He was kissing Cass Dixon. Actually, no. Scratch that. He was mouth-fucking Cass Dixon, and her enthusiasm had his rock-hard cock threatening to tear a hole in his pants.

Her tongue rubbed against his, a sly, sexy tease. Just like the woman herself. For a moment he was so stunned, he let her take the lead. No hesitation whatsoever. She tasted like wine, fruity and heady. He was already halfway to drunk and he’d barely taken a sip.

She must’ve really gotten excited by last week’s porno. If he’d known that was all it would take to crack through the wall of ice between them, he would’ve busted out his collection of personal favorites a year ago.

Still, this was all moving way too fast. He set aside the vibrator he’d been taunting her with—and taunting himself, because the idea of her using that toy had him on the verge of an orgasm already—then returned to stroke the tops of her bare arms, absorbing her shudder. She nipped his lower lip, sinking in her teeth. Flashing another streak of need straight to his cock. His hips pressed to her belly of their own accord and she gasped at his brutally stiff dick.

“Feel that?” She had to understand what she was doing to him. How much it meant. No matter why she was doing this, he wasn’t scratching an itch. “That’s all because of you.”

Groggily, she opened her eyes and eased back. Second thoughts so soon? He chased her, unwilling to let her go so easily. His fingers dug into her soft skin as he dragged her up again and enjoyed that slow slide into the overwhelming heat of her mouth. This time his tongue pursued hers, twining around it, twisting while his hips pumped their own rhythm.

He grasped her cheeks, turning her head to take more. To push her further. She didn’t give in, meeting his kisses with urgent lips and frantic hands on his back, on his chest, even in his hair. She pulled on it, losing herself in what they were bringing to each other.

And for once, there was no need for words. No arguments. This went beyond speech. Beyond anything but pure, primal need.

When he couldn’t take any more, he drew back to haul in a breath. Her eyes might be closed to block him out, but he couldn’t stop studying her face. Her lovely pink cheeks. The tangle of red-gold lashes, the delicate arch of her eyebrows. Her mouth. God, her mouth.

He took it again, using his thumbs to tilt her where he wanted her. Their shallow explorations had turned to the kind of kisses that ended up one place. In a bed. Against a wall. Down on the floor, with her legs thrown over his shoulders. He’d drive into her again and again, refusing to give in until she showered him in the sweetness she never revealed to anyone. He wouldn’t stop until this powerfully competent, independent woman cried out his name.

Until she opened her eyes and told him with her kiss-swollen lips that no one could soothe the ache inside her but him.

“Look at me,” he whispered into her mouth. “Show me you know who’s in this bedroom with you.”

When she complied, her eyes were hazy and unfocused. Her lids barely lifted, as if she couldn’t summon the strength. A moan sounded from the TV and he jerked away from her long enough to turn it off. He didn’t want to hear any moans but hers. Didn’t want anything turning her on but his kisses and his touch and his absolute fucking reverence of her and this moment.

He fell to his knees and pressed a kiss to her belly through the silk. She swayed on her bare feet as he palmed her ass and dragged her closer. He took a deep breath and nearly groaned at her scent. Vanilla as always. Darker now, burnt a little at the edges. It filled his mind and he fumbled lower, finding the vee of her thighs with his lips, seeking her swollen slit.

She choked out a noise, her surprise and nerves flaring for an instant in the wild buck of her hips. With the first lash of his tongue through silky fabric, she went still and moaned, her knees buckling. She would’ve gone to the floor if he hadn’t caught her with an arm behind her thighs. Holding her still while he learned her through the chemise, not trusting himself not to go too far if he peeled it away and got to see and taste every bit of her flesh. He couldn’t go there now. She’d been scared and sick and he was probably taking advantage even by doing this, but God, his need to bring her some relief was so acute he was shaking with it. His own needs didn’t seem to matter anymore.

“That’s it,” he encouraged her as she rolled her hips to offer more of herself to his mouth. He slanted his head and sucked on her plump lower lips. Again came that shocked, startled sound, as if she’d never experienced this before.

He growled, drawing harder. Using his teeth to nip and torment before his open-mouthed kisses eased the sting.

If that was true, if no man had ever gone down on her before… Well, hell, he was pissed on her behalf and delirious on his own.

She cupped his head in her hands and for a second, the tension in her touch made him think she intended to push him away. Then she subtly directed him closer, swiveling her ass in slow, erotic circles a couple of times while he used the tip of his tongue to probe her wet folds. He captured her clit and sucked, increasing the pressure when she let out a keening moan. Her thighs started to shake and for a second, he debated if he’d screwed up by getting her excited again after earlier. But she’d never said she shouldn’t have sex—

“Please. Harder.” She sounded throaty and so damn aroused that he had no choice but to fist his dick through the denim. “Take me there.”

“Oh, I’ll fucking take you there, baby. Don’t you worry about that.” He rose without fully registering the intention and lifted her, tossing her onto the bed with more roughness than he’d planned. When he might’ve hesitated—or worse, apologized—she simply raised her head, letting him see the dusky slits of her eyes, and spread her legs.

