Luckily for me, the dancing gods must have been on my side since the music transitioned from a heart-pounding beat to something much slower. Ironically, it was the same song by A Great Big World that I used as a ringtone. It had to be a sign. The way things were going I seemed to have every cosmic force in the universe helping me.

Alec led us to the dance floor, pulling me gracefully into his arms with his hands on my waist. Strangely, it didn't feel nearly as uncomfortable as sitting in the booth stumbling through awkward conversation. Maybe the music combined with the soft lighting made it easier to ignore my insecurities. Whatever the reason, I felt at ease enough to loop my arms around his neck. The movement brought me against his chest where I laid my head. I could feel the gentle beating of his heart as he hugged me tightly, bringing my entire body flush with his. Our bodies fit like they were made to go together. We barely moved. The desire-laced impulses I had been fighting were clearly not one-sided. His hardened body practically spoke to me, starting from my toes until it crept into my head, bringing images of what we could do together. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end. Curiously, I tilted my head up, meeting the hooded look in his eyes with mine. It didn't take a genius to know what the look meant. Even a virgin like me knew. I had written about it many times. It was a look of passion and need.

We weren't dancing as much as we just stood swaying together. Even after the music transitioned back to a fast-tempo club beat we remained in each other's arms as other dancers let loose around us. I allowed my hands to slide down his shoulders to explore his body. His tight shirt did little to hide the reaction of his nipple as I traced my finger around his pecs. It felt justified after my own unfortunate experience on the beach. His stance shifted slightly, but I had already felt the evidence of my exploration pressed against me.

We both seemed to forget the crowd around us. Alec's hands moved from my back down to my ass where he gripped tightly and pulled me against him. If not for the music, my pleasure-filled moan would have been heard throughout the room. I nearly fell to my knees when he placed his lips on my neck, running his tongue up to my earlobe. I couldn't imagine what Olivia had to be thinking, but I also didn't care. The only thing separating Alec and me was a thin layer of clothing that I wanted to tear off at that moment. Every part of my body was his. I wanted him more than I had ever wanted anything.

I lost track of how many songs had played. It felt like we were in our own bubble—like submerging yourself into a warm bath, but a million times more stimulating. My entire body hummed.

Alec breathed into my ear. "Do you want to get out of here?" He could have said, "Drop to the floor right here" for all I cared. I would have taken either. I eagerly nodded my consent.

We zigzagged quickly through the crowded dance floor like we were on a mission. I needed my purse, but also wanted to let Olivia know I was leaving. She approved, of course. Taylor and Alec fist-bumped as Olivia and I hugged goodbye. "Text me later," she whispered in my ear. She then turned her attention to Alec. "Hey, take care of my girl."

"I'm sure he will," I answered for him without thinking. Taylor laughed until Olivia slugged him in the arm. How I managed to keep finding ways to embarrass myself was mind boggling. The comment sounded different in my head. Considering how hot my cheeks felt, my face had to be as red as a tomato.

Alec laughed it off. "Don't worry. She's in good hands. I'll see you tomorrow at the shoot." He shot Olivia a wave before placing his hand on the small of my back to lead me out.

Alec said a few goodbyes to some coworkers along the way, but eventually we made it outside the noisy club and reached his small hatchback in the employee parking lot behind the building. For some reason, I'd assumed he would drive something large to accommodate his tall frame. Not that it mattered.

He chuckled when he saw my expression. "Has this changed your whole image of me?"

"Huh, no. I mean, you're—you know, bigger. And your car is smaller." I shook my head, wishing I would stop sounding like an idiot when I spoke to him. "It's fine. I swear. You know how sometimes you can have preconceived notions about a person and then when you see it's different from what you imagined it catches you off guard? That's all."

"You mean when a guy like me who should be driving a lifted Ford Super Duty truck opens the door of his Focus instead?"

"I'm sorry. I know I was being stupid." I lowered my head again, feeling like I had ruined the mood.

"Hey, wait. Don't get upset. I'm agreeing with you. Actually, I think it's funny as hell, but the fact of the matter is I'm a poor college student and this baby gets forty miles to the gallon."

"How do you even fit?" I folded my body easily into the passenger side, but I was tiny in stature compared to him. I noticed the driver's seat was moved as far back as it would go, leaving no room in the backseat.

