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  “You seem pretty sure of yourself.”

  “We’re both attracted to each other. That much is obvious or you never would have come out tonight. Why waste any more time? Especially when I know how good we could be together.”

  “You mean in bed?” I clarified.

  “A bed is a good place to start, yes! Or even the back seat of a car, the kitchen counter. I’m sure we would be good anywhere you could think of.” These were words from a man who was not used to being told no by a woman. Well, there was a first time for everything.

  I pushed my plate away, suddenly losing my appetite. I leaned back in my chair and stared at him. “I’m not the girl for you.” I told him honestly.

  He tilted his head. “No?” he asked, like he didn’t believe me.

  Shaking my head, I replied. “Not if you were the last man on earth, and all the batteries were dead.”

  He threw his head back in laughter. He obviously wasn’t taking me seriously. “Oh, beautiful, I love a challenge. You just made me want you even more.”

  He could pursue me all he wanted, but this date was over before it even started. He just confirmed that I was nothing but a hill for him to conquer. My conversation with Brad yesterday started running through my head. It was taking every ounce of strength I had to not think about him. It had been less than twenty-four hours since I last saw him. I missed him, terribly.

  The rest of our dinner conversation went by without any more mention of Brad, but that didn’t mean he still wasn’t stuck in my head. I passed on dessert and coffee and offered to take a cab back to my apartment. Gage insisted on seeing me home even though I made it clear that he wasn’t welcome inside.

  “You smell so good,” he said when I tried to give him a friendly hug goodbye.

  The entire trip back to my apartment consisted of me removing his hand whenever he would try to slide it around my shoulders and me pulling away when he would try to whisper a joke in my ear. His weak attempts to change my mind about sleeping with him were an epic fail. He was a determined son of a bitch, I would give him that.

  “Gage, it doesn’t matter how good you think I smell, I’m not sleeping with you tonight. Or ever!”

  He paused for a moment, then rested his hands on my shoulders. His thumb intentionally grazed the exposed skin from my shoulder blade to my neck. “I was just being honest about what I wanted. I wasn’t trying to offend you.”

  I tilted my head to the side and took a moment to study him. I suppose if I was willing to look long and hard enough I might have found some redeeming qualities in him, but I honestly didn’t have the desire to even try. I forced a smile. “Thank you for dinner. It was a nice restaurant.”

  He gazed down at me. “I know I came on a little strong tonight, but I hope you’ll give me another chance. We could be really good together.”

  I backed away from him just as he was about to kiss me. “I’ll see you around, Gage.”

  As soon as the door to my apartment slammed shut, I leaned my body against the back and sighed. How the hell did I think going on a date with him would be a good idea? I pulled off my heels and rubbed the arch of my foot. I walked into my bedroom trying not to let the disappointment of my failed date get the best of me. It wasn’t that Gage was horrible person. He just wasn’t for me. There were a few times where he was actually funny and charming, but they weren’t all that frequent. I slid the silver bangles off my wrist and pulled my earrings out of my ears. I was startled by the loud knock on my apartment door.

  I turned, thinking to myself that this guy was thicker than a bowl of oatmeal. Forget what I said earlier because he just switched from entertaining to exhausting. He clearly didn’t know how to take a hint. I reluctantly made my way over to the door and swung it open.

  My heart skittered back to life at the sight of Brad standing in my doorway.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Lexi

  “Brad, what are you doing here?”

  He pushed his way into the room and planted his hands firmly on my hips with the door slamming behind him. The sound made me jump. He caged me in up against the wall with a force that had me questioning who this man was. Gone was the man who I called my friend. In his place was a man determined. He looked like a man who knew what he wanted. The tension in the air made everything seem more dramatic.

  His hands cupped my face in a firm grip; my skin heated from the timbre of his voice. “I’m ready now, Lexi.”

