“Oh, no, no. NO. Don’t do this to me!” Jessica groaned, stomping on the gas pedal in vain.

But heedless of her words, as she reached the bottom of the hill, the car simply coasted, losing speed rapidly. She steered to the shoulder of the dark, country road and stopped the car. She turned off the ignition, then tried to start the car again, but nothing happened. She pulled the hood release and got out of the vehicle, then lifted the hood and stared at the engine. There were no streetlights this far out of town, and she could barely make out the engine in the light of the half moon.

She grabbed a flashlight from the glove compartment and shone it under the hood.

Not that she knew what to look for. She bit her lip. There was nothing smoking and no obvious broken things. And even if there had been, she wouldn’t have known what to do about it. She got back in the car and grabbed her cell phone from her purse.

Damn, no service. Most places in and around her small hometown of Bakersfield had excellent cell reception, but there were still pockets where the signal was just too weak.

And I’m lucky enough to break down in one of them!

Now what would she do? She glanced around at the isolated road lined with bushy trees, the sound of the crickets almost deafening. She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself, not entirely because of the coolness of the summer night and the fact she was wearing a halter dress.

She reached into the back of the car and grabbed her shawl, then wrapped it around herself.

It was at least a five mile hike back to town. She could manage the walk if she had to, but in high heels walking along a sandy shoulder it would be dicey, and walking on the paved road would be downright dangerous, especially at night.

Alternately, she could sit here in the car and hope someone would drive by and help her. But what if no one came? Or worse, what if someone scary passed by and saw her in this vulnerable position? At least if she was walking, she could dodge into the bushes if she heard a vehicle approaching.

Maybe she was being overly cautious. Accepting a ride from a stranger didn't have to end in tragedy, but why take the chance? A long walk never hurt anyone.

Except for her feet, which would certainly wind up covered in blisters. She should have listened to Mom’s sage advice to never drive in high heels.

She sighed. She didn’t want to wait around here. Better to take her fate into her own hands.

She pushed herself from the car, grabbed her purse and started to walk. She stepped off the pavement onto the sandy roadside. It was difficult walking on the uneven surface, especially since she’d chosen to wear her really high, spike heels to Sally’s engagement party.

Sally was her cousin, and her boss. She owned her own website development business and employed Jessica as office manager, and several technical people to do the actual development. Sally handled the artistic side of things.

The eerie sound of scuttling in the bushes sent shivers down her spine. She walked a little faster. She thought she heard an engine in the distance, and glanced back, but couldn’t see any lights. Of course, the slope of the hill and the trees would block her view of any vehicle until it was fairly close. The sound seemed to be getting louder, though.

She was wearing a white dress, making her fairly visible, which was great for not getting hit, but not so good for trying to stay out of sight. She walked to the far side of the shoulder, looking for a place where the ditch wasn’t too deep so she could scurry in behind the brush. She glanced back and saw the glow of headlights from the other side of the hill. The approaching vehicle seemed to be moving pretty fast. She stepped carefully down the slight incline of the ditch, watching her footing on the grassy surface.

A crackle caught her off guard, then the bushes rustled. A sharp screech escaped her throat as something leaped toward her. She jumped back, then twisted around and lurched toward the road, her heart thundering in her chest. A light flashed in her eyes—a single headlight—as her heel caught on the pavement and she tumbled forward. The animal bound across the road and tires screeched, then the approaching motorcycle swerved and spun around, barely missing her as her hands hit the ground.

The driver gained control of his bike, then leaped off it.

“Shit! What the fuck, lady? Are you fucking insane?”

She shivered as she stared up at the tall, muscular man in jeans and a black leather jacket, silhouetted by the light of the single headlight behind him.

He offered his hand and she reached for it, then he lifted her to her feet, none too gently.

“I could have been killed. You could have been killed. What the fuck are you doing walking around in the dark?”

She just stared at him, adrenaline pumping through her, as he pulled off his helmet, revealing dark spiky hair.

Oh, God, when she’d feared someone scary would come driving by, this is exactly what she’d had in mind. Only this was worse.

What would he do once he calmed down and realized she was out here all alone. She shuddered.

Storm stared at the woman in front of him, unshed tears glazing her eyes, though he didn’t think she’d be able to hold them back much longer, and he cursed himself for swearing like a fucking sailor.

He’d been hanging around with a rough crowd lately and had picked up some bad habits. That’s why he’d decided to move on. A band in the little town of Bakersfield just ahead needed a guitar player and he’d been offered the gig.

But right now, he needed to try and calm the frightened woman in front of him and see if he could help her.

“Is that your car back there?”

She nodded.

“I take it you couldn’t get it started.”

She shook her head.

He raised an eyebrow. “And you were going to walk all the way to town? Do you know how far that is?”

She nodded, and just when he thought she’d never utter a word to him, she added, “Five miles.”

“You live there?”

She nodded.

“Okay.” He walked to his Harley and opened the hard-shell compartment on the back, then retrieved the spare helmet. He offered it to her. “I’ll give you a ride.”

She shook her head. Great, back to non-verbal communication.

“What’s the problem?”

“I don’t know you. And I certainly don’t want to ride on that.”

“Really? You’d rather stay out here on your own?”

She glanced around and he could see she was shivering, but whether it was because she was wearing that pretty little sundress, all white and sexy, or because of fear he didn’t know. Probably both.

“I’ll be okay.”

“Like hell. Lady, I’m not leaving you here alone.”

Her eyes widened at his tone and she stepped back.

He drew in a deep breath and dropped the helmets into the compartment. “Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” He ran his hand through his hair and smiled reassuringly. “I promise I’m not going to hurt you. Okay?”

She shook her head and backed away another step. She glanced around and he was sure she was going to bolt.

He held up his hands, palms toward her. “Okay, what if we walk back to your car together and I’ll see if I can get it going again?”

He could see the car down the road, about fifty yards behind them.

“I’ll walk in front if you promise not to run away. That way you’ll know exactly where I am, and I can’t sneak up behind you. Deal?”

She nodded. “Okay.”

Good. At least they were making some progress.

He pushed his bike further onto the shoulder, then turned around and started toward the abandoned car behind them. He heard her footsteps on the sandy gravel behind him. Once at the vehicle, he released the hood, then walked to the front of the car and gazed at the engine.  After a quick perusal, he noticed that the serpentine belt was gone.

She peered at the engine from the other side of the car.

“The serpentine belt must have broken,” he said. “That’s the part that drives the water pump and circulates coolant to cool the engine, the power steering pump and the alternator.”

“Could we jump start the engine to get it going again?” she asked.

 “Not from my bike, and even if we could get the engine started again, it might not be safe to drive.  It’ll have to be towed to a garage.”

She nodded. “Okay. Thanks anyway.”

She turned and started walking again. He started after her, then fell in step beside her. She sent him a sidelong glance, but kept on walking. He matched his pace to hers, which was slower than his natural gait. He had longer legs, and he wasn’t wearing high heels.

When they reached his bike, she kept on going.

“Really? You’re still insisting on walking?”

He stepped ahead of her, blocking her path. “Look, let’s talk about this.”

Jessica frowned. “There’s nothing to talk about.” She stepped past him, then started forward again.

Just then, something scurried across her path. At the flash of white on black, she realized it was a skunk. She screeched, then spun around and lurched forward, smacking straight into his chest.

His big, broad, solid chest. His arms came around her and stopped her from tumbling. She hesitated a moment, her face pressed against his buttery soft leather jacket. Mmm, it smelled so good. Musky man scented leather.

“You okay?”

Oh, God, she knew she had to pull away, but she didn’t want to fight anymore. She didn’t want to walk five miles to town. Her feet already hurt. And it was scary out here, with deer and skunks, insects and such.

And big, scary bikers. Or, at least, one in particular.

The thing was, she didn’t really find him scary. He was actually pretty sexy. And helpful. And kind of nice. Despite the anger and foul language that had been their first exchange.

But he seemed to regret yelling at her.

And if he was going to murder her, or rape her, wouldn’t he have done it by now? Why take her somewhere on his bike to do it?

Many reasons started poking through her brain, but she pushed them aside.

“Miss? Are you okay?”

She nodded against his leather jacket, trying to find the strength to pull away.

“Okay, good.”

He didn’t seem in a rush to push her away, either.

She gazed up at him, without pulling herself from the warmth of his arms. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be clinging to you like this.”

“I don’t mind. It’s a big improvement over you being afraid of me.”

Finally, she drew in a breath and summoned the will to stand up on her own two feet again.

“My name’s Jessica.”

He smiled. “I’m Storm.”

He offered his hand and she shook it.

“Does this mean you’ll accept a ride to town with me?”

“Yes.” She eyed the big bike warily. Unfortunately, that meant climbing on his big beast of a machine. But it was better than staying out here on her own.

He handed her the helmet and she pushed her long, black hair behind her shoulders and pulled it on.

She stepped closer to the bike, eyeing it, wondering how in the heck she was going to get on it in this dress and still look ladylike. She’d have to swing her leg over and—

He wrapped his big hands around her waist and lifted her, setting her atop the seat. Luckily the dress had a full skirt, so she held it in place in front of her as she straddled the leather seat.

“That shawl’s not a good idea.” He held out his hand and she reluctantly drew the rectangular woven shawl from her shoulders and handed it to him.”

His gaze fell to her chest and she wished she still had the protection of the shawl around her.

“You’re going to be cold in that dress.” He unzipped his leather jacket and pulled it off.

Her gaze fell on the tattoos coiling down his muscular arms from his black T-shirt. The sight of them took her breath away. She’d never known anyone who was so… bad-ass. And wickedly exciting.

“Here, put this on.”

“But what about you?”

“I’ll be fine.”

She pulled the big jacket around her, slipping her arms into the huge sleeves. The musky male scent of him enveloped her. He zipped it up as she pushed the sleeves up as best she could. He climbed onto the bike in front of her, then the engine roared to life.

“You have to hang on, so wrap your arms around my waist.”

She slid her arms around his muscular body. The heat and hardness of his body sent her hormones into a spin. The engine roared louder as he pulled onto the road As they picked up speed, she tightened her hold on him, her body pressing tight to his solid back.

What had she been thinking? Getting onto a motorcycle with a complete stranger—one covered in tattoos, no less—then driving away with him into the night.

