“How did you . . . ?”
“My buddy West called me. He recognized you as the woman I was with the other night. Said you asked for a cab.”
“And he asked you instead?”
Nolan nodded. “I’m taking you home.” His firm tone left little room for negotiation. He was definitely a man who always got what he wanted.
Through my heavy buzz, I took a moment to look at him. He wore faded jeans and a white T-shirt. I wondered if he’d been at home, in for the night. Maybe hanging out with Daniella. And he’d left the warm comfort of home to head out into the night for me. A tingle of appreciation spread through me at the thought.
“You don’t have to do that,” I said instead.
“I’m quite aware. Come on, get in the truck.” Nolan led the way and helped me inside. He glanced over at me as he started the engine. “How much did you have to drink?”
“It was ladies’ night,” was all I said. I thought I heard him chuckle softly, but couldn’t be sure.
He didn’t say anything else as he drove. The tires crunched over the gravel road and the radio played quietly in the background. Within minutes, we pulled into my building’s parking lot. I let myself out of the truck and started toward my apartment. But when I reached the stairs, Nolan’s hand caught my elbow.
“I can manage,” I said, both warmed at his concern and embarrassed that I needed it.
“I know that,” he said, but didn’t remove his hand.
I guess chivalry isn’t dead.
When we arrived at my door, he stopped. I’d expected him to walk me there and then leave, his sense of obligation fulfilled, but that wasn’t the case.
“Can I help you inside?” he asked instead, his low voice sending tingles of heat rushing along my skin.
This time, I said, “Yes.”
Unlocking the door, I slipped inside. I flipped on the hall light and tossed my purse and keys on the table. Then I just stood there, wondering what I was supposed to do next. I wasn’t good at these games, hadn’t had a man rush to my rescue before.
“Do you have to work in the morning?” he asked.
I nodded. It was only a little after ten, but I had a hunch I’d feel the tequila in the morning.
Nolan headed into the kitchen and poured me a glass of cold water from the pitcher I kept in the fridge. “Come on. Let’s get you ready for bed.”
I led the way to my bedroom. I was about to argue, to tell him I was too old to be tucked in, but the careful way he held my hand and helped me into my room spoke louder than anything else. He was a natural guardian, and right now, he was going to see to it that I was okay.
In my darkened room, Nolan stood directly before me, the soft moonlight painting his face in shadows. He was beautiful. A strong jaw dusted in dark stubble, full lips, and dark, soulful eyes.
I felt his fingers at the hem of my shirt. He lifted it over my head, dropping it on the floor beside us. His fingers went to work on the button to my jeans, and then he was pushing them down my hips. Next came my bra, which he unsnapped and slid off my shoulders.
His watchful gaze wasn’t lustful; it wasn’t sexual. It was protective. And I could sense it all the way to the tips of my toes. Standing there in just my panties, I felt my body hum to life, blood pumping south.
“Don’t you want to stay?” I gingerly touched his belt buckle.
“You’re drunk,” he said. His voice was blunt, and I sensed his control was hanging by a thin thread. A thread I wanted to tug on and unravel.
“So? We could still mess around.”
Working his bottom lip between his teeth, he let out a hiss when I brushed my hand lower, appreciating the bulge I felt. “Not tonight,” he bit out.
His rejection stung, and I couldn’t help the first thought that popped into my head. “Oh, so it’s Daniella’s turn tonight.”
“Not tonight,” he repeated.
Unwavering in my desire, I pushed my fingers into the sides of my panties and dragged them down my legs before stepping out of them. Now I was completely nude before him. My nipples puckered in the cool evening air.
He didn’t miss a thing, his gaze moving from mine down to my breasts. He lowered his head and kissed one pebbled bud. Just the barest teasing touch.
“Not. Tonight,” he repeated once more, his warm breath ghosting over my nipple.
In that moment, I would have done anything he asked. But instead of letting things go further, my perfect gentleman adjusted the bulge of his erection, then stuffed his hands into his pockets. “Do you have something you sleep in?”
I nodded. “Just a T-shirt.”
He retrieved one from my dresser and held it out so I could shove my arms in and get it over my head. One quick kiss on the lips, and he was headed toward the front door.
“Lock up behind me, okay? There are crazies out there.”
“I know.” Boy, do I know.
• • •
Several days later I stared down at my bed, trying to decide between the jeans and a light gray sweater, or the red sundress and boots. I wanted to look casual, but with a certain measure of sex appeal too.
This morning Nolan had texted me, letting me know that he had two tickets to the Cowboys game, and his friend had to cancel at the last minute. AT&T Stadium was a venue I’d grown up watching on TV with my dad; the chance to go there in person wasn’t something I could pass up. Neither was spending more time with Nolan.
Opting for comfortable, I slipped into the worn denim and the soft, lightweight sweater. After adding my boots and checking my butt in the mirror, I felt oddly satisfied. My curves filled out my jeans a little more than I’d like, but I knew the effect I had on Nolan. I’d felt the evidence of his arousal, hot and hard and needy against my belly. A rush of warmth washed over my skin, flushing my cheeks at the memory. He’d held himself back, but maybe that was only because I’d been drunk.