My boots barely skimmed the concrete as I raced up the stairs to Mel’s apartment. Since I didn’t want Mel to know I was racing, I slowed my pace when I reached the landing. All my joy evaporated on the spot when she didn’t answer the door.

Gripping the knob, the brass handle turned in my hand. What the hell—an unlocked door in this neighborhood?

“Mel?” My stomach fell as I entered the dark, silent living room. “Melody.”

No response.

Adrenaline surged as I chewed up the worn carpeting in four or five strides. As I stormed into the bedroom, I met Mel’s sweet smile. Propped against a heap of fluffy pillows, the skin on her bare shoulders picked up the glow from the candles strategically placed throughout the room.

“I’m right here,” she said, letting the sheet fall to expose her breasts. “But I couldn’t answer the door because I’m . . . you know . . . naked.”

Overcome by the scent of autumn leaves and cinnamon, my wobbly legs carried me to the bed. To Melody—happy and healthy—and from the looks of it, ready to play.

Easing onto the mattress, I let out the breath I’d been holding.

“I thought...” Shaking the doomsday scenario from my head, I forced a smile. “It doesn’t matter what I thought. How’s it going, angel?”

Mel sat up, her grin losing a little luster with each second that ticked by.

When there was nothing left but the tiniest hint of a smile, she inhaled deeply and then asked, “Do you know how many people in the United States have diabetes, Christian?”

Scrubbing a hand down my face, I drew a blank. “Not exactly.”

But I did know. To the exact number. I was just too wound up to pluck it from my thoughts.

Mel nodded slowly. “Let’s find out.”

Crawling over me to grab her phone from the nightstand, the sheet slid farther, revealing her perfect ass.

Draped over my lap, Melody hummed as she scrolled through her phone, her fingers in no particular hurry.

Forgetting the question, and my own name, I slid my palm from her thigh to the curve of her ass. “Fuck, baby, you look…”

“Twenty-nine million people, give or take.” Triumphant, Mel pushed upright, straddling me.

My hands reflexively shot to her tits. “What?”

Gripping my jaw, Mel lifted my face to meet her gaze. “I said: twenty-nine million people in this country have diabetes.”

I’m sure this was an important discussion, but right now, intellectual Mel wasn’t who I wanted. Reversing our positions, I pressed her into the mattress.

“Good to know.” Burying my face in the crook of her neck, I inhaled her sweet scent as I nibbled my way to her ear. “God, you smell good.”

Exasperated, she drove her knuckles into my pecs. “Listen to me, Christian,” she pleaded. “It’s important.”

Propping on my elbows, I peered down at her. Playful Melody had definitely left the building.

“What is it?”

Her brows drew together. “Do you think those people have friends?” Rolling her eyes when I didn’t respond, she snapped, “The diabetics? Do you think they have friends? Do you think they go to college—have lives? Kids even?”

Scrutinizing her furrowed brow, I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Of course they do.” I leaned in to kiss her but she turned her head. Unease warred with the desire slithering through my body as I gazed at her profile. “Mel, what’s going on?”

“Do you care for me, Christian?”

She winced as the question tripped from her lips, her eyes never leaving the wall.

“Yes.”

The answer spilled out before I had the chance to think about it. Because it was true. I did care about Mel.

She turned to me, hurt deepening the jade-green hue of her irises. “Then stop treating me like I’m some kind of broken toy. It’s exhausting. And at some point, that’s all you’re going to see. The broken part.” Tapping her chest, her voice cracked. “I’m not broken.”

Regret washed over me for making her feel . . . whatever way I’d made her feel.

Resting my forehead against hers, I pressed a kiss to her bottom lip. “I don’t think you’re broken, angel.” Another kiss. “You’re far from broken.”

Mel slipped her arms around my neck, her fingers twisting in my hair. “Then stop treating me like I’m made of glass and show me.” She wrapped her legs around my waist. “Show me right now.”

“Be careful, angel.” I smiled, rocking against her. “I said you weren’t broken. Not that I wouldn’t break you.”

Mel’s eyes lit up, like I’d given her a gift. “You can try.”

“I think we both know what happened the last time you doubted me.”

The heaviness in my chest lifted as I claimed her mouth. I knew in my gut there was more we should discuss. Whatever I’d done, I surely didn’t want to repeat it. But right now, the need flaring in my belly was all consuming. The need to possess her. To protect her. To bury myself so deep in her body, she’d never go two days again without craving me.

