“I just assumed...” Jenny’s throat closed up, preventing her from finishing that statement.

“And that’s my problem, too. I keep assuming, and not asking you what you want. Call it the Hewitt curse?” He squeezed her hand and smiled.

“Stop.” Jenny did not want to associate anything Lucas did with Walker.

“I’m just saying it’s not something I want to make a habit of.”

“Well...what do you want?” She was half afraid of his answer. Under the table, Dolly pressed to her leg, offering silent comfort.

“Honestly? I’m still reeling from the idea of you want anything to do with me. I’m just happy to be here.”

“We had sex...”

“We did.”

Jenny had been intimate with three men in her entire life. To her, this meant something. But maybe it didn’t to Lucas? She’d always been jealous of his girlfriends, the women she saw with him, because deep down she’d wanted to be them. Funny, she couldn’t remember what a single one looked like or any of their names. They came and went so fast they sort of blurred together. Did Lucas even do serious relationships?

“I don’t want to assume that just because we had sex—great sex, I might add—that... Jenny, what I’m trying and failing to say is that the ball is in your court. Just tell me what you want.”

She gripped his hand harder.

This would be so much easier if he’d decide what they were. After all, that was what she was used to, the man making the choices. But look where they’d gotten her—a divorce in one hand and depression in the other. She’d struggled to reclaim every bit of herself over these last few years. Falling into that same system with Lucas was setting herself up to make the same mistakes all over again.

If she wanted things to work out with Lucas, she needed to learn from her past. And if he didn’t want the same things, yes, it would hurt, but at least she’d be able to move on. Or something.

“I, um.” She scooted forward, perching on the edge of her chair. “I’m really out of practice with this part.”

“Tell me about it?”

“I just...I want to be with you.” She shrugged.

“That makes two of us, then.”

“Oh.”

“How about, we agree we like being together. That it’s what we both want. And we can take it from there. How’s that?”

Jenny bit her lip. It sounded great, and part of her wanted to agree to his assessment. Deep down, she wanted more. A name, something to call them, a word. If she pushed, would he push back?

“What are you thinking, Jen?”

“I...want more.” She took a deep breath and forced herself to continue. “I mean, I want to know that we aren’t just fooling around. I’m too old to spend time on someone who doesn’t... Who isn’t looking for a future.”

And therein lay her fear about tangling with Lucas.

He’d left on a whim, no goodbye, nothing. If he was going to do that again, if that’s what his life would always be like, then this wouldn’t work.

Standing up for herself might mean a bruised heart, but at least she was reaching for what she wanted, instead of taking the table scraps. That was, after all, how she’d wound up married to Walker in the first place, subsisting on the bits of affection he threw her way here and there, until she realized it was all a mistake.

Lucas lifted their joined hands and pressed a kiss to her knuckles.

“Jen, I’d never just fool around with you. I didn’t expect us to pick up where we left off, much less jump in bed together, but you’re going to have a hell of a hard time getting rid of me if you want me.”

“Well, I want you, so what are you going to do about that?”

“Is that a dare?” One side of Lucas’ mouth hitched up and he grinned at her.

“Maybe it is?”

She swallowed.

Teasing Lucas now had a whole new level of risk than it used to. Back in the old days, she could say whatever popped in her head and he’d make a crack back. Knowing they stayed in their safe corners made it easier to say things that she wouldn’t normally, things that were technically over the line, but as long as they never touched, they were just words.

They weren’t just words now.

There were no corners.

She’d just asked him for the whole pie and he’d given it to her without the slightest waffle. It wasn’t a promise or a commitment, but it was something. He could still leave in the blink of an eye, but she didn’t think he would so long as they were connected.

Lucas pushed his chair back, the scrape of the legs on the hardwood hitting just the right pitch. She shivered. He rose to his feet and she swallowed, but didn’t look away.

Dolly pressed her head against Jenny’s shins, as though she were hiding her face.

There were a lot of confusing emotions going on. For an animal that seemed as sensitive as Dolly did, it had to be overwhelming.

