Girl Next Door - The Complete Series Read Online Free PDF Page B

left, I spent a lazy afternoon on my back porch and thought about how I would handle Aidan. I had never felt like I did last night on my porch, especially from a single kiss. If sex with Aidan was as hot as that kiss promised, forget resisting. I would haul ass straight to his mattress. I wanted to have sex that hot at least once in my life. With my track record with men, I doubted I’d get happily-ever-after, anyway. At least I’d have the memory for the rest of my life.
    So, I spent the afternoon on my back deck, drinking a diet soda, painting my toenails, and thinking. As I soaked up the warm sun, I knew I could accept the terms Aidan laid out, but I had a few conditions of my own. My decision was made, and I wouldn’t dwell. Once I decided something, I stuck to it. My father sometimes referred to it as blind stubbornness, but I preferred to think of it as tenacity and perseverance. Unfortunately, this trait got me into trouble as often as it worked in my favor, but that was me, and that was it.
    I spent the next hour and a half showering, shaving, and primping. Though I wanted to go all out, I didn’t want to send a message from the beginning that I was overeager. Yes, I wanted to look hot, but, if this quasi-relationship had an expiration date, I wasn’t going to waste the big guns on someone who probably wouldn’t be around in a few months.
    At ten to six, I checked my appearance in the full-length mirror. I was wearing a cute pair of white shorts and another camisole with a built-in bra, this one a bright teal. I’d dried my streaked blond hair and left it straight, so it brushed my shoulder blades. Barely there make-up, silver hoops and a silver anklet on my right ankle were it. My hot pink toes were freshly painted and looked great with my tan.
    My belly quivered as I slid on a pair of white flip flops. I was definitely nervous. If Aidan agreed to my terms, it was very likely he and I would be getting naked tonight. This thought had me alternating from terrified to extremely turned on. Not a good condition if I wanted to lay out my ground rules in a calm and concise manner.
    I took a deep breath, and headed downstairs and out the front door. My nerves calmed slightly and I walked across my yard, Aidan’s yard, and up his front steps. I rang the doorbell and took one more deep breath. Aidan opened the door and my hormones whimpered. He was dressed in faded jeans, a white T-shirt, and bare feet. He gave me what I was beginning to realize was his standard smile, the half-grin.
    “Glad to see you, Nat.” He opened the door wider and stepped to the side. “Come in.”
    He was still very close when I walked through the door and my body brushed his. I felt like I’d been zapped with an electric shock. He smelled fantastic and his body felt at least twenty degrees warmer than mine.
    “Want a beer,” he asked, “or wine?”
    “I’d like red wine, if you have it.”
    He looked amused. “Sure, follow me.”
    He turned and headed past the stairs that led to the second story. His entryway went back to an open living area. The kitchen, dining room, and den were basically all one room. His furniture was dark grey leather and gorgeous oak wood. While the room was utilitarian, there were still a few homey touches; some framed photos on the mantel, a couple of prints hanging on the walls. He had blinds and curtains, both of which were opened.
    The room was warm, comfortable, and definitely not a man cave. Aidan walked to the kitchen counter and snagged an opened bottle of wine. From the cabinets, he pulled down a wineglass.
    “So, you just happened to have a bottle of red open and breathing?” I asked.
    He smirked. “As a matter of fact, I saw your wine collection last night and thought you might prefer wine to beer.”
    I tilted my head and accepted the glass from him. So he had really expected me to show up tonight. “You’re very sure of yourself, aren’t you?”
    I sipped the wine. It was dry but mellow.