It was dark and the big machine wound along the twisting road. She shivered as she clung to him, terrified he’d lose control and they’d go spilling onto the hard pavement.

“It’s okay. I’ll get you home safely,” he said over the engine.

She just nodded and held on tight. Finally the road straightened out and she relaxed a little. Unfortunately, she then became very conscious of how close her body was to his. He was hot and sexy, and oh, so masculine. And it didn’t help that the vibration of the big machine between her legs sent heat coiling through her.

She shifted on the seat, alarmed by her growing excitement.

Relieved, she saw the lights of town glowing ahead. A few minutes later, they’d reached the outskirts and streetlights lit their path. She gave him directions to her place.

He pulled up in front of the house she directed him to, then turned off the bike and dismounted. She held down her skirt and drew her leg over the bike, then hopped down to the ground. She unzipped his jacket and drew it from her shoulders, then handed it to him.

“Thank you.” Then she removed the helmet and gave him that, too.

He dropped the helmet and his jacket in the container attached to the back of the bike and grabbed her shawl, which he’d stowed inside. Instead of handing it to her, he draped it around her shoulders.

“You know, I’m new in town.” He smiled, a devastatingly sexy show of straight white teeth. “I’d love to see you again. Maybe you could show me around.”

“I don’t think that’s good idea.” You scare the hell out of me.

He stepped close. That winning smile was so sexy she thought she’d melt on the spot. “I think it’s a great idea,” he said in a low, almost growly voice.

She just shook her head. “Thanks for the ride.”

“You’re welcome.”

She hesitated, knowing she should walk away, but his captivating blue gaze held her mesmerized.

Suddenly, she found herself swept into his arms, and his warm lips captured hers. The kiss was devastatingly sensual, persuasive, and erotic. His tongue dipped into her mouth with a gentle nudge, then swirled and slipped away. His big body wrapped around hers made her hormones swirl and vibrate through her in a whirlwind of confusion.

God, she wanted to drag him up to her apartment and into her bed right now.

But that’s not how she did things.

She did not sleep with complete strangers.

No matter how devastatingly handsome.

Especially a crazy tattooed biker who almost ran her over on the road. Even though that was mostly her fault.

“Good night, Jessica I-don’t-know-your-last-name.” He grinned. “And I bet this isn’t your place, either, is it? You know I’m going to watch until you’re safely inside, so unless you know the people who live in this house well enough to walk inside at 2 a.m., then why don’t you own up.”

She sighed. “Okay. I live in the apartment building at the end of the street.”

He gazed down at her, seeming a little sad. “You know, Jessica. I wish you didn’t distrust me so much. I promise I won’t hurt you.”

She gazed up at him and nodded nonsensically, mesmerized by the warmth in his eyes.

He laughed. “Okay, back on the bike, or walk?”

It was only about fifty yards away.

“Walk.”

She started forward, but her heel tipped on a stone and she wobbled a little before she steadied her footing, more from the wild sensations still flooding through her after that kiss than anything else. Suddenly he scooped her into his arms. She clung to his neck as he carried her to her building.

“I really can walk, you know.”

“I know it, but it’s the only way left for me to give you a ride.”

Their gazes met and other ways of him “giving her a ride” jumped to mind. Her cheeks heated at the unbidden thought and he grinned, clearly knowing exactly what kind of ride she was thinking about.

“Well, Miss Jessica I-don’t-know-your-last-name, I see you’re not quite as prim as your pretty white dress and skittish attitude let on.” He reached the entrance to her building and set her down. “I sure would love a coffee.”

She fished for the keys in her purse. “There’s an all night donut shop on Main. Just go back the way you came then turn left.”

“You’re a hard woman, Miss I-don’t-know-your-last-name.”

“And you’re a hard man,” she said absently as she continued searching in her large purse, having trouble finding the darned keys.

Her fingers curled around them and she pulled them out, then glanced up to see his eyes twinkling. Clearly, he’d taken her “hard man” comment, which she realized she hadn’t finished, for something else. She could just imagine the part of him he was imagining hard. Or that was already hard.

Oh, God. She had to stop her gaze from drifting to the front of his jeans.

“I meant, a hard man to get rid of,” she said tightly. Now that just seemed mean. She sucked in a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be rude. I’m just tired. I really do appreciate you helping me out. Thank you.”

His eyes, which she could now see by the overhead light were a gorgeous shade of sky blue, gazed at her with warmth.

“You’re very welcome.”

She almost expected him to pull her into his arms again. In fact, part of her longed for him to do so. But instead he just stood waiting. When she didn’t move—man, she was rattled—he took the keys from her hand and opened the door, then handed them back to her.

He pulled the door open and held it for her. “Good night.”

She stepped inside.

“Jessica, I’m not going to give up on you. Just fair warning.” Then he released the door and walked away.

The next day, the sun shone brightly and the cloudless sky was a vivid blue, so Jessica decided to go to the beach. Since her car was in the shop—she’d called them last night to tow it in—she couldn’t do any of the errands she’d hoped to get done today, but having a day off to just relax was not a bad thing. She threw on her bathing suit, then a tank top and sarong overtop. After tossing a towel in her beach bag, along with a water bottle and some sunscreen, she put on her sunglasses and a straw hat and walked the mile to the lake. Usually, she’d go with Sally, but Sally had plans with her fiancé today.

She found a nice place on the beach that was far enough back from the water, so she wouldn’t have sand kicked on her as children ran past. Several giggled and played right on the water’s edge, a couple building an elaborate sand castle with plastic buckets and shovels. She laid her towel on the sand, then she shed her sarong and tank top and stretched out.

The sun beat down on her as she read her book, and soon she put it down and closed her eyes, enjoying the heat on her body.

“Hey, if you fall asleep, you’re going to burn.”

She opened her eyes and smiled up at Travis. She couldn’t see his eyes behind the mirrored lenses of his sunglasses, but his lips were curled up in a smile.

She grinned back at him. “What’s it to you?”

“I don’t want a sister who looks like a lobster.”

She grabbed her rolled up top and threw it at him, aiming at his face, but he just caught it and tossed it on her bag.

“Mom mentioned you were coming here today, so I thought I’d stop by and see if I could find you. Good thing you’re in your usual spot. We just finished rehearsing and I thought you might want to grab a bite to eat together.”

“Sure.” She stood up and gathered her things, then tossed them in her bag. She slipped on her sandals. “Should I go get changed?”

He shrugged. “We’re just grabbing something at the snack bar.”

She followed him across the sand to the park at the edge of the beach, then across the grass to the stands where they sold food, but he walked right by them.

“I already grabbed the food and it’s at the picnic table.”

It was odd that he’d leave the food unattended, but her brother had his quirky ways.

“Over there.” He pointed to one of the picnic tables under a big tree, but there was someone already sitting there. “I hope you don’t mind. I invited a friend. He’s new in the band. Just arrived in town last night.”

She could only see his back, but the tribal tattoo around his left arm was a dead giveaway. This was Storm, the biker who had driven her home last night.

“Oh, uh… I should go change first.” She did not want to sit across from this man in just her bikini.

“Forget it. The food’s already getting cold, and I can’t stay too long.”

She sighed, tugging her sarong from the bag and quickly wrapped it around her hips as she followed him to the table. She walked to the other side as Travis sat down beside Storm.

“Hey, Storm, this is my baby sister, Jess.”

Storm pulled off his sunglasses and slid them in his pocket, his eyes gleaming as he took in her low cut bathing suit top and bare midriff, his mouth curling up in a smile.

“Hello again.”

“Storm told me he helped out a woman last night whose blue Ford Escort had died on the road into town. I figured that must be you. When I told him I was going to track you down for lunch, he asked if he could tag along.”

She nodded. “Thanks again.”

“My pleasure.”

Travis handed her a paper plate with a hamburger and fries, and a soda in a covered cup, then he sat down and set his sunglasses on the wooden table. She didn’t realize how hungry she was until she took her first bite. She opened a ketchup packet and squeezed it onto her plate, getting some of it on her fingers. As she opened her mouth and slid her index finger inside to lick off the ketchup, she noticed Storm watching her with a glitter in his eyes.

She raised an eyebrow. Really? He was going to make a thing out of the fact she was sucking on her finger. She slid her middle finger into her mouth, wrapping her lips around it and…

Oh, damn, now all she could think about was penises… big and hard… She picked up the hamburger and bit down on it, pushing the images out of her mind. But when she wrapped her lips around the straw to take a drink, thoughts of his big member sliding into her mouth made her cheeks burn.

“How do you two know each other?” she asked. “Did you have auditions today?”

Travis was part of a rock band and they’d lost their guitarist. They’d known it was going to happen for several weeks now, but they hadn’t found someone to replace him yet.

“We met when I went to Colorado last month for that big music festival. He jammed with me and the guys and we all figured he was a good fit. I told him we needed a new guitar player and if he wanted the gig, it was his. He let me know last week that he was interested.”

Jessica turned to Storm. “So you’re staying in Bakersfield?”

“Yeah, for a while.”

Travis threw his arm around Storm. “Man, this guy is awesome. You should see some of the shit he’s into.”

“Really?” That certainly sounded ominous.

“Turn off your judgmental face, Jess.” Travis pulled out his phone and flicked his fingers over the screen. “I mean stuff like this.”

He showed her the phone and there was a picture of Storm hanging from a vertical, sheer rock cliff. He flicked through a few more pictures showing Storm progressing up the rock face, then one of him hanging from the underside of a huge lip right at the summit.

“The guy does all kinds of stuff like that.” He grinned at his new friend. “Clearly, he doesn’t understand the meaning of the word fear.”

She shivered at the sight of him dangling in the air, a long, sheer drop beneath him. “I don’t know how you could do something like that. It would terrify me.”

“Maybe if I show you how to do it, you won’t find it so disturbing.”

Travis laughed. “You’ll never get my sister anywhere near a cliff like that.”

Storm shrugged. “We could start small, with harnesses.”

She shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

Travis continued flicking through the photos on his screen, then he laughed and nudged Storm’s arm. “Hey, remember this?”

He turned the phone to Jessica. “This guy is awesome on stage. We went to see him play at a club in Colorado, and I recorded this video.

Travis handed her the phone and she pressed play. The sound on the phone wasn’t great, but she could see the passion in his eyes as he played. She sat mesmerized, watching him own the stage as he played his music.

