“I…” Kalie turned around and tugged the paper from around the flowers. “I need to get these in water before they die.”

She filled the vase, then cut the stems and placed them in the water.

“Would you like a beer?” she asked, heading for the fridge.

But Erik stepped in front of her.

“The flowers are safe now. Let’s talk.”

He took her hand and led her from the room. The feel of his fingers around hers sent tingles dancing through her. She didn’t want to think about the time they’d spent together. The intimate, erotic things they’d done together.

“If you came to see how I am, I’m fine.” She sat down on the couch, practically perched on the edge.

Instead of sitting in the chair across from her, he sat beside her and took her hand.

“I’m glad. But the truth is, I haven’t been fine. In fact…” His gaze locked on hers. “I’ve been miserable without you.”

Her heart beat faster. “You have?”

He nodded. “I promised myself I wouldn’t fall in love with you, but…” He shrugged. “I failed miserably at keeping that promise.”

She was in a daze, not really comprehending what he was saying.

“I don’t understand.”

He slid his arm around her and drew her close. “Kalie, I’m telling you that I’m in love with you. I know I doubted your love, but… every relationship is a risk and I think we just need to spend more time together. To see where this might go.”

“That’s all I’ve wanted all along.”

He laughed. “Yes, I know.” He took her hand in his. “But we were both guessing back then. Now that we know each other a little better, it’s clear to me that we have a foundation to build on.”

“So we can start seeing each other?”

“Hell, you can move in with me. I want you to. I know that might feel rushed, but you can keep your apartment—”

“I don’t need to. I know what I feel for you is real.” She stroked his cheek, joy surging through her. “And I know what you feel for me is real, too. I can see it in your eyes.”

His smile broadened and he pulled her into his arms. His lips found hers and she opened for him. His tongue swept inside in a sweet possession.

She melted against him, loving being with him like this again. She stroked her fingers through his hair, the strands silky against her skin. He pulled her onto his lap and deepened the kiss.

She turned and straddled his knees, cupping his face. Then she drew her lips away and smiled

“I love you, Erik.”

He stroked her hair back from her face. “And I love you, Kalie.”

Her smile broadened so wide she thought her face might break.

A desperate need flooded through her. To feel his intimate touch. To be one with him physically.

She unbuttoned her blouse and let it slide to the floor. His fingertips played along her back, then the hooks of her bra released. She tossed it aside, loving the look of awe on his face as he gazed at her naked breasts. She took one of his hands and pressed it to her.

“I’ve missed you. And I’ve definitely missed this.” He squeezed her mound gently, then toyed with the nipple. It blossomed to a hard bud.

“What do you want me to do, Sir?” she asked as she unzipped his pants, then reached inside to find his hard shaft.

“You’re on the right track.”

She giggled, then drew out his big cock, already at full height. She stroked it. Then she pushed herself on her knees and pulled aside her panties. His hot, intense gaze was locked with hers as she pushed his hot cockhead against her opening. She was already slick with need.

Slowly, she lowered herself onto him. The feel of his steel-hard column pushing inside her made her breath catch. Down and down she went. Swallowing him inside her.

“Fuck, baby.” His hands curled around her waist.

“I’ve spent every night dreaming of you.” She smiled. “Wanting you. Like this.”

He was all the way inside her now. She pivoted her hips, rocking him inside her.

“Oh, fuck, that feels so good.”

* * *

Erik couldn’t believe he’d walked away from this woman. Being wrapping in her hot, velvety channel was as close to heaven as he could imagine. She ran her hands down his chest, the fabric of his shirt a thin barrier between them.

She rocked her hips again and he groaned.

His cock was so hard… needing her so bad… if she did that again…

He cupped her breasts, then dipped his head to capture one sweet nipple. Her head dropped back as she moaned. He suckled, drawing the hard bud deep into his mouth, then he swirled his tongue over it. Again and again until she whimpered.

He released it and kissed along her neck, then nuzzled her collar bone. Goose bumps danced across her flesh.

Then he took her mouth, pulsing his tongue inside her.

She began to rock her hips again, her breaths short and erratic.

“You’re close, baby?” he murmured against her ear.

“Yes, Sir.”