I chided myself for the crazy inner dialogue.

Who knows where we’d be in two days, or two weeks?

What I did know is that I couldn’t go another minute without feeling her sweet pussy wrapped around my dick.

“Damn, I can’t wait to get inside you,” I murmured, reaching for the box of condoms I’d stashed in her nightstand.

Mel’s lids flew open, her mouth sliding from mine as I wrestled with the drawer.

“What are you doing?” she asked, gripping my arm.

“Condom.”

She wiggled out from under me. “I’ll get it.”

A ripple of suspicion worked its way from my chest, creeping up my throat as Mel tried to pry my hand from the knob. But I didn’t let go. If she thought I’d bolt if I saw her test kit or a needle, she was sadly mistaken.

“You don’t have to hide things from me, Mel.”

“I’m not hiding.”

“Then let go of the knob,” I challenged, pinning her in place with a stone cold gaze.

Reluctantly, she dropped her hand.

Out of the corner of my eyes I saw her chewing her lip as I rifled through the compartment. She turned beet red when I picked up the tiny silver massager.

Inspecting the toy, I couldn’t keep from smiling. This is what she was hiding.

Smirking, I turned to face her. “Competition?”

The crimson flush spread to her chest, her rose tinted nipples puckering under my scrutiny.

“That’s not . . . I don’t . . .”

She winced when I pushed the button on top of the gadget and it purred to life.

“A do-it-yourselfer, huh?” I chuckled. “No wonder you haven’t called me in two days.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” She tipped her chin. “You know I’ve had problems with that in the past.”

Swirling the little vibrator over her nipple, I arched a brow. “The past? I’m not so sure about that.” I dragged the toy down her body. “Did you use this last night?”

Pressing her lips firmly together, Mel glared at me but said nothing. If this was a war of wills, she’d lose, considering what I had in my arsenal.

She didn’t protest when I spread her legs.

Rubbing the massager against her swollen clit, I waited until her eyes rolled back to pull it away.

Mel made a frantic grab for my hand, her nails digging into my skin. “Why are you stopping?”

“Because you didn’t answer me.” I tapped the massager against her tiny bud, never making contact for longer than a few seconds. “I can play this game all night. But I don’t think you can, so answer my question.”

Squirming, her hips jutted every time I grazed her engorged nub with the purring toy.

“I wonder if this thing has a higher setting,” I mused. A wicked smile spread across my lips as I hit the button on top and the gadget responded with a louder buzz. “Looks like it does.”

Mel grabbed my hand before I delved between her thighs, glaring. “Yes, damn it. I used it last night,” she huffed. “Okay?”

Locking our gazes, I pressed a kiss to her knee. “Did you think about me?” My lips trailed to her inner thigh. “Don’t lie.”

My already pulsing cock throbbed painfully at the thought of her naked and writhing, the toy pressed to her drenched pussy as she called my name.

“Yes.”

Squeezing my denim-clad shaft as I crawled off her, I paused when Mel gripped the back of my T-shirt.

“Where are you going?” Panic suffused her tone as she struggled to sit up.

Circling her wrist, I brought her hand to my lips and then kissed her palm.

“Anywhere you are, angel.”

A pink flush stained her cheeks as I busied myself undressing.

I nudged the drawer shut with my knee when Mel leaned over to stash her little gadget.

“We’re not done with that.”

Her brows drew together. “We’re not?”

Shaking my head, I stepped out of my jeans and then snatched the silk scarf from the arm of her desk chair.

Eyes darting from my rock hard cock to the scarf, she swallowed hard. “What are you going to do?”

Straddling her slim hips, I ran the silk through my fingers. “Nothing you don’t want me to.” When storm clouds brewed in her eyes, I cupped the back of her neck, caressing her cheek. “You know that, right?”

After a long moment she abandoned her grip on the toy and offered me her wrists. The girl never shut up, unless I really wanted her to speak. Then she was quiet as a church mouse.

Lifting one hand to my lips, I kissed her wrist.

“I’m not tying you up, baby” I eased on top of her, smiling. “Unless I have to. Now, close your eyes for me. I think you’re going to like this.”

I ran my thumb over the crease on her forehead where all her tension centered.

“Nothing you don’t want me to do,” I reminded her. “Not ever.”

Without a word, Mel’s lids fluttered closed. So compliant—in the bedroom, at least.

