Tempting The Best Man. Tanya Michaels
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a first kiss. The last of the pleasure she’d felt faded, making her newly aware of how cold the night had become.
“I apologize for my behavior.” He shoved a hand through his hair. “That wasn’t me. I never—You...”
She started to point out he hadn’t acted alone, but maybe that was the point. Was he blaming her for their kisses? Why was he even upset? He wasn’t the one who’d have to face Myron again. She stared, trying to understand what Daniel was feeling. But his expression was shuttered. He looked nothing like the playful man she’d spent the evening with.
Because he’s reverted to form. Right now, he bore entirely too much resemblance to the remote, critical classmate who’d tried to shame her for her actions in the past. One would never guess by looking at him that he’d been aroused.
His voice was downright impersonal as he asked, “Are you okay to drive?”
“Fine.” She’d been temporarily dazed, not drunk. That haze of desire she’d experienced was embarrassing next to Daniel’s calm clarity when they’d been interrupted. While she’d been writhing against the car and losing her mind, had he been unaffected? No, not unaffected, not with the way he’d kissed her. But he hardly seemed swept away by passion.
He looked like a man who faulted her for his temporary loss of dignity. That wasn’t me, he’d said. You... Sure. Why not wash his hands of all responsibility and dump it on her? An unpleasant sense of déjà vu stung her chest like heartburn. Why couldn’t grown men be accountable for their own actions?
Teeth clenched, she unlocked her car door. “Good night, Daniel.”
He hesitated, and she willed him to say something—anything—that made her feel like he didn’t regret what they’d shared, that she hadn’t been the only one caught up in the moment. Instead, he nodded stiffly. “Night.”
Inside her car, she let loose a few choice expletives before putting the vehicle in reverse. That was a humiliating end to the evening.
It could have been worse, though. At least he’d delivered her back to her car after dinner and hadn’t driven her home. Because, if they’d been in proximity of a bed and he’d kissed her like that... Given the disdainful way he’d eyed her after making out, she could just imagine how charming he’d be after they slept together. Forget the question of whether he’d respect her in the morning—he barely respected her now.
Past college fantasies be damned, sex with Daniel Keegan was out of the question.
“WHAT THE HELL, KEEGAN?” Eli scowled. Across the court, Sean’s teammate jogged after the basketball. “Were you aiming anywhere near the basket?”
They were playing two-on-two, but given Daniel’s performance, Eli might have been better off taking on the other team alone.
Sounding more concerned than annoyed, Eli asked, “What’s with you this morning? Lack of caffeine?”
In order to have the campus gym to themselves, they met at five forty-five. Sean declared it an unholy hour, but the time didn’t bother Daniel. Since his insomnia problems had started, he was always out of bed by five anyway. Today, he’d jolted awake around four, pulled from scorching hot dreams of Mia and the kisses they’d shared last night.
In his dreams, there had been no security guard. And no stopping.
He’d awakened sexually frustrated, which was no less than he deserved, and still furious with himself. After a lifetime of prioritizing proper behavior, he’d let the lure of Mia’s mouth turn him into a ravening beast. He hadn’t spared a second’s concern for whether someone would see them or how that could affect her. They’d been right outside her place of business, for God’s sake. What were you thinking?
The beam of the guard’s flashlight had sliced through the night like an accusation. Daniel had recoiled immediately, running on autopilot as a hundred lectures from his parents rang in his ears. He’d been so chagrined over his undisciplined behavior that he could hardly recall what he’d said to Mia. He did remember her stricken expression, though—the one she’d tried to hide before climbing into her car. She must think he was a total ass, no better than the men she’d described who groped and pawed at women.
“Sorry,” Daniel said. “Been distracted lately.” Lately meaning since last night, and distracted meaning he was unable to concentrate on a damn thing besides Mia’s enthusiasm and the heat of her mouth.
Eli knelt to tighten his shoelaces. “Still obsessing about the committee recommendation? You know the provost’s in your corner. I get that waiting sucks, but the decision’s in the hands of the president and the board of regents now. Don’t make yourself crazy in the meantime.”
Tenure. Right. That goal he’d busted his ass to attain. “Actually, work was the furthest thing from my mind.”
Eli stood, his expression perplexed.
What did it say about Daniel’s life that his friends assumed his career was the only thing he had going for him? “I had a date last night. Dinner with Mia.”
“No kidding? That’s fantas—”
Daniel grimaced.
“Not fantastic?”
“Actually, it was. Until the very end. I...” ...fell on her like a sex-starved maniac? They’d been only a few feet from passing traffic, and he’d gone for second base like a horny teenager. Lord knew what he would have done without Myron’s fortuitous interruption. “I screwed up.”
“Hey!” Sean dribbled the ball, scowling at them. “Considering the embarrassing score, I get the need to talk strategy. But could we return to our game sometime before spring break?”
“Surprised you’re in such a hurry to give up your lead,” Eli called back. “Might as well savor it while you’ve still got it. Ready, Daniel?”
He nodded.
“FYI,” Eli added under his breath, “I’ve screwed up a time or two with Bex. In my experience, flowers help.”
“Thanks.” But Daniel doubted an assortment of plant life was going to make up for his boorish behavior.
“Now focus. Quit throwing away your shots.”
Unfortunately, Daniel couldn’t shake the feeling he already had—not on the basketball court, but with the sexy-as-hell event coordinator. She’d given him a look of near loathing before she’d driven away.
He wasn’t sure what he could say to convince her to ever go out with him again. Considering his wildly undisciplined reaction to her, maybe it was best if he stayed away from her. Kept his distance. It was sound logic, but on some primal level, he rejected the idea even as he had it. Never kiss Mia again? Never touch her?
With an inward snarl, he lunged for Sean to steal the ball, knocking his friend on his ass.
Sean grunted a surprised expletive before propping himself up on his elbow. “Foul.”
Eli fought a smile. “Dude, I said ‘focus,’ not ‘maim.’”
“Right. Sorry. I lost my head for a moment.” A moment? Ha. He hadn’t felt like himself since Mia turned around at that bachelor party, meeting his gaze. Avoiding her might be the only way to return to normal.
Screw normal. The restless part of him he habitually stifled refused to stay silent. Maybe it was time to admit he didn’t want “normal.” He wanted change. He wanted excitement. And he desperately wanted Mia Hayes.
* * *
“BRANT IS PERFECT,” Wren gushed as she unrolled her mat along the studio wall. “Well, perfect for me, anyway.”
Mia and her friend Wren Kendrick had driven