“You’re pretty smart yourself.”

“Yeah, for a felon.”

I finished chewing my bread and then took the glass of wine he’d poured me, enjoying a long sip.

“First of all, don’t disparage yourself. You are smart. And also, some of the most intelligent people in the history of the human race have been criminals.”

“I miss your bed,” he said.

“What’s with the random subject change?”

He shrugged. “I know you’re exhausted, but I want to come sleep at your place when I leave here.”

I took another drink of my wine and smiled at him over my glass. “I had a key made for you, so you can let yourself in now.”

“Damn right I will. I’m comin’ over every night.”

Our server delivered steak, red potatoes and asparagus. I was only able to eat half the food before pushing my plate away. Once the server had cleared away the dishes and I finished half the bottle of wine, Kane pulled me over to the leather sofa along one wall of the room.

No matter how tired I was, I couldn’t help the stir of arousal I inevitably felt when he kissed me. His lips trailed down my jaw line to my neck. The brush of his beard made my skin tingle with delicious awareness. And when he started sliding my clothes off me, I tipped my head back and moaned, blissfully surrendering my body to him.

His mouth grew hungrier, nipping at my naked skin as he quickly took off his clothes. Within a few seconds, he’d rolled on a condom, sat down on the couch and took hold of my hips, easing me on top of him.

I straddled him, taking in his dark, desperate gaze. I wasn’t sure if I was more intoxicated by my need for him or his for me.

When he lowered my hips until he sank all the way into me, I cried out with eager satisfaction. This was exactly what I needed–to abandon everything but him in this moment. I took over, sliding my body up and down his length until he groaned deeply for more.

“Yes, baby. Ride my dick with that gorgeous cunt. You’re so fuckin’ wet, Viv.” He took a handful of my hair and pulled until my eyes were level with his. “No other man will ever see this cunt, you hear me? No other man will ever taste it. Or see these big, perfect tits.” He smacked one of my bouncing breasts and then ground out another groan as I sank all the way onto him and lingered there. “Your body is just for me. Your tight ass is mine.”

He put two long fingers in his mouth and withdrew them, sliding the tips into my ass as I resumed riding him.

“Oh God, Kane.” An orgasm tore through me like a freight train, obliterating everything else.

“Don’t stop fucking riding my cock, Viv,” he ordered. “Balls deep.”

I obeyed, and the hard, deep contact intensified my orgasm. He slid his fingers further into my ass and wrapped his free arm around my waist, driving his hips upward and fucking me hard.

“Ah, fuck.” His voice was a labored rasp. “Viv . . . Shit. I’m coming.”

There was nothing but the sounds of slapping skin, heavy breathing and groaning as we ground our hips together and I rode out the deepest, most intense orgasm of my life. Kane gently slipped his fingers out of my ass and wrapped both his arms around my back, holding me tightly.

My body was slack with relaxation, and I closed my eyes and let Kane’s warmth seep into me as my breathing returned to normal.

Finally, I laughed low in my throat and pulled back to meet his eyes.

“So. You think my cunt is gorgeous? Or were you making fun?”

He stroked a thumb across the damp skin at the small of my back. “I would never make fun of you. Your body is perfect to me, Viv. Absolutely fucking flawless. I love that you don’t shave your pussy bald or tan or any of that shit. These full hips and big tits are perfection, baby.”

“What brought this on?” I brushed my thumbs over his soft beard, my affection for him welling over.

“I just want you to know,” he said, his tone serious. “You’re the only one for me, Viv. I wouldn’t change one thing about you.”

I kissed him softly. “And you’re the only one for me, my sweet, sexy man.”

He scowled at me. “Sweet? I’m not a fuckin’ pussy, Viv.”

“You’re only sweet to me. And I love that, so don’t ruin it.”

The light touch of his fingertip running down my bare spine made me shiver and curl into him.

“Our secret, then,” he said.

There was nothing but us. Our bodies molded together, fitting perfectly. My cheek was pressed to his chest, and I heard the faint beat of his heart. Even when I was exhausted, Kane made me feel utterly rejuvenated.

IT SNOWED ON CHRISTMAS EVE–big, sparkly flakes floating down to the street when Kane and I walked out of the club after the party there.

He and Jeff had hosted a dinner for the staff and given everyone a cash bonus. The evening had been light and festive, everyone relaxed and looking forward to a second day off tomorrow.

“Did you have a good time?” Kane asked me, wrapping his arm around my waist as we made our way to his car.

“The best. I’m so glad we’re waiting until the day after Christmas to go see my family.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. This is nice, celebrating at home with you.”

My parents were hosting a big get together for the whole family the day after Christmas. They’d been disappointed I wasn’t coming for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for the first time ever, but I wanted to be with Kane, and he wanted to drop by Cori’s and see Brooklyn and bring her a gift on Christmas morning. For the first time, he could give his daughter a present and watch her open it. That was where we needed to be tomorrow.

I also didn’t want to see Grayson just yet. He’d flown home to Indy yesterday and I didn’t think my parents would appreciate a brawl over my stolen watch and his drug addiction. They had no idea what was going on with my brother. Maybe his appearance would give him away.

“I might give your brother a black eye for Christmas,” Kane said, seeming to read my mind. “Just a heads up.”

I shook my head. “It’s going to be an awkward visit for sure. It’s past time my parents find out what’s going on with him.”

“Let’s not worry about it now. Are we staying at your place tonight?”

“If you want the cinnamon rolls and breakfast casserole in my fridge for tomorrow’s breakfast we are.”

“I do.”

We got to his car and he opened the door for me. I looked up at the sky and let a few fat, wet snowflakes melt on my cheeks.

“It’s after midnight,” Kane said softly. “You know what that means?”

“Hmm?”

“It’s Christmas. Merry Christmas, Viv.”

He pulled me close and I cupped his bearded, snowflake-covered cheeks. We kissed and kissed, not caring that we were standing in a cold, tightly-packed parking lot. When Kane was near, I was always warm.

When we got back to my apartment, I made hot chocolate and after just a few sips, drifted to sleep laying across Kane’s lap. I woke up in my bed much later, sunlight streaming in through the windows.

Kane was half-asleep next to me.

“Hey,” I said, sitting up. “How’d I get in bed?”

“I carried you in here last night.”

“You did? I don’t even remember.”

“You were asleep. Didn’t even wake up when I changed your clothes.”

He reached over to the nightstand and grabbed a small box wrapped in silver paper.

“Open it.”

“I thought we agreed the necklace was your Christmas gift to me.”

He shrugged a shoulder. “I don’t think so. Open it.”

“I have something for you, too. I’ll go get it.”

I was only wearing a t-shirt, and as soon as I left the warm bed I was freezing. I ran into my living room and pulled the box with his gift down from the shelf of my coat closet.

He was sitting up in bed waiting for me when I tossed his present on the bed, jumped back in and got under the covers. I huddled against him for warmth. He leaned down on an elbow and pushed the hair away from my face, looking at me.