  “Ready for what?” I managed to get out between breaths. I shifted to the side wondering if he knew how turned on I was. My legs felt weak, like they would buckle underneath me at any moment.

  “When you left me standing outside at the curb yesterday, it was like déjà vu all over again. I let Emily walk away so she could have space. I don’t want to give you the same space to move on. I just want you. I know I can’t go back and take away all the things I said, but I can start right now by telling you that I’m ready now. I’m not going anywhere. I don’t care about all the reasons I used to stay away. The only reason I need, the only one that feels right is you.”

  His mouth covered mine before I had a chance to respond. The desperation in his kiss felt more like a promise. It was a promise of something more. Before we took this any further though I wanted to make sure he understood what was on the line.

  I pulled back from the kiss and placed my hands on his chest. I could feel his heart pounding under his dress shirt. “Please don’t hurt me again Brad. Don’t push me away. This is your last chance… choose me or let me go.” My soft, pleading voice was breaking. I didn’t want to keep questioning his every word, but after yesterday, I refused to let him fill me with false hope just because he was feeling jealous. Not that I thought that was his only intention, but I was sure it was the driving force that had led him to my doorstep tonight.

  “Lexi… I don’t want to look back five years from now and regret not taking a chance on us. I’m sick of playing it safe. I’m willing to risk it all because you’re worth it. I’m asking you…” He shook his head. “No. I’m begging you, to look past all the shit I said before and trust me enough to not hurt you again. I’m not saying that there won’t be times when I fuck up, but I would never hurt you. Not on purpose.” His voice was unwavering, and I felt my insides turn to liquid.

  “But you do, every time you pull away from me.” I said, trying to hold onto whatever ounce of strength, I had left. It would be so easy to give in, to just fall into his arms, but I needed to know that he would be there to catch me.

  “I’m done fighting my feelings for you. Fuck, Lexi!” He groaned then looked away before leveling his gaze back on mine. “I can’t stay away from you. I can’t lose you. This thing between us is real. I’m done pulling away from you. I may have been too blind to see it before, but make no mistake. I see you now!”

  His words tugged at parts of my heart that I didn’t even know I had. It felt like everything I had to go through in my life had led me straight to him. My choices, my heartbreaks, my regrets. It all seemed worth it. Because if I had done one thing differently, I might not have ever met him.

  “I want to be with you, too.” I confessed, my voice barely a whisper.

  He slipped his hand in the back of my hair and pulled my forehead to rest against his. “I want you to understand something. I’m going to make this very clear. I’m done living in the past. When I look at you, you’re all I see and all I need.”

  His mouth found mine again. He kissed me slowly, taking his time as if he wanted to savor every taste. Every dip of his tongue stirred emotions in me making everything else fade away. My hands and my heart could not get him close enough.

  His mouth moved down along my neck making my heart miss a few beats. “Don’t stop,” I pleaded.

  “I don’t plan on it.” He murmured against my neck before sucking gently. “You are so damn addicting.” He whispered against my ear. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”

  Within seconds, our frantic han
ds started pulling and tugging at each other’s clothing. My moans became desperate as I fumbled with the zipper to his jeans. God, I was so ready and willing.

  He eventually broke the kiss and pulled away. “Bed. Now!” He growled with a strength I had never heard before.

  My body fell back on the mattress and Brad crawled on top of me like a predator about to attack his prey. He pulled my dress up over my head and slowly drank me in. His skilled fingers lightly trailed along the curves of my breast, causing me to jerk from his touch. I wanted more. I needed more. His hands pushed the cup of my bra over my nipple and he swiped his tongue across it so hard my head fell back and I moaned deeply. I’d never felt more exposed. I was barely hanging on.

  His hands moved to my back unclasping my bra, freeing my breasts for his waiting hands. “I’m a breast man, Lexi.” His tone was eager and filled with need. “These are perfect.” He said before popping one nipple back in his mouth again and biting down hard enough that I felt a sting shoot through me. I always knew I was blessed up top, but hearing him confirm it gave me more confidence than it should have.