“I’m going to put Dolly up for the night,” Jenny said. She stood, patting her thigh and turned her attention on Dolly. “Come on, girl.”

Lucas braced a hand on the chair at the head of the table the other at the peak of the arch leading into the kitchen. He took up so much space by virtue of being himself. It didn’t even take into consideration the space inside of her he occupied, that insubstantial, emotional place where she’d kept part of him.

“Come on, Dolly.” Jenny grasped the dog’s collar and led her past Lucas.

Dolly paused to lick his knee, an oddly sweet gesture, before following Jenny through the kitchen, into the hall.

The moment Jenny opened the patio door, Dolly made a beeline for her crate. Jenny tried her best not to cringe. She’d been hoping that Dolly felt comfortable enough she didn’t need the escape.

Dolly made a turn inside the crate, then lay down with her paws crossed, resting on the lip of the crate and pillowed her head on her paws.

Jenny smiled.

Not all the way inside.

She’d take that as progress.

Dolly might still find comfort in her safe space, but she was edging out of it. Kind of like Jenny. She was stepping outside her comfort zone in bits, not because she wanted to, but because she wasn’t going to let this chance to be with Lucas pass her by.

Jenny double-checked the water dish and returned to the house proper.

A big, dark shadow waited for her in the hall, hands braced on either side of the space.

She pressed her back to the door and swallowed.

He took a step forward, the old hardwood creaking under his weight.

The light from the kitchen fell on his face.

Maybe it was better when she couldn’t quite see him.

The way he was staring at her made her want to run and hide. She was cornered, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to be.

“You sure you want to make that dare?” He planted his hand against the wall to her left.

Jenny licked her lips.

The safe thing to do would be to laugh it off, dismiss the challenge. It’s what she’d have done before. They could finish dinner, have a nice evening together, almost like old times.

“Are you sure you can deliver?” She quirked a brow at him, relishing the way his lips pressed together, the sudden sharpness of his gaze on her, as though the rest of the world just dropped away.

Lucas wrapped his free arm around her waist.

One moment, she was standing practically in the corner, the next, her back was against the wall, his big body bracing her and her legs around his hips. Lucas’ lips caressed her neck, working their way up to her jaw.

The sudden heat licking her insides was unlike anything she’d felt before. Even last night. It was...need. Sharp, insistent, as though if she didn’t consume this man right here and now, she’d die without him.

Jenny curled her fingers in his hair, wrapping the short strands in them, and pulled. She tilted his head back. His hands tightened on her hips and he shifted, grinding against her. The seam of her jeans rubbed right over her clit. Her mind stopped functioning and she whimpered.

Lucas sealed his lips over hers, swallowing the needy sound. His tongue thrust into her mouth and his hand slid up under her shirt.

Yes, she wanted to feel his hands on her.

She kissed him back, losing herself in the sensation of his touch, his kiss, the way they fit together even fully clothed.

He covered her breast with his hand, his fingers delving past the utilitarian bra cup to tease her nipple.

Jenny gasped and dug her nails into his scalp.

His lips slid from hers and they both sucked down air.

“Do you still want me?” His tone was needy, playful. He was so different, she didn’t quite know how to handle him. One moment he was throwing her up against the wall, the next she almost wanted to laugh at him.

“Hm, I don’t know.” Her voice betrayed her, the husky, aroused sound of her voice telegraphing a loud hell, yes even to her ears.

He pressed against her and caressed her areola, a teasing, sensual touch.

“You sure? I can always put you down and go home.” He kissed her neck and she could feel his smile.

“You should convince me some more.” She dipped her chin, seeking his mouth. “With less clothes.”

“You are wearing too much,” he said against her lips.

She kissed him and he swiped his thumb over her nipple, sending electrical impulses through her body. Her channel tightened, remembering all too well what he’d felt like inside of her.

Lucas pulled his hand from her shirt and pushed off the wall. He hefted her up a little, never breaking the kiss, and cradled her bottom in both hands. He walked, his gait unsteady and more than once he stumbled into a wall. She laughed and pointed at the stairs.

