Because of Cyndi’s past and her family’s history with the town, she was still somewhat of an outsider. Alicia could relate. Even though she’d been born and raised here, she felt as if she was somehow apart from the people of the town.

It was partly due to the fact that some of the older folks still had a hard time with a woman lawyer, even in this day and age. She had to keep her reputation spotless, and maintain dignity on all occasions or her small law practice would suffer. It was hard at times, but it was worth it.

While her work life was great, her social life sucked. Because of her position in the town, it wasn’t easy for her to even date. For some reason, she suspected she intimidated a lot of men in town. Whether it was her job or her personality, she wasn’t quite sure.

Either way, she spent most of her nights home alone.

What she did know for sure was she’d been feeling restless lately, reaching for her vibrator more and more in the evenings when she went to bed. But it wasn’t helping. She needed more than a battery-operated toy could give her.

What she needed was sex. The steady thrust of a thick, hard cock sliding in and out of her body. She wanted to feel the thick muscles of a male back flex and bunch beneath her hands as he fucked her. She wanted it all, the heat, the friction, the moans, and the earthy smells.

Alicia barely stifled a moan as she creamed her panties, the slow, warm trickle gliding down her slick folds. She could feel the heat between her thighs as they brushed together, and she suddenly wished she’d worn pantyhose instead of thigh-high stockings.

Her nipples were standing at attention, and she was thankful for the fact that her dress was black and the room was dimly lit. The bodice of the dress felt too tight, squeezing her breasts. She lifted her napkin and fanned her face lightly, bringing her attention back to the crowd and away from her fantasies.

They were useless anyway. There was no way she could indulge in an affair with a local. No matter how discreet she was word would leak out. Nothing remained secret for long in a small town. And she wasn’t the type of woman to have a one-night stand with a stranger. It was simply too dangerous in this day and age.

A shiver went down her spine and the hair on the back of her neck rose. Alicia glanced around the room, feeling someone watching her. It was him. She had no idea who he was, only that he’d arrived with Patrick and Shannon. He had to be some friend of the O’Rourke family, but she’d never laid eyes on him before.

He wasn’t the type of man a woman would forget.

Rugged was the first word that sprang to mind. There was a coiled strength, a restless energy about the man that drew her attention immediately.

His blond hair was short in the back, longer on top. It swept away from his face, revealing a crooked nose, full lips, a high forehead and intense eyes. She’d seen him standing next to Patrick earlier and guessed that he was around six feet tall, maybe a bit less, but he was strong. Wide shoulders and a broad chest, tapered down into a trim waist.

He was wearing a deep blue shirt and gray sports coat that fit him to perfection.

Unlike the other men in the room, he was wearing jeans instead of dress pants. They clung to his butt and muscular thighs like a second skin. She’d noticed both when she was waiting in line at the buffet table earlier.

Not wanting to appear too interested, she arched her brow in silent question. He didn’t smile, but she caught the flair of interest in his eyes and the slightest curve of his lips.

Oh, he was a handsome devil. It would be easy to fall under his sensual spell. And that wouldn’t do. Why not? a voice in her head demanded. She hadn’t been looking for a one-night stand, but the perfect opportunity for one was being laid in front of her. She hadn’t noticed a ring earlier, so he wasn’t married. Or likely wasn’t. She’d check that for certain before she did anything.

She stilled her thoughts. Ohmigod. She was contemplating a one-night stand with a complete stranger. Was she out of her mind?

No, the voice of reason in her head stated. Obviously, he was a friend of Patrick and Shannon’s. And as Patrick was the sheriff of Jamesville, it stood to reason that this man wasn’t a criminal. If he was here for the wedding, he’d probably leave tomorrow or the next day. There was no doubt that she was physically attracted to him, if the throbbing ache between her thighs was any indication.

In short, he was perfect.

He glanced at his watch and she knew he was thinking about leaving. He seemed on edge and had pushed his beer away from him. This was her one and only chance. She could let it slip away or she could grab it.

