Emily unbent her arm where it rested beneath her pillow, exploring the cool untouched material. Pointing her toes and arching her back, she let out a breathy sigh as her body went into the most glorious stretch. She’d slept like a baby last night once she’d. . . .

Oh shit.

She’d stayed the night with Reeve after having mind-blowing sex. Even better than the first time. Now it was a groan she was keeping in check as she let one eyelid flutter open, only to be met with two black beady eyes staring back at her.

She screamed and instantly scrambled to the center of the bed and backed into a hard, warm wall of bare flesh.

“It’s just a cat,” Reeve’s husky voice said in her ear. His arms snaked around her, pulling her body flush against his.

Reluctantly she relaxed a bit, loving how warm he was. “I know it’s a cat. I just wasn’t expecting to wake up and find it staring at me.”

Reeve chuckled low and sexy, the rumbling of his chest on her back inviting Emily to melt even more into him, especially as his lips found the top of her spine.

“That’s quite a way to be woken. A woman screaming in your bed.”

“Sorry. It just startled me.”

Emily’s lips parted in pleasure as his mouth opened against her neck, his tongue tasting her skin and sending goose bumps all over her body. Eyes still on the cat, Emily tilted her head to give him better access.

Thoughts of last night came racing back and Emily knew she should be blushing at what had gone on between them, but she couldn’t. It was too good to have any regrets. The perfect way to end things as far as she was concerned.

“Meow.” The dull-gray cat still stared at her. Its irritated behavior would suggest that it was used to getting all the love and attention in the morning so Emily figured it might be jealous. It meowed again, this time with a little more persistence.

“Hush, Jane,” Reeve said against Emily’s neck. “Just push her off. She’ll get the hint.”

“Jane?” Emily couldn’t help her laugh. Instead of pushing her, Emily lifted her finger out, letting Jane sniff at it curiously before tilting her head in for a pet. Emily obliged, stroking behind her ear.

“Plain Jane. What’s wrong with that?” Reeve said, his tone full of amusement.

“Nothing’s wrong with it. Just funny. I wouldn’t have taken you for a cat person.”

“I’m not. But she used to live with my mother and I . . . she’s just happier here.”

That was an odd thing to say and she could tell he’d paused to assess his words before completing his thought. She wasn’t going to pry because if he’d wanted to share he would have. Also, this thing they were doing was not about getting to know each other.

“Well, she is cute, but I think she’s jealous of me.” Emily said, her breath hitching as Reeve’s wandering fingers traveled over her torso, making circles on her skin.

“Probably.” He continued to kiss at her neck, speaking in between licks and sucks. “She’s not used to sharing her side of the bed.”

Damn him for being so adorable and unexpected. But was Plain Jane really the only woman he shared this bed with? Emily had a hard time believing that the cat wasn’t used to this sort of thing. Jane had begun to purr as Emily continued rubbing her hand over and over her soft head.

“Turn this way,” he said. Emily let out a small gasp that sent Plain Jane scurrying, as Reeve found what he’d obviously been looking for between her legs. His fingers played with her and he groaned against the side of her face.

God, she wanted to, so badly. But this was starting to feel like more than random hooking up. Having sex in the bright morning light made you feel like you owed your bed partner the truth. But the way his fingers pushed inside, filling her, wasn’t something Emily could easily ignore. It felt too good, so she rolled onto her back and looked up into his face.

“Well, good morning,” he teased.

“Good morning.”

“This isn’t so bad, is it?” He grinned down at her. “So much easier than sneaking out of bed and creeping out the front door.”

“Okay, okay. I’m still here, so just touch me.”

“I haven’t stopped touching you.” His head lowered and his lips landed on her breast, drawing it into his mouth and then letting it go. “But I do want to know one thing.”

“What’s that,” Emily asked, watching as he swirled his tongue around her nipple.

“How did you get home once you left here?”

Well, damn. She hadn’t been expecting him to ask that. Of course she’d walked, but she wasn’t going to admit any such thing because she didn’t want any questions from him. “I just called Amanda and asked her to come pick me up.”

Reeve gave her a long irritated look over the tip of her breast before finally sucking it back into his mouth. She was happy when he lifted the sheets and moved his large body on top of hers. God, the heaviness of him felt so good weighing her down into the mattress. Pushing his hands into the bed on either side of her neck, he looked down into her eyes.

