I held her, that sweet red mouth so fucking close. I wanted to kiss her. The way you want your heart to beat the next beat. The way you want air in your lungs when you breathe in…

I could tell by the way she looked at me that she’d let me. Hell, she’d probably kiss me back, even let me peel off that tiny little tank top that made her look even sexier than if she was still naked…

I’d watched her in the water for too goddamned long. That was the problem. I should have let her finish her swim and just go home, like a good little girl. But I couldn’t drag my eyes away, once I’d seen her. And I’d stood at the water’s edge with my cock getting harder and harder, while she floated, oblivious. I could have taken her then. I could take full advantage of her now. It was the only fucking thing I wanted since I’d seen her in the bus station… It was the only fucking thing I wanted now…

“You’re lovely, Maggie,” I said down into the dark depths of her eyes. “The loveliest woman I’ve ever seen…

“But this can’t happen between us. I’ve lived a fucking hell of a lot more life than you have…”

“I want you,” she said, boldly. “I came back because of how I feel. I’m not ashamed.”

“Christ, Mags. I know it’s what you want. I can see it in your eyes… the way your body moves. I know when a woman wants me. And I know when not to take advantage…”

Though I’d never admit it, there was something sexy as hell about how she’d just come out and said it. I want you… I felt my cock, stiff against my belly and wet with need for her. It would be so fucking easy…

“This isn’t just about you and me,” I said, distracted by her nearness… her scent. “You’re my best friend’s sister, for hell’s sake. I watched out for all of you like a brother. It was my job.”

“Well, it’s not your job anymore, Joe.” She reached up a slim hand and pressed it against my chest. It felt like my heart was trying to break its way out to find her. “I can take care of myself. So can Dean. So can Ryan. None of us are children anymore.”

I stood motionless as she reached up to twine her fingers into my hair. She was so close, the tips of her breasts brushed my shirt. “I don’t want to be your responsibility anymore,” she breathed. “I want you to touch me. I’m a woman, Joe, and I’ve waited more than long enough. I’m not waiting for what I want any longer…”

She tangled her hands in my hair and lifted herself up onto her toes. The second the length of her body hit mine, I wrapped her in my arms, crushing her against me and taking her sweet, hot mouth. She tasted like she had in my dream… and I plunged my tongue in deeper, drinking in her sweetness. It was like fever and delirium. She was hot, soft flesh in my arms, and yet it seemed wholly unreal. Maggie was kissing me back with a passion that matched my own, and I was fast losing control. The steaming heat of the night drove us both recklessly on, until her clothes were in a pile on the floor and she’d stripped me of my shirt. She reached for my jeans, and I felt cool air hit fire as she freed my massive cock.

“Oh my God…” I heard her voice through the rushing sound of my own blood in my ears. “Oh… my God…”

I felt her go tense in my arms, and used what was left of my self-control to pull myself back. She was staring, wide-eyed and still, her fingertips resting against the most powerful erection I’d ever had.

“I’m oversized tonight, Maggie,” I caught my ragged breath back with my teeth. “It’s been a fucking long time, and I’ve never wanted anyone like this. I won’t hurt you, baby. I’d never do anything that hurt you.”

I tipped her face up to mine and that’s when I knew. I could see it in those big, innocent brown eyes of hers. It wasn’t that I was so much bigger than the others. It was that there hadn’t been any others…

“Oh God, Maggie. Why didn’t you tell me? I’d have never… oh, Christ.”

I picked up my shirt and wrapped it around her shoulders. I turned away to zip up my jeans.

“Because I knew if I told you, you wouldn’t… you’d never…” She sat down on the sofa and pulled my huge shirt over her bare breasts. “I never wanted anybody but you, Joe. It would never have been right with anyone else.”

I stood where I was, not daring to sit down beside her. I’d spared her tonight, but just by the skin of my teeth. There was only so goddamned much a man could stand… But I ached to pull her into my shoulder and comfort her.

“I’m not the one, Maggie,” I said, as gently as I could. “You need to be with someone closer to your own age. Someone new, without all the history we have. Without all the complications of… us.”

I moved toward the door and opened it. I wanted a breeze, a cooling breeze, but there was nothing but a heavy stillness. I looked back, begging her silently to meet my eyes.

“I love you,” I offered. “I always have.

“And I always will.”

She looked up as I let the screen door fall shut.

“Me, too,” she said. “Always.”