He counted fifteen ticks of the clock before his laptop pinged behind him. He turned his head, reading her reply from across the room.
MadHatter3000: Just my pj’s.
He stared for a moment, stunned. I’ll be damned. She’d actually told him. He moved to his computer and punched in a reply. The last time he’d been this aroused, an innocent chat with her had turned into something hot and delicious. That was the first time he discovered the sounds she made when she came.
BookNerd: Describe them.
MadHatter3000: t-shirt and panties.
BookNerd: I find that incredibly sexy.
Christ, she had no idea. Maddie had curves, a petite, perfect figure. The thought of her sitting over there in little more than one of those form hugging T-shirts she was fond of and a pair of panties had his cock swelling further, pressing painfully against his zipper. He reached down to readjust it into a more comfortable position.
BookNerd: Here’s where all those probing questions are going to cost you.
MadHatter3000: LOL. Still not sending you a pic.
BookNerd: Take them off.
She didn’t answer immediately. He tapped his finger on his laptop as he waited.
MadHatter3000: Panties?
BookNerd: All of it. Then tell me how you feel.
Chapter Three
Had she completely lost her mind?
Maddie dropped her shaking hands onto the sofa beside her and sank back into the cushions, staring at her laptop screen. Every limb seemed to be shaking. His words taunted her with what she wanted so badly she could taste it. Flirting with him was easy. Dave was sexy, in a subtle kind of way. She had to admit, her panties were already damp and her clit throbbed with the promise of the night. The idea that someone else would help her achieve orgasm was a lure she couldn’t resist. Tonight, at least, she didn’t feel so alone. Hannah was right. There was something addicting about that.
Except her mind had gotten stuck on the doing part. The thought of taking her clothes off had an ultra-vulnerable sensation twisting through her. She’d told him nothing but the truth earlier. This wasn’t like her. In fact, she’d only done this kind of thing with one other man. Grayson.
Grayson Lockwood was the first man to get past her defenses, and look where that had gotten her? Which was exactly why she was here. This wasn’t like her. Oh, she’d tried once or twice, but every single time she got close, she got cold feet. Since her assault, she’d never been able to make it past kissing. Having sex with someone always came down to one point: could she trust the man she was with? The answer had always been no. Sadly, she’d learned the hard way that she couldn’t trust Grayson, either.
Hannah might be a diehard romantic, but she was right about one thing. Maddie was lonely, and it ate at her. Now that her two best friends had found their other halves, she yearned to find the same thing. For all her bravado, deep down, she was a little girl with a heart full of impossible dreams of Cinderella and Prince Charming.
Neither was she ready for another relationship. No, what she needed was something in the middle. Which meant, if she wanted company after the auction, she had to go all in. No matter how nervous she felt.
Besides, she really did like this guy. He was nice. Talking to him somehow set her at ease.
She gave a firm nod and sat up straight. You can do this.
Before she could decide what to do or say, another message popped onto her screen.
BookNerd: Nervous?
Maddie sighed. God, how did he do that? She must look like a ninny….
MadHatter3000: A little.
BookNerd: Me, too. My heart is hammering. We don’t have to do this, you know. We could end it here and say goodnight.
The answer to that came as easily as her next breath. If she ended it here, she’d regret it.
MadHatter3000: I don’t want to end it. I’m just nervous.
Of course, her mind now filled with uncertainties and questions she shouldn’t ask. She stuffed her finger into her mouth, biting down on the short nail. What she liked about him was his honesty, but this particular question was of the “uncertain of herself and completely not sexy” variety. She had to ask, though, if only to put it out there.
MadHatter3000: Is it a turn-off? Am I ruining this?
That had to be one of the most vulnerable things she’d admitted to a man. It was right up there with the night she’d confessed her past to Grayson.
BookNerd: No. It’s natural. Truth is, part of me is wondering if you think I’m pushing.
MadHatter3000: Are you?
Because he’d asked, and now she had to know.
BookNerd: Not intentionally. I find this arousing as hell. You’re straight up with me, about who you and what you want. And I can’t seem to help myself. But I don’t want to give you the wrong impression, either.
MadHatter3000: You’re not. TBH, your honesty is nice.
BookNerd: :) I’m glad. Ask me anything.
MadHatter3000: May I ask what you’re wearing?
BookNerd: Same thing I wore to work today. I haven’t changed yet. Shirt and slacks.
MadHatter3000: Tie?
BookNerd: Nope. That baby comes off the minute I get into my car at the end of the night. ;)
This discovery sent little flutters of excitement pulsing through her. Her panties were positively wet now. God, he was a corporate man. There was something so damned sexy about a man in a full suit.
She yearned to ask him what he did for a living but held back. The truth was, she had no desire to get to know him beyond what she needed for their date. She wasn’t even sure if she wanted this to go beyond the one date. He intrigued her, though. That he was sitting over there, still fully dressed, told her a lot about him.
BookNerd: Would it help if I went first?
Her shoulders slumped, and she released the breath she wasn’t aware of holding. God bless the man for his patience.
MadHatter3000: Yes. Please.
BookNerd: Ok. What would you like me to take off?
Maddie leaned back, tapping her fingers on her laptop, but the answer entered her thoughts seconds later. That was too easy.
MadHatter3000: The shirt. I like chests. If you workout as much as you say, I imagine you have a nice one.
BookNerd: Would you like proof?
Maddie stuffed a nail into her mouth, heart thumping like an out of control jackhammer. Did she? Hands down. She had almost a fetish with men’s’ chests. Of all the places on a man’s body she found sexy, that one topped the list. A broad chest and well defined pecs and shoulders could make her cream her panties. Did she actually have the guts to say yes, though?
MadHatter3000: I won’t send you one in return.
BookNerd: I’m okay with that. I promise I won’t ask for anything you’re not comfortable with.
MadHatter3000: Thanks. Can I ask you something?
BookNerd: You can ask me anything.
Maddie bit her bottom lip. She shouldn’t. He’d already told her he’d rather the first time she see him naked to be in person, but that naughty part of her was dying to know….
MadHatter3000: If I asked you to send me a pic of your cock…would you?
BookNerd: Damn. You with the questions. You’re killing me. Honestly. LOL Do you want one?
MadHatter3000: Would you?
BookNerd: No. ;)
She grinned. Damn it, she couldn’t help it. She had to hand it to him. His confession meant for all intents and purposes, he was old fashioned like her. God, that was sexy, if only because it was so rare. She’d tried dating after she broke it off with Grayson, but that she wouldn’t sleep with them meant most guys never made it past the first date.