“Jay?”
“Mmmm…”
“My legs are numb.”
He stepped back from the wall and eased her from his hips. His semi-flaccid cock slipped from her vagina. “Sorry about that.” Her feet touched the floor and he noticed her wobble. He slipped his hands around her waist to steady her.
She gave him a feeble smile. “I think I need to sit down before I fall.”
He gathered her in his arms and carried her naked body into the living room. Gently, he sat her on the couch. He took a seat beside her and cupped her face in his hands.
“Laura, I have a confession.”
She nibbled on her lip. “I do, too.”
“Okay, you go first.”
Chapter 11
God, she had to tell him. Had to tell what Erin had done. He was going to hate her for doing something so devious, for letting him believe the project failed, but she couldn’t live with herself otherwise. He needed to know there was nothing wrong with the libido suppressant. She didn’t want him to think his career was in jeopardy.
She laced her fingers together and stared at her lap, trying to figure out a way to soften the harsh truth. Suddenly she felt so drained, emotionally and physically. Keeping her voice low, she said, “The potion didn’t fail.”
His brows knitted together. “No?”
She drew a breath and blurted out, “You took the enhancer again.”
She stole a peek at him, gauging his reaction, waiting for his mood to blacken. Was that amusement in his eyes? Why on earth would he be amused?
“Erin switched the vials,” she said, expecting her words to wipe the grin off his face.
“She did? Why would she do that?” He put his hand on her leg. It was warm and smooth on her flesh. An involuntary shiver skipped down her spine.
She rushed on. “Because I told her I wanted to finish what we started and she suggested I switch the vials again, but I would never do that to you. I may have considered it, a time, or two, or a million, but would never go through with it. So you see, she must have done it anyway or you wouldn’t have been so aroused.” She was rambling, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself.
His chin came up a notch. “You wanted to finish what we started?” His reaction confused her. She’d thought he’d take offense at her testimony.
Her words spilled out. “Yes. So you see, you wouldn’t have slept with me if Erin hadn’t switched the vials.”
“Is that so?” He withdrew his hand from her leg, stretched his arms over his shoulders, and sank farther into the sofa. Her skin felt suddenly chilled at the loss of his touch. Becoming conscious of her nakedness, she folded her arms over her chest and crossed her legs.
“Why would you think that, Laura?”
“Because I’m a nerdy scientist and not a carrot stick, like your usual cuisine.”
She listened as his breathing seemed to change. Tensing, she glanced sideways at him. Her gaze dropped to his exposed groin. She could have sworn his penis just twitched.
“I guess now it’s my turn to confess.” His voice was rough with emotion.
Hands neatly folded on her lap, she nodded. “Okay.” She had no idea what he wanted to confess. She only knew it could never match the atrocity of her admission.
“Erin wasn’t at the lab this morning. I called her and gave her the day off.”
She stiffened, perplexed. “But you said—”
He cut her off. “I know, sorry about that.”
“Then who administered the potion?”
One side of his mouth twisted up. “No one.”
“What do you mean, no one?”
“I didn’t take the potion.”
Her head jerked back with a start. His words took the wind out of her. “What?” She nearly bounded out of her chair.
“I didn’t take it,” he said with an easy shrug.
Her mouth went suddenly dry. “Why not?”
He twisted sideways to face her. His eyes turned serious. “Because I happen to like nerdy science girls. One in particular.”
She gulped.
“Like you, sweet Laura, I wanted to finish what we started.” His deep voice rolled over her like an intimate embrace.
Her heart flipped in her chest and she shook her head to clear it. Was she hearing him right, or was she still lost in a haze of euphoria from their unbelievable sex?
She could barely find her voice. “I don’t understand.”
“What’s not to understand? I already told you I love you.” He cradled her face between his palms and looked at her with all the love inside him. It took her breath away.
Her blood began racing. She swallowed. He loved her. She thought he’d only spoken those words in the heat of their frenzied coupling.
“I’m confused. Last night when I was naked in the tub I tried to seduce you and you walked out of the bathroom.” Emotion thickened her voice.
A lazy smile curled his mouth. “You tried to seduce me?”
“Yeah.” She threw her hands up in the air. “Okay, so I’m not so great at the seduction thing. Give me a break, it was my first attempt.”
He grabbed her hand and squeezed. “Laura, I wanted to prove to you that I’m not just a sex-crazed playboy. I do think about other things.” He paused for a second. “Rarely,” he said, grinning. “But at times I do.” He reached out and brushed her damp hair off her forehead and gazed deep into her eyes. He lowered his voice. “I could have told you I was crazy about you, but why would you believe me? You said yourself I was a playboy, that my track record wasn’t so great. You’re a smart girl, Laura. I figured you wouldn’t believe any sweet talk coming from my mouth. I know I wouldn’t have.”
“You’re probably right,” she agreed.
“By keeping my hands off you, I wanted to prove that I care about you. All of you. Not just your gorgeous body. I wanted to show you how good we could be together outside the bedroom. You’ve opened my heart and shown me that I’m capable of love.”
“Oh.” Her voice was a soft
