"You sure there isn't anything I can do to help?” Her voice was a sexy purr as she walked her fingers over his chest. The muscles jumped and tightened as he barely swallowed back a groan of desire. He was so hot right now, he could explode any moment.

"No, ma'am.” The words came out as a hoarse whisper.

"You sure?” She laughed as she wiggled closer, the soft weight of her breasts brushing against his chest. His erection pressed against her belly and this time he groaned when she gave her hips a sexy, little shimmy. “I think that you have a very large problem that you need help with."

There was no mistaking her invitation. “Maybe I do.” He wrapped his hands around her waist and lifted her, setting her on the hood of the car. As he shifted in closer, her legs parted to accommodate him. The short, black skirt rode upward, revealing the fact that she was wearing thigh-high stockings and not panty hose. Shamus reached down and brushed his fingers over the exposed flesh.

She gasped and then murmured her approval as his fingers moved higher. Her skin was incredibly soft. He wanted to touch her everywhere. Her hands floated up his arms and wrapped around his neck. “More,” she whispered.

Shamus shifted his hands to the front of her sweater. There were pearly white buttons running down the front and he took his time, opening them one by one until they were all undone. As he worked, a dark blue bra was exposed. The scrap of lace showed more than it hid, pushing the mounds of her breasts upward. The material of her bra was so sheer he could see her dark nipples outlined beneath it. The tips were puckered tight, pushing against the cups. Unable to resist the temptation, he bent his head downward and nuzzled them.

Her fingers tightened around him, her nails digging into his flesh. His cock jerked, urging him to hurry. But he didn't want to. He wanted to savor the moment.

He traced the edge of lace with his tongue. Opening his mouth over one tight nipple, he took it into his mouth and sucked her through the fabric. She moaned, and the soft sound sank into his bones. He wanted her to come apart in his arms, wanted to feel her body against his as she climaxed. Shamus was filled with the sudden and overwhelming urge to be the man who brought her fulfillment and pleasure.

Her fingers tangled in his hair, tugging him closer. He shifted his hips so that his erection pressed against her pelvis. The skirt rode upward, making way for him.

Her hips tilted toward him. Shamus pressed harder, grinding their lower bodies together. He gritted his teeth to keep from coming in his pants. He was poised on the edge. His testicles were tight to his body in warning.

"Cyndi.” His voice was rough with need as he tore himself away from her breasts. Her lips were moist, as if she'd licked them, and parted as she gasped for air. Her head was thrown back, exposing the long, slender arch of her neck. He wanted to see her eyes, but they were closed, her long lashes brushing against her cheekbones.

He needed to stop, needed to slow down before it was too late. And they were on the side of a public road and anyone could come along at any moment. Of course, that just added to the excitement of the moment.

He had to kiss her. Had to taste those ruby red lips. Lowering his mouth to hers, he felt her breath against his face. It smelled of peppermint and promise.

Groaning, he touched his lips to hers.

"There you go."

Shamus jerked, his hand hitting the edge of his coffee mug and sending it sideways. The heavy, ceramic mug hit the table with a thud and coffee spilled everywhere.

"Shit!” Ignoring Shannon's gasp of alarm, he grabbed the mug, righting it as he dragged napkins out of the metal dispenser. He busied himself cleaning up the mess while he tried to will his hard-on into submission. He couldn't believe he'd gotten lost in an erotic fantasy while sitting in the middle of the diner. Talk about stupid. He was just glad that he was sitting in a booth and the table was covering his lap as he mopped up the mess he made.

"Let me get a cloth."

"No, I've got it. Wasn't much left in the mug anyway.” He wadded up the napkins and took a deep breath, releasing it slowly before he turned to Shannon. She looked concerned, so he gave her a sheepish smile. “Not quite awake yet this morning."

As he'd hoped, she smiled back, the concern fading from her face. “I've had mornings like that myself.” She slid a plate piled high with pancakes onto the table in front of him. “Let me take those.” She held out her hand and he gave her the soggy napkins. “I'll get you some more coffee."

"If you think I can be trusted with it."

Shannon laughed as she turned away. Shamus just shook his head at himself. He still couldn't believe he'd done that. A grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. Last night had been like that too. His dreams always stopped just before he'd reached completion. He'd awakened hard and frustrated. Serves him right, fantasizing about a woman he just met.

