A Bad Bit Nice by Josie Kerr Page B

a flash, Mick was standing in front of her, his hand extended to help her up. Em took his hand, her legs wobbling a bit from the zing of electricity that passed between the two of them when their hands touched. How long had it been since she had felt this much anticipation? It was both exciting and unnerving.
    He guided her back to the kitchen, plucking her empty glass from her fingers and giving her a grin. He walked to the sink to rinse their glasses and put them in the dishwasher. He had his back to her, affording her a rear view of his body, his broad shoulders tapering down to a narrow waist and tight backside. He turned around and Em found herself glancing at his crotch. Did she detect a certain fullness in the front of those finely fitting jeans? Dear lord, it was probably proportional. Holy crap!
    His fingers drummed on the countertop, the motion rippling up his heavily tattooed forearms. He smiled, but seemed sad at the same time. Em itched to touch his hand again. If she was completely honest with herself, she vacillated between wanting to comfort him and wipe the sadness from his eyes and grabbing him and climbing him like a tree. He was impossibly tall. And finely muscled, very finely.
    Em felt her face grow hot.
    “Um, I’m really beat all of a sudden. I’m going to take off,” she stammered. “Thanks for the beer. It was very nice meeting you. I’ll see you around, I’m sure.” And she flew out the door, leaving Mick standing in the kitchen, thoroughly confused.
    What the hell just happened ?
    He blew out a breath. Hopefully Em hadn’t seen his semi-hard on. He hadn’t even really touched her. He thought about her laugh and the dimples in her cheeks, the way she cocked her head to the side when she was listening to him. Thinking about Em pushed him fully erect.
    “Okay, Willy,” Mick addressed his errant member, “ you’re obviously ready for this.” But was he ready?

Chapter 9   
    Mick stood nervously in front of Em’s door the next morning. He was an early riser by nature and by habit. Y ou can do this, Mickeyboy. It’s just pastries and coffee. Casual. He could hear what sounded like ska playing in the apartment. He took a deep breath and knocked.
    When Em opened the door, Mick was speechless for a moment. She had looked good last night, all dressed up for a night out. Today, she looked even better, wearing a beat-up t-shirt and rolled-up jeans, her hair in short pigtails. She seemed a lot taller today, but maybe it was just because she seemed relaxed.
    “I heard you rattling around up here and thought you might like some help unpacking, and if not, I thought you might like some breakfast.” Mick shook the bag of food and looked at Em hopefully.
    “Please come in. I can’t resist a handsome man who brings me breakfast.” Em grinned back at Mick. “I’m so sorry I flaked and ran off last night. I think all the travel and excitement of the move finally hit me.”
    Mick followed Em to the kitchen, glancing at her rear end as it swayed from side to side in the towering heels she wore. Ah, that’s why she seems taller. Wait, is that a tattoo peeking out from hem of those jeans? Em got more intriguing by the moment.
    “2 Tone Records t-shirt? The English Beat on the stereo? Seems someone likes ska.” Mick looked around Em’s apartment. “Wow! You work fast!” he said as he set the food and coffee on the counter. “You look like you’ve been here forever. I think I still have boxes from when I moved in five years ago.”
    “Don’t be too impressed. The second bedroom is still full. I just put a lot of the unpacked stuff in there so it wouldn’t look like I’m a crazy hoarder.”
    Em threw open the door to the guest room. There was just enough room for the door to open. Boxes were stacked almost to the ceiling and the floor was nearly covered.
    “This is supposed to be my home office. It’s going to take a little time to set up, I think.”
    “Ok, I’m not impressed