Cole held up a painting of cherry blossoms framing the Tidal Basin in front of the Jefferson Memorial. Olivia’s paintings were more abstract than her drawings, but still he could almost smell the blossoms as he studied the painting.

“This one. Definitely.”

She darted around the room, full of nervous energy, while he looked at one remarkable piece after another. He had no idea how she would ever narrow them down to the twenty the school had requested.

“Why not this one?” She held up the same scene done from the other side of the basin that included the memorial.

“I like the one that focuses only on the trees,” he said, quickly adding, “I love them both, but if you can only have one, I’d use this one.”

Rolling her lip between her teeth in a gesture he found completely adorable, she studied the options. “You’re right.”

“I like the way you say that, as if it’s a surprise that I could be right about something,” he said with a grin.

She rolled her eyes at him.

Laughing, he reached for a painting of autumn foliage. “When did you do this?”

“High school. I went camping with some friends at Skyline Drive in southern Virginia.”

“Even back then,” he said reverently. “I can’t believe you were capable of this in high school.”

“This was junior high.” She held up a beach scene. “Ocean City.”

“Amazing.” His mouth watered as he imagined the smell of fried dough and hot dogs wafting from the boardwalk. “You have to include it.”

Studying the painting as if she was seeing it for the first time, she shrugged. “I wasn’t sure.”

“It’s fantastic. It makes me want a hot dog.”

Olivia laughed. “Room service might have one.”

With his hands on her hips, he drew her closer to him. “I’m so proud of you, Liv. For taking this step, for believing in your talent enough to try.”

She combed her fingers through his hair. “I never would’ve done it if you hadn’t given me the push I needed.”

“I have a good feeling about this.”

“Are we still talking about art school?” she asked with a coy smile.

“All of it—art school, you, me, us. I have a good feeling.” Even though her gaze never wavered, her smile faded just the slightest bit. “You don’t?”

The rally attempt was just as obvious. “Of course I do.”

“But?”

She returned the painting to the pile on the table. Glancing back at him over her shoulder, she said, “No buts.”

With his heart in his throat, Cole got up and went to her. “Have you really made the leap, Liv?”

She turned to him, her eyes flashing with anger and emotion. “I’ve been to bed with you, made love with you—only you. And you can ask me that?”

Cupping her face in his hands, he held her still, keeping his own fury in check. “You’re waiting,” he said softly, “and anticipating disaster. You’re waiting for me to turn into a jerk because you don’t believe it’s possible I could love you with no conditions, no reservations.”

“Cole—”

He brought his mouth down on hers in a hard, fast, furiously possessive kiss. He felt her clutch his shirt, but she didn’t push him away. Rather, she kissed him back as if she had something to prove to him—and maybe to herself. Lifting her tight against him, their tongues tangled in a battle of wills.

By the time he pulled back from her, his heart pounded. He finally ventured a glance down at her and was appalled to find fear in her eyes. He hated that he had put it there.

Olivia looked away. “I’m, um, going to take a shower.”

“Liv,” he said, taking her arm. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“I don’t know, exactly. For whatever it is that’s giving you all these doubts.”

“I love you, Cole. I have no doubt about that.” She caressed his face and reached up to kiss him before she went into the bathroom and closed the door.

He watched her go, wishing he felt more comforted by her words.

Olivia stood under the pulsing water of the shower to rinse the conditioner out of her hair. She couldn’t believe how easily he had tuned into the doubts she was working so hard to keep hidden from him. You always have been a terrible actress. Her father used to tell her that she couldn’t lie to him because her face lit up like a Roman candle whenever she tried.

Turning off the shower, she reached for a towel and then the robe she had hung on the hook behind the door. She used the towel to clear the steam from the mirror and went through the motions of preparing for a night out even though her heart wasn’t in it. After she dried her hair, she opened the door to find Cole stretched out on the bed, listening to music and wearing only his bathing suit.

He’s so beautiful, she thought with a deep sigh of pleasure. And he’s mine—for now, for however long it lasts.

She bent over to press a kiss to his belly.

He sucked in a deep breath of surprise.

“Bathroom’s all yours.”

Groaning, he rolled off the bed. “Love your notification system.”

After he closed the bathroom door, she slipped into a form-fitting red dress with a plunging neckline. Jenny always said red was Olivia’s color because of her dark hair and pale complexion. She slid into two-inch heels and checked the ensemble in the mirror.

A few minutes later, Cole stepped out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. The steam curled around him. Their eyes met in the full-length mirror. “Wow.”

“Is that your favorite word?” she asked, smiling as she secured the back of an earring.

“When it comes to you, apparently it is. Let me see the front.”

She turned around.

“Wow,” he said on a long exhale, his eyes fixed on her cleavage.

Bending down to meet his eyes, she said, “I’m up here.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Cole?”

“Uh-huh?”

“Up here, honey.” She used her fingertip on his chin to tilt his face up.

“Oh. Right.” He licked his lips. “You were saying?”