Warmed by the smile quirking her lips, I slipped the scarf over her eyes.

Her hands immediately flew to her face. “Christian . . .”

I tied the fabric so loosely, the silk nearly slid off the bridge of her nose.

“I’m right here.”

Lowering my mouth to hers, I coaxed her into a passionate kiss. She relaxed, her fingers exploring my back and my shoulders. When her hand came to rest on my cheek, I leaned into her touch.

“Are you okay with this?” I asked, my voice a hoarse whisper. “Because if you’re not—”

“I’m fine.” A tentative smile curved her lips. “I mean . . . I think I’m fine.”

“Don’t think.” I kissed her again. “You think too much already.”

My gaze stayed on her face, appraising her every reaction as I sucked her nipple into my mouth. After working the rosy pebble to a stiff peak, I settled between her thighs.

If Mel had any reluctance at all, her body didn’t get the memo. She was soaked.

“God, baby . . . you’re so wet.”

My tongue delved between her folds, teasing her entrance. She got sweeter every time I tasted her. Before I lost myself and took her along for the ride, I felt around for the little massager.

When the toy hummed to life, Mel’s hand shot between her legs.

“No touching.” I scored my teeth across her knuckles. “Are we clear?”

“Yes,” she breathed, balling her fingers into fists at her sides. “Hurry, though.”

For someone that spent her formative years watching mold grow, the girl had no patience.

I thrust two fingers inside her drenched pussy and she stopped twitching.

“You see, it all comes down to choices. Do you want this?” I swirled my tongue over her clit, flicking the tiny pearl. “Or this?”

I rubbed the tip of the little massager over her swollen bud and she groaned in approval.

Obviously, she trusted her battery-operated boyfriend more than she did me. But I was about to change that.

“I guess we’ve got a winner.”

Stroking her deeply, I searched for her G-spot while I circled her clit with the vibrator.

“Oh, God . . .” she groaned loudly, “right there . . . don’t stop.”

My own release threatened and all I was doing was watching. I had no intention of stopping until I was buried to the hilt inside her warmth.

“Come for me,” I rasped as I applied a little more pressure to the tiny bundle of nerves. “If you want my cock, you better let go.” Trailing kisses to where my hand worked it’s magic, I murmured against her skin, “You want my cock, don’t you, baby?”

Her fingers curled into my hair. “Christian!”

I flattened the tip of the toy against her clit when I felt her inner walls tighten. The girl had a way of chasing away her own release if I didn’t hold her down, and right now both my hands were busy.

As she rode out the second wave, moaning incoherently, I studied her.

Mine.

The word echoed in my head, drowning out anything that resembled a sane thought. Because it was insane, the draw I felt for Melody.

When she went limp, I pulled my fingers away and then grabbed the condom from the tangled sheets. She tensed as I ripped the foil packet with my teeth.

For a moment, I considered fucking her without removing the blindfold. But looking into those jade green eyes when she shattered wasn’t something I could resist.

Settling on top of her, I slid the sash from her face.

“There she is.” Gripping her thigh, I pulled her leg to my hip. “You ready for me, angel?”

I wasn’t even sure what I was asking.

She smiled sweetly, wrapping her arms around my neck. “Yes, I’m ready.”

Slipping inside her with one fluid thrust, I stilled, allowing her to set the pace. When her moans grew louder, I began to move. Determined to reach the finish line together, I pressed my forehead to hers, increasing the depth of my strokes until I met the end of her.

Crushing my mouth to hers, I cupped the back of her head to pull her closer as I spilled my release.

I held her there, swallowing all her moans, long after my body went limp. Because as long as we were joined, I could almost believe this contentment would last. That it was something more than a chemical reaction.

Logically, I knew it wasn’t true. And I suspected Mel did as well. Hell, she even sported a tattoo that attested to the fact. Euler’s Identity was a zero sum game.

There was no way around it. No manipulation that yielded a different result.

When you added all the numbers, the sum was always zero.

Reluctantly, I climbed off her and went to the bathroom to dispose of the condom.

Finding her curled on her side when I returned, the equation on her neck peaking from the curtain of her silky hair, I thought about leaving.

Then Melody twisted to look at me, her eyes soft and dreamy as she pulled the covers back so I could join her. Without thinking, I scooted beside her. Tucking her against my chest, I didn’t think any more about Euler’s Identity or the future.

Tomorrow I’d wake up with Mel in my arms, and that’s all that mattered.