One Night Standards Read Online Free PDF Page A

embarrassment, she felt a tear creep down her cheek. She hastily wiped it away, but not before he saw it.
    â€œShh…Baby, what’s wrong?”
    â€œIt’s been such a crappy day,” she said, trying to blink hard as more tears followed the first. “And I really, really wanted to make love to you.”
    To her surprise, he stood up…then pulled the covers back, lifted her and tucked her in, climbing in next to her and spooning with her, his arms wrapped around her comfortingly. She could still feel his erection, nestled against her bottom, and it was all she could do not to whimper and wriggle against him. He had to be hurting with need, as it were, but he spoke to her gently. “Listen, we both wanted it. But it’s probably just as well. You’ve been through a whole lot. I don’t even know you, and I know that.”
    That was the thing, she thought, as she let herself cry onto the pillow, her cheek warming with the heat of the tears. He didn’t know her. But damned if he didn’t know exactly how to help her feel better at any particular moment.
    â€œI really like you,” she said, with a slight catch in her voice. “Seriously. And not because of what we were going to do.”
    He laughed, and she felt the reverberations through his rib cage. “Sugar, I really like you, too.” He nuzzled the back of her neck, and she pressed against him.
    She turned around, hearing him groan again as she inadvertently brushed against him. She faced him, stroking his cheek. Then she kissed him, tenderly, deeply…. A thank you, for being such a wonderful man at a time when she needed someone to lean on. It was a new sensation—having someone rescue her.
    â€œWhat was that for?” he said, resting his forehead against hers.
    â€œMark McMann,” she said, in a teasing, singsong voice, “you’re my hero.”
    He laughed, so she kissed him again…and things quickly got more serious than she’d intended, as they pressed against each other. So close, so damned close…
    She was the one who pulled away this time, gasping for air, gasping against the furious heat of her body. “Maybe the manager would bring up a box,” she said, half-joking.
    He spun her around again, pulling her to him. “Go to sleep,” he said, and she could hear the words through the gritting of his teeth.
    â€œI’m—”
    â€œDon’t say you’re sorry. I swear to God, if I have to scour all of San Antonio, I’m going to find a condom and tomorrow night, this is all going to be just the world’s longest bout of foreplay. But for right now, I’m holding you until you fall asleep, then I’m going back to my room to dream about all the things I’ll do to you tomorrow night. Your perfume’s going to haunt me, for starters.”
    She smiled, letting the warmth of him comfort her. “It’s our brand. The Essential Sensuals line.” She sighed. “I’m glad to know that this particular scent is as sexy as advertised.”
    â€œNo work talk,” he muttered, and she smiled.
    â€œNo work,” she said, yawning and burrowing slightly into the covers. She felt his arm tighten around her, and she felt the exhaustion and the emotional roller coaster finally start to slide.
    â€œSophie?”
    â€œHrmm?” she half enunciated, feeling the edges of sleep closing in on her.
    â€œNothing.” He kissed her shoulder. “Just go to sleep.”

2
    M ARK WOKE UP IN A HOTEL BED , not surprisingly. It was early, though—he’d forgotten to shut the shades. He must’ve been more tired than he’d thought.
    His hand moved across the pillow, and he heard a startled sigh.
    He sat bolt upright.
    He wasn’t in his room. He was in her room. In her bed. With the rest of the conference probably filing into this very hotel at any moment.
    â€œUh-oh,” he muttered.
    She sat up slowly,