He thanked Shannon when she returned, coffee pot in hand, to refill his mug. She admonished him to be careful this time before hurrying off to see to her other customers. Even though it was still early, there was a steady traffic in and out of the diner. A lot of folks stopped in to pick up coffee and a muffin to take to work with them.

The aroma of Jessie's pancakes wafted upward and his stomach growled, reminding him that he hadn't eaten yet this morning. As he'd figured, Jessie had put an extra pancake and a few strips of bacon on his plate. He'd have to remember to drop by the kitchen and thank her on his way out.

Picking up his fork and knife, he dug in. Damn, Jessie made the best pancakes. The batter was light and fluffy and packed with blueberries. Jessie never skimped when she cooked, which was why the diner was so successful. Several restaurant chains had tried to move into Jamesville over the years, but almost all of them had failed. They couldn't top the food or the service at Jessie's.

He was halfway through his breakfast when the hair on the back of his neck stirred and his groin tightened. He almost groaned aloud. He'd finally gotten his unruly body back under control and it was going to give him trouble again. He knew even without looking that Cyndi had entered the diner.

He raised his head, and sure enough, there she was, poised hesitantly inside the front door, her fingers wrapped tight around the strap of her purse.

He laid his fork carefully on the side of his plate and pushed it aside. Coming to his feet, he stepped away from the table and strode toward her. Her eyes met his and he saw a flash of pleasure before it hid behind a mask of politeness. Aha! The lady was glad to see him even if she didn't want to be.

"Decided to check out the local hot spot this morning?” She looked tired, he thought as he got closer. The dark circles he'd seen beneath her eyes yesterday were even more pronounced this morning.

She brushed her fingers through her hair, pushing her bangs off her face. “Yeah. I didn't have much in the way of food where I'm staying."

"Great. Now you can buy me breakfast to repay me for yesterday.” As he'd hoped, she cracked a smile.

"You don't ever give up, do you?” The shadows in her eyes lightened as she gave him a mock glare.

"Nope.” He placed his hand on the small of her back to guide her toward his table. He held his breath until she began to move with him. “You might as well give in gracefully."

"I thought you said I didn't owe you for yesterday?” She looked at him from beneath her lashes as she slid into the seat.

"So I did. Then I guess I'm buying you breakfast."

She tensed then and started to rise. “I can't let you buy me breakfast."

Shamus didn't know what was going on inside her mind, but something he'd said had pushed an emotional hot button. He kept his expression smooth. “Then how about we each pick up our own tab and simply enjoy each others company as we eat?"

Slowly, she subsided back into her seat and placed her purse next to her. Shamus breathed a sigh of relief. He hadn't even realized he'd been holding his breath. He really wanted her to stay, wanted to get to know her better.

Shannon made her way toward their table, a friendly smile on her face. Shamus could sense her curiosity. He liked women and had dated his fair share over the years, but he hadn't been out on a date in over six months and he'd certainly never had breakfast at Jessie's with any of them.

"Coffee?” Shannon placed a menu in front of Cyndi, who seemed incredibly uneasy.

"Please.” Cyndi nodded. “And an order of whole wheat toast."

"Sure thing. What would you like on your toast? We have marmalade, honey, peanut butter, raspberry jam, strawberry jam, and peach conserve.” Shannon filled a mug with coffee and set it back on the table.

"Umm, I'll have honey. Thank you.” Cyndi picked up the menu and handed it back to Shannon.

"You're welcome.” His sister-in-law looked at him expectantly.

Shamus barely suppressed his grin. Shannon looked as if she might burst if she didn't find out who the woman across from his was. “Shannon, this is Cyndi Marks, I helped her with a flat tire yesterday outside of town.” He turned to Cyndi. “Cyndi, this is my sister-in-law Shannon O'Rourke; she and her Aunt Jessie run the diner."

Cyndi stuck out her hand. “Pleased to meet you."

Shannon took her hand and gave it a shake. “A flat tire, huh?"

Cyndi's chin tilted upward. “I told him I could handle it, but he insisted."

Shannon laughed. “That sounds like our Shamus. You visiting Jamesville or just passing through?"