She shivered at the reminder. “Yes.”

“Come here.”

As she took the four short steps to the tub, Connor stood up and sent sheets of hot water rippling down his body.

Holy swizzle sticks.

He reached over and peeled Brian’s old shirt off of her. And then skimmed her bike shorts and panties down her legs, trailing kisses across every new inch of skin he uncovered. “I’ll never get over how gorgeous you are.”

Likewise.

She stepped into the tub and straddled his thighs, smoothing her hands all along the hard, muscular planes of his chest and abdomen…god, touching him was an art of foreplay all on its own.

Speaking of touching—

She gasped. “You went snooping through my drawers.” In her head, the accusation was a whole lot more indignant. Way less breathy.

“No bath is complete without a few toys.”

Good lord, why did this feel a thousand times better when he was doing it?

Feeling the sensations quickly start to build to a crest, she grabbed his hand.

“Too strong?” he asked worriedly.

“It’s fine,” she said, pulling the vibe out of his hands. “But it’s not you.” She slid forward, gliding her inner thighs slowly across his erection. “I want you to make me come...inside me when I come.”

His pale blue eyes turned dark and turbulent. “Condom.”

Abby smiled. She liked it when he turned Neanderthal.

As she reached over to the drawer under the sink to grab one, he swatted her behind lightly. “I’m not sure I like the idea of you having a big box of condoms just lying around your house.”

She ripped the foil packet open with her teeth. “I bought it the same day I bought my pairs of red and white panties.”

His grin lit up the bathroom.

When he reached for the newly opened condom, she held it away from him. “I want to do it.”

Slipping one hand down his body, she stroked him gently, fascinated with the feel of him under water. Getting thicker and harder. For her.

“Abby. God. Put it on me. Now.”

Drifting in a lusty fog, she blinked. Put what on where now?

Then she remembered. Too late. He snatched the condom from her, slid it on, and yanked her atop his lap, all in one slick move.

Her fingernails dug into his shoulders as he lowered his mouth to her breasts, circling one sensitive nipple with his tongue before moving over to score the other with his teeth. Back and forth, he kept her on the edge, varying his attacks, all the while staring at her like a hungry predator beyond ready to devour her.

Clutching her to him as if he’d never let her go.

Just when she thought he meant to tease her to the point of insanity, he lifted her up by the hips and plunged her down onto him. She gave a silent scream as he began driving into her deeper and deeper, harder and faster.

All she could do was match him thrust for thrust and hold on for dear orgasm as she felt the first waves of pulsing hot pleasure come crashing down on her.

Wrapping both arms around her, encasing her in a whole body restraint, he thrust into her one, two, three more times, before following her into oblivion with a fierce, primitive shudder.

* * * * *

EVEN DAYS LATER, Abby was still replaying that bath with Connor. In fact, that’s exactly how he had lured her back over to his house last night.

Two words: jet tub. And she’d been sold.

“So, you’re still insistent on the dancing tonight, huh?” Connor snuck up behind her and slipped his arms around her.

Abby leaned back against him and made sure her smile was as bright as possible. “Yep. I got a new dress and everything.” Well, not new. But new to her. And so gorgeous—flouncy skirt, sleek bodice, and shimmery black all around. It was her last night with Connor, and she was determined to go out in style, to make one final shining, sparkling memory.

Big and bright enough to possibly, hopefully eclipse the pain.

Connor sighed. “Fine. I’ll be back at seven for our date. And I meant it about you staying here to do your research all day today. Skylar’s going to be at her friend’s this afternoon so you don’t have any good excuse not to.”

“And in case you get hungry...” he added quietly, “I got you a few avocados. They’re in the pantry.” He came to a full stop at the door and gave her a long, lost look filled with emotions she couldn’t face. Not now. Not without breaking.

Don’t look at me like that. Don’t make me think about what tomorrow is.

Thankfully, he read her closed look and left without another word.

Unable to help herself, as soon as she heard his car leave, she went straight to the kitchen pantry. And nearly cried when she saw the mesh bag filled with twenty or so avocados.

God, this was going to be the most depressing date in history if she didn’t get a grip.

With the most calming breath she could muster, she went over to her laptop and research notes, making sure only to take out what she needed. She didn’t want to accidentally leave something here that she’d have to come back for.

She didn’t want to be that girl.

She worked nonstop for an hour...and wrote exactly one sentence. All the words on the page were gibberish, her mind a mess. By lunch, she gave up completely.

Wandering upstairs in search of a distraction, the sight of her new dress was the only thing that effectively held her attention. It was so pretty. She didn’t have anything else like it in her closet.

With no rhyme or reason whatsoever, Abby stripped down then and slipped the dress on. God, it was stunning. Elegant. Staring at her reflection in the full-length mirror, she hardly recognized the woman looking back at her.

The woman that Connor would be leaving come morning without a goodbye.

Had it not been for the loud chime of the doorbell echoing throughout the house, there’s no way Abby would have been able to hold in the tears another second.

She quickly ran to the front door with the cocktail dress still on, store tag swishing.

“Hi, can I help you?” she asked the pretty woman standing impatiently out on the porch.

The woman just rolled her eyes and made to move past her to get into the house.

Abby blocked her way and attempted to remain civil. “Look lady, I’m not sure what you’re selling, but we’re not interested in any in-home demonstrations today.” Okay, so maybe not civil.

The stacked redhead scoffed and looked down her obviously manufactured nose at her. “Please, don’t act like you live here. I just need to get my purse. I left it here the other night when Connor and I…well, you know.”

Liar! Abby struggled to keep a lid on her temper. She detested women like this. “I’ll make sure to tell Connor you stopped by. He’ll find a way to get it back to you if it is here.” Yes, and hold your breath while you’re waiting.

“So high and mighty,” snarled the woman, crossing her arms over her artificially inflated fun bags. “Don’t think I don’t know all about you. You’re the little teacher Connor is banging this month. The one he’s finishing up with.”

No. There was no way Connor could’ve talked about her to this horrible woman.

The woman laughed at her stricken expression. “Oh, don’t worry. He’ll finish out the month. You know him, always one to fulfill his obligations. Especially his ‘needy projects.’” She perched one perfectly French-manicured hand on her hip. “And when he’s done with you, he’ll come back to me.”

“You’re dreaming.” Connor would never break his rule in that way. Especially not for a woman like this.

“No, you’re the one dreaming if you think Connor’s going to make your little Cinderella fantasies come true. If you don’t believe me, ask him about the marriage arrangement his father is ironing out with my father as we speak.” She ran a condescending gaze up and down Abby’s frame. “Connor needs a trophy wife. And clearly, you’re the furthest thing from a prize for a man like him.”