"Carefully," he said, backing into the seat while he ducked his head inside the car before swinging his legs in last. "See. Nice and snug."

"Yep. Like a glove." I had to snicker a little. "Good thing no one else is riding with us."

"That's why I got the hatchback. Just fold the seat down and they can lay back there." He looked dead serious. I was on the verge of questioning his scenario before the corners of his mouth quirked into a smile.

He grabbed my hand, laughing. "I knew you were full of shit," I said. At least he had a sense of humor to go along with his exceptional physical attributes. So far, Alec was adding up to be the perfect guy. Too bad this was all about sex. He had decent boyfriend potential.

"So, your place or mine?" He started the car and slid the transmission in reverse, waiting for my answer.

Suddenly the laughter died in my throat like someone had wrapped their hands around my throat to choke me.

"I should warn you. I have a roommate. Chances are he's out, but there's no guarantee."

"Oh, my place works," I croaked. This was really happening. The air in the car felt heavy and humid. Of course, I'm sure my blood pressure had just shot up a hundred points. I reached for the temperature knob, turning the air down to cool me off. "I hope you don't mind. I'm sweating like a pig." Brilliant. I couldn't believe I had said that. Comparing myself to a pig was the perfect picture he needed to keep his blood boiling. Maybe next I'd do my impression of a sheep.

"It's all right. Make it as cool as you need."

I settled back in my seat, giving him directions to my apartment while I willed my nerves to behave. Second thoughts began to weigh heavily on me. I was anxious to end my virgin status, but I had always pictured my first time being with someone I loved. Not someone I lusted over.

I shook my head, trying to snap myself out of a possible change of heart. I wanted this. After tonight, when I wrote a love scene it would come from personal experience. The feelings and sensations would be legitimate. I should have done this a long time ago. Hell, this was research. Writing romance was my job. I owed it to myself and to my readers.

Chapter Six

The drive to my apartment passed in a countdown of mixed emotions. Just when I had myself convinced it was no big deal, Mom's voice would creep in, telling me how special sex was and that it shouldn't be casual. On the other hand, I wasn't sixteen anymore. I wasn't even eighteen. I was a real adult. If I could drink, I could have sex. Surely Mom didn't intend for me to be a virgin forever. My dad probably had other plans, but even he had to realize I couldn't be his little girl forever.

"You okay?" Alec asked as he merged off the highway.

I nodded my head wondering if the indecision on my face had been that obvious. Looking down, I realized his question probably stemmed from the way I was gripping the sides of my seat like I was expecting him to hit an eject button at any moment.

Alec reached over to rest his hand on mine. My fingers tensed in response before loosening so he could thread his fingers through them. He lifted our joined hands, placing them on his thigh like he had in the restaurant. This time they were higher. Like danger-zone high. Looking down at the bulge in his pants, it was clear he wanted this to happen. In a way, it flattered me. I wondered if that made me sound slutty. On the other hand, don't all women want to be desired?

Testing the waters, I moved my hand a fraction of an inch, smiling with satisfaction when he shifted in his seat. My confidence began to skyrocket at his reaction to my touch. I moved my hand a bit higher as he turned down my street. The dampness between my legs became shockingly noticeable to me, along with a dull ache that was begging to be alleviated.

Alec's fingers flinched on top of mine, but he didn't stop my hand from moving upward. My pinkie made contact with the side of his cock, which felt like a hard pipe in his jeans. I shifted in my seat, trying to alleviate the twinge of dampness between my legs. I was so worked up I nearly missed the turn into my apartment building.

At my instructions, he abruptly jerked the wheel into the parking lot. Feeling powerful and utterly sought after for perhaps the first time in my life, I placed my hand firmly on top of him, feeling the full extent of what he had to offer in his pants.

He slammed the car into park, but neither of us moved to get out. Instead, he leaned his head back and closed his eyes as my hand slowly stroked him through his jeans. His breath whistled between clenched teeth.

"You're killing me, sweetheart." He reluctantly removed my hand from his lap and opened his door. I climbed from the vehicle, more than pleased with myself. I could do this. I was ready.

Alec adjusted himself before joining me at the front of the car. I couldn't help smiling. "You look awfully happy with yourself," he murmured. Taking me by surprise, he lifted me effortlessly and stepped forward so my ass rested on his car. The hood was warm from the drive. He parted my legs, settling right where I wanted him.

