Her legs parted farther and he explored the soft, wet flesh between, inching down with the pads of his fingers, gently stroking as if she was skittish and he needed to calm her.

She didn’t want to be calmed. When he plunged inside her using two fingers, she moved those last inches that separated their mouths, kissing him hard, sucking his tongue as if it would save her.

He moaned again, and she felt the vibration in her lips, her chest. She bucked against him, forcing his fingers deeper.

He pulled back, both finger and tongue, leaving her, she prayed not for long.

He got to his knees, straddling her. She wriggled a bit and got a smile in response.

A tearing sound distracted her and she looked down to see him pull a rolled condom out of a silver packet. She watched, engrossed, as he unrolled it over his thick flesh. Then his hands moved to her hips where he grasped her panties and pulled them slowly down.

He ran into a snag where his legs and hers touched. Instead of moving, he grasped one edge of her bikini panties in both hands and tore them apart. The sound, the rip, louder than their breaths combined. He looked exceedingly pleased with himself as he dropped the ruined material. Patiently, slowly, he lifted one knee and moved it inside the V of her legs. Then he moved the other until she bracketed him. But it was clear his hold was superior as he pushed her knees apart, wider and wider until he was satisfied. His gaze wandered down from her face to her chest to the view he’d just created. His breath quickened, his chest expanding and contracting like a runner’s, his lips parted, his hands fisted at his sides, then opened with effort.

She felt exposed, more naked than naked as he looked at her with his raw hunger, and she wanted him to enter her, to take her now.

Just as she opened her mouth to beg, he leaned down and braced himself with corded arms on either side of her. He shifted his weight to the left as he used his right hand for guidance.

As she felt the tip of him touch her lips, he whispered, “Jess,” forcing her gaze to meet his.

The connection was electric and wondrous as he slid into her wet folds inch by slow inch, filling her with his body, becoming something greater than him and her.

Both arms now flexed on either side of her as he balanced on hands and knees. The tension in his body was like a bowstring, bunching tighter and tighter, even the cords in his neck. He stared at her, his intensity making her tremble as he thrust in, pulled out, thrust in again. She grasped the comforter in both fists, pulling the material up from the bed. Her hips rose to meet his challenge, and they found a feral rhythm that linked bodies and heartbeats.

There were no words for the feel of him inside her, only grunts and moans, primal and exotic.

Dan’s eyes closed as his thrusts quickened, and her body responded in kind. It was coming, the coil of tension deep in her body like a spring pulled taut. Her mouth opened and she heard her own high keen as if from someone else, someone far away, and then the sound changed and it was her again, as the last bit of tension snapped with an orgasm that started between her legs and spread like a raging fire throughout her body.

He grimaced, arching his neck, his head thrown back with a roar. One final thrust, so fierce she was pushed up the bed, and then he froze, straining, and she trembled as another wave of pleasure burst inside her.

The room darkened around her, her vision narrowing to the circle of his face, still strained to the edges of endurance, his lips curled back, his chin jutting out, his Adam’s apple too large in his throat.

A moment passed, another spasm racked her, and then she felt her hands and her hips, felt the air in her lungs, heard him take a ragged breath as he relaxed.

He looked down and gave her a slow smile. “Holy shit.”

“I concur,” she said, surprised her voice sounded so normal.

“So it wasn’t just me?”

She shook her head. “Nope.”

His smile broadened. “Cool.”

Raising her hand, she brushed back his hair from his forehead, enjoying the silky texture between her fingers. “Does that blow your whole project?”

“Project? Oh, yeah. No. Not at all. I’m thinking it’s a good thing.”

“Oh?”

“Uh-huh.” His smile faded. “I don’t want to but I have to.”

“What?”

“Move.”

“Ah.”

He slipped out of her and rolled to her side. For a moment, her gaze rested on the rise and fall of his chest, then she looked up. “How is it a good thing?”

“For one thing, I can maybe think a little more clearly.”

“How so?”

“Wanting you was kinda filling up all the synapses.”

“I see.”

“And also, I’m thinking we’ve shared something pretty damn intimate, so that it’ll be easier for you to answer my questions.”

“Maybe. Maybe not.”

“You don’t think this was intimate?”

She gave him her “Well, duh” look. “I’m not sure what this new level of intimacy will do. What if I’m shier?”

Having quieted his breathing, he rolled over on his side, holding his head up with one hand. “Let’s test it. What’s the most wicked fantasy you’ve ever had?”

“I thought we’d covered fantasies.”

“Nope. Barely scratched the surface.”

“Oh.”

“Come on. I’m looking for the filthiest, most disgusting thoughts you’ve ever had. The one that would get you arrested in every state but California.”

She laughed. “Like I’d tell you.”

His mouth widened in mock dismay. “You promised! You gave me your word.”

“Some things are better left a mystery.”

“No way. Uh-uh. I can’t believe you’re wimping out on me like this. I thought I knew you, but clearly, I was sadly mistaken.” He let his head drop to the arc of his elbow. “After I’ve given you the best days of my life.”

“Oh, please.”

“No, no. Don’t try to make it up to me. The tie between us has been broken irrevocably.” He put his fist on his chest. “I’m wounded to the core.”

“All right, tell you what. You tell me your most disgusting fantasy, and then I’ll tell you mine.”

His head was up in a second, resting once again on his hand. “Really?”

“You are nothing but a scoundrel, that’s all.”

“True, but an earnest one.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Answer me this. Even if you do tell me something vile and disgraceful, how will I know it’s the worst you’ve got? Maybe you have a whole trove of disgusting things, and you’re telling me some old run-of-the-mill horrifying perversion.”

“Have I ever lied to you?”

“I have no idea.”

“The answer is no. I have never. And I will never.”

“So you say.”

“Maybe this is just your way of chickening out?”

“Maybe it is.”

“No fair.”

“Ah, Danny boy, I hate to have to tell you, but no one said life was fair.”

He got that shocked look again. “What? Say it ain’t so.”

“So.”

“I hate that.”

“Me, too.”

He looked at her for a long minute. “You know what? We’re going to have to postpone this chitchat for a minute. You wait right there. Don’t go anywhere.”

She crossed her heart. “Promise.”

He climbed off the bed and headed for the bathroom while she shamelessly stared at his cute butt. When he was out of range, she let her head fall back on the pillow and closed her eyes.

It was without doubt the best sex she’d ever had. By a lot. There had been moments…Incredible. But also scary.

When he’d pulled away, she’d felt as if she’d lost some part of herself. Surely that wasn’t normal for casual sex. Always before, even with men she’d really liked, there had been a slight feeling of relief when it was over. She’d never been the cuddling kind, and had been accused of being like a guy when it came to this sort of thing. That’s why she didn’t bring men home. Because she needed to make a quick getaway. But with Dan, all she’d wanted was to stay close. She wouldn’t have objected to a cuddle here and there. Weird. Dangerous.