she spoke the words. O.E. might be a huge mistake, but he
bristled with a level of excitement that she had never
experienced before. If she agreed, would he kiss her right
there in the hallway? She felt a little embarrassed, but she
couldn't deny that she wanted to grab that chiseled jaw and
kiss that arrogant mouth.
And she was free from Quentin, so why shouldn't she
should go for this? Quentin was handsome and secure, but
totally passionless. O.E. was much more handsome, far less
secure, and already appeared to be significantly more
passionate. Not the worst combination.
She even thought back to the professor and wondered
how he stacked up. The professor was certainly less
attractive, offered no security at all, and his passion was a
manipulative deception. Because of her bad experience
with him, she had been willing to settle down with
Quentin. But perhaps she had made a mistake when she'd
sacrificed passion for honesty.
O.E. is a total stranger. Except that he wasn't. He was
just someone new, from Dan's side of the wedding party.
What could possibly go wrong? Other than everything.
Let go. She obeyed her inner thoughts and plunged into
the deep end of the trouble pool, her heart pounding.
"Show me."
O.E. broke into a hungry smile. He reached up with
both hands and gently held her head. His forehead touched
hers. Some people came down the hall, brushing against
them as they passed, and that broke the mood.
"Not here." His deep whisper sent a surge through her
body. He pulled back and took her hand, continuing down
the hall away from the music. Stopping at a door, he pulled
her inside and closed the door behind them.
The noise of the party dulled considerably in the dark,
empty room. Faint streetlight came through high windows
and lit up neat rows of desks. They were in a classroom, the
walls covered with children's artwork. He left the lights off
and held her shoulders, his hundred watt eyes providing all
the illumination they needed.
Rebecca wondered why she felt safe, alone here with
this tall, powerful stranger. Somehow, she wasn't afraid-he
wouldn't hurt her. But he could easily overpower her, seduce
her. After a year with Quentin, she found herself strangely
excited by such a possibility.
One of his hands worked its way slowly across her
shoulder, then softly up her neck. Rebecca shivered as his
hand caressed her, and she bent her head away, giving him
more neck to enjoy.
Is this really happening? She felt tingles run through her
body where his hand touched her. He let go of her to pull a