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“I don’t think you’re out of your mind.”
    She slowly sat back down. He didn’t release her wrist, but eased his grip. He could feel the beat of her pulse under the soft skin and stroked his thumb across it. “An ass like that shouldn’t be the last man who touched you. Thing is, I think it might be best if we take this slow.”
    Her pulse leapt under his thumb. Her blue eyes were bright and tinged with anticipation. Her cheeks were flushed. Watching her was like watching clouds pass. One moment, her eyes were open, the next they were shuttered. She was quiet for so long, Aidan started to get worried. Suddenly, she shook her head, her eyes determined. “I can’t go slow. If we’re going to do this, we have to just do it.”

Chapter 5

    Becca watched Aidan while the soft brush of his thumb across the pulse in her wrist sent heat surging through her. She’d thought about this off and on since it occurred to her that until last night, Kyle had been the last man she kissed. She needed more than a kiss to change that equation. She’d happily sworn off men after what happened with Kyle. She was hurt, mortified and bitter at first. She’d managed to move beyond those feelings to a comfortable acceptance that it was emotionally safer to steer clear of relationships. She didn’t want to put her heart on the line again, but she didn’t want Kyle to remain in her memory as the last man she was intimate with. There was the fact he’d betrayed her horribly, but also that sex with him had been mediocre. She couldn’t say she’d had much more than mediocre because she’d been more focused on studying than having fun during the years when most of her friends were busy dating. She wanted to give herself another memory. Aidan could give her that.
    He sat across from her, his blue eyes bright in contrast to his almost-black hair. He was so damn handsome and sexy, he intimidated her. She’d never have had the nerve to make this wild proposal to him if he hadn’t kissed her last night. His kiss and his words after gave her the courage. She’d bet good money he was something else in bed. His kiss alone had left her drenched with need. He appeared to be considering his words. She’d meant what she’d said. If they were going to do this, she couldn’t take it slow. If she did, she’d chicken out and be stuck with Kyle as her last lover. Because she sure as hell wouldn’t have the nerve to ask another man for something like this.
    She trusted Aidan—a strange feeling because she didn’t think she trusted any man unless they happened to be related to her and of an entirely platonic connection. Even though, by all accounts, Aidan didn’t do anything other than casual when it came to relationships, she knew him to be nothing other than honest and straightforward. He wouldn’t lie to her, and he wouldn’t lead her on. A small voice in the back of her mind warned her to be careful. She’d already faced the pain of a mortifying betrayal. If she let her heart get involved when it came to Aidan, she feared it would cripple her.
    Aidan’s thumb went still. “So, no taking it slow?”
    She shook her head firmly, barely able to think straight with the heat of his hand on her wrist a brand searing through her. She was puzzled about his suggestion to take it slow because he seemed all business and all casual when it came to dating. Why she would be any different, she didn’t know.
    “Why does it matter to you? You date all the time, and it doesn’t amount to much. I don’t see why I should be any different. We can keep it simple. Just this once.” Her voice almost shook when she spoke. Her nerves were getting the best of her. Do you really think just once will be enough? This is Aidan. Exactly the problem. If I let myself consider more, my heart might get involved. She realized she was having her own internal debate and shook her head.
    His blue eyes held hers. She often felt as if he could see right through her, which