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For a moment she was completely still and he wondered what she was thinking. Perhaps he’d been a little too honest or too forward, but hell, they were naked. If he couldn’t be honest now, then when?

  She sighed and her lips curved upward as she kissed and licked her way up his torso. “You really do say the best things.”

  “I’m done talking,” he whispered against her lips. Once again he let his hands explore her, memorizing every silky inch of skin. Flat on his back, he didn’t have to worry about taxing his leg. All his focus was on her, driving her wild teasing her breathless.

  And he did. Finally she groaned his name and he removed his fingers from the warm, wet sheath between her legs. She was ready and he, way beyond.

  “Nightstand,” he uttered between wet kisses.

  Aching and highly sensitized, he didn’t know how long he’d last. With the way she slid against his cock he’d be lucky to get a condom on.

  “Nightstand?” She echoed, clearly as dazed as he was.

  “Condom,” he said and sucked on her bottom lip. She made a breathy little sound and then scrambled toward the piece of furniture holding the key to their pleasure.

  Her shyness was gone and he was glad she didn’t try to hide herself from him. After pulling open the top drawer she stared down and a frown pinched her brows.

  “Where–”

  “Thank God for good brothers,” he murmured, taking the box from her hand. He ripped it open and used his teeth to tear the first foil packet he found.

  When he was sheathed he glanced up to find her staring at his cock, a blank expression on her face.

  “What’s wrong?”

  She shook her head and he rolled toward her.

  “Talk to me.”

  “You want to talk? Right now?”

  “Not particularly,” he admitted.

  She laughed and leaned down to kiss him. “You’re just so…big,” she whispered against his lips.

  “You say the best things,” he parroted, ego thoroughly stroked. He snaked an arm around her waist and rolled onto his back. Ignoring the throbbing in his knee he used his hands to encourage her to straddle him again.

  He adored the way she held herself above him, her fingertips lightly braced against his chest as she gave him her mouth. His erection strained against the slippery flesh between her legs, impatient.

  “I want you,” he said against her mouth. “And I never want to stop kissing you.”

  She made a sound of complete contentment in the back of her throat but made no move to join their bodies.

  In fact, she seemed more interested in nibbling her way down to his ear.

  He kneaded her hips between his hands and thrust up against her. She chuckled.

  “You’re laughing at a time like this?” He was in agony. So hard he thought it might physically be possible for his penis to explode from excess blood.

  “I’m happy. Relishing the fact that you want me so badly. I’m so–”

  “Don’t you dare say you’re sorry,” he inserted quickly, cupping her cheeks between his hands and forcing her to look at him.

  “I want you more than you could possibly know, Gretchen. I’ve never been so fucking hard and I feel like I might explode any second. You do that to me. I’m dying to be inside you, to make love to you and come apart wrapped in your arms. So no apologizing.”

  His words made her expression go soft and dreamy. She slipped her right hand down his chest, across his abs until it closed around his cock. A quick shift of her hips and she sank slowly onto him. Despite how wet she was, she was also incredibly tight and he grit his teeth against the sweet friction.

  When he was at last completely seated inside her she opened her eyes and pegged him with a look. There were too many emotions there for him to read before she leaned forward and planted a quick kiss on his lips.

  When she started to shift her hips he tightened his grip in her waist. “Stay still. Just a while longer.”

  He didn’t mean to growl the words but it was taking all his concentration to hold back. She gave him a lazy grin and planted a palm on the bed above each of his shoulders.

  “I probably shouldn’t tell you how amazing you feel, then.”

  He groaned.

  She smirked and he found the sexy vixen side of her completely charming if not damn seductive. It was as if facing off with her mother had unleashed the Gretchen hidden deep inside. She’d never been so unabashed before and he adored that.

  “Or how big you are,” she whispered.

  “Now you’re just teasing me.”

  She shook her head and her hair shimmied around her shoulders. “Not that I have a lot to compare to, but you’re the biggest.”

