A Man After Midnight Read Online Free PDF

hot, black coffee on the corner of the tray. 
    He set the tray on the corner of the bed and then climbed on the mattress, stalking her on hands and knees.  A wicked smile lingered on his lips and desire brightened his slate grey eyes. 
    “You may not want to bend too close,” she warned, holding a hand up. “Morning breath.  I should run to my room and brush my teeth.”
    “Then you might not come back,” he countered, his gaze lingering on her lips.  He bent his head and captured her lips, nibbling on them before pulling back.  “I have mouthwash if you’re too self-conscious, but I have to admit you taste amazing.”
    “Hmm,” she replied.  “Good answer.”
    He winked.  He reared back and retrieved the tray, setting it between them.  Caroline fixed her coffee with cream and sugar while Wren picked up a pancake and ate it by rolling it up to take bites.
    “What plans did you have for today?” he asked in between bites.  “We could go sightseeing, maybe explore near Central Park, SOHO district, and Chinatown.”
    “Aren’t you supposed to be attending conferences?”
    “I can always ask for the footnotes.”
    “You were supposed to be a one-night stand, not a tourist buddy.”
    His eyes narrowed.  “I don’t really do one-night stands, Caroline.”
    She gave a pointed look around the room.  “Then how do you explain last night?”
    “I never intended for things to lead to sex,” he replied.  “At least not right away. But you’re incredibly beautiful, and you excited me to the point of bursting.”
    Caroline set her cup on the tray.  She ran her fingers through her short bob of a haircut and gave a sigh.  “Can I be honest with you?”
    “Of course,” he answered, though there was a note of wariness in his tone.
    “I’m kind of freaking out,” she admitted. 
    “Why?” he asked, genuinely perplexed.
    She took a deep breath.  “I’ve never, ever, slept with someone I’ve just met!  I’ve never, ever…” She fell silent for a moment as the images replayed in her mind.  “I’ve never been that expressive during sex.”
    “You mean liberated.”
    “No.  I mean I’ve never acted like that during sex.  It’s always been very, well…” she paused as she searched for the right word.
    “Missionary?”
    Caroline frowned at him.
    “Admit it.”
    “All right,” she replied, a bit reluctant. “I admit that sex has always been more for the man than for me.”
    “Some men are selfish.  But you liked when I tied you up.  You even initiated love bites.”  He turned his head a little to show off her mark.
    Caroline felt herself flush.  “Stop it.”
    “Why?” he demanded.  “There’s nothing wrong with a little role playing.  A little voyeurism.  Maybe even a little pain.”
    “Only perverted people like that kind of sex,” she said in a low tone.
    “Then you must be perverted,” he said with a chuckle.  He picked up her hand, twining their fingers together, and brought her hand to his mouth to kiss the back of her fingers.  “You never answered my question.”
    It took her a moment to think back and remember the original question he asked. “What plans do I have?  I have a whole map of places I’d like to visit, but I’m thinking I’ll probably only target a few.”
    “Manhattan is pretty big,” he said.
    “It’s pretty exhausting,” she corrected.  “Mentally and physically.”
    He smiled and cocked his head to one side.  “Do you trust me, Caroline?”
    She tugged her hand, trying to free it, but he refused to let it go.  “I don’t know,” she answered.  “I just met you.”
    “Fair enough,” he said.  “Let me ask you this instead: do you trust me enough to try an experiment?”
    She hesitated.  “What exactly do you mean?”
    “I’m suggesting a safe word, to be used at any time you feel too uncomfortable,” he replied.  He kissed her hand again, this time swiping his tongue over the knuckle of a finger. 
    Caroline