He lowered himself between them, still keeping that barrier of silk between his lips and her pussy. Needing it there. But this time he drew up his tongue from bottom to top and wrapped his hands around her thighs, opening her so wide that the fabric inched up and he saw a wisp of red hair before he tugged it back down, adding a little friction so that the wet chemise twisted over her swollen flesh. She moaned, long and low, arching up from the bed, her nipples tight little points against the taut top of her nightgown. So hot. If he’d ever been with a sexier woman, he didn’t remember it. Could think of nothing except Cass and how her flavor burst inside him, sweeter than any ice cream she sold. And due to the chemise, it wasn’t even at full strength.

And for once? She wasn’t eyeing him with displeasure or griping at him or tipping her snooty nose in the air and making him harder than a damn pole. He loved fighting with her, but now he knew without a doubt that fucking her was so much better.

Fisting the sheets, she undulated under him while he renewed his focus on his task, savoring every swipe and bite even if her taste and smell was filtered through a thin barrier. But he needed it there, or else he couldn’t trust that he wouldn’t dig out a condom and sate his own hunger. And goddammit, this wasn’t about him. Not tonight.

He felt her building, gathering beneath him like the storm he only now realized was raging beyond her window. The howl of the wind and rumbling thunder only pushed him on faster, harder, deeper. He wanted to feel her break under him. Shatter like the turbulent sky outside when he lifted his head for an instant to catch his breath and saw lightning carving through the night.

Then he had to lick her again, desperate for the taste of her desire. Proof that he wasn’t alone in his urgency for her. Every beat of her arousal pounded for him. Her clit throbbed with each flick of his tongue, and her ass ground futilely into the mattress. She wanted him to end this now, and he wasn’t close to ready. Maybe he’d hold her down like this all night, squirming in his hands, writhing for his mouth. Begging him for it.

More. More. More. He pressed his hand to her belly, keeping her still. Forcing her to receive the onslaught he’d be damned if he let her evade or rush along. Her schedules and planning charts had no place between them, not when she was on her back with her pussy quivering under his tongue.

“Oh God.” Her voice reached him through the buzz in his ears. “Jax, please.”

The smile of triumph came before his ragged groan as she tightened her thighs and trapped him in her silky heat. Against his lips wasn’t enough. He needed to feel her orgasm. To experience it with her.

Soon, goddamn soon, he would know what it was like to be inside her. But not yet.

Pushing up her gown, he slid a finger inside, crooking it as she bowed up. “So tight, sweetheart. You need to come so bad, don’t you?”

“Yes.” She threw back her head, showing off her neck and the tops of her breasts. He wanted to suck them too, to be everywhere at once. Inside her pussy. Inside her mouth. Her tits in his hands, her snug little sheath clutching at him in a way her self-restraint would never allow her hands to. “I need it, Jax.”

“I need it too.” And he did. Right then he felt like he’d die if he didn’t get to see her lose herself. He slid his finger in and out, adding a second and using them to stretch her a bit. Taunting himself with the possibility that was so close and so far away.

His balls were so sore he could barely stay on his knees. The pressure between his legs ripped his attention from her until another glimpse of her flushed, pouty pussy stole it back. She was visibly quivering for him, her puffy folds squeezing his flesh.

Watching her intently, he closed his lips around her clit—fuck the nightgown—and blew, driving his fingers deep at the same time. She spasmed, one quick pulse that told him he’d almost tripped her switch. Some part of her was holding back.

He wouldn’t fucking let her.

“You know you want to come.” He made his voice a low croon, huffing the words so that his breath fanned the flames. She twisted under his hand, all jumpy nerves and hot restlessness. “And I want it in my mouth, so every time I lick my lips tonight, I’ll taste you. I want you to taste yourself when I kiss you.” He had to suck in air when she whimpered. He licked her slowly, clamping his forearm around her thigh to keep her from jerking straight off the bed. “Feel my tongue on your pussy, baby. So sweet. I’ve dreamed of this for so long, and nothing will ever come close to watching you shiver before me.”

Her hips flailed and she transferred her hold on the sheets to his hair, pulling him deeper into her inferno. He licked her clit in short, focused strokes, seconds away from coming himself. If she didn’t let go now—

“Jax. God, yes.” She gasped. “Thank you.”

Thank you?

And then she unleashed her thanks in full, her whole body rippling, the flesh beneath his lips and around his fingers pulsing in wave upon wave. He drew on her clit to prolong her pleasure, her cries of release the most glorious sound he’d ever heard. His only regret was that he wasn’t inside her for real.

He stayed between her legs, nursing her through the aftermath until she gasped and nudged him away. “Sensitive.”

Somehow he managed to swallow his chuckle. He understood sensitive. His dick hurt so much that he doubted he’d be able to walk down the hall to the guest bedroom.

His road to hell smelled like vanilla and tasted like innocent sin. And he’d be thinking of both when he fisted his erection in her shower tonight. When he spilled the release that should’ve been inside her on the tile and washed it away.

Cass leaned up and pushed her wild tangle of hair out of her face and gave him a tentative smile. His chest cracked at the hesitancy of it, the vulnerability. For once, her green eyes were swimming with emotion and unguarded…relief. He didn’t know if that was a good thing or not.

Was she relieved that he liked oral? That he wasn’t shitty at it? That he hadn’t yet breached her with the monster in his pants? It was impossible to tell. The only thing he could be sure of was that if he didn’t get a move on out of that room and away from the vision of her spread across her bed, all loose-limbed and sex-glowing, the monster would start doing some special effects.

He stumbled to his feet, swaying like a drunk. Her bed was a four-poster and he took advantage, holding the post while he caught his breath and did as he’d promised.