  She nipped his chin and he thought about instating a no kissing, no talking, no nibbling rule. Her talented lips made it hard to hold back the orgasm building in his balls. Damn, a man should be able to hold back long enough to pleasure his woman.

  Briefly he considered about asking how many lovers she’d had so he could get his mind off of the delicious heat surrounding his cock but he didn’t want to know. He didn’t want to think about her in someone else’s bed.

  “Maybe if...”

  She didn’t finish the sentence and he was dying to know what she was going to say. He couldn’t remember ever hanging on a woman’s every word, especially during sex. But this was more than sex somehow. Being with Gretchen was fun and funny and seductive and pleasurable all rolled into one.

  “Maybe if?” He prompted.

  “Maybe if you come you’ll be able to enjoy yourself more. You know, like letting off steam.”

  “I love the way you think woman.” And he had plenty of stamina to go all night.

  She shot him a smile he’d never seen before. It was both pleased and sultry. Then she began to move, slow thrusts that ran the length of his cock, delighting each and every nerve ending along the way. He pressed his head back into the pillow and encouraged her with his hands.

  While he enjoyed the way her breasts bounced with each thrust, he cupped the luscious swells in his hands and gave her nipples a quick flick with his thumbs. A delightful little moan travelled up her throat so he did it again. And again until she closed her hands over his, crying out with pleasure.

  He joined her, thrusting up to meet her even as certain parts of him ached slightly. The orgasm swept through him, replacing the pain, if only for a moment. He wanted it to go on forever; the bliss, the feeling of completion, the look in Gretchen’s eyes.

  She loosened her grip on his hands, looking as sated as he felt. They were both breathing hard; she drug a deep breath in through her mouth. For as long as he lived, he’d never forget the perfect O of her lips as her inner walls clenched down, her orgasm sweeping her away.

  But she was losing the haze now, starting to glance around uncomfortably; he pulled her down for a kiss.

  “Let’s do that again,” he said against her lips.

  She giggled. “Let’s.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Baby Campbell had been waiting for Girls’ Night all week. Though she’d exchanged quickie calls and texts with her friends, it hadn’t been enough to sooth her anxiety. She needed to laugh, to forget about her cares.

  That started with vino. She fought with the foil sheath on one of the wine bottles. The Shiraz needed to breathe before the girls got here and she was running behind. The wine wasn’t the only thing that needed air; she needed to breathe.

  The doorbell chimed as she wrestled the last cork from its bottle. Trust Gretchen to be right on time. She quickly poured herself a glass and then threw open the front door.

  Adrenaline and lust clashed together inside of her as she stared up into a ruggedly handsome face she knew by heart. Joe Catrell had solicited the same response each and every time he’d been within twenty feet of her. Heart pounding, thigh clenching, panty drenching lust. Problem was he had no intention of doing anything about it.

  “Come to check me out?” she asked. The words w
ere out of her mouth before she realized that wasn’t what she’d meant to say. “And by me, I mean my house.”

  He stared at her with unwavering blue eyes that saw far too much. Though she’d been with plenty of men in her lifetime, she’d never met anyone as cold and lethal as the one glaring down at her right now. He didn’t like her much. He’d made that obvious during the Super Bowl party.

  Problem was, she liked him a lot. A whole lot.

  She licked her lips and fought back that wave of uncertainty that had nearly drowned her that day. Any man with so much intensity, so much focus would surely know his way around a woman’s body and she’d be willing to bet next month’s pay check that they’d fit together like a cock in a condom.

  Without a word he stepped past her to do his security check. His blatant disinterest stung worse than the hornet sting to the forehead she’d suffered the summer after fourth grade. In fact, his silence hurt her deep down and she couldn’t figure out why.

  She prided herself on keeping her emotions locked away, focusing on staying happy, content, and in the moment. So the fact that his briskness made her eyes water was extra unusual.

  She blinked back an errant tear as she stepped aside to let JJ in.

  “I see you brought your pit bull,” Baby whispered as JJ hugged her.

  “We got another note.”

