“Exactly.”

Ken had hit the jackpot. Not only did he like Tammy, she was attractive and matched his sense of humor. The pieces he’d been searching for clicked into place. They finished dessert—the woman actually had cake without an apology—and made their way out of the restaurant. She chattered a bit as he walked her to the car, and Slade hesitated. Should he invite her back? No, better off waiting for the next time. And there’d definitely be a next time.

“I had a great time. Do you want to go out again?” she asked.

“Definitely. I’ll give you a call this week. I’m glad we met.”

“Me, too.” She lifted herself up on tiptoe and gave him a peck on the lips. “Good night.”

“ ’Night.”

He watched her pull away. He was back on track. This was the type of woman he needed in his life, one who understood him, knew how life worked, and was eager to meet him halfway. He got into his Jag and started home.

Cranking up the radio, he listened to Daughtry croon about the start of something good, and pictured his future. Partner at his law firm. A beautiful, intelligent woman sharing some good moments. Jane happy. His designer apartment. Life was indeed good.

The words of the song hit his ears and his gut at the same time. This was what he wanted, right? What he had always wanted? This was the best it was going to get.

He thought about his afternoon with Kate. About Robert. About the empty ache in his gut that never seemed to get full, no matter what food he ate or alcohol he drank or work he did. He remembered when he touched Tammy, and the pleasantness of her company, and how on every rational level she seemed the perfect fit.

But she wasn’t Kate.

He was in love with Kate.

The knowledge sank in and tore at his flesh like talons. No. Not possible. He didn’t believe in love, or at least not in love that lasted. She’d wreck him to pieces and make his existence a mess. She’d turn him upside down and inside out and never stay in the carefully drawn lines of his life.

Tonight, he didn’t care.

Tonight, he needed her. Craved her. His blood roared in his veins, and he stomped on the accelerator, making his way toward Verily. Time passed in a blur, and Slade felt drunk as he finally reached her house and stumbled out of the car. Vision blurred, he pounded on the door, and waited.

She stood on the threshold, her arms clutched around a short, silky robe thing. Pink fuzzy slippers. Her hair tumbled over her shoulders and her eyes were sleep blurred as she stared at him. Her mouth formed a little O of surprise, and she shifted from one foot to the other as if trying to decide to invite him in or slam the door in his face.

“The date was perfect. Tammy was perfect,” he said.

“Then go to her. I can’t do this, Slade. I can’t.”

Her voice broke and he was lost. He stretched out his hands in surrender. “I don’t want her, Kate. I only want you. I’m . . . empty without you.”

She blinked. A sheen of tears threatened, and he waited for her to push him away and retreat for safety.

Instead, she reached over and pulled him into her arms.

Her body was on fire. Soft flesh hit his chest, surrounded him. He groaned deep in his chest and took her mouth, drowning in her taste, plunging his tongue deep to drink and drink, wondering if he’d ever be sated.

He kicked the door closed with his foot, lifted her up, and took her into the bedroom. Ripped his clothes off, tugging at her robe until her breasts were bared to his sight. Her nipples peaked hard and tight, and he sucked them into his mouth, licking, biting until she arched and cried out in pleasure. Her scent soaked his nostrils and the connection between them seethed with electricity. She opened her thighs to him and his fingers dove into the sweet honey, coating her clit and teasing her to that first climax. She shuddered and dug her nails deep into his shoulders. Slade watched her come apart with a fierce satisfaction, but he was nowhere near done, barely skimming the surface of what he wanted to rack from her body. He kissed his way down her stomach, parted her swollen lips, and rubbed his mouth over her pussy, scraping his jaw on her quivering inner thighs, licking and sucking her clit until she pulled at his hair and writhed beneath him, surrendering to her second climax. He gave her the suction needed to keep the orgasm going, pinning her thighs down to the mattress and licking her slit, his fingers still working in and out of her channel, trying to drag him in. His dick throbbed, but he refused to be done yet, wanting to immerse himself in every part of this woman who had crashed through each barrier he’d carefully built. Slade fumbled for the condom in his pants, rolling it over his erection, and pushing her wide apart, slid home.

