Let Me Count The Ways Read Online Free PDF Page A

make my brain feel clearer, but it didn’t. “Just--Jesus, how much did you have to drink back there anyhow?”
    Laughing, Claire slipped her seatbelt off again. She leaned in close and lifted one of her hands to frame my face. Her fingers felt as cool as they had before; but this was even better than before because this time she was touching me on purpose. Her eyes were dark, her smile was sultry and her voice and her words were something out of a dream. “You’re a very sweet man, Mike. You shouldn’t sell yourself short.” Then she kissed me.
    For a moment, I think I forgot who either of us was. We were simply Man and Woman and nothing had ever felt more right. Her lips were soft, her scent was sweet and everything male in me responded. Mine . Fierce and insistent, the instinct to claim her, to take her as my own--now, tonight, forever--overrode everything else.
    I kissed her back, tugging her hard against me, my tongue coaxing hers into play. Touching everything I could get my hands on, I practically tore the material of her dress as I sought for the zipper. Then my hands registered the feel of the sequined gown they were coasting over--the same glimmering garment I’d been trying, all evening, not to stare at. Suddenly, I remembered where I was and who I was with.
    “Claire. Oh, my God. I’m sorry, I...”
    She opened her eyes. Something dark flickered in their depths--heat and passion and something else. Alarm, maybe?
    “Wow.” Her voice emerged hoarse and breathless. “Mike. You really shouldn’t sell yourself short.”
    A relieved laugh burst from my lips. I’d been half expecting her to slap me, never mind that she’d started it. “I think that ‘wow’ just made my night. Thank you.” I took a deep breath. Resting my forehead against hers, I forced myself to take control. “But, please tell me where you live so I can drive you home.”
    “What?” Claire pulled away from me. “I already told you. I don’t want to go there.”
    I nodded. “I know you did. But, come on, you’ve been drinking. Even if I thought you actually meant it, I still can’t take advantage of you like this.”
    “Is that what’s bothering you?” She shook her head, gazing at me in disbelief. “So I’ve been drinking, Mike. So what? It’s not exactly the first time that’s happened you know. And, besides, isn’t that really the reason most people drink to begin with? So they can loosen up, release their inhibitions, forget about the rules they don’t want to follow?”
    “Sleep with people they wouldn’t otherwise in a million years?”
    “That too.” Laughter sparkled suddenly in her eyes. “Which is not always a bad thing, you know. And, besides...” Leaning in, she ran one hand up my chest. Her lips were only inches from mine; her voice husky and low. “I want you. If you’re trying to imply that’s only because I’m drunk, it’s not true.”
    My heart was hammering in my chest. If I wanted to remain sane, I needed some space. Now. I pushed her away a little. “Claire. Stop kidding around. You know it’s true.”
    “It’s not! Not even a little.”
    “Oh, it isn’t? Really? I’ve known you for months. How come this is the first time it’s come up then?”
    “Well, I mean,” Grinning, she peeked up at me through her lashes. “I don’t always sleep with everyone I meet within minutes of meeting them either, you know. Besides... a million years, Mike? That’s a really long time.”
    “I know how long it is.” And I figured it was maybe half as long as it was gonna take me to forget that kiss. Or to stop wanting to kiss her again. Right now. But, want it or not, it wasn’t going to happen.
    A petulant frown creased Claire’s brow. “You can’t possibly believe I’m so drunk I don’t know what I’m doing? Or do you think I’m gonna wake up tomorrow morning and wonder, what the hell was I thinking last night ?”
    That was exactly what I thought. I felt my jaw clench. “You