wanted to get to know the woman instead the color of her bra.”

Emerald was barely able to control her gasp of surprise as she leaned back from him. “You can’t be serious.”

“I’m very serious, Emerald,” Chance admitted. “No one has ever affected me this way before. I don’t want to ruin it by rushing into bed with you.”

“I...I never said I wanted to have sex with you,” she gasped, staring at him.

“How much longer are you going to deny this strong sexual vibe between us? It was the first thing that drew me to you, but it isn’t what kept me coming back to you. You intrigued my mind. I had to think of different ways to spend a moment of time around you.”

“I’m shocked. I don’t know what to say. I never thought ‘The Touchdown King’ would want more than a one night stand with a woman.”

“Don’t call me by that nickname,” Chance said.

Hearing Emerald call him by his college nickname made Chance sick to his stomach. Those were days he didn’t want to think about anymore. He had broken a lot of girls’ hearts back then and none of them had deserved it.

He knew Emerald probably heard his old nickname from Sapphire. Brian probably told her to warn Emerald against getting involved with him. He wouldn’t let his past ruin what he was trying to start with Emerald. Everyone deserved a fresh start including him.

“Sorry, I didn’t know it would bother you,” Emerald apologized.

Getting up from the table, she grabbed their plates off the table. “I think it’s time for you to leave.”

Fuck! Just when he was getting somewhere with her, he had to lose it over a name he had actually given himself. She wasn’t to blame for calling him by it.

Chance got up from his seat and followed behind her. He wasn’t ready to leave yet. He had been making progress with her. Now, she was slamming the door in his face.

“Emerald, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that.” Touching her on the shoulder, Chance turned her around to face him. “How about we go into the living-room and talk some more?”

The silence lengthened between them making him uncomfortable. He felt like his chest was about to burst.

“Don’t you dare raise your voice at me again or you’ll be out the door. I won’t care about how sorry you are,” Emerald warned him.

“I swear I won’t,” Chance promised. Sliding his hands behind her back, he tugged Emerald to him. “Thank you for letting me stay a little longer.”

Lowering his head, he gave her a kiss nibbling at her bottom lip before letting it go. “How about you fix the coffee while I clean up the food?” he suggested, softly brushing his mouth over hers.

Stepping back, Emerald looked at him. “You can stay for one cup and that’s it.

“Baby, one cup will be just fine with me. All I want to do is get to know you better.”

Chance gave Emerald another kiss then stepped back from her. He knew that he had dodged a bullet tonight. He’d almost ruined everything before they even got started completely. He’d learned a good lesson. Chance wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.

Chapter Twenty

Taking a sip of her coffee, Emerald watched Chance over the rim of her cup. How did he talk her into letting him stay longer? She would never know, but she was glad that she did. Surprisingly, he was turning out to be pretty good company.

“Tell me why you decided to become a police officer,” she asked, watching as Chance placed his coffee mug down on her living-room table.

“I needed some direction in my life. Growing up my parents weren’t around much when I was little. My father’s parents raised me until I was about eight years old and then my parents decided to come back into my life.

“After they regained custody of me, I moved around a lot because they were always looking for the next big thing and since they both came from money they had the belief money could buy them happiness. I learned pretty quickly how much I didn’t want to be like them, so I worked hard and earned a full scholarship to college.”

“Did you find what you were looking for away from your parents?” Emerald questioned, surprised at how open Chance was being with her. She never thought he could be this deep or honest.

“I believe going to college was a blessing and a curse for me,” he admitted.

“Why do you say that?” Emerald asked as she set her coffee cup down on the table next to Chance’s.

Chance looked at her then glanced away running his hand down his face. “You don’t want to hear about me all night,” he mumbled. “I asked you out and came over here to find out more about you. Not to tell you all about my life growing up with two people who should have never been parents.”

No. He couldn’t stop now Emerald thought in a panic. Chance was starting to get to the part she wanted to know about the most. She had to find a way to make him finish.

“Chance, I really don’t mind at all hearing your story. I was enjoying learning more about you.”

He shook his head. “No, I think I’ve talked about myself enough tonight,” Chance insisted. “Tell me more about you. What happened in your life that made you decided to take on a career in the medical examiner’s office.”

Emerald knew she couldn’t push Chance any more about his life at college or he might start to put two and two together when it came to her. He opened up a little bit to her, so she would have to return the favor.

“My favorite grandmother passed away when I was around ten years old and the thought of death terrified me. I hated to think one day I wouldn’t be here anymore. I know people don’t live forever, but I wanted to make the pain of losing her less heartbreaking.”

“In addition, I always had a keen interest in the medical field. So, I started doing a lot of researching about the medical profession when I was in high school and found out about an assistant medical examiner.”

“Did you have to study hard for a while to be one?” Chance asked, leaning back against the arm of her couch.

Emerald thought about it for a few minutes. “I’m going to be honest. Some of those microbiology, organic chemistry and anatomy classes kicked my ass, but I was determined to get my degree. My job is everything I wanted without getting a medical degree. I love my career because I get a lot of satisfaction out of it. I couldn’t imagine me doing anything else with my life.” She was surprised how candid she was being with Chance. He was making her reveal more than she thought she would on their date.

Chance was actually paying attention to what she was telling him about herself. He was giving her his undivided attention. She couldn’t remember the last time a guy made her this excited to talk about her career. He was showing her a side of him that she hadn’t gotten to know when they were in college.