“Watch this part,” Travis said.

Storm frowned. “I don’t think she wants to see that.”

At the end of the song, a woman jumped up on stage and scrambled toward him. She wore embarrassingly short Daisy Dukes which revealed the bottom of her bare behind, and a midriff top that was cut so low, it looked like her boobs would drop out at any minute. She threw her arms around Storm and kissed him passionately.

Then the video ended.

“Is that your girlfriend?” she asked, annoyed at the jealousy seething through her.

“No, that’s the thing,” Travis answered. “The women just throw themselves at him.”

She took a sip of her drink. What did she expect? He was gorgeous, sexy, and he was a rocker. Of course beautiful women would throw themselves at him.

Travis glanced at his watch, then wolfed down his second hamburger.

“I’ve got to go.” Travis put on his sunglasses and stood up. “I’m meeting with a new potential manager today. If he’s any good I’ll get the rest of the guys together and see what they think.”

“I should get going, too,” she said.

“Nonsense,” Travis said. “Stay and keep Storm company.”

Jessica glanced at Storm who hadn’t finished his lunch yet. It seemed rude to just walk away. Anyway, she still had her drink to finish.

“See you later, sis.” Travis sauntered away and disappeared beyond the trees.

“Your brother’s a great guy.”

“I think so. We’ve always been close.” She smiled. “We always looked out for each other in school, although I think I was the more protective one. He’s always been the dreamer while I was the practical one.”

“Yeah, I could tell.” He smiled and his gaze fell to her swimsuit top. “You look gorgeous today, by the way.”

She was both embarrassed at being so exposed, and elated that he found her attractive. She sipped her drink as he finished his lunch.

“I really should get going,” she said, and stood up. “I’ve gotten more than enough sun today.”

He stood up, too. “Let me give you a ride home.”

She thought about protesting, but the thought of wrapping her arms around him and leaning against his big body while they rode his big bike was too appealing.

He took her bag and they walked to the parking lot. The sight of his sleek black bike sent a thrill through her.

He pulled his leather jacket from the storage compartment. “You’re going to need this again. It’ll protect you from the wind.”

She pulled it on, then donned the helmet he handed her. She climbed onto the big machine, her sarong pulling open as she sat straddling the wide leather seat. He glanced appreciatively at the expanse of thigh laid bare, then he put on his sunglasses and mounted the bike. Soon they were speeding along the road, her arms linked tightly around his waist.

Then he pulled up at her door and climbed off the bike. Once he’d retrieved her bag from the storage bin, she handed him his helmet and jacket, missing the warmth as soon as she pulled it off.

“Thanks again. And good luck with the band.”

But as she started to walk away, he grasped her hand and drew her back.

“Wait. I told you I wouldn’t give up.” He pulled off his sunglasses, revealing his compelling, sky blue eyes. “Go out on a date with me.”

She frowned. “Look, I get it. You’re used to women following you around, throwing themselves at you. You probably just have to snap you fingers and they fall at your feet. It must be wonderful for you, but that’s not me. If you’re hoping I’m some kind of groupie—”

“No, I don’t think you’re some kind of groupie. And you don’t get it. I don’t want some beautiful, vapid blonde who’s only attracted to me because I play a mean guitar, or because she figures I’m famous because I’m up on a stage.”

She smiled despite herself. “So you don’t want to sleep with beautiful women?”

His lips turned up in a slow, sexy smile.

“Well, there is one beautiful woman I’d love to sleep with, but so far I’m striking out.”

Her cheeks flushed, in both embarrassment and delight, at his comment. He thought she was beautiful? When he had sexy women in skimpy clothes throwing themselves at him all the time, why would he choose her? With a mere glance of those sexy blue eyes, he could have any one of them. Or two… or three.

He stepped closer. “Don’t tell me you don’t know how beautiful you are.”

As he got close, she backed up, but the brick wall stopped her escape.

“I’ve never really thought about it.”

He stroked her hair from her face, the gentle touch sending tremors through her.

“You are very beautiful. And I would love to go out with you.”

She shook her head. “Why? I wouldn’t think I’m your type?”

“Because you’re different. All those groupies you talk about only want me for superficial reasons. I want someone who wants me because of who I am.”

“I don’t even know you. Why do you think that would be me?”

“I don’t. But if you’d give us the chance to get to know each other, then who knows? I think I have a way better shot with you than any of those groupies.”

Her eyebrows arched up. “Really?”

He chuckled, a deep rumbling in his chest. “I don’t know what it is Jessica, but I can’t get you out of my head. You’re the first woman in a long time who’s made me want something more meaningful than just climbing into bed together.”

“So you don’t want to get me into bed?” She didn’t know why she’d said the teasing words, because this was definitely dangerous territory.

His eyes heated and he leaned in a little close. “Oh, I would absolutely love to get you into bed. Make no mistake about that. But I think we have a chance for more.”

She tipped her head. “Are you actually saying you’d like to do the boyfriend thing?”

“Maybe. Why not?”

She shook her head. “I don’t know. I don’t see you sticking around Bakersfield long enough to have a relationship. You’ll probably want to move on pretty soon.”

To her disappointment, he nodded. “Of course I will. Nothing is forever. But I’ll probably stay here several months. Maybe even a year. And then who’s to say what’s next. Life rarely works out according to plan. Do you really intend to stay here the rest of your life?”

She pursed her lips. “I guess I never really thought about it before, but…”—she shrugged—“I have a good job here, people around me I love. Why would I ever leave?” Even the thought of packing up and moving away… of leaving her family and her friends behind to start a new life somewhere else… made her stomach tighten. She liked the familiar. She’s never been a risk taker, and she was fine with that. When you were always pursuing new things, it kept you from appreciating what you already had.

She gazed up at the stunningly handsome man in front of her. Well, maybe some new things were… exciting… in a good way. At least, she was starting to believe he might be.

“Okay, so I can’t promise you forever,” he said, “but that doesn’t mean we might not have a great relationship. Even if it doesn’t last forever, that doesn’t mean it’s not worth experiencing. Isn’t it worth a try? Come out on a date with me.”

She drew in a slow breath, considering.

“Come on, Jessica. Take a chance.”

Her gaze slid to his. Take a chance. That was so not her style.

But, oh, man, if she was ever going to take a risk, he’d be the one worth taking.

“Okay, I’ll go on a date with you.”

Jessica finished making her lunch for tomorrow, then pulled on her pajamas. Should she have agreed to go out with Storm? The two of them were just so different.

Before their conversation this afternoon, she never would have thought she’d agree to date him, but his reasons for wanting to date her were so surprising, and attractive. Not that she thought they had a chance for a long term relationship, but it was endearing that he wanted something deeper from a woman than a quick roll in the hay.

He wanted to be wanted for himself. She liked that he felt she might be the one that could give him that. It made her feel needed and special.

There was a part of her, though, that was attracted to the whole bad-boy thing he had going on, even though it also intimidated her.

They’d decided to go out the following Saturday night. Storm was playing with the band at an event in the park that day and they’d be rehearsing all week. The event finished in the evening, so she would watch them play, then she’d meet him afterward for a drink.

She climbed into bed and pulled the comforter over her. As she lay in the dark, she couldn’t help remembering her arms around his big body… her head resting against his soft leather jacket… the vibration of the bike beneath her.

In her mind, he turned off the road and drove to a secluded spot, then scooped her off the bike and kissed her, his big arms holding her tight to his muscular body.

She sighed as in her imagination, he untied her halter dress and lowered the top to reveal her naked breasts. Her hand glided to his jeans and stroked the huge bulge straining against the denim.

She pulled down his zipper and slid her hand inside to find the hard column of flesh and wrap her fingers around it. Oh, God, she longed to be touching him for real. For him to be touching her.

She rolled over and tried to put him out of her mind. She had to get up early for work tomorrow, but at this rate, she'd just keep thinking about the sexy biker she’d only met yesterday.

She finally drifted off to sleep, but the wild events that filled her dreams shocked her to the core. The sex she shared with Storm took some crazy turns. One time, they stood in the middle of a crowd watching something exciting, she didn’t know what, because all she cared about was him standing behind her sliding one arm around her waist and drawing up her skirt, then his big, hard cock sliding against her slick opening. It pushed inside as they stood among all the people, no one knowing what they were doing. The crowd cheered in excitement, and she moaned, riding his cock as he pulsed inside her, holding her tight to his body.

Next, he took her on a pool table in a pool hall, both of them knowing the leather-clad tattooed bikers who’d been playing at the table before might return at any moment.

Her cheeks flamed as she remembered that one did return—a big, sexy man with a muscular build that rivaled Storm’s, and a smile that won her heart. His face also looked amazingly similar to Storm’s. To her total embarrassment as she remembered that portion of her dream, the newcomer stripped down and stepped behind her, then slid his big cock into her at the same time as Storm. The two men had ridden her to a glorious climax.

She raced to the shower and turned it on cooler than usual, then let the water calm her overheated imagination. She arrived at work a little late that morning, but that didn’t stop images of Storm from wandering through her mind all week.

When Saturday arrived, she put on a nice sundress, anticipating Storm’s appreciative gaze, then walked to the park to meet Sally and some of their friends. There was a good turnout and she enjoyed the music of the various bands that played that afternoon. They ate some hamburgers for dinner, then found a place near the stage to watch her brother’s band, called Savage Kiss.

The band was well-known in town, so when they were introduced, huge applause filled the outdoor space. As they bounded onto stage, the crowd cheered. Her brother deftly raised their enthusiasm to a fever pitch, leading into the introduction of the band members, and fanning the flames of adoration until finally, he introduced their newest member, Storm.

The women, especially, hooted wildly as they saw the hunky, muscular guitar player. Then when he began to play his solo, everyone was mesmerized by his sheer energy and talent. Jessica immediately understood his name as he took the crowd by storm with his intense charisma.

“My God, is that who you’re going out with,” Sally asked against her ear.

Jessica turned to see the utter astonishment and admiration in Sally’s eyes.

Jessica merely nodded. Her other friends nudged her, grinning widely.

“Damn, girl, you are so freaking lucky,” Tonya said, her gaze never wavering from Storm.

When the show was over two hours later, the girls waited with her while the crowd thinned.