“I’m glad you’re still here.”

Why did those words send sparks through her torso? And why did he have to be so sweet? Several times since that first night she’d regretted not being honest with him from the start, because she might have made assumptions too quickly. Maybe things with this man would have been different. Maybe he would have been capable of handling her job, her income, her life. Her deep insecurities.

She wanted to return the sentiment. Admit that she was glad she was here, too. But that would give too much away. This was about pleasure, not emotions. So she would give herself up to this one more time. And then it had to end for good.

“So then what are you going to do with me?”

He grinned. “Everything.”

* * *

Reeve could feel the tension in her body. Her natural instincts were telling her to bolt, and he could not allow that. Not again. Especially since this was his second chance. A mystery of the universe that he was still shocked by, because he’d driven all the way out to the Deuce the night before. Alone. Just hoping she might have been seeking him out also. To see her in the store, after he’d stopped on the way home for cheap beer and frozen pizza—which he’d never gotten once he caught sight of her in the checkout line—had blown his mind.

Now here she was in his bed. Breathy low moans escaping her parted lips as he placed slow, openmouthed kisses along her torso.

At this point he was willing to do whatever it took to keep her here, and his first plan of action was seduction. So far it was working. Somewhat. She’d given him another chance, and she was still here. He’d have liked to think that his skills were strong enough to make her relaxed, pliant. He wanted her to spill some secrets, share about herself, but so far she’d held strong.

The only new things he’d learned about her were that she was a late-night shopper—thank God—and drove an Audi, which had baffled him. Maybe she was divorced from a rich guy, or came from money. The more Reeve thought about it, the more it irritated him that she was keeping him in the dark.

Deciding on a different tactic, he reversed course, his chest grazing her soft stomach as he made his way back to her mouth. She let out a whimper of frustration when she realized his lips weren’t heading for the Promised Land. He’d make his way back, there was no doubt of that, but he wanted her to earn it.

Fingernails dug into his sides as he gently sucked on her neck. She gasped. “Please.”

“Please, what? Tell me what you want,” Reeve whispered.

“Go back down.”

He lifted his head so he could look down into her eyes, which were clamped shut. With his hands bracketing her head, he stared at her, admiring the way her hair formed a halo around her head on the pillow. She had on no makeup, her skin was flushed and glowing, a perfectly groomed eyebrow topped each clenched eye. Her lips were full and rosy, parted just enough for him to see the bottom tips of her two front teeth.

God, she was beautiful.

Finally realizing his mouth was no longer on her body, her eyes slowly opened and she stared back at him. She swallowed, her neck and chest moving beneath him.

“Tell me your name, Whip.”

Her lower lip curled in and she caught it with her top teeth, clearly deciding whether she could trust him. Or maybe if she even wanted to.

Please.

That was when a harsh new reality occurred to him. If she wouldn’t give him this part of herself, he couldn’t continue. He almost laughed at himself because he couldn’t recall the names of most the women he’d slept with, and yet here he was, about to forgo a guaranteed orgasm because this one wouldn’t give hers up. He couldn’t say why it mattered so much, but for some reason it did.

She remained silent, her eyes looking beyond him. Reeve dropped his head and blew out a breath before he began to push his body off hers. Before he could move too far, her hands gripped his biceps, holding him to her. His gaze found hers once more and he knew his expression had hardened but he couldn’t help it.

“I—it’s . . . Emily,” she said quietly.

His lips twisted in amusement. He could tell she hadn’t wanted to say it, but apparently, she’d wanted this more. He feared it wasn’t him, but the sex she didn’t want to disappear. Then again, a woman like this could find pleasure with any man. So maybe it was him. At least a little bit. His mouth slowly tipped up into a full smile and she reciprocated.

A moment passed between them. A truth. Something real, and it felt good to pull it from her. Settling his body fully onto hers, he leaned down, his tongue tracing the curve of her ear. She shivered and then gave a full-body sigh as her tension fled. He told himself that the honesty was a relief for her.

“Thank you. For telling me.” He brushed her hair aside and sucked her earlobe into his mouth, biting at it gently, then whispering, “And now, Emily. I’m going to fuck you. Is that okay?”

