Page 62 of Heat Advisory

“What would you like to do, Cora? The ball’s in your court, sweetheart.”

I wanted him to kiss me again. Maybe have a repeat of what we’d done in the car.

Then I started to freak a little, not knowing what the right thing to do was in this situation. It wasn’t every day an opportunity like this with your dream man presented itself.

His face softened, and I knew he was clearly picking up on my anxiety. “Cora, we can just go to sleep if you want to. I may be ready for more, but if you aren’t, we don’t have to take this any further.”

“I want more!” I practically shouted and then slapped my hands over my mouth and up to cover my eyes as my cheeks likely turned bright red.

My outburst only made his smile grow bigger and sexier.

In fact, I think my reproductive organs may have just self-combusted from the weight of his stare. Regardless, the voltage between us skyrocketed, heat pooled between my legs, and my heart raced faster than a greyhound.

“I’m just gonna go…umm…brush my hands…and uh…wash my…teeth.”

I nodded, though I wasn’t sure if that was directed at him or me.

I went into the bathroom, washed my makeup off, brushed my teeth, and took the time to calm myself down.

I wanted this. I wanted to have Jay make love to me and take that next step, but I was nervous. This man had the ability to wreck me, and I hated that someone had that amount of power over me emotionally.

You can do this.

You are strong. You are confident.

I stood up straight and walked out of the bathroom, determined to get naked with Jay and have a great night.

He was still in the same spot where I’d left him. The only difference was that he had removed his tie and unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt.

He smiled at me as I walked toward him—as if he sensed my confidence had come back.

“Take your clothes off, Cora,” he commanded in his deep, sultry voice.

“You think I’m just going to do everything you say?” I tried to hide my nerves and keep my voice strong, but it definitely hitched as the words came out.

“No, but I can tell you’re nervous, so I figure maybe it will be easier if you do it rather than me. Plus, I had to try, since I’ve been dying to say those words for more than a decade.”

My stomach spasmed on hearing that from him. I had envisioned something similar.

“How do I know if you’d be worth my time,” I teased, my voice sounding stronger than my confidence. “If you’d even be good in bed?”

I knew I was pushing his buttons with that one, but I couldn’t help myself. It was what I did when I was nervous.

He gave me the most wicked and hungry grin I’d ever seen. “I’ve never had any complaints.”

“Not to your face, at least.”

God, why was it so easy to needle him?

But instead of being offended, his smile just grew wider. “Unzip your dress for me, Cora.”

I did it. Truthfully, I had dreamed of him saying those words to me for over a decade as well. I wasn’t going to betray fate now that my wish was being granted.

Plus, when he talked in that deep, sexy voice, it was hard to do anything but obey.

I needed him, and I needed him now.

I unzipped the back of my dress, pulled the straps over my shoulders slowly, and let the dress fall down around my ankles, never breaking eye contact with him.