Holding her gaze, he licked his lips, reveling in the moment. And then he leaned over the bed, bracing his fist near her shoulder as he covered her mouth with his, kissing her with more softness than he’d known he could summon. Right now he was all edges and driving hunger, but somehow, he still managed to dredge up tenderness for Cass.

“I still can’t believe you…” He dropped his forehead to hers as she tensed. “I never even let myself wish.”

She reached up and traced her fingertip over his mouth. “Me either,” she breathed, and the utter honesty in those two words undid him completely.

His heart pounded painfully loud. He couldn’t do this. If he took her after she’d had a scare and then an arrhythmia episode, he’d officially qualify as the lowest of the low. He’d wanted to bring her pleasure and relax her enough so that she could get some sleep. But he wouldn’t take advantage of her stressful night, especially considering most days she barely seemed to tolerate him. Things had been a little better since he’d moved in. They occasionally talked and laughed. That didn’t mean it made sense for them to make the jump to lovers without, oh, discussing it first.

She wasn’t some one night stand. He’d never treat Cass that way.

Before he could change his mind, he shoved back from her, unwilling to meet her gaze. He knew she wouldn’t understand and he didn’t have a coherent explanation, at least one that she wouldn’t question and argue with. Just that he knew this would be wrong. Not being with her—never that—but doing it now. Tonight. When they came together, she’d know exactly why, and it wouldn’t be because she was afraid or uncertain. She wouldn’t use him to plug a need.

“Jason, what’s going on? Can’t you talk?”

Normally he loved sparring with her, but no, he couldn’t speak. His throat had grown tight, even tighter than his damn balls. She’d given herself to him, and instead of being happy with that one incredible piece, all he could do was crave the rest.

More. More. More.

“Jason?” The coolness had crept back into her tone, though her eyes were still so soft and wide. Waiting for his next move.

“Get some sleep, okay?” He thrust a hand into his hair and turned away, trying to speak over the lump he couldn’t swallow. “We’ll talk tomorrow.”

“What? Where are you going?”

He stopped at the door and stared at the frame rather than her lovely, confused face. Her beauty killed him on a typical day. Now it had become a blade bearing his name.

His only choice was to put some distance between them so he could think. The other end of the hall wouldn’t offer much respite, but he had obligations that extended way beyond awkward after-sex talk. He needed to keep her safe, and he needed to do right by her. Both of those things were non-negotiable.

All that was left was for him to figure out how he’d get the job done.

“Get some sleep,” he repeated, tapping his fist on the wood. “Goodnight, Cass.”

Cass glared at the door Jason shut behind him. Gently. As if he’d put a toddler to bed instead of his almost-lover.

She glanced down at her languid, still flushed body. Her legs gaped, her chemise was twisted around her belly. She’d opened herself completely to him, and he’d taken what he wanted before walking out the door. She might’ve said it figured, that she could’ve guessed as much even before tonight, but since when did a guy with a sex drive like Jason’s—and a penis that felt quite similar to his preferred piece of sports equipment when fully erect—only want to go down on a chick? She hadn’t pleasured him at all. For God’s sake, she hadn’t even touched his cock.

Her palm tingled and she cast it a dispirited look. Too late. You had your chance.

That was exactly it. She’d had a chance, but it hardly seemed like enough. He’d been so good with his mouth and fingers. What would having the rest of him be like?

He’d probably decided she wasn’t built to handle a man like him. Maybe her slow build to orgasm had turned him off and he’d deemed her too much work. He wouldn’t be the first or the last to think that. Usually she didn’t care.

She cared a hell of a lot right then.

Biting her lip, she fumbled around on her nightstand for her phone. Before she could talk herself out of it, she hit speed dial number one.

And got voicemail.

Hey, this is Summer. I’m probably rocking some fabulous stage right now—aw, hell, who am I kidding? I’m probably in some tiny dive trying to sing my set through the smoke. But leave me a message anyway. I’ll get you back later. Bye!

Cass debated not leaving a message. She really didn’t want to talk to Summer’s voicemail. Besides, it wasn’t as if she could tell her best friend who had…orally attended to her. If she did, she’d tell Chase—boyfriend privilege and all—and then Chase would probably fly back and kick Jason’s butt for daring to give her a screaming orgasm.

Okay, so she never screamingly orgasmed on the first date. But she’d definitely moaned. A lot.

Cass sighed and gave in. “Hi, it’s me. No big rush to call me back. Everything’s okay.” She thought of her new note-leaving friend and how pissed Summer and Chase would be once they heard about it. Maybe if she got really lucky, the problem would disappear so quickly they’d never have to find out. “We’re busy at the shop and I still hate you for leaving me on my own with Curt, Jo and DeDe, but I’ll get over it. So, uh, yeah, I’ll let you go. Hope you’re kicking butt at your shows—I know you are—and taking care of my lug of a brother. Okay, bye.”

She’d no sooner hung up than the phone went off in her hand. “Wow, that was a rambling message from someone who thinks saying ‘Call me’ is a wordy voicemail.” Summer’s laughter sounded way too husky. That meant one of three things.

“Hello to you too. Do you have a cold?” Cass demanded.

“No. Why?”

“Did you get off stage recently?”

“No, I have a break for a couple of days. What’s with the interrogation?”

Cass blew out a breath and shook her head. “You did not call me after having sex with my brother. That is so…unsanitary.”