She let out a quiet moan, which he decided meant yes. Reeve angled his body so he could find her center with his fingers, and God, she was now so ready. He quickly donned a condom, and when he sank into her they moaned in unison.

He stroked in and out of her, trying not to think about how much more real this felt with the soft morning light streaming in, and the sound of her name lingering between them.

Emily. Such a sweet, feminine name for such a strong, no-bullshit woman. She was full of surprises.

Reeve wrapped his arms around her and flipped them so she was on top, and without hesitation she sat up and sank fully back down onto him.

“Oh shit, that’s good.” His voice was ragged. “Ride me, Emily.”

He reached up and cupped her perfect breasts as she began to find her rhythm, rocking back and forth on him. The sensation of her gripping him in her warm body, slipping in and out. Holy shit, he had to get control of himself.

Her hands came up to her chest and landed on top of his, forcing him to squeeze her breasts harder. He had no problem complying, pinching her nipples lightly, and then harder when her fingers pushed down on his.

“You like it a little rough, Emily?” He just wanted to say her name over and over.

“Yes.” She was nearly breathless. Her hips began to shift faster. The grinding of her body was going to kill him if she didn’t come soon.

Twisting his hands, he slid his fingers between hers, putting them palm-to-palm. The small action of holding hands seemed to increase the intimacy of the moment, and when their eyes met he yanked her down to him, needing to get his mouth on hers.

She fell right into his kiss, devouring his mouth, and it wasn’t long before she was whimpering against his lips. Finally, sure that she’d found her climax, he grabbed ahold of her ass and began to guide her body as he sought his own. He may have been a little too rough, his callused hands gripping her skin without gentleness, but she didn’t seem to mind as she flattened her palms on his chest for leverage. He came hard, looking up at her, biting back a groan.

Emily.

He had her name. And he’d had her body. It still didn’t feel like enough.

They lay side by side in silence, her cheek nestled on his chest as she ran her fingernails through the hair on his navel. She was not a talker, which normally would have suited him just fine. Then again, he still sensed she was holding out on him.

“You have plans for today?” he asked.

Her nails froze in place. Clearly that wasn’t something she was expecting.

“It’s an innocent question.” Reeve put a finger under her chin and nudged her face up to look at him. She allowed it.

“I thought we made it clear that this time had a label.”

“That discussion did take place, yes. But you’re still here.” He glanced at the clock on his bedside table. “It’s nine forty-five. Based on your last sleepover I’d call this a huge step. Not very one-night-standish.”

Her eyes looked panicked and he wasn’t sure if he should be offended or not. She pushed up off him and grabbed a pillow to cover her nakedness. Well, he certainly had his answer. He was a bit offended but not surprised. He’d just really hoped she’d prove him wrong.

“Emily, wait.”

She jumped at the sound of her name, almost as if she’d forgotten revealing it. Great. He really needed to accept this one was a runner and probably not worth the effort.

“I’m sorry, I just . . . you reminded me I do have a lot to do today,” she said in a tone so distant it was like she was trying to avoid an irritating neighbor. Her eyes scanned him warily, and he called her bluff. She was scared of something. Him maybe. But he’d been nothing but easy on her so far. Maybe it was time he pushed a little harder. Made her squirm.

“Okay. Like what?” he asked.

Her eyes widened in surprise. Clearly she hadn’t expected him to keep at it.

“Well, Amanda’s wedding is next weekend, so I have to . . . pick up a few things.” She began gathering up her clothes on the floor, trying to sound nonchalant as she continued to blow him off. “You know. Feminine errands.”

She was good, he had to hand it to her. No doubt most men would be thankful she was hitting the road without asking them to come along. He’d been one of those men a thousand times. But not today. Not with this woman. There was just something about her that was making him crazy. And he didn’t believe it was an accident that they’d run into each other last night at the store. It was meant to happen.

He slipped his hands under his head and watched in amusement as she tried to get dressed. It was almost funny, her holding the pillow over her chest with one hand while she tried to pull her yoga pants on with the other.

“You know I just had my mouth all over those breasts you’re trying so hard to conceal from my view.”

She sighed and threw the pillow on to the bed. Reeve grinned.

“A gentleman wouldn’t watch a woman dress when it was obvious she was trying to maintain some semblance of modesty.”