“I’m sorry about the doubts. I wish I didn’t have them.” Her hands cruised through his damp chest hair to rest on his shoulders. “I want to close my eyes and just leap. And I thought I could. I really did. But that’s not me. I wish it was, but I’m cautious and plodding and the least spontaneous person you’ll ever meet. I dream about being free and loose and easy. Maybe someday I’ll get there. For now, this is all I’m capable of.” She hesitated before she added, “If it’s not enough for you, I’ll understand if you want to—”

“What? Walk away? Is that who you think I am?”

“The thing is, I really don’t know, do I?”

His expression incredulous, his eyes hard, he turned away from her to get dressed. “That’s just great.”

Frozen in place, pain and longing and loss cut through her, leaving her breathless. How had that gone so wrong?

They left the hotel in silence.

As he held the car door for her, she remembered him leaning in to kiss her before they left the airport, and again the loss was paralyzing.

She wanted to reach for him but didn’t. Her heart beat hard, so hard she could feel the flutter of it in her throat. This was the most important thing that had ever happened to her, and she was ruining it.

With his face set in a grim expression, he made no move to start the car.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “You didn’t deserve that. You’ve been nothing but honest and sincere.”

“It’s my fault.”

“How can you say that?”

“I pushed for too much too soon. We shouldn’t have spent the weekend together. You weren’t ready.”

“I was. I am. I want this, Cole.” She looked down at her hands. “I want you, more than I’ve ever wanted anything. That’s what scares me so much.”

“You have me, honey.” He reached over to grasp her hands. “I don’t know how many different ways I can say that. I love you, Olivia.”

She kept her eyes down.

“Look at me.”

Reluctantly, she turned to him.

“I love you.”

Tears flooded her eyes. “I know.”

“I want you to know that I’ve only ever said that to one other person, and it was years ago.” He caressed her cheek. “Are they just words to you?”

“No.” She risked another glance at him. “They’re everything to me.”

He reached for her.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered into his shoulder. “I hurt you, and I didn’t mean to. That’s the last thing I’d ever want to do.”

“Don’t give up on us, Liv.”

“I won’t.”

“Good, because I am going to take you to your favorite restaurant.”

She lifted her head off his shoulder. “How do you know my favorite restaurant?”

“I have my sources.” He started the car. “And for the right incentive package I might divulge them later.”

She laughed softly. “Cole?”

“What, honey?”

“Thank you for taking me out tonight.”

He brought her hand to his lips. “My pleasure.”

Actually, it was her pleasure—the wine, the meal, the candles, him. Especially him. She liked the way he’d kept his hand on the small of her back as they followed the maître d’ through the restaurant and how he had held her chair until she was settled.

Olivia noticed that every head in the room—especially the female heads—turned to look at Cole, not that he noticed. But she did. She hated the way other women looked at him with raw hunger on their faces. Hands off, she wanted to shriek. He’s mine!

Olivia could see why he attracted such attention and figured he’d probably gotten just as many hungry looks before he was famous. He wore a black shirt with gray pants that fit him like they were made for him. His cuffs were turned back to reveal an elaborate silver watch with little dials that he said kept time in four different zones. The band of metal around his wrist struck her as ridiculously sexy.

She found herself fascinated by the way his hands moved as he buttered bread or toyed with the stem of his wineglass. He used those same hands to bring her to the most amazing orgasms and to fly airplanes. The thought made her giggle.

“What’s so funny?”

She shook her head as the giggles escalated to laughter.

“Olivia, come on. Tell me.”

“I was just thinking about your ability to… multitask.”

His eyebrows knitted with confusion. “I have no idea what that means, and I’m not sure I want to.”

She was saved when their meals were delivered—teriyaki chicken for her and salmon for him.

“How is it?” he asked.

“The best. My favorite meal.”

“So I heard.”

“We’ll be discussing that later.”

“Mmm, dessert.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Mud pie?”

His fork went still in midair. “Not what I was thinking, but sure, if that’s what you want.”

“Maybe I could have both?” She slid her hand up his leg, and when she reached her destination, he choked on a mouthful of water. “Is that a yes?”

While he coughed, she glanced around to make sure no one was looking. Luckily, the busy restaurant couldn’t have cared less that he was throbbing under her hand.

“Um, what are you doing?” he asked.

“Just trying to decide between the mud pie and the other very interesting dessert options. What do you think?”

“Not thinking too much at the moment.”

She leaned in to whisper in his ear. “I love how your eyes get really dark blue when you’re turned on.”

He grabbed her hand. “Liv,” he hissed. “That’s enough.”

“And your lips. They part ever so slightly, just enough for me to do this.” She leaned in to dab her tongue between them.

“Olivia, please. I’m starting to sweat over here.”

A victorious smile lit up her face.

“Which is, of course, the goal,” he mumbled.

“I think I’ll pass on the mud pie.”

“I was going to take you for a walk through the Torpedo Factory,” he said, his voice gruff and controlled.

“I’ve been there.”

“Not with me.”

Her whisper was breathy against his ear. “The places I go with you are so much better than any old factory.” She kissed him again while under the table she dragged a fingernail along his throbbing length.

