She glanced down at the impressive proof of his gender. “It doesn’t look broken to me.”

Parker moved next to her and wrapped his arms around her. “You think you’re very funny, don’t you?”

“I am very funny. Ask anyone.”

He kissed her hard.

Her humor faded and was replaced by desire. “I want you,” she said.

“Not as much as I want you.” With that, he lowered his head to her breasts and teased her into incoherence. His fingers once again sought and found her sensitive place.

She retaliated by running her fingers up his thigh to the dark crown of curls, then lower to his hard maleness. She encircled him and he groaned low in his throat. She stroked his length, pausing to brush her thumb against the silky tip, and he trembled. She repeated the action and he came up on his knees.

“It’ll damn well have to do,” he muttered, tearing the package open.

She parted her thighs for him and held her breath as he slid inside. She was tight. He moved slowly, stretching her, pausing so she could adjust to his width and length. When at last he was buried deeply in her waiting warmth, their gazes locked. He braced his weight on his hands and began to move.

She watched his passion grow. Brown eyes darkened. His mouth pulled taut. She knew her face reflected the same sensations as the pressure inside built to an unbearable pitch. She grabbed his hips and urged him deeper, faster. Her skin burned hot, her pelvis surged toward him. In and out he thrust, taking her higher, further, stretching until only a slender thread kept her grounded in this world.

Then he reached between them and touched her core. He rubbed the tiny spot and tossed her out into the wild storm. She exploded into a million parts, each a vibrating, quivering moment of perfect pleasure. She was vaguely aware of his final surge into her, the tight muscles that convulsed in answering ecstasy. Then there was nothing but a shared embrace and the steady thudding of their hearts.

“Pretty amazing,” Erin said as she snuggled closer. She inhaled the scent of his body, knowing she would remember this night forever.

Parker had his arms around her. They tightened briefly. “That’s what I thought, too,” he said.

She raised her head and rested her chin on his shoulder. “I think it was the condom.”

He grinned. “Too bad Kiki won’t be getting a report. She’d be thrilled that I finally used one.”

“You think she won’t know?”

“I wasn’t going to tell her.”

Erin rolled her eyes. “I was hardly going to announce it over breakfast, but I think she might notice we’re both grinning like fools.”

“I can control myself,” he teased. “You’re the one with the crush.”

“Oh, yeah? Well, I happen to know you find me very attractive. I’ve seen the proof.”

“Impressive, wasn’t it?”

“I swooned.”

He laughed, then pulled her up on top of him. Her breasts rested on his chest, her legs slipped between his. He tucked her hair behind her ears.

“Did I hurt your feelings?” he asked.

“About what?”

“Teasing you about the crush. I was just being playful.”

“Parker, it’s fine. I knew how you meant it.” She leaned close and touched her nose to his. “It could be worse. I could be in love with you.”

He grimaced. “Please no. Anything but that. Love is hell.” He hugged her. “But this is very nice.”

“I have to agree.” She liked being with him this way. The sex had been wonderful, but the intimacy afterward was better. She liked the closeness and the conversation. She liked that they could tease each other.

“I’d forgotten how good it felt to make love,” she said.

“Me, too. We’ll have to do it again real soon.”

She wiggled her hips. “Hmm, is that a bit of interest I feel stirring even as I speak?”

“Maybe.”

“Great.” She scrambled off him and leaned over the side of the bed. Condoms were scattered everywhere. “Looks like the box got kicked off. It’s a real mess. Do you have a favorite color?”

“You pick.”

She grabbed a bright purple one then sat up. “Can we please turn off the lights?”

“Erin!” he growled.

“Is that a yes?”

He frowned, as if trying to intimidate her. She just batted her eyelashes at him.

“Oh, all right. I don’t know why I’m agreeing to this.”

She moved closer and kissed him. His mouth parted and she tasted his heady flavor. Passion flared between them. He caressed her breasts, stroking them gently as if he were concerned she might be tender from the last time. The combination of his concern and his actions had her trembling and ready in seconds.

He lowered her onto the mattress and slipped his hands between her legs. As he began to work his magic, she sighed. “Now I know why Kiki slips out every night.”