  JJ’s reply was soft and the tone, more than the words said it all. Trevor’s stalker wasn’t giving up. Joe was on high alert.

  So were Baby’s girly parts but there was nothing to be done. Except sip wine and have a date with BOB later.

  For now she squeezed JJ extra hard and ushered her deeper into the foyer.

  Gretchen was right behind her and when she hugged Baby, she held on longer than normal. Seeing as how she’d been oddly distant lately, the gesture surprised Baby.

  “You okay?” she asked, returning the embrace.

  Gretchen nodded.

  “Okay. Glad you could make it,” Baby said and shut the door, flicking the lock shut with a loud click.

  “Cindy said she’s running a little late,” Gretchen said as she shed her coat.

  One of these days it would warm up and turn into the balmy summer Atlanta was known for, but the extra harsh winter was holding on with both hands it seemed. Spring was barely peeking its head out.

  “Any news on her and Adam?” Baby asked as she hung up their coats.

  “No specifics yet. She picked up Gizmo while I was at school, but she did text me to say that things were going good on the Adam-front…”

  JJ sighed. “About time. Those two were made for each other.”

  “I’m tired of seeing her so miserable,” Baby agreed. Cindy hadn’t been her bright, bubbly self since she and Adam had broken it off three months ago.

  “Well, if her silence this week is any indication,” JJ started and the three of them shared a laugh.

  “She was getting lucky.” Which was more than Baby could say for herself. She was far from getting lucky. Truth be told, she hadn’t felt normal since she’d been mugged last year. The experience still haunted her; had her looking over her shoulder, had stolen some of her carefree nature.

  “I’ll be right outside,” Joe said to JJ as he strode back into the room.

  Joe’s presence had made her feel safe from the first moment they’d met. Even when he was being a prickly cactus, his company was like her favorite blanket.

  “Thanks, Joe.”

  His gaze landed on Baby for all of a second and a half before he made his exit. What was it about her he found lacking? Sure, she talked a lot, laughed a lot and wasn’t shy about her interest in him. But she was smart and out-going, plus she had a good job and she could tie a cherry stem into a knot with her tongue. What more did he want?

  Maybe he liked shy submissive types. That was something she could never be.

  “Earth to Baby.” JJ’s voice hedged in on Baby’s thoughts and she took a long sip of wine.

  “Sorry.”

  “Everything okay?” Gretchen asked.

  Considering the cold shoulder she’d been getting for the last few months, Baby was a little surprised by her friend’s concern. She had no idea what she’d done to Gretchen but she was ready for the ice to thaw and remain liquid.

  “I’ve been better.”

  The truth was she didn’t need any added drama in her life right now, especially from her friends. The note on her desk at work that suggested she kill herself and save oxygen for the rest of humanity was enough to make her want to move to the middle of nowhere. Most days the threats rolled off her back and she filed the notes away for safe keeping, just in case. Today wasn’t one of those days.

  Baby gulped back another sip and glanced at her friends. “Drink up,” she said, offering them each a glass of the Australian Shiraz.

  Silence reined as they took their first sip. As was their weekly custom, they sampled new wines, jotted down notes on the special cards Gretchen had designed and talked each other’s ears off.

  “As soon as you tell us what’s wrong,” JJ said.

  Baby chortled. “We don’t have enough wine here to get through that.”

  “Maybe not,” Gretchen said. “But you’ve got good friends.”

  There was a sincerity in her voice that reminded Baby that she could share anything with these women. But she didn’t want to drag them into her issues. The note at the office was just another random annoyance that came with the position. And Joe… what could she say about that?

  I want to bonk his brains out and he can’t stand the sight of me?

  No woman wanted to think that, let alone announce it to the world. She just needed to get over him was all. Maybe she’d drive up to Fort Benning and troll for a Ranger to sooth her wounded ego. That’s all it was. Injured pride. It couldn’t be anything more than that. No matter how considerate he was or how much she wanted to hear that gravelly voice every single day, anything more than sex was off limits. Not going to happen. Baby prided herself on going after what she wanted, doing the research necessary to obtain it and ultimately, having whatever her heart desired. Failure wasn’t an option.

