She blinked a few times as if she was having a hard time processing his words. “Regardless of what you have going on in that head of yours, you are better than this. You deserve a man who will take his time with you and show you what pleasure through making love really is.”

“I’ve never had that,” she whispered regretfully.

He gave her a sad smile. “I didn’t think you had.” He brushed the hair out of her face and cupped her cheek. “If I take you, I’ll be making love to you. I’ll have you begging and pleading, but you’ll be coming so many times you’ll lose count. You’ll understand the difference between a quick tumble and the all-consuming power of a physical connection fueled by an emotional one.”

She rapidly blinked her blue eyes in disbelief while her cheeks flushed. “Oh God, did you actually just say that?”

“I did.” He gave her a teasing smile. “And you’ll be calling out my name more than his.”

“I…” she began before she quickly clamped her lips shut. Her eyes widened before she scrambled off of his lap. Before he could question her on what she was doing, she threw up all over the front of her dress.

When she wavered on her feet like she was going to collapse, Pesh tumbled off the couch, reaching out for her. Grabbing both of her shoulders, he steadied her. She glanced down at her dress before gazing back at him. Pesh’s heart ached at the sight of tears pooling in her eyes. “Are you all right?”

Her chin trembled before big, fat tears slid down her cheeks. “Oh God,” she whispered.

“Please don’t cry.”

“T-This is s-so embarrassing,” she hiccupped.

“It’s okay. You don’t have to be embarrassed.”

Moaning, she covered her face with her hands. “First, I made a fool out of myself coming on to you and now I’ve puked in front of you like some sorority girl who can’t handle her liquor.”

“Stop beating yourself up. Come, let’s get you cleaned up.”

He slid an arm around her waist to steady her on their way down the hall to the bedroom. She continued to weep softly as they made their way into the bathroom. Using his free hand, he flicked on the light. “Can you stand in the shower?”

With a weak nod, she replied, “I think so.”

“If not, there’s a ledge you can sit on. Let me turn on the water for you, and I’ll get you a towel.” He propped her up against the counter before striding over to the shower. Once he felt the water was a good enough temperature, he then went over to the closet. He pulled out a towel before returning to Megan who had her head in her hands.

With his free hand, he took one of her hands and pulled it away from her face. “Please stop beating yourself up. I hate to see you so upset.”

“I can’t help it. I’m such a fool.”

“No, if you’re a fool, then so am I. We both wanted each other.”

“But I got drunk…I never get drunk anymore.”

“It was an accident. Things like that happen.” He cupped her chin and forced her to look at him. “You are none of the negative things your mind is calling you right now.”

“Really?”

Her broken expression, coupled with her need for his reassurance, nearly crushed him. He had to fight from taking her in his arms. He knew if he did that, he would end up doing something he shouldn’t with her. Finally, he nodded. “But you do smell, so go on and get in the shower.”

The corners of her lips curved up in a half smile. “Do you have something I can change into? And maybe a toothbrush?”

He nodded. “One second.” Leaving her in the bathroom, he went back into the bedroom to his closet. He took out a pair of scrubs he knew would be too big and too long for her and then coupled it with an Emory University T-shirt. When he got back to the bathroom, Megan was struggling with the zipper at the back of her dress.

With a defeated expression, she dropped her hands. “Could you please help me?”

“Of course.” He sat the clothes down on the counter. He then reached up to tug down the zipper. The back of the dress gaped open, exposing her cream colored skin and navy blue lace bra and panties. He closed his eyes to try and block out the glaring images rocketing through his mind. His lips on her skin, his tongue licking up her spine, his hands curving around her ribcage to cup her br**sts. He forced himself to step back. Clearing his throat, he replied, “Done.”

Glancing at him over her shoulder, Megan gave him a weak smile. “Thank you.”

He took out a spare toothbrush from underneath the counter and placed it next to the clothes he’d brought her. “Let me know if you need anything else.”

“Okay.”

Whirling around, he strode out of the bathroom. Not wanting to go too far in case Megan needed him, he began pacing around the bedroom. He momentarily faltered when he heard the shower turn off. He waited for her to appear, but she didn’t. Just as he was about to knock on the door, the whirring hum of the hairdryer started. He continued his pacing as she dried her hair. Next, he heard the sink water turn on as she brushed her teeth. When it was quiet once again in the bathroom, his feet froze as he stared anxiously at the bathroom door.

When it opened, Pesh’s breath caught. Appearing fresh-faced and clean, Megan looked so beautiful as she tentatively stepped into the bedroom. “Everything okay?” he asked.

She jumped at his voice. “Um, it’s fine. Thank you again for the clothes and for letting me shower.”

“You’re more than welcome. And there’s no need to thank me.”

Chewing on her lip, she glanced from the bed to him. “I texted my mother to tell her I was staying the night at Emma’s.” Before he could say anything, she quickly added, “Thank you for putting my purse in the bathroom. That was very thoughtful of you.”

“You’re welcome,” he replied. Then he thought of her text. “So you’re staying at Aidan and Emma’s?” After all, the last thing he needed was to have her here—a reminder of what he couldn’t have. It would be enough to drive any man crazy.

Megan shook her head. “Do you mind if I stayed here instead?” When he started to open his mouth, she shook her head. “I promise no funny business. I just don’t want to go home yet. If you don’t want to me to stay, you can take me to Emma’s.”

“Of course you can stay.”