“Me, too.”

He brought her close to release, then reached for the protection. When he’d slid it on, he stretched up toward the light on the nightstand.

“Yes,” she said, trying to muffle a giggle.

He turned the switch, plunging them into darkness. She could see a faint illumination around the edges of the drapes and from under the door. Aside from that nothing in the room was visible, except a bold, bright purple erection.

“It’s huge,” she said without thinking.

Parker laughed. It bounced in time with amusement. “It’s no bigger than it was before.”

“Well, it looks bigger and you’re not getting anywhere near me with that.”

She started to scramble off the bed. He grabbed for her, catching an ankle. She shrieked and started laughing, too. She struggled for leverage, but he was pulling her steadily toward him. She couldn’t see any part of him except that which was sheathed in fluorescent purple latex.

She was on her belly as she slid across the mattress. Laughter left her breathless. Then he cupped her rear and laughter softened to passionate sighs. He turned her gently. She parted her legs, allowing him to enter her waiting heat.

Once again he quickly led her to release. In the past she’d had a difficult time with sex, her response had been slower than her partner’s. But not with Parker. He seemed to know what she was feeling. He touched her everywhere, leaving her mindless and ready for the ultimate pleasure.

When their breathing had returned to normal, she turned on the light and glanced at the condoms scattered across the rug. “I liked it,” she said.

“They’re okay for once in a while, but I think I’d like something more normal for the rest of the time.”

She looked at him. Was he inviting her to his bed again? She wasn’t sure. Then she glanced at the clock and saw it was close to two.

“I’d better head back to my room,” she said. “If I stay here, I’ll fall asleep. I don’t want Christie to wake up in the morning and find me gone.”

She stood up. He followed her, unselfconsciously naked and amazingly beautiful. “I wish you could stay,” he said. “But I understand.” His dark eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. “Thanks for tonight.”

She collected her clothes and quickly pulled them on. “Thank you.” They kissed, lingering until the flickering fire warned her she better leave now or she’d risk not leaving at all. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

“I can’t wait,” he said.

She slipped into the hallway. She could feel herself smiling and knew that she’d been right. Kiki would be able to tell what they’d been doing. How embarrassing.

She made it to her room without breaking into song. Once there, she changed into her nightgown then got into bed. Despite the late hour, she wasn’t especially tired. Her body was pleasantly relaxed but her mind raced. She relived the events of the evening and wondered if she would regret giving herself to Parker. If they both tried, they could be friends and lovers. Other people did it. She was an adult, she could do it, too.

She got up and crossed to the window. After drawing back the drapes, she stared out at the black night. Stars winked overheard. She could hear the ocean below. She opened the window and inhaled the scent of the salt air.

Restlessness gripped her. She wanted to do something, anything but sleep. She looked around, hoping to find something to read. Her gaze fell on Stacey’s diary. She walked over to the dresser to pick it up, then paused when her attention was caught by her reflection.

She stared in the mirror, gazing at the face of a stranger. She didn’t know this woman. Her eyes were wide and bright, her face flushed, her mouth swollen from kisses. With her hair in disarray and her nightgown silhouetting her naked body, she was a wanton temptress.

Erin searched for some sign of herself, some hint of the sensible sister, the one who planned and carefully waited her turn, but she was gone. Lost in a fire of passion that had swept her away. Unfamiliar emotions passed across her face. She tried to figure out what she was feeling, but she couldn’t focus on anything long enough. But she knew something was different.

She touched the diary, running her fingers across the cool leather cover. Inside her sister’s hopes and dreams filled every page. It had been easy to feel sorry for Stacey. Her sister had gotten caught up in a romantic dream that had no basis in reality while Erin had always prided herself on knowing the truth.

She returned her attention to the reflection in the mirror. To the stranger with a deep emotion shining in her eyes. She’d confessed her crush to Parker, and he’d teased her about it. A crush was safe, but love was dangerous. For both of them.

She had been so sensible. She’d waited for her turn; she’d taken only what was offered. She never demanded or grabbed for anything in her life. Hiding had made her world seem safe. Until tonight. Until she’d grabbed passion with both hands and been burned.