I nearly groaned with pleasure. Actually, I think I did groan, but I couldn't say for sure. My body felt like it was controlling itself. I was just along for the ride. Hopefully, the best ride of my life.

Alec dropped his mouth to my neck, nibbling on my earlobe. I wrapped my legs around his waist to pin him against me. Not that he was going anywhere. "You're so fucking sexy," he growled. His lips trailed across my lower neck to the top of my bosom. He tugged at the neckline of my shirt, nimbly popping the top two buttons open. I bucked against him at the contact. With his shirt gripped tightly in my fist, I pulled at him, practically begging for him to take it off.

The humid air outside combined with the heat we had generated between us caused a fine sheen of perspiration on our skin. "My apartment," I finally managed to say when I heard the distant sound of someone chucking trash into the large bins on the far side of the parking lot.

"Definitely," he said, moving his hands under my butt so I clung to him like a monkey. His lips continued to explore my neck as I pointed toward the stairs that led to my apartment. For the first time ever I wished I lived on the ground floor.

He climbed to the second floor without releasing me. When we reached my door he slowly lowered me to the ground, allowing our bodies to grind against each other. I fumbled around in my purse for my keys with my back pressed against the door. Alec stared at me in anticipation. Finally, my hand closed around them and I practically yanked the keys from my bag. Before I could negotiate the lock, Alec anchored me in place. "I've wanted to do this since yesterday." His face moved forward, ready to kiss me.

"I was a mess yesterday," I sighed, waiting for our lips to meet.

"A hot mess. I wanted to rip that wet T-shirt off after you went in the water."

My legs had as much substance as cooked spaghetti. If he wouldn't have been holding me up, I would have fallen at his feet in a puddle. He maneuvered his body so he could part my legs with his knee. "Yes," I moaned softly, grabbing at his back with my free hand.

He stopped and lowered his head to my chest. "Good god, woman. You seriously know how to make me want you. Keep this up and I'm going to take you hard and fast against this door," he warned a breath away from me.

"I dare you," I whispered brazenly just before his lips claimed mine. His mouth was gentle, but commanding—guiding me like the conductor of a symphony. I realized quickly that I needed to rethink the way I wrote kissing scenes in my books from now on. All my male characters should use their tongues as boldly as Alec. It left me wondering, or flat-out hoping, he was as adept with his tongue in other areas. He pulled back, making me slouch with disappointment.

"I figured we better take this party inside unless you're up for giving your neighbors an after-dinner show." He reached for my keys and deftly opened my front door. His lips claimed mine again as he backed me in through the doorway. What he said made sense, but all I cared about was that he didn't stop. I had entered the point of no return. Hopefully, his passion had reached the same level. He closed my front door behind us and bolted the lock. All else faded as he lifted me into his arms. I wrapped my legs snugly around his waist as my hands dragged through his hair, holding him in place as we kissed.

I pointed over my shoulder, down the short hallway. "That way," I said without releasing my lips from his. With nothing but the intermittent green lights from the Internet router to guide our way, he slowly lowered me to the bed. My back touched the mattress and a second later his hard chest was pressed against mine. He settled in between my thighs. Even with clothes on, my back arched with wanting need.

Our mouths parted, but not before I nipped at his lip for good measure. He chuckled darkly, finding the opening in my shirt with his hand. With one light tug, the rest of the buttons popped open. He could have torn my shirt open for all I cared. I wiggled the shirt the rest of the way off and he murmured his approval after seeing that my bra clasped in front. His nimble fingers unsnapped it, freeing my full breasts. He massaged them greedily, using his thumb to tease my already hard nipples. He was killing me. I was on the edge of an orgasm and we hadn't done the deed yet. His hips rocked against mine. I could feel what I wanted inside his pants. It was sweet torture. As if he wanted to send me completely over the edge, his wonderfully proficient mouth took me to a new level when it closed around my nipple.

Desperation took over. I yanked at his shirt, trying to pull it over his head. I needed to feel his skin pressed against me. He rose to his knees and removed the shirt the rest of the way before throwing it to the floor. I gasped with pleasure as his naked chest covered mine and his lips took mine again. My virgin status would be gone in a few minutes. I could see the light at the end of the ecstasy-filled tunnel. Why I had waited this long was beyond my comprehension.