* * *
Talk about a complete reversal, Brice thought to himself, staring at the shy woman who was slurping down her coffee so fast, he knew she couldn't wait to get out of there. Last night she'd been a walking wet dream, and now she wouldn't even meet his eyes. She blamed her behavior on the booze, but Brice knew that excuse wasn't completely justified. Janna seemed to have enjoyed herself. I sure as hell did.
He rubbed a hand across his face, realizing that this morning was a role reversal for him as well. The usual morning after involved a hasty retreat, followed the next day by a bouquet of in-season flowers and a note. If he would have written the truth on the tiny card, it would have said, "Thank you for a night of forgettable enjoyment. It's unlikely I'll ever see you again." Instead, it said, "I had a nice time. Brice."
The hope of once again burying himself in her addictive heat made him forge ahead. He surprised himself by asking, "So, when can I see you again?"
Janna almost choked on her coffee, and her heavy coughing had him slapping her on the back. "Stop!" she squealed, then managed to get out "I'm fine," before coughing several more times.
"Well?" He wasn't one to be put off by a momentary challenge.
"I don't think we should." She put her cup down and turned to face him. "It's not a good idea."
"Why the hell not?" he asked, then mentally kicked himself for the intensity he heard. Keep calm, Brice, he reminded himself. Sell her on the idea first. Don't let her smell desperation on you, or you'll never close. "I mean, I thought we both had a good time last night."
"We did." Her tone was serious. "Believe me, I had a great time. But that's all it was. We don't need to pretend it was anything more than a holiday party hookup. I'm sure it wasn't your first, and it probably won't be your last."
"What if it was my first?" he said, his tone more confrontational than he would have liked. It wasn't, but last night hadn't been like the other times when he'd used random women to mute the pain inside. Janna was something special.
She shook her head in simple disbelief. "Look, Brice, you're a fantastic guy, but we've got nothing in common. There's nothing to build a relationship on, and although I admit I may have given you the wrong impression last night, I'm not a casual hookup type of girl. So let's just call this what it is -- a mistake -- and move on."
"Now that's just unfair," he grumbled. "You insist that you're not the "casual hookup type" while basically accusing me of being a man-whore. I disagree that we have nothing to build on because you won't even take a minute to get to know me better. Aren't you making a lot of assumptions?"
"Aren't you?" she countered. "We had fun. I'm not interested in anything beyond that. I don't think you are either. It was just sex -- albeit awesome sex -- and now I've overstayed my welcome." Janna hopped off the stool, grabbed her things, and headed toward the exit.
Luckily for him, the exit was pretty far away. Sometimes owning a mansion had its advantages. He stalked her as she took the hallway at a near-jog. "Janna," he said, forcing his tone to be as soft as he could make it. "I like you. It wasn't just sex to me. I haven't been in a serious relationship for years, but with you--"
"Just stop right there!" She turned, putting her hand up as if to block his words. "I can't do this, Brice. I won't. I don't have time for a relationship right now, especially one where my chance of heartbreak is so high--"
"But you won't even--"
"No, I won't. I'm sorry." She turned and sprinted the last few feet down the hallway and pulled open the large double doors. Rain blew in as Brice watched her silhouette turn back to him. "I had a great time at your party, Mr. Masterson. Happy holidays." Then she was gone, the doors slamming shut behind her.
Brice considered going after her and almost did, but restrained himself. Chasing her down wouldn't win him any points. She was skittish all of the sudden. Last night she had seemed an open book, ready to complain about the host at his own lavish party, then to be seduced by him. He remembered her eagerness, her responsiveness, and damn if his dick didn't get even harder than it had been after their shower. And yet this morning she'd fought against her own desire, and she was now a closed book. But he wanted to add another chapter. Maybe he'd get the chance. Despite her protests this morning, Brice wouldn't give up. He loved a challenge.