The weather was perfect, but it didn't help my mood. Once I'd hit the sand and started my run, my feet just rammed ahead on their own. I needed to clear my thoughts. I wasn't sorry that I'd taken one last chance to get Shay back into my life. Now, at least, I knew that the attraction and admiration was only coming from one side, my side. I'd at least had the opportunity to help her financially, even though it was hardly enough. She had transformed me into a different person. She'd opened up a piece of my soul that I was sure had been erased by my harsh childhood. A hundred grand was not enough.

I pulled off my shirt and wiped my chest and face with it as I climbed the stairs to the house. As I slid open the door and walked inside, a small sound came from the kitchen.

Shay stepped around the corner dressed in a teal blue lace body suit that was cut high up the hips and low on the cleavage. She was sipping a soda. "Hope you don't mind I let myself in. I remembered the pass code."

I could hardly hear her over the pounding in my chest.

Shay put the soda down on the counter. "You paid for my grandmother's hospital care."

"I owed you money. I had no other way to repay you."

She shrugged. "You still owe me nine hundred thousand. But I guess you can pay me back a dollar a day for the next nine hundred thousand days."

"Fuck. You're real. You're standing here."

"Did you think I was a mirage?"

"Something like that," I said as I closed the gap between us.

I pulled her into my arms and kissed her. As she melted against me, I groaned, thinking how badly I'd been wanting exactly that—Shay supple and willing in my arms letting me know she was mine.

I lifted my mouth from hers. She peered up at me.

"Maybe you haven't changed me as much as I thought because I'm thinking of about a hundred ways I want to fuck you in that lacy lingerie."

The sexy line on the side of her mouth appeared. "Oh really? Well, let's start with number one and go from there." She threw her arms around my neck and wrapped herself around me as I carried her to the bedroom.

I placed her feet on the floor and reached into the nightstand for a condom. "I'm sweaty from a run. Should I shower?"

Shay knelt on the bed and looked back at me over her shoulder. The thin strap of lace on the crotch of the lingerie disappeared deep into the folds of her pussy. "You could, but I'm so hot right now, I might have to start without you." She rolled onto her bottom and leaned back on her hands to give me a better view of her breasts.

"So . . . that's a no." I pushed my shorts to the floor.

Shay laughed as I dove onto the bed, my face landing right between her legs. "I've got to taste you, darlin', before I go out of my fucking mind." I scooted my face closer, her scent already making me crazy with wanting her. "Rest back and reach your hands up over your head."

As she leaned back and reached up her arms, I ripped the thin piece of lace on the crotch. The lacy material rode up above her pussy. I looked at her over the soft mound. Her eyes drifted closed. I lowered my mouth to her pussy and trailed hot kisses along it until she whimpered and spread her thighs wider in invitation.

I pressed my fingers against her and spread her wide to tease her clit until she was gasping for more. "I knew I'd love the way you taste, baby. You're my tiny dancer. You're mine from now on." I dove my tongue into her. She cried out in pleasure.

Shay pressed her feet against the mattress, and I lifted her ass higher with my free hand. I kissed and licked her, enjoying every inch of her.

She lowered her hands and tangled her fingers in my hair. "I want you, Nash. Now, please. I want to come with you inside of me." Just hearing the words nearly took me to the point of no return.

Reluctantly, I pulled my mouth from her pussy and quickly rolled on the condom.

Shay was reaching for my arms as I lowered myself over her. "This is all I want right now," she whispered. "You holding me in your arms while you fuck me and tell me how much you want me. Nothing else, just that." Her voice wavered as she spoke, and the sound of it twisted around my heart.

I lowered myself over her and gently pushed my cock into her, feeling her wet heat as I went deeper. She fit me like a glove. I knew she would. I knew she was made for me. I placed my hand against the side of her face as I pumped into her. "I want you, Shay. I've never needed anything so badly as I need you."

She curled her arms around my neck and pulled my mouth to hers. "This time, let's try it without a contract."

"Good idea." I pushed my mouth down over hers.