“That new guy, Storm, is so sexy,” said a woman to her two friends as they passed by.

“I know. I’d so do him.”

“I think we should go backstage and see if we can meet him,” said the third woman.

“We’d never get in,” the first woman said.

“Maybe. But he’s got to be staying somewhere in town. If we find him, I say we flash him our boobs, and offer to all do him at the same time…”

The words faded as they got too far away and Jessica wondered if they were serious. As she watched them in their ass-hugging jeans and tops so tight the outlines of their nipples could clearly be seen, Jessica realized they were absolutely serious.

Jessica said good bye to Sally and the others, then headed to the gate at the side of the stage.

“Hi, I want to go back and see the band,” Jessica said to the rugged looking security guard.

“Me, too,” one of a handful of other young women crowded around the gate said.

“We all do,” said another excitedly. “We want to meet Storm!”

“Sorry, ladies. No one goes backstage.”

“But, you don’t understand,” Jessica said. “I’m supposed to meet—”

A collective shriek nearly burst her eardrums.

“There he is!” The young women bounced up and down, waving. “Over here, Storm.”

Jessica saw Storm walking across the grass toward the gate.

“Oh, my God,” the woman beside Jessica squealed. “He’s coming over here.” She stood on her tiptoes. “Storm. We love you!”

The women surged forward, pressing themselves tight against the high link fence as he drew closer, nearly knocking Jessica on her butt.

The guard sent Storm a sidelong glance as he approached, clearly concerned that his presence would start a riot.

“Good evening, ladies. Did you enjoy the show?”

The women shouted their appreciation, each trying to draw his attention.

“We love you, Storm,” the woman beside Jessica shrieked again.

He smiled crookedly. “And I love you, baby.”

The way he looked at the young woman, with warmth in his sky blue eyes, sent every woman’s heart aflutter, including Jessica’s. And the way he said “baby” made her knees go weak.

He opened his arms wide, the tattoos rippling across his muscular biceps. “I love all of you. I hope you’ll come back to see me again.”

“I’d like to see you tonight, Storm.”

“Yeah, me, too.”

One of the women pulled up her top, revealing a very large set of boobs. Jessica’s eyes widened and she glanced toward Storm. He took it in stride and chuckled warmly.

“Well, thank you, baby. Very nice. Now as far as tonight goes, I would like some company.”

The deafening squeals pierced Jessica’s eardrums again.

Storm leaned toward the guard and said something, then the guard pointed at Jessica.

“You. Come through.”

Her heart leaped as the guard opened the gate a little and she slipped through, then he closed it tight behind her. Elation soared through her at being chosen, even though she knew he’d pick her. Or maybe she’d feared he would change his mind about his date with her with so many willing, beautiful women clamoring for his attention.

“Storm, I don’t mind sharing you,” the exhibitionist cried.

He laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind, beautiful, but tonight one woman is enough.”

He took Jessica’s hand and she felt faint. She glanced at the crowd of women, who eyed her enviously, as Storm led her away from the fence.

“So did you have a good time tonight?” he asked.

She had trouble finding her voice, and suddenly she realized she was a bit star struck.

“Yes, it was a great show.”

They walked across the grass, the trees blocking the night sky, then turned behind the stage. Men in jeans and T-shirts loaded speakers and instruments into a truck.

“My bike’s over here.”

He guided her around the truck to a handful of vehicles in a small private parking area. Travis’ car was one of them.

“Man, I’m still pumped. What do you feel like doing? Travis told me about a nice little club near here where we could grab a drink.”

She gazed up at his bright eyes, square jaw and his full, sexy lips, and her insides ached. Every woman who’d watched Storm on stage tonight would envy Jessica right now.

“Or are you hungry? We could grab a bite to eat.”

The only thing she was hungry for right now was him.

The soft, summer breeze teased her cheek like the warm breath of a lover, and she felt heat coiling inside her.

“We… could go back to my place.”

His smile faded and his eyes darkened to burning embers. “Really?”

She nodded.

He stepped closer and cupped the back of her head with his hand, locking gazes with her as he drew close. The moment his warm lips touched hers, she thought she’d faint. His arm glided around her waist and he drew her tight to his body as his tongue teased her lips, then slid inside her mouth. She moaned as she melted against him, her heart thundering in her chest.

He drew back and gazed down at her.

“Am I on the right track here? Or are you just suggesting we go to your place to watch a movie or talk?”

“We could watch a movie, but…” She stared at him dreamily, then ran her hand across his solid chest. “I did have something else in mind.”

“Fuck, woman.” He wrapped his arms around her crushingly tight as he stormed her mouth, taking her breath away.

She felt herself lifted from the ground, then deposited on the bike. She sucked in air as he retrieved the helmet, then set it on her head and fastened it for her. He pulled out his leather jacket and held it up for her. When she slipped it on, she glanced down in surprise as she realized it fit.

He just grinned as he pulled on his own jacket and helmet, then mounted the bike in front of her.

“Hold on tight, because I plan on getting there in record time.”

As soon as she wrapped her arms around his hard, masculine body, he started the bike and it lurched forward.

Her body trembled as she held onto him, the bike speeding toward her home. Was this really a good idea? She barely knew the man. Was she getting too caught up in the moment?

But it felt right to throw caution to the wind. To be bold and daring and impractical for once, and she liked the feeling.

Once at her place, he parked in visitor’s parking, then took her hand as they walked to the door. As soon as the elevator door closed behind them, he tugged her into his arms and kissed her again.

His lips were so full and warm, and moved on hers so sweetly. She’d thought he would be rougher, and more commanding. But his tenderness took her breath away.

The elevator doors opened and she led him down the hall to her apartment. Once inside, she expected him to scoop her up and carry her off to the bedroom, or maybe strip her down right in the living room and take her against the wall, but instead he took her hand and pressed his lips to her palm.

“Thanks for inviting me here.”

Now, with the reality of him, big as life, here in her apartment, she felt self-conscious.

“Well, after the wild reception you got after the show, I think you would have been mobbed anywhere we went.”

His lips curled up in a smile. “Jessica, were you jealous of those other women?”

“Well, no. I mean, not really. That one woman pulling up her top, though was a bit much. Does that happen to you a lot?”

He chuckled as he glided his finger across her collar bone, sending tingles through her. “Not nearly enough.”

“I see.”

“You are jealous.”

“No, it’s just that, I’m not that brazen and if that’s what you want in a woman…”

He stroked her cheek, then kissed her gently.

“What I want is you. I thought I’d made that clear.” He kissed her again, and her heart sped up. “And you’ll notice I’m here with you, not with that woman.”

“True.” She smiled. “I can’t believe how big and round her breasts were. A part of me wonders how you could resist.”

He gazed down at her chest and grinned. “I think what you have to offer is pretty irresistible.”

The heat in his eyes sent desire shimmering through her. She wanted him to touch her. To hold her breasts in his hands. She reached behind her neck and unfastened the knot holding up her halter-style dress. She still wore the leather jacket, but she drew down the top and let it fall to her waist, baring her breasts to him.

He drew in a deep breath. “Beautiful.”

Her nipples peaked at his appreciative male gaze. But he didn’t touch her. She took his hand and drew it to her breast. He cupped her in his big, warm hand, his fingertips calloused from playing guitar.

He nuzzled her neck as he caressed her soft mound.

She stood up and pushed the dress over her hips and let it fall to the floor. His gaze fell to her panties, which were essentially a band of white lace around her hips.

“Very pretty.” He ran his finger along the top of the lace, then drew it down a little. Even though he revealed nothing, it felt scandalously wicked. “They look incredibly sexy with the leather jacket.”

She was struck by the incongruity of the virginal white lace paired with the black leather, especially with one naked breast covered by his big hand.

“I bet you can’t decide if I’m a good girl or a bad girl.”

While he gently squeezed the breast in his hand, he stroked his fingertip over the other nipple, sending tremors through her.

“Right now, I’m betting on bad girl.”

She stroked down his chest, loving the feel of steel-hard muscles, then over the front of his jeans. There was some steel there, too. Hard, and impressively large.

He leaned forward and kissed the swell of her breast, then his lips encircled her nipple and he lapped his tongue over it. Heat surged through her and she held his head to her chest. He suckled and she moaned softly.

Her fingers wrapped around the bulge under the denim. It was getting even bigger and harder.

He switched to her other nipple and she stroked him through the cloth as he sent pleasure careening through her.

“I want to see you,” she said as she squeezed his erection.

He smiled. “Not yet. I want to do this first.”

He slid to the floor and knelt in front of her then drew her panties down her hips. She flushed as he drew them down her thighs, then tossed them aside, his focus squarely on her intimate folds. She flopped back against the couch as he stroked down her stomach, then over her shaved flesh. Her eyelids fell closed as his lips caressed her stomach. Moving downward. His tongue lapping at her skin.

His fingers found her folds, and he stroked her slick flesh. Then his mouth covered her and she gasped. His tongue teased her clit and pleasure burst within her.

“Oh, yes,” she sighed as he began to suckle.

His fingers slid inside and he stroked her passage. She clenched around his big, calloused fingers. As he licked her and sucked her little button, driving her pleasure higher, she forked her fingers through his thick, spiky hair and held him close to her.

“Oh, God, Storm. That feels so good.”

His fingers surged into her and he sucked deeply. Pleasure spiraled through her, then she moaned as he catapulted her over the edge. Still he licked and suckled, driving her pleasure higher and higher. She could barely catch her breath, then she wailed in sheer ecstasy.

Finally, she collapsed against the back of the couch. He kissed up her body, then nuzzled her neck. She wrapped her arms around him and held him tight.

“Thank you,” she murmured in his ear.

He smiled. “You don’t have to thank me for giving you an orgasm.”

She opened her eyes and smiled at him. “You deserve some kind of reward.”

He stood up and backed away a step, looking sexy and bad-assed in his faded jeans, tight tank top, and bulging, tattooed arms. Suddenly, she felt a bit self conscious, with him fully clothed in front of her and her sitting here basically naked, with her leather jacket pulled open wide and her legs sprawled open.

