“You wanna go eat? I’m getting peckish.” I turned to my beautiful passenger, glad to have some alone time with her after a very long evening. She chuckled. Damn, I loved that sound.

Her friends weren’t stupid. They saw the chemistry between us and encouraged it by jumping into a cab and taking off before Vivienne could stop them. I loved her friends.

“Bacon Burger is just around the corner,” she said, nodding in the general direction of the best fast food joint in the city.

“Ah, a woman after my own heart.” I slapped my hand to my chest. “Bacon Burger has the best onion rings.”

“I know, and whatever is in their secret sauce is crazily addictive.”

“It’s crack.”

“They put crack in their secret sauce? That’s shocking,” she said with feigned alarm on her face. Her makeup was sheer perfection, even at this time of the night/morning and after a visit to the tattoo parlor. That rosy lipstick wouldn’t be on her lips much longer if I had anything to say about it.

We pulled into the abandoned parking lot and parked. “Hey,” I called gently, trying my best to change the mood. She stared up at me with a sweet doe-eyed look that drove me crazy.

“What? I’m right here,” she answered back with a smile.

“Come closer.” And she did. I put my hand behind her head before I closed in on her mouth. “I think I really like you.” Then I lightly touched my lips to hers. She opened to me on contact. I was forever grateful, finally able to taste her sweet honey lips and move my tongue inside her mouth again after all this time. God, she tasted like springtime and bubblegum. I groaned into her delicious mouth.

Soon, she threaded her hands behind my neck, pressing herself up to me, trying to get as close as possible in the small space. The feel of her breasts crushed up against my chest was maddening.

Fuck it. I was going for it. You only lived once, right? I slowly slid my hands down to caress her shoulders, then positioned one around her back. The other hand, let’s call him “Lucky,” wandered from her shoulder down, down…

“Ouch! Oh my God!” she screamed at the top of her lungs, then shoved away from me like she was on fire.

“Oh shit, Vivienne. Oh fuck me. I’m so sorry. I completely forgot about your tattoo.” That went well. What a clod. On my journey for gold, I accidentally touched her brand new tattoo. “Are you okay?” I asked as I brushed one hand nervously through my hair while taking a few deep breaths.

She began giggling. I stared at her like she was crazy. “I’m fine, but this thing burns,” she said, reaching down to make sure her tape was still affixed. “I expected it to hurt while the guy was doing it. I didn’t think I’d have this much pain after.” Her eyes found mine, and once again she snickered. “I’m not laughing at you, honest. It’s been a while since I made out with someone in a car, that’s all. I promise.” She rubbed my arm in comfort.

“Oh no, I knocked something down,” she said, bending forward to pick up whatever fell when she jumped away from me.

“What’s this?” she asked, examining my pen and mini notepad. “Insects found on the human body at various intervals of decomposition?” Her eyes narrowed at me.

“Nothing. Just doing some research for a friend.” I snatched the materials back from her, obviously not wanting her to read any more.

“Weird research. What does your friend do?” Her eyes lingered a bit too long on what I held, so I chucked it all into the back seat with abandon.

“Law enforcement. It’s not important. Shall we go grab a burger now that I’ve ruined the mood with my big, clumsy paws?” I shook my hands in front of me, hoping like hell she’d drop our current topic. Now was not the time or place to get into my research. She laughed again.

“Let’s go. Last one there has to pay.” She smiled at me, dashing out of the car. I decided to play her silly game and hurried out, too. Never in a million years would I let her buy me a burger. Her enthusiasm was contagious, so I played along.

“Vivienne,” I called, as she raced ahead of me into the cool, dark night, unable to help the grin on my face as she sped up.

“I’m not falling for that. It’s a trap, I know it,” she hollered back, quickening her pace. I was competitive, that was a given. For the life of me, I just couldn’t back down from a challenge. I ran until I caught up with her and then snagged her arm. “No fair,” she said, skidding to a stop.