“Fuck that,” he muttered and hung a left into the living room. “Bedroom’s too far away.”

“You are not—”

Lucas pitched forward, falling.

Jenny yelped.

Her back hit the sofa cushions and Lucas caught himself on the back of the sofa, looming over her. His face creased and crinkled in a wide, pleased-with-himself, grin.

“Not funny.” She slapped his shoulder and laughed.

“What? I’m hysterical. Now, about these clothes.” His gaze slid down her body.

He sat up, one knee on the sofa, his other foot on the floor, and grasped her by the front of her pants. She shimmied out of her shirt and bra in the time it took for him to unbutton and lower her fly.

Instead of divesting her of the rest of her clothes, Lucas slid his hand into her panties, cupping her mound. His fingers slid through and around her labia. His grin widened and he seemed far too pleased with himself.

“Jen, I think you want me,” he said.

“Do I?”

“What do you think?”

He curled a single finger, sliding it up until he found her clit. He gently rubbed it back and forth.

She gasped and arched into his hand, lifting her hips from the cushions and pressing against him. She closed her eyes, lost in just feeling him.

Lucas withdrew his hand, giving her the chance to catch her breath.

“Fuck, still too many clothes,” he muttered.

“I think I agree.”

She peered up at him, enjoying the hurried strip tease. His shirt landed on the coffee table, and he toed off his boots while he yanked at his belt.

She’d seen him act smooth before, every line perfect, each glance or touch just right.  It was like she was a kid again, so drunk on the high of it all that she didn’t care about acting sexy—or trying to.

Jenny pushed to her feet and kicked off her shoes. Her jeans hit the floor at almost the same moment as Lucas’.

He reached for her, sliding his hand around her waist.

That look, the one that said he was going to do wicked things to her, made her whole body hot.

He’d already done out of this world things, and now she wanted to be the one doing.

She planted her hands against his chest and shoved.

Lucas sat down on the sofa, his cock jutting up, pointed straight at her as if it were some sort of sexual homing device. She straddled his lap, cupping his face in both her hands. He leaned toward her, pressing into the kiss. His tongue passed between her lips at the same moment he thrust his fingers into her.

Jenny groaned and braced a hand on the back of the sofa.

“Fuck,” he muttered.

“You keep doing that and I’m going to come.” She wrapped her hand around his wrist, forcing him to stop.

“Is that a bad thing?” He stared up at her, head tilted to one side.

“It’s not the part of you I want.”

Lucas slid his hand from inside of her and reversed her hold so he was the one guiding her wrist. He wrapped her hand around his cock, squeezing tighter than she’d have dared.

“Is this what you want?” he asked.

“Yes.” She got the word out without stammering, though the blush burning her cheeks was brutal enough her eyes almost began to water.

“You want it like this? On top? Riding me?” He kept staring at her. There was no outward change, but with each question, the moment seemed more intense.

“I do. Do you have a problem with that?”

He cupped her breast with his other hand, capturing her nipple between his fingers. His lips spread into a smile, and she fought the urge to arch her back.

“Not at all,” he replied.

She slid her hand up his erection, his hand still covering hers, showing her how to stroke him. There was no shyness, no hesitation. Because this was what they both wanted, right? That’s what led them to this moment. He’d asked her what she wanted, said that it was up to her, and she’d made herself clear.

“Jen, babe, if you want to ride this cock, you should probably get on it all ready.” He squeezed her hand, stilling her motions.

“Bossy.”

“Realistic. You’re hot, naked and playing my dick like a pro.” He pushed a condom wrapper into her hand.

Where had that come from?

His pockets? Wallet?

What did it matter?

Jenny sat back and tore the package open. Lucas’ hands rested on her hips, like that was some sort of starting position. Condoms were one area where she felt pretty damn confident. She rolled the latex on him, watching the way his cheeks sank in. His fingers pressed into her, urging her forward.

“Come here.” Lucas pulled her forward.