Summer’s rich chuckle told Cass she’d nailed it in one. “Okay. I didn’t,” Summer said cheerfully. “So now I’ll ask you the same questions, because, dude, you sound exactly the same way.”

“I do not.” She probably did, considering her thighs were still shaking. That was some set of aftershocks.

“You so do. Now spill.”

Cass glanced at the nightstand again and grimaced at the sight of the damn object that had caused everything. Well, that and the porno. And her excessive libido.

She picked it up and carried it to the trunk at the foot of her bed, tucking it in its little travel pouch before sliding the bag back under her granny’s rose-covered quilt. “I did something stupid tonight,” she finally admitted, knowing Summer would wait her out until the end of time if she didn’t speak.

“Good stupid or bad stupid? And FYI, if you got an orgasm out of it, I’m hard pressed to see the bad.”

Cass laughed because it was way better than crying. Her eyes were dry, painfully so, but there was no denying the sharp twist in her chest every time she thought of Jason walking out on her when she was spread-eagled and willing. Oh so willing.

As much as she wanted to deny it, he’d left with the mother of all erections. Since he’d turned his back on her in that state, he’d clearly been driven to go. For whatever reason, he preferred to lose himself in his fist or in denial rather than in her body.

“Cass, you okay?”

“Yes. Yes.” Repeating it firmed up her resolve. She would never let any man bring her to her knees again. Her pride could’ve stood to avoid another hit, but it had happened and she would deal. “There was an orgasm involved.”

“Lukewarm? Hot? Nuclear?”

“Nuclear. No doubt about that.”

“What happened?”

Saying it quick would minimize the agony. She’d called Summer, after all, and it wasn’t fair to keep her on the phone all night while she wrestled with her indecision to share. “He made me come and he left. Just…left. I wanted to have sex and he obviously didn’t.”

“Tongue? Fingers? Toy?”

Cass blinked. Leave it to her best friend. “Two of the above, and no, I’m not saying which.”

“Gotta be tongue. That always weirds you out. But, man, if he went downtown and didn’t stick around after he slurped for his supper…that’s odd.”

“Oh my God, Sum.” Cass laughed again, the blockage in her chest seeming to shake loose a bit with the effort. Everything seemed to lodge there. Her stress, her nerves, her pain. And for a little while tonight, her pleasure. She’d never mind that kind of racing heart.

“He didn’t say why he took off?” Summer asked.

“No.” Cass pressed a hand to her face and forced the image from behind her eyes. She’d see Jason looking at her from the end of her bed for years. There had been worlds in his gaze, and she’d had no clue how to decipher any of it.

Much as she hated to acknowledge it, she’d slotted him into neatly labeled categories in her mind years ago. Chase’s best friend. Guy who’d told her the truth about Russ with extreme gentleness, but also with a sort of smug I told you so kind of vibe, though he’d certainly never told her anything of the kind. Theirs wasn’t the sort of relationship where they discussed dating partners.

And now they’d had sex. She nearly laughed again. At least a reasonable facsimile.

“I’m guessing you haven’t done it with him before? Also, notice I’m not asking who this him is, because I’m assuming that’s not pertinent or else you would’ve started with that information.” When Cass didn’t respond, Summer added, “Right?”

“No, we haven’t done anything like this before. We have a cordial relationship.” Or they had before tonight. What would happen now?

Nothing, she decided. Nothing would change. Tomorrow morning she would get up early, go into the kitchen and tell him flat out that he didn’t have to concern himself with thinking she would suddenly turn into some clinging, emotional female after their unexpected sexual contact. Surely that was behind what had driven him away. He’d probably feared that she would expect more than one night with him, and he’d walked before things were irrevocably damaged between them.

She’d be happy to assuage his fears.

Her curiosity toward him in bed had been quenched—partly—and now she could move on. She was good at that. No man would ever hold her back again.

“Well, maybe he got spooked, if he didn’t expect things to go that way. Though what guy doesn’t hope it will? It’s weird behavior any way you cut it.” Summer paused. “Honey, I don’t want to upset you, but is it possible he has a wife or girlfriend and got a sudden case of the guilties?”

“No. That’s not possible.” At least Cass knew Jason was single. He didn’t play that way. “But it’s okay, because I’ve figured everything out.” She hadn’t, but she couldn’t discuss it with Summer. In this case, she needed to keep her own counsel and proceed accordingly. “Thank you for your help.”

Summer huffed out a laugh. “Only you, Cass. Why are we best friends again?”

“Because I make you laugh with my skill at planning my life to the nth degree?”

Summer chuckled. “No kidding. I gotta say, impetuous almost sex with a nuclear orgasm is a surprising detour for you. I approve.” She waited a beat. “Please tell me it wasn’t with Russ.”

“No. God no.” Cass couldn’t help the shudder. “He has a girlfriend, remember?” She’d feel sorry for Amanda, if Amanda hadn’t helped Russ cheat on her. She didn’t know Amanda well, only that the woman seemed unnaturally cold to her when they met out in public, as if Cass had taken her guy instead of the other way around.

Maybe things weren’t so blissful in paradise.

Summer snorted. “Yeah, like that stopped him when it was you.” She blew out a breath. “Sorry. That came out harsher than I intended.”

“Honesty is often harsh. No offense taken.” Cass sat on the edge of her bed and stared at her closed bedroom door, steeling herself for the truth telling that was to come between her and Jason. One form of it, anyway.