Then he reached for the hem of his top and peeled it away. Her gaze glided over his muscular torso as he flung the garment away. She licked her lips as he unfastened his belt buckle, then dropped his jeans to the ground. The outline of his bulging erection through his boxer briefs looked enormous. Then he dropped them and she drew in a breath at the sight of his thick, long, pulsing cock. The head was so big, she wasn’t even sure she could fit it in her mouth, and the shaft pulsed with purple veins. And it looked all the bigger because he was completely clean shaven.

He stepped toward her and she flattened her hands on his massive chest, the feel of the hard, muscular flesh sending quivers through her. She stroked down his solid, sculpted abs and rested on his hips, staring in awe at the marvelous cock staring her in the face.

“It’s so big,” she murmured.

“That’s what a guy likes to hear.”

His beaming grin made her heart flip-flop. Reverently, she stroked toward the root of his member, then around the base, then she wrapped her hand around the thick shaft. It was so hot in her hand. And so thick she could barely close her fingers around it.

She gazed up at his face and his look of delight encouraged her. She stroked her hand up, then down his shaft. Heat simmered in his eyes. Boldly, she leaned forward and pressed her lips to the tip and kissed. The tip of her tongue peeked out to lick him, and she tasted a salty drop of precum.

She widened her lips around him, sliding his cockhead into her mouth.

His hand cupped her head. “Oh, baby, yeah.”

She glided down and then back. He filled her so full her jaw ached a little, but she wanted more. She went as deep as she could, then glided back again.

His fingers flexed around her head, but he didn’t guide her, simply let her move at her own pace. She squeezed him in her mouth, then glided forward and back a few times in a slow, sensual rhythm.

“Baby, I’m not going to last long.”

His strained voice and the tension in his face showed her how close he was.

She drew her mouth free, continuing to stroke him with her hand. “It’s okay. Just let go whenever you’re ready.”

She tucked her hand under his balls and felt the weight of them, then she licked one. He choked back a sound. Her gaze flicked to his and she saw that he looked in torment. She smiled and licked the other hairless ball, watching him flinch in pleasure. She opened and drew the ball fully into her mouth.

“Fuck, baby, I’m going to come any minute.”

Elated that she elicited such a reaction from him, she released his sac and swallowed his cockhead, then drove deep. He groaned and hot liquid erupted into her mouth.

He shuddered as she continued to suck and stroke him, his fingers still tangled in her hair. Finally, the fountain stopped and she swallowed, then pressed her cheek against his hard, flat belly.

He leaned down and kissed the top of her head, then sank onto the couch beside her and drew her close to his body. She rested her head against his broad chest and his big arms wrapped around her.

She couldn’t believe she was in the arms of this sexy rocker who drove all the women wild today. And that he was the same bad-boy biker who stopped on the side of the road to help her last week. She shivered as she remembered how nervous he’d made her. She never imagined that just a few days later, she’d lay blissfully sated in his arms.

“Are you cold?” he asked, tightening his strong arms around her.

She smiled and glided upward, then arched her knee over his lap so she was facing him.

“Actually, I’m really hot.”

He grinned. “Yes, you are.”

She stroked her hand through his hair, mussing it nicely. “I mean for you.”

She could feel his deflated cock swelling beneath her. He cupped her face and drew her toward him. Their mouths locked and his lips moved on hers as his tongue plunged into her. As he devoured her, she wrapped her arms around him, letting him take what he wanted. Giving everything she had.

Her breathing accelerated as her body pressed tight against him, her soft breasts crushed against a rock wall of muscle.

His hard cock rose, nudging her slick flesh.

“Oh, God, I want you inside me.”

“What you want, you get.” He leaned over and grabbed his jeans from the floor, then pulled out a condom and rolled it on. His hand brushed under her, then he guided his cock to her opening. He dragged the tip against her and she shivered at the intimate contact.

“Yes. Fill me up.”

His cockhead slid inside, stretching her. She moaned as his big shaft pushed into her, gliding deeper and deeper.

“Oh, yes,” she cried. “You feel so good inside me.”

He groaned, then pushed all the way in.

She settled on his thighs, his cock fully immersed in her, and their gazes locked.

“You are incredibly beautiful,” he said, awe in his voice.

Her cheeks flushed as intense emotions flooded through her. She couldn’t believe he thought she was special. He could have any woman he wanted, but he’d chosen her.

She stroked his hair back from his face. “So are you.”

Then she kissed him, lightly brushing her lips on his at first, then deepening the kiss. He arched upward, pushing his cock deeper. She pulled her lips away and sucked in air. He was so big, stretching her so good.

He grasped her hips and guided her up and down. She rose and fell, swallowing his cock deep each time she lowered her body. Pleasure spiraled through her, a maelstrom of intense sensations.

He groaned and she felt him swell even harder inside her

Pleasure swelled inside her and she moaned. She clutched his big shoulders, feeling the muscles ripple under her fingers. Their gazes remained locked and she felt herself drawn into his mesmerizing, intensely blue eyes.

His lips brushed hers. “I want to make you come. I want to see your face glowing in ecstasy.”

He continued to guide her hips in a steady motion, then he thrust upward, driving deep. She groaned, squeezing him inside her. Her eyelids fell closed as the pleasure swelled.

“Open your eyes, Jessica.”

She opened them again and found herself lost in his blue depths as he continued filling her. She ran her hand along the side of his face, loving the bristly feel of his cheek, then he spiked inside her and bliss blossomed through her.

“Oh, Storm.”

His cock drove deep again, and he gripped her hips possessively.

“God, yes, I’m…” She gasped and rode him, up and down, faster and faster, driving the pleasure higher until she exploded in ecstasy.

He moaned low in his throat. Then he thrust again, shuddering as he erupted inside her.

She continued to ride him as the pleasure waned to a steady, even buzz of delight. Finally, she collapsed against his solid chest and his arms wrapped around her. As he held her close, she felt cherished.

God, the man knew how to make love to a woman. And how to make her feel like she meant something to him.

As she rested in the sweet embrace of his arms, she realized that would be because he’d had a great deal of practice.

When she woke up in the morning, she opened her eyes to see a tattooed arm tucked around her waist. She couldn’t believe Storm had stayed over. She had expected him to be on his way as soon as they’d finished their lovemaking last night. Isn’t that what bad-boy rockers who drove motorcycles did?

But Storm was more like the rocker of her fantasies. A sensitive artistic musician who cared about the women he was with and showed it. She’d never believed a real rocker to be like that. They were arrogant and angsty, and a little selfish. Weren’t they?

She rolled onto her back and gazed at his handsome, sleeping face.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked without opening his eyes.

She smiled. “You.”

“And what are you thinking about me?”

“I was just thinking that…” She snuggled in closer and nuzzled his neck.

He smiled and opened his eyes. She stared into them, amazed at how blue they were.

“Yes?” he prompted.

She smiled and turned timid. “Just that… you were amazing last night. Not exactly what I expected.”

“In what way?”

“Well, I didn’t think you’d stay over.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You thought it’d be wham, bam, thank you ma’am?”

“No… well… yeah.”

He pulled her in close and kissed her. “I hate to think you have such a low opinion of me.”

He actually seemed hurt. No huge rock star ego here.

“I’m sorry, I… guess I had certain expectations of a charismatic rock star.”

“I’m not a star.”

“You were certainly star of the show last night. And all the women loved you.”

He smiled. “But you were the only woman I loved back.”

He pushed himself up on his elbow, gazing down at her. “You did enjoy last night, didn’t you?”

Her heart swelled and she stroked his cheek. “Yes, it was… wonderful.” No words would do justice to how he’d made her feel last night. “You were a fantasy come true.”

He grinned. “Yeah, and what fantasy would that be?”

She laughed. “Being with a bad-assed rock musician with a fetish for wild adventures.”

He chuckled. “I actually thought that was what repelled you about me.”

Her fingers plucked at the sheets. “You made me nervous. You seem to live life on the edge, and I didn’t know what I was opening myself up to.”

He pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight. “Jessica, you’ll always be safe with me. I promise you that.”

Her heart surged with pleasure. “I know.” It was just true, for no reason she could put her finger on. She just believed it right down to her core.

“You were so afraid of me that first day. I hated that.” His solemn gaze held hers. “I just wanted to protect you and make sure you got back to town safe and sound.”

A part of her wanted to protest. Tell him that she could take care of herself.

At her silence, his lips turned up in a grin. “Uh oh. I see that look in your eye. Don’t get me wrong. I could tell you were very capable, and your determination to walk back to town, even in those crazy high heels of yours, told me straight up that you were a woman to be reckoned with. But it’s not safe out on a dark road like that. For anyone. Someone dangerous might have come along.”

She smiled. “Like you.”

He growled and rolled on top of her, pinning her to the bed with his big body.

“I’ll show you dangerous.” He grasped her wrists and held them over her head with one hand as his lips nuzzled her neck.

She mock struggled against him, arching her body as tingles raced along her spine. His lips moved down to her collar bone, then over the swell of her breast. When his mouth captured her nipple, she gasped at the exquisite sensation.

She couldn’t believe she’d tried to resist him at first, and thanked her lucky stars that he hadn’t given up on her.

His big body on top of her, crushing her breasts, her wrists pinned above her head, and the feel of his gigantic cock swelling against her belly took her breath away. She squirmed as her sex grew wet and flooded with heat.

”Please, Storm,” she gasped. “I need you inside me.”

He scraped his teeth against her nipple, eliciting a gasp.

“If you want me so bad, tell me what I want to hear.”

Her eyes widened. “What’s that?”

“Tell me what you want me to do to you in a way I want to hear it.”

She ached for him. “I want you to … uh…”

He nipped her ear. “Say it.”

He pressed his groin to her, pushing his hot, hard shaft against her.

His hot breath rushed against her ear as he spoke. “I think the word you’re looking for is “fuck”.

He licked her nipple against, then sucked, hard, making her moan.

“Tell me what you want me to do to you,” he insisted, tightening his hold on her wrists.

“I want you to… uh… fuck me.”

His eyes gleamed. “What do you want?”

She shivered inside. “Please. I want you to fuck me,” she said with more conviction.

He arched his groin against her again, his hard length pressing against her wet slit. The pressure made her insides throb with need.

“Oh, God, please. Fuck me.”

He chuckled, then grasped his big cock and stroked it over her slick flesh. He teased her opening with his hot cockhead, gliding it back and forth. She arched against him, wanting him inside her, but he held back.

“Now. Drive it into me,” she demanded.

