Bachelor Number Four by Megan Hart

caressed her thigh, urging her to press herself against him. Taken by surprise, Arden let him. His hand held her leg as he dipped a little to push his cock against her crotch.
    Arden let out a small sound of surprise Philip must have taken for assent because he rocked harder against her. His mouth opened more, his tongue twirling on her own. His other hand came up to caress her breast, finding the nipple with ease and thumbing it until it stood out in a taut, hot peak. His mouth found it next, wetting her shirt and capturing the bud of flesh between his lips, while his hand went to probe and stroke between her legs.
    Sensation assaulted her, and though she’d wanted this, asked for it, had even anticipated it, all at once it overwhelmed her. She pushed on Philip’s shoulders. His hand moved faster between her legs, his fingers unerringly finding her clit and rubbing it through her underpants. Her hips moved and her pelvis rocked against his hand because, damn, it felt good to have a man’s touch there. Behind Arden’s closed eyes she saw dark, thick hair, shifting blue-green eyes, an arrogant smile. She smelled Drakkar Noir instead of Polo, felt the smoothness of a creaking black leather jacket beneath her fingers instead of smooth cotton.
    “Philip, wait.”
    He looked up, face cast into a mask of shadow by the filtered light of the streetlamp at the front of the house. When she didn’t speak, he eased off, still holding her against the door so she didn’t fall, but no longer pushing his hand against her. He licked his lips and blinked as though trying to get some measure of control.
    “Arden, I thought you wanted this.”
    “I thought I did too.”
    Philip smiled and stepped back. He ran his hands through his hair, rumpling it. The tousling made him look disheveled and delicious, a combination Arden found very appealing, but she didn’t lean over to kiss him again.
    “It’s…a little scary,” she admitted at last.
    Philip nodded and put his hands in his pockets. The front of his pants bulged with an erection only moments ago Arden would have been delighted to see. Now it made her feel awkward and uncomfortable. She averted her eyes.
    “I understand,” Philip said. “Lida told me about your husband and everything. Believe me, I wouldn’t have—”
    “I know—”
    “I’m not a total slime—”
    They both stopped and Arden chuckled, embarrassed. She put a hand to her burning cheek. “I’m sorry, Philip. This was probably a mistake.”
    “Ah, c’mon. Don’t say that.”
    She couldn’t deny he was charming. “I did have a great time. Really. Thank you.”
    “I had a good time too. Can I call you?”
    His question took her aback. “You want to call me?”
    Philip grinned, teeth flashing white in the dark. “Of course I do.”
    “I guess that would be all right.” She didn’t sound enthused. “I mean, that would be great. Very nice. Yes. Sure.”
    “Okay, then. Well, have a good night.”
    “Thanks again,” she called to his back, but Philip didn’t turn, just gave a little half-wave without turning.
    She let herself into the dark house, her body still flooded with the sensations of Philip’s kisses and caresses. Regret panged, but she forced it away. It wouldn’t have been fair to him to just…use him, while fantasizing about Shane. The thought made her laugh. Did guys even care about that?
    It wouldn’t have been fair to herself, she amended. Sleeping with—fucking—Philip would probably have been great. Just what she needed. Release, a fresh start, whatever Lida wanted to call it. But how could she have sex with Philip when Shane Donner’s face was all she could see? His mouth the only one she could taste?
    Arden shook herself to get rid of the languorous lethargy that had overtaken her. If she was going to have sex with someone, it had to be with someone she really wanted to be with, or else the experience would be no better than if she went out and hired a male prostitute.