She wasn’t going to admit she was really disappointed he’d gone. That would hardly be sensible. If she had to guilt him into staying in her bed, she’d pass.

“So enough about me. How’s the tour coming? Tell me everything.”

Summer’s frothy laughter went miles to soothing Cass’s soul. “Oh God, it’s been awesome. We’re going to come home for a few weeks and then we’ll probably be back on the road by the end of the summer, touring the Midwest this time on our way to Cali. If everything goes the way it’s looking right now, when we get there, we’ll cut an EP. An EP, Cass. Mine.” She let out another of those dizzy laughs. “Can you fucking believe it? Freaking,” she muttered, self-correcting her swear word.

Cass grinned, genuinely thrilled for her best friend. Obviously Summer was thrilled too, since she was swearing and giggling and more ebullient than Cass had ever heard her. Which was saying a lot, since Summer was always a ray of sunshine.

“I completely believe it. I’m so happy for you, Sum. You deserve every bit of this. But I gotta say, I’ll be happy to have you home for a while. I miss you like crazy. My pain of a brother too. He’s good?”

“So good. I can’t even describe how much.”

Cass wrinkled her nose. “Okay, that’s enough of that.”

“Sorry. I’m just so happy. I keep waiting for something to go wrong.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. For him to get annoyed with being out here with me or tired of the grind of traveling and hotels and catching naps in the truck. Or…I don’t know, maybe for him to go on a power trip and have a problem with my success. But it never happens. He’s cool with all of it.”

“He loves you.”

“Yeah, he does.” Summer’s happy sigh made Cass smile. “Almost as much as I love him.”

“Still not engaged yet?”

“No.” Summer laughed. “You’re such a closet romantic, Cass.”

“Only when it comes to you. I’m Scrooge when it comes to me. Cold heart, baby.” As the memory of her episode earlier hijacked her thoughts again, Cass forced a smile and rolled on her back. “Now tell me more about Summer’s awesome adventure. Keep in mind I’ve been staring into endless vats of Cherry Chocolate Jubilee and Red Velvet Cupcake, so don’t leave out any good details. Sex aside.”

By the time she got off the phone with Summer an hour later, she felt infinitely better. Best friend therapy cured most ills. Even abject humiliation with a side dish of confusion and another helping of frustration. How she could still want more after Jason had almost blown off her head earlier with that climax, she didn’t know, but there it was.

She spent the night tossing and turning until finally getting up before dawn. Since it was Saturday, the shop opened a little earlier to accommodate all the families with kids that rose with the sun. She couldn’t dally long since she had to open up the store, but she’d take this time now so last night wouldn’t plague her day. That was her way, to deal with problems as they arose and swiftly move on.

But when she strode into the kitchen and found Jason hulking over his cornflakes, one huge tatted arm curled around the bowl, she had the first inkling that maybe this particular issue wouldn’t be so neatly resolved.

That didn’t mean she wouldn’t try.

“Good morning.” She walked to the coffeepot, found it already brewing. The heady scent of her dark roast filled the air, layering over the cologne he wore. His arousing male scent taunted her, a velvet rope that tightened around her throat. “Sleep well?”

“Yes.” He didn’t sound like it. She made herself turn to meet his eyes, remembering how the hazel had fogged when studying her spread open so wantonly before him. “Did you?”

“Of course.” She said it breezily, hoping he didn’t see the tremor in her hand as she reached for the carafe and poured the brew into a waiting mug. He was a considerate houseguest.

But he wasn’t a guest. She was paying him. Or would be, once they finally discussed the fee. How had that not come up yet? She’d moved him in, lock, stock and penis, without even asking him what this all would cost her. She trusted him, she supposed. And that was a mystery in some ways, because despite Jason’s history with Chase, he hadn’t exactly proven himself to be the most reliable sort when it came to dealing with women.

This, though, was merely business—or it would be once they dismissed last night’s pleasure for what it was. A one-time distraction.

“Cass,” he began at the same time she started to speak. He stopped, took a deep breath and waved her on. “Go ahead.”

Nodding, she gripped the counter behind her, twisting her fingers around the edge. “About last night.”

“Yes. About last night. We need to talk. I spent all night thinking, and there’s only one solution.”

If he’d been thinking so much, when had he had time to sleep? She shook off the thought and instead focused on her gratitude that he’d reached the same decision she had.

With effort, she smiled. “I’m so glad you agree. It was fun for what it is, but I’ll admit my emotions were on edge after the power outage, then my…incident. I appreciated you being there, of course, but that’s all it was.”

He jerked up his head, his shoulders sagging for a moment before he shored them up. His reaction confused her for a moment until the hard glint she recognized came back into his eyes. That predatory, probing look that he employed regularly to get his many women to lose their shirts.

And panties in her case. Heat flashed along the back of her neck. Handy she hadn’t been wearing any.

“I figured that was it.” He flashed his teeth. Not a smile, but close. “Since you were clearly in need before I arrived, it only made sense.”

She wouldn’t blush. It would totally ruin her cool, collected act. “Yes, well, that is true. It had been a while for me. You understand how that lowers the inhibitions. And expectations.” She offered him a similar smile of her own. “Or wait. Maybe you wouldn’t understand. You rarely go without, right?”

He slung his arm over the back of his chair. “Why should I, when there are so many willing ladies like you to oblige me?”

