“Friends.” He narrows his eyes on Axelle. “That’s too bad. The kid’s crazy about you.”

Elbows on the table, she props her body forward. “Really?”

“I asked him how you two were getting along while we were working out the other day. He stuttered and dropped a dumbbell. Damn near broke his foot.”

I sit back and watch Axelle and Blake go back and forth. She’s so comfortable. In our old life, she’d never open up like this. Especially not with Stewart.

“I was thinking about asking him to the Valentine’s Day dance.”

Blake’s smile drops. “Valentine’s Day? When’s that?”

She laughs, her eyes darting between Blake and me. “February fourteenth.”

I busy myself by clearing the dishes from the table. I don’t want Blake to feel pressured by a stupid holiday that was invented by greeting card and chocolate manufacturers. We’re adults, after all. Valentine’s Day is for romantics and young lovers. A twinge of disappointment pinches my chest. Stewart’s idea of celebrating any holiday was to get what he wanted from me. I wonder what it would be like to celebrate feelings with someone I really like. To dress up, go out to a romantic dinner, feed each other bites of something expensive and chocolaty.

I’m jarred from my thoughts when firm hands grip my hips from behind and hot breath at my ear. “That was delicious, Mouse. She’s in her room.” His lips kiss a trail from my ear down my neck in an unhurried tease. “Fuck, you taste so good.”

Tilting my head, he continues to suck and lick at my shoulder.

“What time does she go to bed?” Another pass of his warm tongue. “I’m ready for dessert.”

“I uh…” The combination of his mouth and his growled words against my heated flesh have me writhing and unable to speak.

“Yeah, you’re ready, too.” He bites down, pulling at my skin with a deep suck and then releasing it. “My Mouse is hungry.”

A whimper drips from my parted lips. “Yes.”

At the sound of Axelle’s door opening, Blake’s gone. The cool air of his absence hits my back. I grip the counter’s edge to catch my breath. The water’s still running in the sink. I shake off the fog of arousal as Axelle makes it to the kitchen.

“I’ll be back in an hour or two.” She grabs the keys and her purse from the counter. “I’m meeting Killian for coffee. I’m going to ask him.”

Blake’s leaning casually against the fridge, his eyes fixed on her. How can he look so unaffected when I’m a walking poster child for sexual frustration? His gaze swings to mine, the fiery green giving him away. Well, that’s a relief.

“Sure thing and uh… good luck.” I wink at her and resume my dish duty.

“Later, Blake.”

“Later, kiddo.”

The second the door shuts, I flip around and Blake stalks toward me. We crash together. His lips move against mine, and he grips my backside. I hop up to wrap myself around him. Arms around his neck, legs around his waist, I grind down into the firm bulge of his pants. He growls deep and moves us down the hallway to my bedroom. Our tongues lash at each other, hungry, searching, and needy. He doesn’t toss me to the bed, but drops a knee and climbs on, our bodies never breaking contact. I gasp for breath.

“This okay?” he asks, his chest heaving against mine.

“Off.” I tug his shirt over his head.

I pop the button of his pants, shoving them, along with his boxers, down his legs. I’m crazy with the urgency to feel the heat of his skin as he covers me with his weight.

“Arms up.” His command pierces my lust-laden brain, and I comply.

He tosses my shirt to the floor, followed by my bra. My leggings and thong are all that’s left, and those quickly find their place in the pile. Our legs tangle together. His hands grip my hair, and he kisses me deep and hard. Yes. I dig my fingers into his biceps, pulling him to me, needing more of him, all of him.

“Blake…”

“Fuck yeah.” He buries himself inside me with a long, powerful thrust.

My back arches off the bed with a moan that bursts from my throat. Nothing has ever felt this good.

He pulls almost all the way out, only to drive in deep. “Mouse, are we okay?”

“I’m okay. Just… more…” My words dissolve into a groan as he drives into me again.

He tucks his knees beneath him. Hooking my waist, he pulls me up. Our faces just inches apart, he dips his chin and stares at me with predatory desire. My stomach clenches with need. He takes one nipple into his mouth. With silken thrashes of his tongue, my orgasm builds and pushes for release.

Gripping his biceps for leverage, I lean back and roll my hips, dragging him in and out while he works my breasts. My stomach tightens. Exquisite tension spirals as he pushes me to my peak. He cups my ass, tilting my hips with a final thrust.