  His mouth gradually moved down to my stomach and kissed along my hips before moving back up to my jaw. It was as if he was memorizing every inch of my body. Desire filled me from the inside out.

  His fingers skimmed the length of my abdomen, tugging off my black lace underwear. He stood up and looked at me with heavily lidded eyes. “Did you wear these for him?” He asked with his eyes turning a possessive shade darker.

  “NO!” I shook my head. “I didn’t even let him kiss me tonight.”

  His expression was still set in stone. “Why?” He demanded.

  Watching him watch me had the same effect as if it were his mouth and his hands on me instead of his eyes. Who was this man? And what the hell was he doing to me? This was a side to Brad that I’d never seen before. It was so different and so unexpected I wasn’t sure how to handle him. “Because all I could think about when I was with him was how much he wasn’t you.”

  He positioned himself over the top of me. “You fucking own me.” He declared, crashing his mouth to mine. My legs wrapped around his back and I swear I felt my body hum with need.

  Brad’s fingers dragged along the length of my stomach before he slipped one inside my tight channel. He placed his thumb along my wetness teasing me where I wanted him most. My hands slid down his shoulders then across his arms. His breathing was rapid as I rocked my hips against him trying to find the pressure and friction I craved.

  He withdrew his fingers and peered down at me. “Do we need to use anything?”

  “I’ve been on the pill for years.” I answered, feeling my heart pound. I was eager for him to finish what he started. I licked my lips in anticipation when his body hovered over mine placing it at my entrance. I raised my hips up in invitation letting him know I was ready. With one deep push, he was inside. Whatever control I had drifted away when he started to move. My mind was lost in how good he felt. I wrapped my legs around his back, arching my hips up, and allowed him to thrust deeper. My walls tightened around him as he slammed into me relentlessly. This was rough and hard, but it didn’t feel meaningless. It felt like I was giving my body to him and he was taking everything I was willing to give. With every thrust, every moan and every whimper, I was slowly becoming his.

  “God, you feel amazing.” His voice was thick with need. “I want to watch you. I want to feel you come undone.” His tongue flicked smoothly across my neck before his teeth sunk into my skin. Holy shit, my entire body arched forward. He brought his lips back to mine, and I felt the heat surge through me. I wanted to scream, but he was stealing every moan, every whimper that wanted to leave my body. Hell, I couldn’t talk; I couldn’t even exhale. I felt myself swell, frantically reaching that building pressure. My fingers dug into his bare back. One last thrust was all it took. Stars flashed in my eyes, my body shook and shuttered against his. I felt my insides come apart and explode into a million pieces.

  Brad frantically picked up the pace. I could tell he was close as he dove into me so deep, I feared he might actually split me in two. My mouth opened into a silent moan as he grabbed onto the headboard and pounded away at my insides. He pushed violently one last time, chasing his release then threw his head back with a sigh.

  He collapsed on top of me as I dropped my head back on the pillow, trying to control my labored breathing. His knuckles brushed along my jaw. “Holy shit. That was amazing.” His smile caused me to blush.

  “Oh no, you don’t.” He said, brushing his lips against mine. His breath was warm against my skin. “Don’t even think about going all shy on me now.” His warm chocolate eyes gazed at me with so much affection I felt my heart swell to an unhealthy size. His lips hit my skin, trailing feather-like kisses along my nose, my cheeks, and my forehead then back to my mouth.

  “You’re a bad influence on me.” I teased, while trying to wrap my head around what had just happened. I needed to keep things light and hoped that he couldn’t see how deeply I was falling.

  He brushed a piece of hair off my forehead, tracing the outline of my eyebrow with his thumb. “You’re so beautiful. I can’t believe I almost fucked this up.”

  “I know. I’m just glad you finally decided to fuck me instead.” I giggled, smiling up at him. For the first time in as long as I could remember I felt truly happy. It was the best feeling in the world.

