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smell him, feel him, his body heat reaching out toward her and luring her in. “So the ball’s in your court. I’m ready, willing and able, Michaela. I’m not going to deny that I want you. That I’ve wanted you for a long time.”
    Silence filled the room, the sound of the TV growing distant as his words sunk in, making her head spin. He left it at that on purpose. Just to screw with her.
    It was working.
    “If you want me , you have to come to me. I’ll wait. It’s all up to you.” Leaning in, Austin kissed her fleetingly, the imprint of his mouth on hers lingering there long after he moved away from her.
    She watched him exit the kitchen, her gaze dropping to his firm ass emphasized by the dark jeans he wore. Touching her tingling lips with shaking fingers, she released a shuddering breath, marveled at the fact that he could unsettle her so terribly with just one pitiful kiss.
     
    Michaela couldn’t sleep. She lay flat on her back, staring up at the ceiling. Her blinds were cracked open, allowing the play of shadows to dance across the walls from the occasional light flashing outside. It was early, barely eleven, and the apartment complex was off of a very busy street. Luckily enough that usually didn’t bother her.
    Tonight it did. Everything bothered her. From the sound of her neighbors clanging up the stairs to that infuriating man in the next bedroom who’d basically dared her to come to him, it all drove her nuts.
    She rolled over on her left side, punching the pillow beneath her with a clenched fist. It wasn’t fair, what he asked of her. Telling him it was a mistake—he’d taken that as some sort of dare. As if he knew she would come to him eventually and give in.
    Damn it, she wanted to give in. She’d wanted to give in for weeks, for months. It was fine to drool and lust and dream when she thought he wouldn’t reciprocate. A harmless crush, she told herself. So what if it was his face she imagined when she touched herself while using her vibrator late at night? It meant nothing.
    Now that he kissed her, wanted more from her, it had all changed. It became reality. And reality was a whole lot scarier than fantasy.
    But what if the reality is just as good, or even better than the fantasy?
    She wanted to tell that nagging little voice to shut the hell up. It wasn’t thinking of protecting her heart, it wanted her to go for it, forget the consequences.
    Sitting up, she tugged on her ponytail, tightening it. She wasn’t dressed for seduction. She was dressed for bed. Thin, pale pink tank top and panties, makeup long gone, her hair in a sloppy ponytail, she wasn’t going to impress. If she would slip into Austin’s bed, didn’t she want to wear something provocative, have her hair just so, her makeup perfect?
    Michaela slapped her hands over her eyes. Oh, this was difficult. She didn’t remember agonizing like this over having sex with any of the men she’d been with before. Well, the exception being her very first time ever but that didn’t count. Yes, she’d been anxious and a tad nervous with every new encounter but that was normal.
    This was not normal. The possibility of a friend turning into a lover was intimidating.
    The possibility of her bisexual friend turning into her lover? It was impossible to even comprehend.
    Go to him, the voice whispered. Show him that you want him. You know you won’t regret it.
    It was tempting. Her aching pussy certainly encouraged her. She thought about whipping out her trusty vibrator but it wouldn’t be enough, not tonight.
    She wanted him to be the one who touched her, kissed her, filled her. She wanted the flesh and blood man. She wanted Austin.
    Throwing her covers off, she knew then she was going to him. The consequences and regrets be damned.

Chapter Four
    Austin’s sleep was fitful, his dreams a whirlwind of montages, endless scenes of him and Michaela strung together. In bed, out of bed, arguing, making up, kissing, him slowly undressing her.