He tore his lips free of hers and signaled to the waiter. “Check, please.”

Cole all but dragged her to the parking lot. The moment they reached the car, he pressed her against it and plundered. She had driven him mad with her flirtation in the restaurant, and now as her arms curled around his neck and her mouth opened under his, he gave her everything he had. Her taste was an exotic combination of wine and the sweetness so unique to her, a flavor that could drive a man mad as surely as it could drive him to take what she offered so willingly.

Need pounded through him as he pushed his erection into the welcoming V of her legs. Her dress impeded him, so he pushed it up.

“Cole,” she gasped, as much from the cold as the insanity of what they were on the verge of doing.

Breathing hard, he rested his forehead against hers for a moment before he opened the door for her. When he was settled into the driver’s seat, he put his head back, seeking some semblance of control. No woman had ever had such an effect on him, and he was beginning to realize that no one else ever would.

Her hand on his leg got his attention. “I can’t take any more of that, Liv. You’re making me crazy, and you’re not ready for crazy.”

“Take me back to the hotel. I want to be with you.”

He turned to her. “You don’t have to do this to show me—”

“That I love you?”

“I know you do.”

“Drive, Cole.”

It took six minutes to get back to the hotel. The instant the door to their room clicked shut behind him, he pounced. He reached for the hem of her dress and took it right up and over her head. Underneath he found a black bra with matching panties and sheer hose that ended abruptly at mid-thigh.

“Wow,” he said on a long exhale.

She giggled at the expression on his face, and the joyful sound went straight to his heart. After the difficult, emotional day she’d had, he wanted to make her forget, even if just for a little while. As he pressed her back against the wall, her expression shifted from delighted to wary and expectant. Starting with her neck, he set out to kiss every inch of soft, pale skin he could reach.

Her fingers clutched his hair. He loved how she did that, how she needed to touch him while he loved her. His lips skimmed over the tops of plump breasts still contained in the lacy bra while his hands skirted over her smooth, flat belly.

“Cole.”

The sound of his name coming from breathless, parted lips fueled his desire. “What, honey?”

“My legs are all wobbly.”

“We can’t have that, now can we?” He quickly removed the scrap of panties and flipped open the front clasp of her bra. Shrugging out of the shirt she had unbuttoned, he dropped it to the floor.

“Don’t move,” he said as he crossed the room to get a condom. When he returned, he put the condom in his pocket and resumed kissing his way down the front of her. He left a hot path from neck to breasts to belly button and beyond. Using his feet to slide hers further apart, he dropped to his knees in front of her. His fingers found her slick with desire. The discovery made him throb almost painfully. Another part of him wanted in on this and soon, but not yet. Not quite yet.

Lost in the scent and taste of her, he pushed his fingers into her warmth as he flicked his tongue over her. Within seconds, he could feel the signs of her impending climax. He loved how easily she came for him, like she had been made for him and only him.

She groaned, her legs trembled, and she cried out as the orgasm surged through her.

Cole glanced up at her and saw her head thrown back against the wall, her lips parted, her breasts flushed to a rosy red from the heat they had generated together. He got up, quickly shed the rest of his clothes, and fumbled with the condom. Reaching for her, he lifted her up and onto his straining erection.

He felt the whoosh of air escape from her at the moment of impact. Almost as if he were outside himself watching someone else, he took her hard and fast, right there against the wall.

Her fingers clutching his shoulders, her legs wrapped tight around his waist, she held on for the ride.

The desire, the passion, the heat was overwhelming, so overwhelming he had no choice but to take everything she offered. Sweat rolled down his back, and his lungs screamed for air, forcing him to tear his lips free of hers and suck in deep, greedy breaths. He pushed hard into her and felt her clutch him from within and then cry out again as she reached another peak. When she arched into him, he rode the wave with her and then let himself go, pouring forth with a great surge of release that left him stupid and weak in its wake.

With his forehead resting on her shoulder, he concentrated on breathing. Her arms were tight around him, her fingers massaging his neck. He trembled. And then suddenly he was ashamed. Two days ago she had been a virgin, and he’d just taken her against a wall like a madman. Lifting his head, he brushed his lips over hers in a gentle caress. “Sorry.”

“For?”

“Being so rough with you. For—”

She kissed him. “I loved it,” she whispered, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks. “Don’t apologize. Please don’t.”

Holding her tight against him, he carried her to the bed and lay her down before he finally withdrew from her. Gazing down at her, he smoothed the hair back off her forehead.

“I promised myself I’d go easy with you, but there was that black bra and this.” He ran a hand over the thigh-high hose he hadn’t taken the time to remove. “You make me so crazy, Liv. I’ve never lost control like that before.”

She bit her lip as she studied him, her eyes bright with pleasure at his confession. “Really?”

Raising his little finger, he said, “Pinky swear.”

Smiling, she wrapped her pinky around his and kissed him.

“Be right back.” In the bathroom he flipped on the light, reached down to remove the condom, and did a double take when he saw a small but unmistakable hole.

“Shit!”