He laughed, then pivoted forward. His huge erection plunged into her, filling her to the root. She gasped, her wrists straining against his hand.

He began to move, his cock gliding inside her. She moaned at the delicious sensation of his big body taking her. He released her wrists and cupped her breast as he rode her, moving faster and faster. Then she felt his fingers moving between their bodies and he found her clit. She gasped, then arched as potent sensations blasted through her.

“Oh, God, you’re going to make me come.”

“Do it, baby.”

He flicked her clit again and a rush of pleasure stormed through her in a tidal wave. She gasped, then wailed as the orgasm slammed through her.

He arched up, then groaned his release.

Her body dissolved into pure bliss, time melting away around her.

Finally, they collapsed on the bed. His inked arms came around her and held her close to him. She could hear his rapid heartbeat against her ear.

God, she knew the man wouldn’t stay around long. Why would he?

But while he was here, it certainly would be one hell of a ride.

Twenty minutes later, he stood behind her in the shower soaping her breasts. The feel of his warm hands gliding over her slippery flesh was heaven.

“So, tell me, what other fantasies do you have?” he said.

“Oh, I think you’ve pretty well satisfied them all.”

“Pretty well?”

She laughed as she turned to face him. The sexy sight of the water sluicing down his muscular arms, over the rhythmic tribal tattoos threw her off balance. She still couldn’t believe he was here with her.

“I mean exceptionally well.”

He chuckled then pulled her in for a kiss. “I’d like to know what even more interesting sexual adventures I could bring to life for you.”

The memory of the sex dream she’d had about Storm—where another man joined them while Storm fucked her on a pool table, both their cocks gliding into her—flashed through her brain. She could still remember the feel of the second cock gliding into her ass while Storm’s cock filled her from the front.

Her gaze dropped from his face as her cheeks flushed. “You’ve already fulfilled my fantasies.”

He laughed. “I don’t think so. From those rosy cheeks of yours, I know you’re hiding something.”

“No, there’s nothing.”

He curled his arms around her and backed her against the shower wall.

“Tell me,” he insisted.

“Really, there’s nothing else.”

He started to tickle her and she jerked back against the tiled wall, laughing.

He nipped her ear. “Tell me.”

“It’s not a fantasy.”

His eyes glittered. “So there is something. What is it?”

“It was just a dream.”

He raised an eyebrow. “A dream. Hmm. I bet that means a really deep fantasy.”

She furrowed her brow. “I don’t think so.”

He grinned. “I bet it’s something really kinky.”

She hesitated.

“Come on, baby. I promise I won’t judge you. In fact, I bet it’ll get me really hot.”

“I… well… I had this dream about us.”

“Go on.”

“We were… having sex in a pool hall.”

His hands wrapped around her waist. “That sound pretty hot.”

“Then…” Her cheeks flushed. “Another man came in.”

His eyes lit up. “Yeah?”

“And… well… He joined us.”

“Really?” His broad grin revealed his straight, white teeth. “And by join us you mean…?” His eyebrows arched.

“He…”—she moved her hand in a rolling motion—“joined us.”

He leaned in close and murmured in her ear. “You mean he fucked you at the same time as I did.”

She nodded, her cheeks hot with embarrassment.

“Damn, that’s hot.” He cradled her face in his hand and gave her a deep, lingering kiss.

It was another twenty minutes before they made it to the kitchen for coffee.

Over the next several weeks, she started seeing Storm regularly. When he’d play a show, she would watch him from backstage. Afterward, the groupies tried to tempt him, but he went home with her every time.

She knew this thing between them wouldn’t last, and that was just as well. He was an exciting interlude, and wild fling, but their relationship just wasn’t sustainable. They were too different. He was a thrill seeker who liked to take wild risks, like the bungee jumping off the bridge the second week he was in town. She watched in awe and trepidation, worried he’d be hurt or killed.

Despite what he’d said when he convinced her to date him—that he wanted to do the boyfriend thing—he’d also admitted that it probably wouldn’t last forever.

To be fair, staying with a woman for a few weeks, or even a couple of months, probably felt like a lifetime to him. But she didn’t fool herself. A man like Storm lived for the moment, moving to a new town whenever the whim took him., He would not allow himself to be tied down for very long.

And she understood that. So she knew better than to lose her heart to him. She would enjoy what they had, and accept it when he finally left.

Storm woke up to the feel of a warm body wrapped in his arms, and soft, naked breasts pressed against his chest. He breathed in the scent of her orange blossom shampoo.

These had been the best few weeks of his life. He’d never really dated a woman before, at least not with the intent of anything more than sex. Not that he wouldn’t have loved to have a serious relationship, but when his father had been alive, he never would have exposed a woman he cared about to that abusive, ruthless man. And he knew if he’d had a relationship with anyone, his father would have found a way to interfere, unless she was exactly the woman he’d wanted for his son.

Jessica reminded him of a woman who had once worked for him, before he’d decided to turn his full attention to his passion of being a musician. That other woman had been sweet and caring, and for a short time, he’d wondered if there could be something between them, but she’d worked for him, which was a disaster in the making all by itself. Add his father to the equation and it was a no-go from the beginning. Just as well, because now he’d met Jessica.

He’d convinced her to date him by telling her he wanted to experience being a boyfriend, which was true. This experience was really good for him. Jessica gave him exactly what he needed. Acceptance. Exactly as he’d hoped, she cared for him because of who he was, inside and out. He didn’t know how long it would last, but he’d ensure that she enjoyed every minute of it.

He smiled when he remembered how cautious she’d been getting to know him. She hadn’t just swooned and wanted him because of his bad-boy persona. She had actually had to get past that to allow herself to go out with him. Now he saw the change in her. Being with him seemed to allow her to discover her inner bad girl. Hearing her use the word “fuck” last night—which had clearly pushed her out of her comfort zone—had been intensely sexy. And he considered getting her to admit to her fantasy of being with two men, which totally blew his mind, a real coup.

She was definitely opening up. As much as she said she didn’t like to take risks, he was sure there was an extremely adventurous woman locked up inside her, and he intended to help her escape.

She stirred and he kissed the top of her head. She opened her eyes and gazed up at him, and when he saw the loving warmth in her eyes, it was as though a hand had reached inside his chest and squeezed his heart. He was elated and alarmed at the same time.

Could she be falling for him?

He simultaneously wanted it to be true and not be true.

Was it fair to her to allow her to believe there was a future for them?

It’s not that he wouldn’t love to have a long term relationship with her. Maybe even forever.

But not now.

He was still discovering who he was. Who he wanted to be. He loved his life right now, and a major part of that was the complete freedom he had.

He gazed into her beautiful, expressive green eyes. And part of it was because of her. Since his father died, he’d been searching for himself, and she was helping him find a part he didn’t know existed.

But there was so much she didn’t understand about him. If she didn’t know who he was—if he didn’t know who he was—then how could he be the man she needed?

“You seem deep in thought,” she murmured sleepily.

He tipped his head down and kissed her, loving the feel of her soft lips against his.

“Just thinking about how I love having your naked body against mine.”

She laughed, wiggling her butt against his semi-erect cock. “Yeah, I can tell.”

He smiled and tucked his arm tighter around her. His gaze fell on the framed picture on the wall beside the bed.

“I’ve been meaning to ask you about that picture. Is that a moth?”

She nodded. “A leopard moth.”

It looked like a photocopy, and not great quality. Why would she have framed something like that?

“I bet there’s a story behind it.”

She pushed herself up to a sitting position and glanced at it. The small smile that claimed her lips lit up her face.

“My mom gave it to me.”

“I think there’s more to the story than that.” He sat up beside her.

She laughed. “Yeah, there is. It all has to do with a science project I had to do when I was a kid. Our teacher gave us a list of ten butterflies and moths that we had to draw. She required they be from a specific book in the school library, but there were only five copies. With twenty-five kids in the class and only three weeks to do the project, I could never get my hands on the the book, because all the copies were always checked out. When I finally did get a copy, there were only a few days left before the deadline, and I discovered that the picture of the leopard moth had been torn out of the book. I drew all the others, but I was in tears because I didn’t know what to do about the tenth picture.

The next evening, my mom showed up with the picture I needed. She’d taken the afternoon off work and driven all the way to Garnersville to the big library there and found the book, then photocopied the page and brought it home to me. I got an A on the project and that picture became a symbol of how much my mom would do to support me and how she would always be there for me.”

He watched her glowing eyes as she told the story and his chest tightened. How he would have loved to have someone care about him like that.

He curled his hand around her face and kissed her. “You’re very lucky to have such a loving mother.”

It wasn’t just her mother. It was clear both her father and brother cared very much about her. And all of them cared about each other, with a mutual love and respect Storm longed for.

She smiled warmly. “I know.” She gazed into his eyes. “What about you? You haven’t told me about your family.”

He shrugged. “Nothing to tell.” Then he tossed back the covers and stood up, well aware of her gaze caressing his naked form. “Let’s get some breakfast. I’m starving.”

Jessica hurried home from work on Friday, excited because Storm had told her he had something special planned for that evening. Usually he and the band played at a club or event on Fridays, but two of the band members were down with the flu so this week he was free.

It almost felt like they were a real couple, rather than just a short fling. Any time he wasn’t rehearsing with the band, he spent with her, and he slept over most nights. She couldn’t believe a sexy bad-boy like Storm wanted to spend so much of his time with her. She didn’t know how long this would last, but she was loving every minute of it.

In fact, a part of her was starting to believe that maybe he was in this thing for the long haul.

He greeted her at the door, and excitement shimmered through her at the sight of him with his tattooed arms and bare chest, covered only with a leather vest. His muscles rippled as he took reached for her and took her in his arms. His full lips covered hers and he kissed her passionately, leaving her breathless.

“I picked up some Thai food,” he murmured when he released her.

She glanced at the table and he had the table set, candles burning and take-out laid out with spoons.

“This is lovely.” She walked toward the table.

But disappointment must have glimmered in her eyes, because he chuckled. “Don’t worry. This isn’t the surprise.”

She smiled. “Do I have to wait until after dinner?”

“Yes.”

Her smile turned seductive and she slinked toward to him, then stroked her hands over the muscular ridges of his chest.

“Even if I try very hard to persuade you?”