Was that sarcasm? She honestly couldn’t tell. But if it wasn’t sarcasm, he was cruising for a punch between the eyes. She’d drop her ladylike manner in a hot minute if he pressed his luck. She hadn’t had much sleep—okay, any—and he’d left her wanting the night before. If anything, what he’d done had only made the keen edge of need inside her more acute.

God, that royally pissed her off.

“Ah, Jason, dear.” She patted his cheek as she walked around the table to sit opposite him with her black coffee. “My willingness ended last night.”

She tossed back her hair—she’d left it loose, but not to intentionally tease him, because that would be lowering—and sat, frowning as she studied what waited on her placemat. He’d set out her half of grapefruit. After such a short time living together, he already had a bead on her habits. Her gaze shot up to his, lingered. He was fixated on her mouth in a way that didn’t indicate he’d moved on from much. Yet he’d clenched his jaw and his eyes burned with something caught between contempt and…fury?

He had no reason to be mad at her. He was the one who had walked away. She was just doing damage control.

“Thank you for this.” She gestured. “The breakfast, the coffee. It was nice of you.”

“It’s something to be nice, isn’t it? To do something for another person for no personal gain.” He toyed with his spoon, dunking it beneath the surface of his milk so that some splashed out. She wanted to reach for a napkin, but the hollowness of his voice stopped her.

She didn’t know this Jason. Thoughtful, quiet, bordering on broody. His unspoken anger chafed her skin from the inside out. As if she’d made a wrong move somewhere, or missed some vital bit of information that would change the landscape of this conversation entirely.

“It is,” she agreed softly, searching for even ground. “Though I certainly don’t expect it. You’re my employee and—”

The spoon clattered against the side of the bowl so hard that milk sloshed over the side. “Let’s get something straight, here and now. We made an agreement, but when it comes to family, it’s not about payment for services rendered.” His eyes drilled into hers, hard and hot. “And no matter what you tell yourself, last night wasn’t about you being grateful or me adding you to some imaginary conquest list.” He pushed to his feet. “I have work. I’ll see you later.”

She was still sitting there, shell-shocked, when the front door slammed behind him five minutes later.

Family. Did he consider her that? And God, if he did, how could she begin to make sense of last night in the light of this morning?

She pressed a hand to her stomach and rose, making it to the window as his motorcycle peeled out of the parking lot. Even from that distance she could see the black tattoos that decorated his arms under the sleeves of his T-shirt. She imagined she could see his muscles flexing as he gripped the handlebars and roared up the street.

Swallowing hard, she headed down the hall to her room to finish getting ready. She’d call him later and apologize. For what, she wasn’t even sure. Technically, he owed her one too. Didn’t walking out in the middle of non-completed sex count as a transgression?

Even if it did, it couldn’t compete with how she’d insulted him. Reducing their interaction to money or a misplaced sense of gratitude had been a shitty thing to do. Any of their interactions.

She would make it right.

With a deep breath, she headed downstairs to the shop. She set her keys and cell on her desk then walked around to the front, intending to step out to get some fresh air before she started her morning routine.

The shattered pane of glass beside the door stopped her dead, as did the folded piece of paper tossed so carelessly on the mat.

Oh God. So much for this ending without fanfare. Jax had said he would handle it, that he knew how to put an end to everything. She’d had no reason to believe he could deal with the situation that swiftly, except for the fact she trusted him.

That trust reached a bone deep level that superseded whatever rude comments they tossed around. At least she hoped so.

But how could he handle things when she hadn’t been honest with him about the extent of what was going on? Things were escalating. He’d see this as the first time they’d ventured inside, and it wasn’t so. She knew, just knew, whomever this was had been inside before. No matter how she tried to argue with herself that the unlocked doors had been caused by her recent lack of diligence, she doubted that could be true.

And now she was holding something back from him, when she should’ve been honest with him from the beginning. How could she bring up her suspicions without him hating her—hating her more, after this morning?

Exhaling, she knelt to study the note. She didn’t touch it. The police would need to be called now. She’d have to tell them what was going on. There was no avoiding it, if she wanted to bill her insurance.

She threw back her shoulders and walked back to her desk to pick up her phone. If her quivering stomach was any indication, talking to the police wouldn’t the worst of it.

Crow never tasted good, especially on an empty stomach.

She hit the number she’d programmed into her cell, fully expecting him not to answer. He was on his bike. He shouldn’t talk on the phone while he was in transit.

“What is it?” he asked after the second ring, and again came that sweet, strong pang of relief at his voice. “Cass, what’s wrong?”

Obviously he knew she’d never call so soon after their spat unless it was an emergency. Her pride would always come first. Somehow he knew that about her.

He knew too damn much.

“Please come back,” she whispered, hating the quaver she couldn’t hide. “They’ve been here again.”

Jax waited until the cops had come and gone to explode. It was a near thing, but he managed it.

“Goddammit.” He slammed his fist on the counter, rattling the case and the vats of ice cream within. “How did it happen again when I was right upstairs?”

“We can’t be vigilant every minute.” She headed into the back and returned with a vat of ice cream, slipping it into its assigned slot in the case.

Throughout the entire conversation with the cops, she’d kept moving, claiming her morning routine was planned down to the minute and if she skipped a step, she’d have to delay her opening time. The cops hadn’t balked, perhaps sensing she was nervous. Jax wasn’t so sure. Other than their brief phone call and for the first couple of minutes after he’d arrived, she’d been so cool he wanted to yell.