She clenched him in a silky vise, and he groaned, the sensation of being held so tightly inside her sheer heaven. He kept still, enjoying her wet heat that tried to burn him alive. Slowly, he eased back all the way, thrusting back in to the hilt and keeping the ride easy and slow. She fought him like a wildcat, arching up and trying to take him faster and deeper, but it was too good, too sweet to be over. He added a bit of friction to her swollen clit, and she dug her heels into his back, twisting madly from side to side. Slade laughed low and sucked on her nipple, scraping his teeth against the hard tip as he picked up the pace. Faster and faster, his hips pistoned and moved until he hit the sweet spot and she screamed out, bucking under him. His fingers twisted hard within hers as he held her down and slammed into her again and again, the piercing pleasure so erotic it bordered on pain, taking him to the edge and over until he exploded.

He spilled his seed and ripped her name from his lips. Skin damp with sweat, he rode out the last of the aftershocks before slipping out. Kate collapsed into the sheets, arms and legs flung wide as her breath came in and out in choppy waves. He got rid of the condom, climbed back into bed, and pulled her close. Laying her head against his chest, she wrapped her arms around him.

“Don’t leave me tonight.”

Her whisper made him pull her closer. “Don’t want to. I’m staying.”

She snuggled closer and they slept.


KATE MOVED HER LEG and bumped against something hard. Inching her hand down the mattress, her fingers wrapped around a very proud erection. She murmured with pleasure as she surfaced from sleep, and stroked him from root to tip. Like steel sheathed in smooth satin, she enjoyed the texture and strength of his arousal. Groans rose from his chest and he thrust into her palm for more.

With a wicked grin, she ducked her head under the blankets and found him with her mouth. His breath hissed through his teeth, but Kate was far gone, lost in his musky taste. She licked and sucked him, swirling her tongue around the tip, while her hands pumped up and down his length.

His fingers worked its way into her hair and held her, giving himself up to her ministrations. Power surged through her, and she opened wider, until he slid to the back of her throat and his balls tightened.

“Kate!” Her name was ripped from his lips, amid hard pants. “Condom, now.”

“Where?” she teased, swirling her tongue around his leaking tip.

“Ah, God, pants pocket. There!”

She reached down, grabbed one, and sheathed him, never breaking contact or the rhythm of her swirling fingers. Already wet and aching for him, she climbed on top, spread her legs, and sank down onto his length.

Kate threw her head back as the delicious sensations skittered over her skin and teased her clit. So good. The heat between them only added to the edge, pumping up the tension. She looked up his body and got trapped within the seething burn of his green eyes.

“Ride me, baby. Ride me hard.”

She shuddered and obeyed. He cupped her breasts and rubbed her nipples as she ground herself against him, closing in toward her orgasm, pumping her hips as her gut clenched and her skin prickled and her nipples tightened to hard, achy points.

Slade grasped her hips, moved her forward, and slammed her back down. Once. Twice. Then—

“Slade!” She came hard, and he kept guiding her up and down, extending the orgasm into mini convulsions. He shuddered beneath her and followed, and she ached for the feel of his skin against hers, ached to get rid of the condom and take his seed deep inside her body. She slumped over him, completely boneless, and he stroked her back with soothing strokes.

“Best morning wake-up ever.”

She laughed and bit his shoulder. “Hmm, better than my coffee.” Two sharp barks made her crane her neck. Robert looked up with endless patience and wide eyes that took in her bare ass. “Oops, sorry, baby. I’ll take you out.”

“Want me to get him?”

She pressed a kiss on his lips. “Nope, I got him. Be right back.” She donned her robe, ignoring his hungry gaze and keeping her distance before she jumped back in bed and Robert had an accident. She took him out, ground the coffee beans, and got the pot started.

“Kibble or wet food this morning?”

Two barks.

“Kibble it is.” Kate filled up the bowl, humming under her breath, and turned to a spectacular sight framed in her kitchen doorway.

Slade Montgomery. Buck naked. Thighs braced apart, hands on hips, his impressive erection confirming round five was about to come up. She drank in all that raw male beauty, with his flat stomach, defined pecs, and toasty brown skin. His lazy gaze probed under her robe and stroked her body.

“Thought I was better than your coffee.”

She pursed her lips with interest. “I did say that, didn’t I?”