“You’ve got some speed on you for a tiny thing,” I said, grinning down at her. “Are you sure you’re fine?” I asked her again, still afraid that I’d hurt her.

“Sweetie, don’t worry.” She placed her hand on my chest and leaned up to whisper into my ear, “If you buy me a burger, I just might let you touch my boob later.” She laughed hysterically. I engulfed her in my arms, careful not to reinjure her tattoo.

“That is a seriously great deal,” I said, kissing her forehead. “Does that include both boobs or just one? And if it’s just one, what do I have to buy you to get permission to fondle the other one? Onion rings? A sundae? They have great drinks here, too, like five different flavors.” Her playfulness was such a huge turn-on. Even more than her giant rack.

“Umm.” She tapped her index finger on her lips, pretending she was considering the deal. “I think we could arrange something that would benefit both of us for, say an additional onion ring and a chocolate sundae?” She tilted her head, her hands gripping my shoulders. “Oh, and if that sundae were to also have butterscotch on it as well, it could really work in your favor. Just saying.”

Where did she come from? This woman in my arms was perfect for me. “Hmm, well, the butterscotch is gonna cost you.” I shook my head. “I can’t make any promises, of course. If I can hunt some down, I may need more than just two boobs.”

“I only have two to offer you, driver man. Honest. I’m not hiding any others. Trust me, you’d see it,” she said, peeping down at her chest.

“Well, this new information changes things a bit. We’ll have to renegotiate for the butterscotch.”

“Oh, bring it on. I do this all day at my job. Negotiations are my specialty. Be careful, some say I’m a real tiger.”

I again gazed into her amazing dark green eyes that currently held a reflection of the flashing Bacon Burger sign in them. “I’m incredibly glad you just said that.”

In my experience, women didn’t eat. Well, I mean, they must actually eat sometime and somewhere, but never out with me. I always ordered a big meal, and my date would order some kind of freshly picked leaves. Hold the dressing. Now tell me, what kind of psychopath refused dressing on a salad?

It made sense, though, if you thought about it. These women I dated in the past were all able to pretend to be in a good mood for a while. Eventually, the hungry beast came out. No, not the good hungry beast, the bad, mean, bitchy one. It always left me stunned as to where the nice girl went.

Seeing Vivienne dig into her Bacon Burger food, it all became crystal clear. Those other women were fucking hungry. Shit, if only they would have eaten some grease occasionally, we would have had a much better time.

“Here’s your sundae.” The counter girl bent over our table, displaying what she had to offer besides the ice cream. The zipper on her uniform was clearly lower than when we’d ordered. “And here’s your aunt’s,” she quipped, pushing Vivienne’s chocolate and butterscotch creation to her with nary a glance.

“Thanks,” I said, even though I wasn’t thankful at all when I saw how Vivienne’s face fell after this girl called her my aunt. Jesus, was she stupid or just blind?

“Here’s my number. Call me after you drop her off,” Counter Gal suggested with a crook of her head.

“I’ll be balls deep in her the rest of the night, so don’t expect a call,” I said, taking a bite of my burger. Vivienne couldn’t control the loud snort that came out.

Counter Gal’s shock was hilarious as she zipped up—her top and her mouth—and stormed off.

“Sorry about that. This,” I pointed to my face, “can make women say and do stupid things.” I joked, placing a reassuring hand on hers.

“It sure can.” Vivienne nodded in agreement as she dipped her onion ring into the ice cream. “Mmm, how come these onion rings taste even better at night? I’ve eaten them during the day, and they just aren’t as crispy or something,” she told me through a mouthful of goodness, changing the subject and the mood. Maybe some guys would be turned off watching a chick scarf down onion rings, but not me.

“I bet it’s the night crew’s doing. They probably have to clean the grease vats out or something,” I said, and she looked at me and frowned. “Or maybe it’s because after an evening of cavorting and tattooing, you get extra hungry, so pretty much anything tastes great.”

“I’m gonna go with Cavorting and Tattooing for $200, Alex.” Fuck, she was funny.