It wasn’t that he wanted her to be nervous. Of course not. It was probably better for her arrhythmia that she was so good at staying even-keeled, but he couldn’t help but wonder if her bottling things up wasn’t worse. Maybe that was why last night had happened the way it had, as far as both her attack and her…proposition.

Jax had been tempted to tell her to fuck the shop’s opening, that figuring out who had done this was much more important, but he’d held his temper in check. After this morning’s confrontation, having to deal with yet another breach of Cass’s security—while he was right upstairs no less—and the police seemed particularly wrong. And he simply didn’t trust himself to keep his anger in check.

But as always, Cass wasn’t suffering from the same frustration. If he hadn’t experienced firsthand last night how thoroughly she could come undone, he might’ve begun to doubt she even knew how to let loose.

Back in school the kids had called her frigid and an ice princess, but he’d figured they’d seen her that way because she was quiet and controlled. He was starting to believe them now, at least about the ice part.

“Do you have blood in your veins?” he asked finally after he’d watched her fill the napkin dispensers on each table. She moved about her tasks with efficiency and precision. “I thought so after last night, but now I’m beginning to wonder.”

In lieu of an answer, she went behind the case then emerged with a tiny cup and a green plastic spoon. “Eat this.” She pushed the dish of Moose Tracks at him and he stared, caught between a laugh and the urge to snatch it out of her hand.

His growling stomach sealed the deal for him. He hadn’t finished his breakfast, dammit.

Dammit all the way around.

“Do you really think you can shut me up with ice cream?”

She gave him a level look that indicated she thought his question was patently ridiculous. “Of course I can,” she said, reams of patience in her voice. Then she continued bustling around while he gave in and ate, trying to ignore the sound of her silky pants whispering over her expensive leather ankle boots.

Everything about her was expensive. Last night she’d nearly cost him his sanity. Today his wits were paying the price.

“You owe me for saying it was my idea not to tell them about the prior incidents before today,” he said over a mouthful of chocolate and peanut butter cups. God, what the hell did she put in this stuff? Some kind of tranquilizer? He could feel his rough edges already smoothing out.

A little. It wasn’t fucking nirvana in a cup. Pretty close though.

“There was no need. I still think we could’ve handled it. But whoever did this forced my hand, since now I have to get my insurance involved.” She disappeared into the back room and returned carting yet another vat of ice cream. When he moved forward to help her, she shook her head and huffed out a breath. “Jason. This is my shop. Don’t crowd me.”

“‘Don’t crowd me’?” Oh Jesus, he was in danger of a meltdown, chick-style. Just not Cass-style, though he might’ve doubted her actual gender if he hadn’t already felt the proof quivering around his tongue. She had brass balls, that one. “Someone tried to break in here. Actually no, they did break in, for the purpose of leaving another of those little love notes. No cash taken. No missing valuables. Just another fucking threat.” He tossed aside the ice cream cup, noting her frown of displeasure as it bounced off of her pristine table and hit the floor.

“Jason.” There it was, that prim schoolmarm tone that by turns aroused him and pissed him off beyond measure. “Customers will start arriving soon.”

And what did he do? Promptly trot over to clean up the mess like some nancy bitch. That was what she’d reduced him to.

“I thought he’d gotten the message,” he said under his breath, dumping the cup in the trash. Needing a distraction, he wandered to the row of ice cream topping dispensers and started playing with the various levers. Mini M&Ms flowed into his cupped palm, then chopped almonds, then chocolate sprinkles. He dumped them in his mouth, turning to find Cass staring at him in such a disapproving way that he could barely stem the urge to kiss away her frown.

“You’re going to make me have to refill all those. You have the appetite of a horse.”

What was it about her that made him want to dig deep for her softer side? With any other woman half as prickly, he would’ve written her off as too much trouble. But with Cass, he made allowances. She challenged him in a way no other woman had in too long to remember. There was no charming her. She couldn’t be swayed. Which was probably why he ached to make her control shatter, especially after he’d seen how responsive she was. Now he wasn’t trying to convince himself she’d be good in bed. He’d experienced it.

And he’d walked away, against every instinct that had told him to stay.

“I do,” he agreed, letting his gaze rest on hers for an extra moment before he shifted his attention to the mini gummy bears.

Rather than continuing to snark at him, she headed into the back room and returned with a huge box of Day-Glo plastic spoons. She started stuffing the dispenser on the counter, ignoring him so pointedly that he almost smiled.

Until his gaze drifted to her long red hair, swirling seductively down her back. It nearly reached her waist, and it was so rare for her to leave it out of its usual braid or bun that he couldn’t stop staring. Or wanting to touch it.

“I talked to Russ last week,” he said, partly to distract himself from filling his hands with her hair. It wasn’t the time or place.

“You did what?”

“You heard me. I went down to the bar and I talked to that fucker and warned him not to mess with you. In not so many words.” And a few more. “He’s a bastard, but I didn’t think he was stupid too. Guess I’m going to have to—”

“No.”

“No?”

She shook her head and started carting her box past him. He stopped her with a hand on her shoulder and she blew out a breath. “I don’t think it’s him. He couldn’t give a damn about me when we were together. Why would he stoop to bothering me now?”

There was something in her voice. A hitch. “Has he contacted you recently?”