He chuckled, a deep rumbling from his chest. “Baby, persuade away, but I’m not telling you a thing.” He grabbed her hands and tugged her into his arms, then pressed his lips against her temple. “Except that I find you extremely sexy,” he murmured.

“How about just a little hint?”

He winked. “Wait here.”

A moment later, he returned with a gift-wrapped box in his hand. It had glossy black wrap and a big red bow. Excitement quivered through her. She loved gifts. She reached out her hand but he shook his head and placed it on the coffee table.

“That’s just a teaser. You can open it after dinner.”

She pursed her lips, then glanced at him with a raised eyebrow. “Be warned. I’m going to eat fast.”

He chuckled and poured her a glass of wine.

She enjoyed the food, but as promised, finished quickly. There was the gift, but also a sense of heightened sensuality. Storm had a twinkle in his eyes that intrigued her, and made her think that he had something very sexy in mind for this evening.

Once the dishes were cleared away, she sat on the couch and stared at the gift he’d brought her.

“Go ahead,” he said as he sat down beside her.

She picked it up and discarded the bow, then pulled away the paper. Inside, she found a black leather bodysuit that looked like a sexy one piece bathing suit, except it had cutouts over the nipples and a zipper along the crotch that wound up the lower back. If he opened it, he would have access to everything.

She gazed at him with wide eyes.

“Why don’t you go put that on?” he suggested with a wicked grin.

She scurried to the bedroom, eager to don the scandalous outfit for him. When she pulled it on, she peered at herself in the mirror. The legs were cut high and the tag on the zipper glinted in the light. The underwire bodice pushed her breasts up high, and her nipples peaked out the cutouts. The outfit made her feel wickedly sexy. A real bad girl!

She grabbed the leather jacket he’d given her from her closet and pulled it on overtop, then she pulled on her sexiest spike heels, which were the ones she’d been wearing when he’d met her on that dark, lonely road.

When she stepped back into the living room, he gave her a wolf whistle.

“You look like a sexy biker chick.” He wrapped his arms around her and stroked over the leather covering her back, then in a swift motion, he pulled the jacket down her arms and twisted it, the leather pinning her arms behind her back. “But that’s not what I had in mind.”

His gaze lingered on her breasts, which were thrust forward, her exposed nipples peaking from the leather.

“This evening, you are going to be my love slave. And as part of that, I’m going to bring your other sexual fantasy to life.”

She gazed at him quizzically. “But the only fantasy I told you about was…” At the slow smile spreading across his face, her words trailed off.

He couldn’t be serious. Was he really going to bring another man here to make love to her?

“I don’t think so.”

He dropped the jacket to the floor and pulled her into his arms. His lips brushed her temple. “Don’t worry. It’s just a fantasy.”

“So you don’t really mean to—”

“Shhh. Just trust me.”

Then he released her and grabbed a tall, cushioned stool. She hadn’t noticed it beside the desk. Then he opened the desk drawer and pulled out a length of robe he’d clearly stashed in there ahead of time.

“Turn around and face the stool,” he said with authority.

Shivers danced down her spine as she obeyed. He pressed her down so she was bent over the stool, then he wrapped the rope around one of her wrists, threaded the rope through one of the rods at the base of the stool, then tied her other wrist. He worked the rope around the stool and her wrists until he was satisfied she was secure. She tried to move her arms, but the binding held her arms firmly against the legs of the stool and stretched downward toward the floor. She couldn’t stand up, either. She was well aware of her ass sticking up and out toward Storm.

“Now I’m going to blindfold you.” Storm placed a black cloth over her eyes and tied it behind her head. His lips played along the back of her neck before she felt his warm body move away.

She felt his fingers glide down her ass, then he reached under her. She heard the zipper unfasten, and cool air caressed her most intimate places as the fabric parted.

“Are you ready?”

She drew in a deep breath. “Yes.”

“Good. Now wait a moment.”

After a few seconds, she heard the front door open and close. Had Storm gone out?

Or, was it possible Storm had let someone else in? Was there another man here?

“Storm?”

“I’m here, baby.”

He was right behind her.

“Is there someone else here with us?”

He laughed. “Just trust me. Now no more talking. Just enjoy.”

She couldn’t hear footsteps on the carpet, so she couldn’t hear Storm move around. Or the other man, if there was one.

A big, male hand cupped her breast and squeezed, then his fingertips squeezed the nipple. A different hand stroked down her back, then over her ass. Both hands slipped away, and she felt the leather over her backside pulling apart, exposing her fully.

Big fingers glided along her ass, to her folds, which were already slick. Two fingers glided inside her and she arched toward them.

Storm chuckled. At least, she was pretty sure it was Storm.

To her disappointment, the fingers slid away. A moment later, she felt something warm and hard press against her lips.

“Open,” Storm commanded.

She opened her lips and something hard slid inside. But it wasn’t the warm, soft skin of a cock. She realized it was a dildo, though short. It filled her mouth, then she felt a strap being fastened around her head, which held the dildo in place. It was a special gag.

“Suck on it,” Storm instructed.

She did so, imagining him watching her cheeks hollow. The dildo had the contours of a real cockhead, and she imagined it being Storm in her mouth.

“I’m going to stroke you now,” Storm warned from behind her.

As his fingers stroked along her slit, she imagined that the cockhead in her mouth belonged to another man. Storm’s fingers slid inside her canal while she sucked off his friend.

Then Storm’s fingers glided upward, to her ass. His slick fingers toyed with her back opening, then one finger slowly slid inside.

“Baby, have you done anal before?”

She nodded. Though it hadn’t been her favorite experience and she’d only done it once, she trusted that Storm would make this time special. And exciting.

He glided a second finger inside, stretching her. She was tense at first, but he kept working on her, stretching her gently, until she finally relaxed. He seemed quite happy to take all the time in the world.

“Now you're going to feel a cock slide inside you. But don’t worry. It’s much smaller than mine.”

Oh, God, was it another man?

“Relax, baby. I told you to trust me.”

She drew in a deep breath, then sucked hard on the cock in her mouth. Something hard and slick pressed against her back opening, and slowly glided inside.

Again, it wasn’t a real cock. It went in a few inches, then stopped.

She finally accepted that there was no other man here. Storm was trying to make the experience as real as he could for her, allowing her imagination to embrace the situation.

“Is that good, baby?” Storm asked.

She nodded.

He stroked her hair, then glided his hand down her back.

“Now that you’re filled with one cock, I’m going to fill you with another.”

And that didn’t count the one in her mouth, which she continued to suck.

Something brushed against her slick slit. This time it was hot, hard, and definitely a real cock.

Storm’s cock.

It glided slowly inside her. Stretching her. Making her intimately aware of the other cock inside her, too.

He was so hard and long, it seemed to take forever for his big cock to fill her. But then she felt his groin against her. A second later, she felt his fingers brush her ass, then a vibration started deep in her back canal. She murmured against the cock embedded in her mouth.

Storm released the strap around her head and it fell away. She allowed the short cock in her mouth to fall to the floor as Storm caressed her ass.

“Do you like two cocks inside you?” he asked.

“Oh, yes.”

The vibration in her ass increased, and she moaned.

“Oh, God, it feels so good.”

He reached around and found her nipples, then pinched them. She moaned again.

He grasped her hips and then drew back, his cockhead dragging along her inner passage, driving her wild. Then he drove deep.

“Oh, God yes.”

The vibrating cock in her ass sent shivers of excitement through her. Storm drew back and thrust in again. Warmth washed through her limbs and she arched against him.

He kept thrusting into her, filling her again and again.

“Oh, Storm. Oh, yes.”

“Are you going to come, baby?”

Her nerve endings shimmered to life, and heat swelled through her.

“Yes. So soon.”

He thrust faster. She clenched around him. He was so big and powerful inside her, driving her pleasure higher.

“Oh, God, Storm. You’re making me… I’m going to…”

She lost her hold on sanity and catapulted to a place of pure bliss as intense pleasure erupted through her. She gasped, then wailed long and loud.

“That’s it, baby. I love hearing you come.”

Then he groaned and thrust deep into her. He erupted inside her with more force than she’d ever felt before, which vaulted her to an even more intense orgasm.

He rested against her back, his big cock still inside her. His fake friend’s, too. She smiled.

He kissed the back of her neck, then she felt his weight move away. His fingers brushed against the back of her head, then the blindfold slid away. He crouched down and a moment later, she felt the ropes holding her arms tight to the stool legs release. Soon he had her unbound and he helped her stand up.

He scooped her into his arms and she wrapped her hands around his thick neck, then glanced around and grinned.

“So where’s your friend? Didn’t he want to stay and snuggle.”

He gazed down at her as he carried her to the bedroom.

“Believe me, I won’t allow any man to snuggle you but me.”

“But you will allow him to anal fuck me.”

He grinned. “On my terms only.” He brushed his lips against hers. “And I don’t see that ever being with anyone other than our little purple silicone friend.”

She grinned. “Or we could branch out and maybe invite my longer, bigger blue friend.” She stroked his raspy cheek. “He could take me from the front, while you take the back.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You are turning into quite the bad girl.” He swooped in for another kiss before he placed her on the bed. “My sweet little Jess has come a long way.”

She laughed, and stroked his dangling cock. “Speaking of long…”

Jessica finished wrapping the small box, then tied a metallic red ribbon around it and curled the ends with scissors. She added a matching bow and smiled at her creation.

Her phone chimed and she glanced at the screen. A text from Storm telling her he was here. She grabbed the gift and scooted to the entrance, then pressed the button to unlock the door downstairs. She put the gift on the coffee table and waited in anticipation until she heard his knock at the door, then she pulled it open.

“Hi.” She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him.

“Mmm. Nice greeting.”

She took his hand and led him to the living room. “I have something for you.”

“Oh, what’s this for. I didn’t miss some kind of anniversary, did I? Let’s see, it’s been six weeks since our first date. Seven if you’re counting from the day we met.”

“No, it’s just because.”

He grinned. “Just because what?”

Her eyes turned misty as she picked up the small gift-wrapped box from the table and handed it to him. “Because you’re so special. And you mean so much to me.”

His grin faded, and his face turned almost solemn as she took the gift from her. He tugged the delicate ribbon off with his big fingers, then tore away the gold foil wrapping paper, exposing the black jewelry box inside. It was the box that had held a Christmas broach she’d bought last year, but it was the perfect size.