I cry out, tossing my head back as he holds me in place. My body convulses around him, muscles quivering to stay close against the blinding orgasm that ignites within. His strong arms keep me still while I fall apart in his embrace. Shockwaves pulse through my body before my arms go limp.

He lays me back. “Damn, I’ve never seen anything so beautiful.”

“I can’t move,” I say through a sated smile.

“Don’t you worry.” He drops a soft kiss to my lips. “I’ll do the movin’.” Hooking me behind my knees, he brings my legs up over his shoulders. “Oh, fuck…”

His pace quickens. I focus on the ripples of his abdomen as they flex and release. Strong fingers pinch at my hips. His pecs contract, straining with the effort of his movement. My gaze slides up his body until I meet his eyes. They’re locked on mine. Never wavering, I’m mesmerized by the appreciation I see, the emotion and tenderness reflecting from his raw stare.

A mighty roar echoes through the room as he seats himself deep. His grip digs into my thighs, and his body goes solid. Tendons pop on his forearms and neck. Towering above me, his body relaxes, and he catches his breath. He drops my legs from his shoulders and rubs his hands up and down their sore muscles.

“Mouse, baby.” He groans and drops his weight on top of me. “That was unreal.”

I grin as much as I can with every part of me feeling like Jell-O. “Yeah, it was.”

He moves inside me, pulling out slowly and pushing back in, then freezes. “Oh, shit. Fucking shit!”

Faster than my sluggish brain can register, he’s off of me and standing beside the bed. I push to my elbows, and I’m practically knocked out by the sight of him. Gloriously naked, still hard, and without a condom. Without a condom.

And that would explain his freak out.

“Fuck, Mouse.” He runs his hands over his head to rest them at his nape. “How could I be so stupid?”

“Blake—”

“I should have known. It felt too good.” He paces the short length of my room. “So fucking stupid.”

I know from working with the UFL that the guys get tested for blood diseases all the time. He could be worried about catching something from me, but I’ve only ever been with Stewart. And I got tested at every physical, just in case I wasn’t the only woman he tormented with his sexual charm. Yuck. “If you’re worried about me, I’m clean. And you guys get tested every six months.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m clean too.” He continues his pacing.

He’s clean, I’m clean, so the only other thing to worry about is pregnancy. But that’s impossible. I have every intention of explaining this to him, but first I take a moment to enjoy the incredible show he’s giving me by passing his perfectly sculpted and very naked body by me time and time again.

“Fuck, Mouse.” He stops at the end of the bed and turns toward me, tall, tan, and mouthwatering. “What if I got you pregnant?”

“Huh?” I blink and try to meet his eyes, but damn, the competition is fierce.

“Huh? Mouse, did you hear what I said? I just came inside you.”

Pushing up to my hands and knees, I crawl toward him, making sure to toss a seductive swing in my hips. His eyes go wide, and his dick jumps. I use my hands to crawl up his body and lock them behind his neck. His face shows concern, but his hands grip my hips and pull me to him.

“Can’t get pregnant. I’m infertile.”

His eyebrows pinch together in concern as he studies my face. “Fuck, sweetheart…”

“It’s okay. I’ve come to terms with it. Besides, I have Axelle, and you’ve seen what a bang-up job I’ve done with her.” I avoid his eyes and laugh, trying to defuse the tension that’s settled in the air.

His hands sift into my hair. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” He studies my face. “Still, I should have taken better care of you and made sure to get a condom on. Infertile or not, that was a dick move on my part.”

I run my thumb between his eyebrows, smoothing the lines formed from his scowl. “Stop. Passion took over. What’s done is done. I don’t regret a second of it.”

He nods and pulls my face to his neck. Cupping the back of my head, he holds me there. “You’re right. So uh… if we’re, ya know, exclusive, does that mean no more condoms?”

I grin at the hopeful sound in his voice. “It’s okay with me as long as you’re comfortable with it. Although…” I pull back and meet his eyes. “If I get to watch you pace the room naked every time we forget a condom, I’m all for that plan.”

He flashes his signature crooked smile and then takes me to the bed with a growl. “You want a naked show, baby, you just ask.”

We hold each other in bed, nothing between us. No clothes, no secrets, only the airy feeling that comes with unburdening.

Blake

I’m lying with my girl in my arms. Her head on my pec and her sunshine-colored locks sprawl across my shoulder. I count our breaths as they align in rhythm. Three beats in, three beats out. In her bed, staring at the ceiling, my head fights to sort what I’m feeling.