He reached between them, holding his shaft and guided the head of his cock through her slit, back and forth. She placed her hands on his shoulders, gripping him to keep herself from moving with him.

“Go on.” His voice was strained, aroused.

She shifted her hips until his cock was in the right spot.

Jenny cupped his cheek, the wiry hairs of his beard tickling her hand. His gaze locked with hers and she eased down, arousal and gravity doing the work for her. The muscles in his face tensed and relaxed, seeming to ripple. She sucked in a breath, feeing the intrusion in her sore muscles and deeper still. Like a lifeline between their hearts had opened up again, breathing fresh air into dusty parts of herself.

Lucas cupped her breasts in both hands, a slow mile spreading across his face.

“What?” she asked.

“I’ve got you right where I want you.” He gently squeezed her nipples. “How’s that for a dare?”

“You’re full of yourself.” She resisted the urge to move, to use his cock.

“And you’re full of me.”

Jenny chuckled, unable to resist the smile and bad joke. Besides, it was true. She leaned forward and kissed him, lifting her hips. He groaned into her mouth, showing he wasn’t impervious to the moment. They were both affected by this.

She continued to move, lifting up, shifting her hips, finding just the right angle. Lucas continued to kiss her, his grip on her breasts growing rougher. He lifted his hips, driving his cock up into her. She gasped, her clit sliding against him and just the right angle.

“Do that. Again,” she said against his mouth, hoping her words weren’t just sounds of pleasure.

Lucas seemed to growl. He thrust again, and this time he cupped her mound, stroking her with his fingers and cock.

“Oooh.” Her head swam.

Jenny braced her hand on the back of the sofa.

Lucas didn’t stop. He thrust and stroked her, ramping up the moment.

He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her down at the same moment he thrust.

All at once, the world seemed to shatter into a million colors. She groaned, caught unaware by the sudden release of endorphins drowning her in a sea of pleasure. Lucas continued thrusting, drawing out the orgasm until it bordered on the knife edge of pain. He shouted, head tossed back, and stilled.

She wrapped her arms around him, burying her face against his neck, and squeezed.

Everything about this was different.

A fuck wasn’t just a fuck, as she’d learned last night.

It all meant something with Lucas, and she wasn’t ready to examine her feelings too closely. It was enough to know they could simply be together, that they had similar wants and desires.

All she’d meant to do yesterday was see him. Give him a hug. Tell him she was sorry. The kiss, expressing how much she’d wanted him, hadn’t been part of the plan. Then again, chemistry like this couldn’t be plotted on a course. It just happened.

The feelings, she wasn’t ready for that. It scared her. She’d already loved and hurt once. For now she just wanted to be happy.

What the hell was she talking about?

They’d just had sex.

It was not the time to discuss intimate emotions. She knew that.

Lucas kissed her cheek and tightened his grip on her.

She squeezed her eyes shut and closed the door on her too tender heart.

He’d just come back, it didn’t mean he’d stay. And just because they had fantastic chemistry didn’t mean they’d work out. She had to stop making things more complicated.

For now, she wanted to be selfish and enjoy this. The sex. The attraction. She’d gone through enough with the men in her life. It was about time she got to have the fun of it back, and Lucas was a whole lot of fun.

“Hey—Omen. Hey—stop.” Lucas shifted, lifting his legs.

Jenny peered over her shoulder at the pup.

Omen’s fur was suspiciously greasy.

“What did you get into?” Jenny asked.

“Move?”

She shifted and his cock slid from inside of her.

Jenny settled on the sofa while Lucas leaned forward, glaring at the pup. Omen flattened herself on the floor and presented her belly.

“Shit,” he muttered.

Jenny bit her lip to keep from laughing.

Lucas got up and strode across to the dining room. She admired his firm ass and the sight of him in her home. So much that she couldn’t pretend to be angry.

“Damn it, Omen. She ate both plates!” Lucas groaned.

Jenny hugged one of the sofa pillows to her face and laughed.

This was life. Messy, weird, out of place—life. And Lucas was back in it.

•  •