Her throat bobbed. “Yes, but it wasn’t anything. He stops in here to say hello now and then. Honestly, I think he’s like you—”

“He is nothing like me. Understand me, sweetheart?” He gripped her chin and made her meet his gaze.

She gave a small nod, the corner of her mouth lifting. “I only meant he likes Moose Tracks too.”

With a sound of disgust, he released her. His fingertips tingled and he couldn’t decide if her faint flush pleased him or annoyed him. A woman like Cass should know her worth at all times. That jerk Russ had done a number on her confidence and for that alone, he wanted to turn the dude’s nuts into a hood ornament.

“Let’s go out tonight.” Before the words left his mouth, he hadn’t intended to say them. But when she warily met his gaze, he noticed the tension lines around her eyes and the shadows beneath all over again.

She needed a break. Staying in this building day and night wasn’t good for anyone under the best of circumstances. Staying there while waiting for the other shoe to drop was even worse. Last night had proven that he needed to be on his toes constantly, and when he was there, he couldn’t let anything distract him from guarding her and her property. But if they got away for a few hours…

“Where?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. Out to eat.”

“We could take a ride?” She cleared her throat and blinked away the momentary excitement he’d glimpsed in her eyes. “You know, just to get where we’re going. Wherever that is.”

Jax struggled not to smile as he crossed his arms. So she really did like his motorcycle. He’d recognized the avarice in her gaze last week in her kitchen when he’d caught her looking at it. That same avarice drove him to ride his bike as many days as he could. “In my truck? Sure.”

Her chin drooped before she nodded briskly and turned away. “Okay. I guess I can get away for an hour.”

Chase would kill him if he took his sister out on his bike. Despite Chase’s wild man rep, he could be pretty old-fashioned. Sometimes Jax felt like a little old woman lived inside his best friend. He hated motorcycles and he’d definitely hate anything that got his baby sis’s heart rate up.

Riding Jax’s bike—hell, riding Jax—would definitely qualify.

“What if we took my motorcycle instead?” he asked, hoping she would smile. He lived for those rare unguarded moments of hers.

Her spine stiffened as she sorted through receipts but she didn’t face him. “I guess that would be fine.”

Testing himself, he walked up behind her and rested his hands on the counter near her hips. She braced even more, though he was careful not to stand too close. “What time do you get off tonight?”

“Five.” She sounded a little breathless. “My part-timers are scheduled to close tonight. I’m not sure that’s a great idea, in light of the incidents.”

“So we’ll come back before ten. We’ll take a few hours to get some air and relax.” He gave in to the impulse to sniff her hair, unsurprised when she smelled like vanilla and honey. His ma liked to add both of those things to oatmeal, but he’d never gotten a hard-on from his morning meal before, that was for sure. “Game?”

“It’s not a date.” The way she said it, as if she couldn’t get the words out fast enough, went a long way to settling his ruffled feathers. He couldn’t have missed the nerves in her voice if he tried.

She’d enjoyed what they’d done together last night. There was no denying it. She’d been awfully eager to slot him in the friend-slash-employee zone this morning, but perhaps he’d been too quick to assume she really felt so little toward him. If there was anything Cass hated, it was being out of control, and she’d had plenty of reasons to feel that way lately.

So he’d give her what she didn’t realize she needed—a chance to let go.

“Sure. No date.” He ran his hands up her bare arms and smiled when she gave a telltale tremor. “Just two old friends sharing a meal and some good conversation.”

“And a drink. I’d really like a drink.”

“Okay. That’s doable. You’re allowed to, right?” Dimly, he thought he remembered a wine glass on her nightstand the night before.

“To drink? Yes. I can have one now and then with my medication, as long as I’m careful.”

Her palpable annoyance made him grin. “Then you’ll have your one tonight with me. What about sex?”

“W-what?”

He rubbed his thumb on the inside of her elbow. “Is it okay for you to have it?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?” She cast a look at the door and lowered her voice, probably in anticipation of all the customers she didn’t have yet. “Besides, aren’t you a little late asking that question?”

“We didn’t have penetration. Perhaps protracted sessions would cause a dangerous spike in your heart rate.”

“Trust me, last night’s session did too.”

He tried not to preen. Her health mattered more than his ego. “Isn’t having sex risky for you in terms of your condition?”

She shifted toward him, not quite meeting his gaze. “No. I mean, of course, any spike could cause an episode, but my doctor termed it as good stress versus bad.” Her cheeks pinked. “The endorphin release from orgasm outweighs the risks.”

“So if you masturbate and don’t get off, that’s like a double whammy?” Despite the seriousness of his question, she only laughed. Not a bad result, all in all.

“Go on. Get out of here.” She pushed lightly on his chest. “I’ll see you later.”

“I’m going to be stopping by more often during the day now.” When she started to argue, he held up a hand. “Non-negotiable. Deal with it.”

“Fine. Would you leave now?”

He backed up toward the door, savoring the hint of a smile she couldn’t quite erase like an alcoholic nursed his last drink. “I’ll be by later with new shatterproof glass for the front. I also intend to check out the rest of your windows and doors and will be swapping out any glass that isn’t strong enough. Your locks seem secure, but I’m going to take a closer look today in the daylight.”

She’d already begun tidying again. “Whatever you think is best. Thank you.”

Inspiration struck and his grin turned damn near devious. “Oh, and Cass? Wear a dress tonight.”