She might have seen him in a different life but it didn’t happen. Emerald took a glance at the clock on the wall and was surprised to see it was after eleven o’clock. She had no clue time had flown by so fast. She was actually a little upset her date with Chance was coming to an end; however, it was time for him to leave.

“I didn’t realize it was so late. I need to get up early tomorrow,” she said, standing up.

“Have I overstayed my welcome?” Chance asked as he got up from her couch. “I was having such a good time that I wasn’t paying any attention to the clock.” Chance took a step towards her and ran his hand down her bare arm. “Do you want to do something together tomorrow night? I think I have something in mind that will be pretty fun for us to do.”

Emerald wouldn’t have thought twice about going out with him tomorrow night if she didn’t already have plans to attend the car show and going there was very important to her.

“I’m sorry I can’t. I won’t be in town tomorrow. I’m going on a trip,” she told him.

Disappointment crossed Chance’s handsome face and she could tell he was upset they wouldn’t be able to spend time together. Amazingly Emerald hated she couldn’t take Chance up on his offer.

“I feel bad I have to turn you down, but we can do something when I get back into town. I won’t be gone that long.”

Sighing, Chance rested his forehead against hers. “I guess I can wait for you to get back, but you’re making it harder and harder for me to win you over,” he complained.

Emerald hated to admit it, but Chance was doing a better job of winning her over than he knew. He was beginning to make her see another side of him that wasn’t the heartless bastard she still harbored in her head.

“Why do you want to win me over?” she asked, staring up into his eyes.

“If you don’t know by now, I shouldn’t tell you but I will. I like you. I think we really could have something good if both of us gave it a chance. What do you think?” he questioned, hope in his deep voice.

She liked how unsure Chance might be of her answer. It was showing her another side of his personality.

“I think we’re moving in the right direction. I had a great time tonight. I’m looking forward to our next date. Honestly, this was one of the best dates I’ve had in a very long time.” Emerald was surprised by how open she was being with Chance. “I felt so relaxed with you like I could tell you anything about my life and it would be all right.”

“Me too,” Chance admitted to her. “How about you walk me to the door?”

“Sounds good to me.” Emerald spun around and went to the front door with him. She could feel Chance’s eyes on her ass making her body heat up. She wanted him and she wasn’t ashamed to admit it.

Chance was a good-looking guy. He was right about the pull between them and it was only getting stronger the more they were around each other.

“Thanks again for dinner. You did a wonderful job of picking out my favorites. I even have enough for leftovers for when I get back in town from my trip.” Emerald started to open the door, but Chance’s hand shot out stopping her. She glanced back over her shoulder and found him staring down at her.

“Don’t I at least get a good-bye kiss?” His warm breath whispered against the back of her neck. “I need something to tie me over until I get back home.”

She could feel his body heat wrapping around her and Emerald fought hard not to rest her back against his hard chest.

Letting go of the handle, Emerald pivoted resting her back against the door. “I believe you deserve a kiss since you were good tonight.”

Placing his hand above her hand, Chance leaned into her body. “I’m so glad that you agree with me. I didn’t think I could have left without kissing you again.”

His lips pressed against hers, and then gently covered her mouth. He moved his mouth over hers, devouring its softness. Back and forth he ran his tongue over the length of hers. Wanting more, Emerald leaned in closer trying to capture everything he tried to offer her half the night.

Emerald heard Chance groan harshly, but she was too lost in her own sensations to think about stopping.

Chance eased her body away from the door and slid his hands down her body cupping her ass. Lifting her up, he wrapped her legs around his waist. He growled as he took a step forward trapping her body between the door and his body.

Tearing his mouth away from hers, Chance rained kisses down the side of her jaw. “Damn, you taste so good,” he moaned grinding his thick cock between her legs. “I want you so bad.”

Shoving her hand through Chance’s thick hair, Emerald nibbled at Chance’s ear as he continued to grind against her causing a surprise orgasm that came hard and fast leaving her totally breathless.

Not knowing what to do, she just rested her head in the nook of Chance’s neck as her breathing got back down to normal. Minutes ticked by while neither one of them moved an inch as their bodies settled back down.

Slowly, Emerald lowered her arms from around Chance’s and worked them between their bodies shoving him away from her.

“What was that?” she gasped, leaning back against the door. She placed her hand on her chest over her beating heart.

“Baby, I’m so sorry,” Chance apologized. He took a step back from her and ran his hand along the back of his neck. “I didn’t mean for that to happen. I only wanted something to remember you by while you were gone.”

“Oh, I think I gave you something to remember me by.” Moving away from the door, Emerald opened it. “I’m positive it’s time for you to leave now. I really need to get ready for my trip tomorrow.”

Cursing under his breath, Chance dropped his hand away from his neck and walked around her. “Can’t I apologize again,” he asked, stepping out to her porch.

A light breeze blew in brushing over Emerald’s arms cooling down the burning heat Chance created inside her body moments ago. She couldn’t believe she had allowed things to go so far.

Damn! She had forgotten how long it had been since she was this instantly attracted to a guy. Of course, Chance would have to be the guy.

What in the hell was she going to do about this?

She needed time to think about her growing feelings for Chance. All of this was happening so fast that being away tomorrow might be just want she needed.

“Hmmm...No, I just need some time alone to think about what happened tonight.” Emerald couldn’t get her thoughts straight with Chance standing there in front of her looking so good.

“All right, I’ll give you a few days, but I will be back here to see you.” Reaching out, Chance ran his thumb over her bottom lip. “I want you to know one thing. I like you and when I like someone I go after them with everything in me. Have a good trip.”