He lifted off the top of the box and stared inside. The key lay nestled in the white cotton inside.

His gaze darted to hers.

“It’s a key to my apartment. You already stay over most of the time and when you come over before I’m home from work, we have to arrange getting the key to you, so I thought…”—she shrugged—“that you might like your own. This way, you can come over any time you want and… if you’d like, you could even move in.”

She gazed at him, but couldn’t read anything from his expression. But he looked entirely too serious staring down at the key so intently.

Had she gone too far?

“You want me to move in?”

“Whatever you want. I just want you to know you’re welcome.”

His brows furrowed and he put the key down on the table, then suddenly she found herself in his arms, his mouth claiming hers with passion. Soon, she was lifted into his arms, then they were in bed.

That night he made passionate, powerful love to her until she screamed his name. When she woke up for work the next morning, he was still sleeping, so she quietly got ready for work and slipped away.

“He’s gone. He’s really gone.” Jessica had to fight back tears as she sat across the table from Sally in her office, the door closed.

“Oh, honey. I’m sure he’s not.”

Jessica stared at her. “He’s been gone for four days. Travis told me he just said he was going out of town and didn’t say when he was coming back.”

“He wouldn’t just walk out on the band like that.”

Jessica shook her head. “They don’t have any gigs for a while, since a couple members are gone on a camping trip. But he could call Travis up any time and tell him he’s just not coming back.”

“He hasn’t done that yet. Just because you gave him a key doesn’t mean he’s run off forever.”

“I know, but he’s the kind of guy who doesn’t like to be tied down. He’s used to up and moving whenever he feels like it.”

“Jessica, don’t you dare start second guessing yourself. You followed your heart and that’s always the right thing to do. Don’t let this drive you back to your old, overly cautious self. The new you is such a happier person. I don’t want you to lose that.”

“I’m not happy right now.” She buried her head in her hand. “Why am I so stupid?”

“Hey, cut yourself some slack. You took a risk. You showed how you feel about him. If that drove him away, that’s his loss. That doesn’t take away the excitement and the good times you had with him. And how they’ve helped you come out of your shell. Move forward keeping all the best of the experience. Okay?”

She pursed her lips and nodded. “You’re right.” As much as it hurt that Storm had walked away—and without a word of good bye—he had given her so much. The time with him had made her happier than she’d ever been. And the excitement she’d had being a rock star’s woman was an experience she would never willingly give up.

In many ways, it had changed her life.

“So will you stop moping now? It’s okay to feel the pain, but don’t let it change who you’ve become. Okay?”

She nodded. Sally was right. Jessica liked who she’d become. More confident. More willing to take chances.

She would not let Storm walking out on her change that.

Jessica opened the door to her lonely apartment, feeling totally dejected. Despite all the mental pep talks she kept giving herself, losing Storm was an enormous blow.

“Hi.”

Her head jerked up at the sound of Storm’s voice from her couch. He looked so incredibly handsome sitting there in his usual jeans and T-shirt. “You’re here!”

He stood up as she raced toward him. Tears welled in her eyes as she threw herself into his arms.

He held her tight and kissed the top of her head. “Baby, what’s wrong?”

She froze, then stepped back. “What’s wrong?” she asked, then planted her hands on her hips. She scowled at him. “You disappear for five days without a word and you ask me what’s wrong?”

He raked his hand through his hair. ‘I didn’t realize you’d worry. A lot of weeks we don’t see each other until the weekend. I didn’t think about it.”

She sucked in a breath. He did have a point.

“But those weeks, I don’t hear from Travis that you’re out of town.”

Oh, God, now she sounded like a clingy, needy girlfriend. Exactly the type of woman that would drive away a man like Storm. But instead of withdrawing, he pulled her into his arms again.

“I’m sorry, baby. I was so caught up in my own stuff, I didn’t think about the fact you might worry.”

“What stuff?”

“When you gave me the key… it made me do some thinking…”

Her heart froze. Maybe this wasn’t a grand reunion after she thought she’d lost him. Maybe this was the break-up speech.

She eased away from his comforting body and gazed up into his sky blue eyes.

“And…?”

“I was overwhelmed when you gave me the key. You welcomed me into your life, and into your home. You make me feel like I belong.”

Her heart quivered, and she took his hand. “Of course you belong.”

He smiled, revealing his straight white teeth.

“So I wanted to do something to show you how much you mean to me.”

Her eyes lit up. “Really?”

He grabbed the hem of his T-shirt and drew it up his torso, turning away from her as he did so, revealing rippling muscles along his back. Her insides heated, more than ready to follow him to the bedroom right now. But after he pulled it over his shoulders, he tossed it aside, then turned back to face her.

Her eyes widened at the new tattoo adorning his chest, spanning from his shoulder to just above his heart.

“It’s a leopard moth,” she said in awe.

“That’s right.” He rested his finger on the tattoo. “I wanted to show you that I will always be there for you.”

Tears welled in her eyes again.

“Oh, Storm.” She fell into his arms and held him tight. Then she eased back and stared at the moth. “It’s beautiful.” The white wings with the gray spots outlined in black looked so real. “Can I touch it?”

He laughed. “Baby, you never have to ask me if you can touch a part of my body.”

She smiled and ran her fingertip over the edge of one wing. He had had this moth emblazoned on his skin for her.

“Why do you look so serious?” he asked.

“It’s such a big commitment. You’ll have this…”—she gazed up at him—“forever.”

His eyebrow quirked up. “Isn’t that a good thing?”

“I just…” She shook her head, suddenly feeling like an imposter. “You’ve made this big commitment to me and… well… I’m just worried that…”

“What is it, Jess?”

“You told me before we started dating that you wanted a woman who wants to be with you for who you are.”

He nodded.

“Well, I…” Her lips compressed. “I just don’t know if that’s me.”

“Are you trying to say you don’t like being with me?” His eyes told her he didn’t believe it.

“No, it’s not that. It’s just that…” She shrugged. “When I saw you play that first time… when I saw how the women reacted to you… I found myself overwhelmed.” She gazed up at him. “You were just so… sexy.”

He chuckled. “You make that sound like a bad thing.”

“No, not bad. It’s just that… from that point on, I wanted you because you were this sexy, charismatic performer.”

He drew her against his body again.

“Yes, I want a woman who likes me for myself. And that’s you, Jess. You agreed to date me despite me being covered with tattoos, wearing torn jeans, and riding a big motorcycle. Those things terrified you at first, but you allowed yourself to get to know me enough that you finally agreed to go out with me. Maybe seeing me on stage revved your engine, but I have no doubt in my mind you love me for who I am.”

“I feel like I’ve been lying to you all along, so I just wanted to tell you the truth now, before you get in any deeper.”

“You have not deceived me in any way, baby. I can see that light in your eyes whenever you look at me. I’ve been with women who just want to bed the guy they saw up on stage, and it can’t compare to what I have with you. You are sincere, sweet, and loving. I can feel how much you care about me every time you touch me.”

Elated, she held him tight. “I do.”

“And I don’t think it’s possible to get in any deeper.” His lips found hers and his passionate kiss took her breath away. Her heart was thumping so hard, she was sure he must be able to feel it.

He scooped her up and carried her to the bedroom. He stripped off his jeans and boxers, then proceeded to peel away her dress.

“You are so sexy.” He prowled beside her on the bed, his thick cock hard and ready for her.

She discarded her bra and tossed it aside, loving the heat in his eyes as he gazed at her naked breasts. He stroked one and her hormones swirled in a happy dance of delight. He tucked his fingers under the elastic of her lace panties and glided them down her legs

He sat beside her and focused on her mound, smiling. She shifted under his warm gaze.

“Are you going to just look, or do something about it?” she asked, then opened her legs, displaying her intimate folds to him.

He chuckled. “Who knew the sweet, uptight woman I met on the side of the road two months ago could be so wanton?”

She took his hand and drew it to her, then pressed it to her folds, now slick with need.

“Right now, I’m wantin’ you.”

He grinned and climbed over her, his knees on either side of her thighs. His red, throbbing cock stood straight up. His mouth found her breast as he stroked along her slick slit. The warm moistness of his mouth surrounding her nipple, paired with his fingers gliding along her slit, sent heat thrumming through her. His fingers glided inside and she moaned. He suckled and she arched against his mouth.

“Oh, that feels so good.” Pleasure blossomed as his fingers moved inside her.

She longed to reach for his erection and stroke it, but then she’d have to move and right now she liked everything exactly as it was.

He drew his fingers from her slick opening and shifted over her. Excitement quivered through her as he pressed his cockhead to her slickness. He smiled, then pushed forward. His hard shaft glided into her… slowly. Filling her. He slid along her passage, the delightful friction sending sparks straight to her nerve endings.

Finally, he was all the way in, his body over hers, his strong arms holding his weight above her. She wrapped her arms around him and gazed up at him adoringly.

“Make love to me, Storm.”

He smiled, then drew back. As he glided in again, slowly, her insides quivered at the breathtaking pleasure.

He began to move faster, his big cock gliding into her again and again. Her heart pounded at the exhilarating sensations flying through her. Pleasure swelled and she arched.

“Storm, yes!”

His finger found her clit and he flicked it. She gasped at the intense sensation, tightening around his cock as it drove into her faster and faster.

“I’m… Oh, God, I’m coming.” She burst into flames as an intense orgasm erupted inside her.

As she wailed her release, he groaned, then shuddered against her.

They clung to each other, riding the waves of ecstasy together.

Finally, they collapsed together and Storm rolled to his side, his arms still tight around her, keeping her snug against his body.

His cock was still embedded in her and she could hear his erratic heartbeat against her ear. She snuggled closer, quietly listening to the blood pumping through his body, and sighed. She never would have believed that the scary biker who’d stopped to help her on the side of the road that night would wind up being the man she loved.

She held him close and smiled, knowing she could lie in his arms like this forever.

Taken by Storm is the prequel to Opal's erotic romance novel, , an intoxicating tale of a woman torn between a dominant billionaire and a tattooed, bad boy rock musician. is available now!

If you enjoyed Taken by Storm but would like something even hotter, you'll love Opal's Red Hot Fantasies erotic short stories (especially ) and her box set.

Here are excerpts of each…