Alicia was on her feet before she even made the decision. Her mind might be questioning her actions, but her body knew what it wanted.

He straightened in his seat and then stood as she approached. His lips curved up in a sexy smile that made goose bumps break out on her skin. It was a smile of promise, of anticipation.

“Are you married?” She couldn’t believe she was asking that of a perfect stranger.

“No. You?” His deep voice skated over the nerve-endings in her body, making her tingle.

She shook her head and the heat level in his eyes kicked up another notch. Much more and she wouldn’t need to wear her coat home even though it was the first of March and there was snow on the ground.

She reached out her hand and he took it, his larger, stronger one closing over hers briefly before releasing it. “Come with me.” Her voice was thick with invitation. There was no doubting what she was asking.

Without question, he followed her from the room, his hand heavy and warm at the small of her back.

Chapter Two

Alicia stepped inside the front door of her cozy bungalow, turning on the light in the tiny foyer, all the while wondering if she’d completely lost her mind. She’d invited a stranger to her home. His black truck had trailed her sporty red car all the way to her house, keeping pace on the snow-covered roads. She’d kept glancing at her rearview mirror, wondering if he would change his mind and veer off at some point. She’d been half-afraid and half-wishing that he would.

She didn’t even know his name. Nor had she given him hers. This was a one-night stand between strangers, not the start of a meaningful relationship. Her stomach lurched at the thought. She’d never done anything like this before in her life. The only other men she’d slept with, she’d dated for quite a while and known well. The man hovering in the doorway behind her was totally unfamiliar.

“You okay?” Strong fingers closed over her shoulders, squeezing gently. She could feel the heat from his hands through the thick fabric of her wool coat.

“Yes.” His hands fell away as she took a step forward, depositing her handbag and keys on the table. The door closed behind her, the solid thunk sounding ominous and final.

Not turning around, she unzipped her boots and stepped out of them, placing them on the mat to dry. There was no sound of movement behind her. Curious, she turned to face her soon-to-be-lover. He was standing with his back against the door, ankles crossed, watching her, his eyebrows drawn together in a frown.

“Is something wrong?” She could hear the strain in her voice and wished she could be more blasé about the situation. But, when all was said and done, she was a woman from a small town who’d never indulged in this kind of activity before.

“You tell me.” She shivered as his voice made her nipples tighten. He had a marvelous voice, deep and commanding.

She shrugged. “I’ve never done anything like this before.”

His features softened and he pushed away from the door. “I don’t make a habit of doing this kind of thing either. We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.”

Raising his hand, he cupped her cheek. “My name is…”

She placed her fingers over his lips, stopping him. “No names.” She almost moaned when his tongue flitted out to lick her fingertips. It was getting harder to breathe with each passing second. “Otherwise I’ll never be able to do this.”

Alicia could tell that he didn’t like her stipulation, but she needed the anonymity of the situation if this was going to work. If she knew his name, she’d start thinking about tomorrow and the day after. And right now, she didn’t want to think about anything else but the moment.

“Whatever you want.” He slid his hands down her neck, coming to rest on the top button of her coat. He was so much larger than her now that she was standing in her stockinged feet. Slowly, giving her time to change her mind, he slipped one button after another from its hole until her coat hung open. Sliding it from her shoulders, he folded it and laid it across the back of a chair.

“You next.” Boldly, she unbuttoned his sports coat. His chest was broad and hard beneath her fingertips as she rubbed them over the fabric of his shirt. She wondered what he looked like beneath it. Would his chest be smooth or would he have a sprinkling of hair?

He shrugged out of his coat and tossed it on top of hers. Not taking his eyes off her, he toed off his boots, kicking them aside. The silence was broken only by the sound of their breath and the low hum of the heater.

Alicia wanted to be bold, but she wasn’t quite sure what to do next. Should she offer him a drink? Should they talk for a while? Or should she lead him straight to her bedroom? The former seemed too stilted, the latter too bold.

“Don’t over think things.” She started, her gaze flying to his. He gave her a crooked smile. “I can practically hear the wheels in your brain turning.”