“Please,” he choked out. “A gentleman might find a way to do it without being obvious, but he’d be trying to watch. Trust me.”

She gave him a little amused eye roll as she clasped her bra. With every article of clothing she put back on he could feel her slipping away. This was it, she obviously had every intention of keeping this labeled. Last Time.

He didn’t like that, and as she bent over to reach for her T-shirt, he sat up. Might as well just pull out all the stops. “I want to see you again.”

“Reeve, we sai—”

“No, you said one night. Last Time. Whatever. I never agreed.”

Her lips clamped shut just as his phone rang. With a curse he picked it up and glanced at the caller ID. His mother.

Not now.

“If you need to take that.”

“No, I don’t.” He hit DECLINE and looked back up at Emily. “What I need is to see you again. Go to dinner with me tonight.”

She sucked in a breath and let her shoulders drop. Sensing she was weakening, Reeve shot out of bed and stalked toward her. “Come on, Whip. I like you. I know you like me, too.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I do. Otherwise you wouldn’t be standing here.”

Her eyelids fluttered shut. “My life is . . . complicated.”

“Isn’t everyone’s? That’s exactly why we need to go out. And I promise to make sure our date is the exact opposite of complicated. Dinner, drinks, maybe some more of this.” He angled his head toward the bed and rested his hands on her hips. “Since we clearly have that part down.”

His spirits rose when she smiled. And then his phone began to ring again. “Shit.”

“Just take it,” she said. “I really don’t mind.”

With a sigh, Reeve scooped up the phone. Yep, his mother again. “This is embarrassing, but . . . it’s my mother. Give me a minute?”

She grinned. “Sure.”

He placed a quick kiss on her nose and turned to head for the bathroom. If he had two guesses, they would be that his mother either couldn’t find something in her shithole of a house and was having a panic attack, or she needed money to pay a bill and was having a panic attack.

The minute he answered he knew he was right about the panic. “Reeve, I’m sorry to bother you—” She always started with that line, and it was always breathless.

“It’s fine, Mom. What’s going on?”

“It’s Clarice. I think she may be pregnant.”

Reeve let his head drop and blew out a breath. “Who the hell is Clarice?”

“My new cat.”

Of course. He’d known it before he asked, but once again he’d hoped a woman would prove him wrong. His mother, sadly, never proved him wrong. “I’m pretty certain we had an agreement. No more animals.”

“I know, but she kept coming to the back door, and . . . well you know. I can’t turn away a soul in need.”

She couldn’t turn away anything, living or not. He knew this story all too well. His mother had taken it upon herself to feed Clarice and it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out the rest. This was exactly why he had Plain Jane. When he’d come back from deployment, fresh out of the military, he’d gone to his mother’s house and found six cats living with her. Two adults and their four offspring. That meant on top of the trash and crap, there was the stench of cat shit. A week later, without telling her, he’d taken all four ten-week-old kittens to the shelter. When he’d come back for the parents she’d been hysterical. The only way he’d gotten her to calm down was to promise to let her keep Mr. Boo, her male cat that she’d had for years. In addition, he’d promised to keep Plain Jane, the female. But under no circumstances could the two live together. Reeve drew the line at a zoo in her home, and he knew better than to hope Mr. Boo could keep it in his pants around any female.

He suddenly felt his pulse in his temples. He caught a glance of himself in the mirror, buck-ass naked. Here he stood, discussing a cat named Clarice with his mother, while a gorgeous woman waited in his bedroom. What the hell was wrong with him?

“You know I’m going to have to take Clarice to the shelter, Mom. Preferably before she gives birth. But I’ve got to go now.”

“I thought maybe I could ke—”

“No! You cannot keep any of them, understand?” Reeve sighed. He hung up before she had a chance to say any more. Having a mother who acted like a needy child was draining both emotionally and physically. And of all the times for her to do this to him. Since he was in the bathroom he took the opportunity to relieve himself quickly and then opened the door to his room.

It was empty.

His heart sank. Surely, she wouldn’t pull this shit on him, again.

“Whip?” he called out. No answer. “Emily?”

Grabbing a pair of boxers out of his dresser, he headed down the hallway to the living room. Then the kitchen. On instinct, he walked over to the front window, certain what he what find. Or not find. And sure enough he was right. No Audi in the driveway.

He was alone.