Tender is the Nerd Read Online Free PDF

who takes risks and makes mistakes.”
    “I see.” He leaned back in his chair and let out a slow breath.
    When he moved away from the candlelight she couldn’t gauge his expression as well. She hoped to hell she hadn’t insulted his loved ones by saying that personality type wasn’t for her. “Rylan, I’m not being critical of that approach to life. I just –”
    “I know you’re not.” He leaned forward again and rested his arms on the table. He didn’t look insulted. More like turned on. “You’ve been very careful and considerate.” His voice had taken on a husky tone.
    He’d never spoken to her like that and it threw her heart rate into high gear. “Because I like Frazer as a friend.” She saw a heck of a lot more than friendship in Rylan’s eyes right now. He’d neverstared at her with that level of heat. And Lord help her, she was responding.
    He took a deep breath. “I’ve been processing what you’ve said and I’ve come to a conclusion that blows my circuits.”
    “What’s that?”
    He held her gaze. “You were with the wrong brother.”
    Whoa. There was nothing tentative about that statement. “What . . . what should we do about it?”
    Amusement flashed in his eyes. “That seems pretty obvious.”
    “What about Frazer?”
    “I’ll talk to him.” He pushed back his chair and blew out both candles. “But not tonight.” Just like that, he’d taken command.

Chapter Four
    R ylan sent up a little prayer of thanks that he’d asked the right question, the one that assured him he wasn’t stealing Miranda from his brother. That was the last cohesive thought in his head before he tossed his glasses on the table and pulled her into his arms. If she wanted somebody who was out there he was the man for the job.
    His mouth fit hers as if they’d been specifically engineered to kiss each other. As he gathered her lush body close he groaned with pleasure. No interface ever designed could be this elegant.
    She melted against him and his body received that gift with utmost gratitude. His cock swelled with joy and at that point he realized he was missing some critical info. Locating her bedroom wasn’t high on the list. She wanted drama and excitement so anywhere in the apartment would do. But birth control was essential.
    When he eventually forced himself to leave her delicious mouth long enough to ask the question, he’d already unbuttoned her blouse. “Condoms?”
    “Bedroom.” Panting, she grabbed his hand and tugged him away from the table. “This way.”
    He spared a nanosecond to think about why she’d have some handy. But of course she hadn’t been celibate in the years after breaking up with Frazer. He’d be a fool to think about that now. Or ever.
    Miranda had practically dragged him into her bedroom and nothing mattered but that. The room was dark except for a small light shining from the bathroom. The glow was enough to let him see the box of condoms she tossed over after taking them out of her top dresser drawer. He pretended she’d stored them there on the off chance that he would show up to ravish her. As it happened, that was his plan.
    Dim light suited his purposes. They’d been avoiding this attraction for years so finally running to meet it would stir up some intense emotions. Sex that real and raw was best handled in the dark.
    He didn’t need to see to undress her or to caress her voluptuous body as he quickly uncovered it. He didn’t need to see in order to kiss and nibble her soft skin. He went a little crazy, in fact, but she seemed to like having his mouth all over her. He became so involved with that project that he forgot he had most of his clothes on until she tugged at his zipper.
    “I need you,” she murmured, stroking him through his cotton boxers.
    That reminded him how much he needed her, too, which was how he ended up shoving down his pants, rolling on a condom and plunging into her when he was still half-dressed. She didn’t seem to mind a bit.