  Which was why Joe’s rejection baffled her as much as it stung.

  “Just stuff at work. No biggie. What’s up with you guys?”

  JJ gave Gretchen a long sideways glance. “My news isn’t as exciting as Gretchen’s.”

  JJ’s smile was wide and mischievous.

  “What did I miss?” She stared at Gretchen carefully, really looked at her for the first time since she’d walked in the door. That’s when she noticed the reddish sheen to her friend’s hair, and the sleek cut.

  “Your hair!” And the curve hugging skirt that looked too posh to wear to a kindergarten classroom.

  “It’s not just the hair,” JJ said.

  “Oh hush.” Gretchen stuck out her tongue.

  “Tell me!”

  “There’s not much to tell.”

  “She’s in love,” JJ gushed.

  “With who?” Baby sat forward, eager for the details. While she never wanted to experience that gut-dicing emotion again, she was thrilled that her friends were finding forever men. That was the key…finding a man who would stick around when the going got tough. Trevor was certainly the type. The judgement was still out on Adam.

  “My brother.” JJ beamed.

  Baby rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Which one?”

  JJ made a show of slowly turning her head toward Gretchen.

  “Greg,” Gretchen all but whispered.

  “Hey,” JJ said, scooting closer. “I thought you were excited about this. Did something happen?”

  Gretchen finished off her glass of wine like a woman dying of thirst. But everyone recognized it as the sign it was. Liquid courage. Baby rushed to refill the empty glass and JJ reached for Gretchen’s hand.

  “I was. I am. I don’t know. We’re so different,” Gretchen said without taking a breath.

  Baby thrust the glass into her ha
nds.

  “Different is good, right?” Baby asked. “If everyone was the same… boring!”

  Gretchen sniffed and Baby could see that as happy as her friend was, there were serious demons lurking. “Easy for you to say. You’re gorgeous and outgoing.”

  “Have you looked in the mirror today?” Baby shot back.

  Gretchen looked more put together than Baby had ever seen her and it thrilled her to see the confidence in her friend’s smile, even if the smile and the confidence were a little shaky at the moment.

  “It is easy for me to say, Baby. I saw you.”

  “Saw me when?” Baby blinked at JJ trying to figure out what in the world was going on. She had the sneaking suspicion that whatever it was was tied to Gretchen’s moodiness lately.

  “At the party. He picked you. It crushed me. I’d just decided that there was no reason to hold back any longer. I was going to tell him that day that I liked him. See if he wanted to get coffee sometime. It all sounds so silly now. And then you showed up, touched his arm, batted your eyelashes and he all but ran up the stairs with you. Now he’s in my house and my heart and he won’t get out. And then he kisses me and it’s like the universe disappears and it’s just the two of us. And I keep thinking this is crazy. We can’t be carrying on like this. He was in a horrific car accident. A man lost his life. And we’re carrying on like teenagers. And he’s injured. I’m taking advantage of an injured man.”

  Gretchen’s breasts heaved as she finally took a breath. Her brown eyes blazed and flashed with emotion, imploring them to understand; to help her make sense of a crazy situation.

  Baby was dumbfounded, which didn’t happen too often. Her job required a sharp mind and staying on level playing field in an office full of men required a quick tongue. But wow…it was a lot to process.

  “I thought I could do it. Take care of him without falling in deeper,” Gretchen said, glancing at JJ. She pursed her lips, shook her head slightly and then continued. “I was trying to get over him…”

  “Oh honey–”

  “He makes me feel…wonderful. Complete. Beautiful. And last night…” She paused and closed her eyes. Baby was riveted. “My mother showed up out of the blue. Can you believe it? I haven’t seen her in years and she just shows up wanting to play house. She’s married again. This guy evidently is a big fish, from what Annie says. Greg was so sweet. He should have been running for the hills.”