Modern Girl's Guide to One-Night Stands Read Online Free Page B

her. Now she was even more confused. Was he taking her up on her offer or just going back to his room? His expression was blank, and she couldn’t read him. Was he playing games with her? She walked into the open elevator and pushed the button for her floor. He didn’t follow her in. He looked as though he wanted to say something.
    “Well?” she asked.
    Just as the doors started to close, Simon pushed into the elevator and stood beside her. Neither of them spoke as the car began to rise. She watched his reflection in the mirrored doors. The way he was staring at her, as if he wanted to push her against the wall of the elevator. She glanced down at his lips, wondering what they tasted like. She could just imagine those full lips pressed against her skin, licking and sucking at her flesh.
    “Just to be clear, we are talking sex, right?” he asked point blank, startling her out of the lovely daydream. He was unashamed as his eyes traced down her body.
    Her skin ached under his attention, desperate for contact. Her cheeks burned, but she nodded. “Yes.” The word came out more breathy than she’d intended.
    He just nodded. Did that mean he wanted to, or was he just confirming that she’d thrown herself at him? She should just tell him she’d changed her mind.
    When the doors opened, Julia stepped into the hallway without looking back, and Simon followed silently. She reached her room and unlocked the door. The digital light flashed from red to green, but instead of opening the door, she turned around and looked up at him.
    This was the point of no return. There was a voice in the back of her head telling her to stop, but it was drowned out by the deafening beat of her racing heart. People did this all the time. She just need to be safe. She should text Megan with his name. She could set up a safety call. They’d use protection.
    Protection. Shit. That was a problem. She really hadn’t planned on this happening.
    “Please say you have a condom,” she blurted out before she’d realized what she was saying.
    It wasn’t the smoothest way to introduce the topic, but she wasn’t about to invite him into her room without knowing. Simon just laughed. Julia didn’t see the humor in her question. She’d dodged a bullet with Luke. There was no way she’d gamble with her health again.
    “I’m not kidding. If you don’t, that’s a deal-breaker."
    “I do. I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t prepared,” he said, the humor still in his voice. “I didn’t mean to laugh. It’s just I find your forwardness refreshing.”
    He took a step closer and Julia pressed against the door. They needed to get inside, because if he touched her, she was almost positive she’d jump him in the hallway.
    “Julia, are you sure about this?” Simon asked. “If you’re having second thoughts, I’m happy to just have that drink and talk. Just let me know.”
     

     
    She was as nervous as a rabbit, twitchy and hesitant, ever since they’d boarded the elevator. The confidence she’d had in the bar seemed to have completely vanished. He was trying to prepare for her rejection, and he’d go without argument, but not without her number. It had been a really long time since he’d enjoyed just talking to a woman.
    She turned around and pressed her forehead into the door, and Simon couldn’t help but feel disappointed. He waited for her to say something. To ask him to leave. To tell him it had been a terrible mistake. But she didn’t say a word. With a long exhale, she stepped back and opened the door.
    “You’re a really nice guy, Simon. I’m glad I met you tonight.” She stepped into the room and turned around, meeting his gaze. That determined look was back, but there was also something else. There was a rosy hue to her cheeks and her breath was shallow and fast. It was the look of desire, and on her, that look shot right to his dick.
    “I haven’t changed my mind,” she whispered. “Come inside."
    Julia turned and left him