The curtains were drawn and empty take-out containers littered the table. The scent of mint and cilantro hung in the air from the Thai food we’d just devoured. Part of me had expected Rhett to be the meat-and-potatoes guy I’d always thought he was, but he surprised me by suggesting Thai and then ordering like a pro.

The surprises were refreshing. For years, I thought I knew everything there was to know about Rhett Hennessy, but it turned out there were so many more layers than I ever realized. The pedestal I’d put him on for all those years was firmly crushed when we started talking football and I realized he didn’t root for the Saints.

“How can you be from New Orleans and not be a Saints fan?” My tone was aghast as Who Dat Nation ran in my blood.

Rhett shrugged. “I grew up watching the Cowboys with my dad. His dad raised him on them too.”

I shot up from the table. “I feel like I don’t even know you anymore.” I grabbed the take-out containers and whirled around to take them to the trash, playing up the moment.

He followed me into the kitchen and trapped me against the island. “You need me to reintroduce myself? Because I’d be happy to.”

“Is that right?”

He stroked a finger down my chin. “Hey, beautiful. Couldn’t help but notice you eating dinner earlier. My name’s Rhett, and I’m the guy who’s taking you to bed tonight.”

I leaned up on my toes and skimmed my lips along his jaw. “Lucky for you, I like a cocky guy.” With my free hand, I reached out and palmed his dick through his jeans. “And you seem to be plenty cocky.”

Rhett groaned and buried his hand in my hair before covering my lips with his. His cock stiffened, and I reached for the button of his jeans.

He pulled away and shook his head. “Nah. I know exactly how this is going down. I’ve been dying to fuck you bent over this island since the morning you made me breakfast after I kissed you for the first time.”

“I wish you would’ve.”

His grin was wicked, but I only caught a glimpse before he spun me around and yanked up my skirt, baring my thong to the empty room.

Rhett’s hand cupped my ass and squeezed. “Every time you walk away from me, I can’t get enough of this sweetness. Makes me wonder what my handprint would look like on it.”

A shiver rippled through me. Spanking was definitely on my must try list.

“Possibly even better than your cock in my mouth.”

A growl filled the kitchen before his palm landed on my cheek with a sharp smack. The burn stung, but morphed into heat when he massaged it.

“You like that, Red? Because it’s turning the prettiest pink, just like your cheeks when you blush.”

My panties were officially toast. “Then you better make them match.”

He released his grip and his hand swung again, his palm connecting with my other cheek in a delicious burn. I moaned and arched into his touch.

He landed two more sharp strikes and then tucked a finger under the back of my thong. He pulled it away from my crack, sliding a finger all the way down until . . .

“Fuck, you’re soaked.” His finger dipped inside me, teasing me with shallow thrusts.

Was that moan bouncing off the walls mine? Why, yes. Yes, it was.

I parted my legs and Rhett plunged a second finger inside, dragging me closer to the edge. He moved behind me, and the hiss of his zipper met my ears.

He reached for the waistband of my thong and tugged it down my legs before stepping between them, his powerful thighs spreading mine further. I turned my head to the side, intending to lift and look back at him, but Rhett stopped me by snatching the pen from my bun and grasping my messy tresses in a strong grip.

“You’re going to take everything I give you, aren’t you, Red?”

Oh sweet Jesus. The feel of his fingers digging into my scalp sent me soaring as he notched his cock against me from behind.

When I didn’t respond verbally, he clutched my hair tighter. “Tell me you want this as fucking bad as I do, Ari.”

“I want it all.” I meant every word of it. I wanted this man, this flesh-and-blood imperfect man who was perfect for me.

He plunged inside, pinning me to the counter. Something about his dominant hold on me lit every nerve aflame, and I was consumed.

As he powered into me over and over, he kept his fingers buried in my hair, sending shock waves of sensation through every cell. When he reached around and strummed my clit, I detonated. Writhing against the kitchen island, I let out a harsh sob as I came over and over. Rhett fucked me like I’d always wanted to be taken, but had never known what to ask for.

Reality rocked.