  His eyes turned into amusement. “Is that so?”

  I nodded with a smile stretching so wide across my face, it almost hurt.

  He propped his weight on his elbow and turned towards me. “Why do I think you’re going to be trouble?”

  “I don’t know.” I smiled up at him, “but it’s a good thing you’re trained to deal with trouble.”

  He laughed. “Oh that little smart mouth of yours. Whatever am I going to do with it?”

  “I’m sure you can think of some form of punishment, Officer.”

  His nostrils flared. “Well, for starters, let’s go over your misdemeanors. You are guilty of stealing an erection from a police officer and that’s going to cost you. I’d be willing to look the other way if you are willing to pay your fine in sexual favors.” He smirked and then put my hand over the top of his now semi-hard cock. “I think it’s only fair that you put this back where it belongs.” He said taking a nipple in his mouth then releasing it with a pop. “Preferably right back inside you.”

  I batted my eyelashes playing along. “What if I promise to be good?”

  “I think you should do exactly as the officer has instructed before you find yourself handcuffed to this bed.” He advised, before crashing his mouth back onto mine.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Brad

  I woke up the next morning with long silky blonde hair sprawled over my chest. The morning sunlight was peeking through the white curtains casting a golden glow across the room. That, and Lexi’s leg wrapped around mine felt absolutely amazing. A smile touched my lips with the memory of last night still fresh on my mind. Sex with her was out of this world. I’d been with enough women to appreciate the difference. It surprised me how happy I was just from having this beautiful woman lying next to me. There was no awkwardness like the other day, just the faint sound of her breathing turning my morning wood to steel.

  She started to stir in my arms and I grinned noticing her wild bed hair. One eyelid popped open, and she emitted an exhausted grunt when her head collapsed back down on my chest. She squeezed her eyes shut. “Ugh… what time is it?”

  I chuckled, while glancing at the clock beside the bed. “You’re not a morning person, are you?”

  She grumbled, “Normally I am, but my body aches all over and I feel like I could sleep forever.” She lifted her face up to look at me.

  I grabbed the back of her neck yanking it towards my face. “I think you need a proper wake up call.”

  Her beautiful blue eyes grew wide. “You can’t be serious.”

  My hand curled
around to cup her cheek. “As much as I would love to go another round, I know you’re sore.” I said, kissing the tip of her nose.

  She sighed in relief while resting her cheek against my palm. “I’m sure I’ll feel better later, though.” She replied, with her voice perking up.

  I threw my head back and laughed. “You’re insatiable.”

  Her delicate little fingers fanned out on my chest resting over my beating heart. “Only for you.” She whispered, pressing a kiss to my shoulder. My fingers tangled in her hair, loving the way her body fit perfectly against mine. For the first time in my career, I was thinking about ditching my responsibilities so I could do nothing more than keep her in bed all day long. I tried to protest when she pulled away to get ready for work.

  I sipped on my coffee while I scrolled through my work email and patiently waited for Lexi to finish up in the bathroom. My stomach growled as I looked around in her fridge for something to eat. She was seriously going to have to do a better job of keeping this place stocked with real food. Yogurt and granola for breakfast was not my thing.

  My phone vibrated in my hand as I was typing a reply to one of our investigators regarding a case we are working on. My mom’s picture flashed at the top of the screen, I quickly clicked over.

  “Hey, Mom!”

  Her soothing voice came through the phone. “Good morning, honey. How has your week been?”

  I smiled, looking around the room. Memories from last night came floating back into my head. “It turned out better than I thought.”

  My mom was silent. “You sound funny.”

  I perked up and set my coffee mug down on the table. “Funny, how?”

  “I don’t know, just different.”

  I shook my head and laughed. Talk about a mother’s intuition. We’d always been close, but damn, she knew me so well. “Hopefully it’s a good different. To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?”