“You drink much?” I asked.

“Nah, a glass at home and one at the restaurant. The other three were feeling no pain, though.” I laughed and stole an onion ring. “What the heck? I was saving that for later,” she said.

“It’s called payback, darlin’. Get used to it,” I said and pointed the stolen ring at her.

“Payback for what?” She apprehended the bag of onion rings from the tray and held them protectively away from me.

“For driving your friends all around town tonight.” I popped the ring into my mouth and stretched my arms out on the back of the booth seat and took her in. How she remained this stunning well after midnight in a burger joint, under this horrible fluorescent-lights-gone-wrong atmosphere, I did not understand.

“Fine, sir. You got paid to drive us all around town.” She wiped the secret sauce off the side of her lip and continued. “Plus, we paid for your tattoo.”

“True and true.”

Vivienne set what was left of her burger down and wiped her hands. Her nails were immaculate and tipped with white polish. I wondered how they’d feel dragged down my back.

She scrunched up the papers and wrappers and dumped everything onto the tray, ready for disposal. “So, time to roll? What do you say?”

“After you, my dear,” I said, before snapping up the tray as she exited the booth.

The night was cool, well, more like the early morning. It was that odd, confusing time of night when the sky didn’t know whether to wake up or stay asleep, so it just remained in limbo.

I bleeped my doors, and we climbed into the car. It was crunch time. She either invited me over or I went home for one heck of a long, hot shower while I thought intently about this woman’s body. Again.

“Where can I take you now?”

I’ll take you anywhere, but please say your house.

“Wanna come back to my place?”

Ding, ding, ding, ding! Your answer is correct!

I smiled lazily at her as I started the car. “Yeah, I’d really like that.” Apparently, my dick liked that too because he just stood up and took notice.

It was official. I was an idiot.

Staring out into the night, I inwardly cursed myself for screwing up. Again. Months ago, I had put my foot down and decided to stop floundering and find a real relationship. Only good prospects. God, I was so much older than him. Would a guy his age even be interested in a commitment?

Why don’t you just ask him? Yeah, ask him if he was all right with you having his babies. I sighed at the absurdity of my own thoughts.

He stopped at my place, not taking the keys out of the ignition or undoing his seat belt.

“Sweetheart,” he said, seizing my hand. “Look at me. I can see the wheel of regret spinning inside your head. We don’t have to do anything. I can just drop you off if that’s what you want. I’m good with that. Well, I’m not good with that. Actually, I’d love to spend more time with you, but if you’ve changed your mind, that’s fine. Really.”

I gazed into his sparkling bright blue eyes. They were radiant here in the car, with only the flickering streetlights to aid in their illumination.

This handsome guy, who was years too young for me, just said the manliest thing I’d ever heard. He was giving me an out, not pushing for something I might regret later. For me, there was nothing sexier.

Unable to hold out any longer, I scooted over and attacked him. His arms immediately drew me into his body, moaning deeply as I plunged my tongue into his mouth. He reciprocated willingly, both fighting for control, yet allowing me to have it.

Being in his arms like this again unleashed a wild part of me I didn’t know existed. His kisses trailed down my neck, making me yearn to feel his mouth on other places as well. My back arched, the swell of my chest even closer to his eager mouth.

“Mmm,” he moaned on his way down, sending sparks throughout my body as he went. “Fuck, I missed you. You’re so hot.”

I squirmed under his ministrations, whispering, “I missed you, too.” Suddenly, sense returned. Pushing him away gently, I said, “We should probably get out of here before the cops show up and arrest us for public indecency.” He didn’t move, so I asked, “Jason, are you ready?”

“Baby, I’ve been sporting a semi for the last three hours. Hell yeah, I’m ready.”

“I saw that on a commercial once. You should probably get to the ER immediately,” I said. He chuckled and gave me another quick peck.

“Your place will be quieter, but if you have your heart set on the ER, I’m open to trying new things,” he added, waggling his eyebrows.