The door to Daren’s condo whips open as I lift my hand to knock, and I jerk back, surprised to see Jax on the other side.

“Maddie!” Jax says, a smirk on his face once he realizes who I am. His eyes shift to Daren, and he says something under his breath.

“Hey, Jax. Long time no see. How’s it going?”

“It’s going well. I love those segments you’ve been doing with dickhead here. You do a good job of making him look like a stud.” Then he elbows Daren with a laugh.

Glancing back and forth between the two of them, I’m almost certain they’re having a full-on dude conversation without saying a word.

I take in Daren’s faded jeans and snug gray t-shirt. Gah! Just the way it clings to his chest makes my mouth water. “Clutch does a pretty good job of looking like a stud without my help.”

A huge, dimpled smile spreads on Daren’s lips, and I’m pretty sure that look alone is enough to dissolve the panties from a girl’s body.

Jax starts to punch Daren again, but Daren gets one in first, and then in a split second, he has Jax in a headlock.

“What were you saying, asshole?” Daren asks Jax in a sweet voice.

“Your momma.”

They both crack up, and Jax shoves off his buddy.

Daren dusts off his hands and says, “Don’t talk about my momma. She changed your diaper when you were little.” He smacks the back of Jax’s head. “She’s seen your wee willy winky, so shut the fuck up.”

“Thanks for that reminder.” Jax shivers and makes a face as he grabs his crotch.

“Okay, boys. This is a fascinating study in male bonding, but I need to go in a minute, so…” I look to Daren, and he nods.

He turns to Jax, yanks him in for a quick hug with a slap on his back, and then tells him to get the fuck out. A second later, he’s pulling me into his condo, shoving his buddy out and slamming the door.

“You’re a dick, but I love you,” Jax shouts from the other side.

“Love you too, sweetheart. See you next week,” Daren yells back before he turns to me, a coy expression playing on his lips.

“Hey.”

“Hey.”

We stare at each other, the room quiet in a way that emphasizes how loudly my heart is beating. Jesus, calm down.

Then we both start talking at the same time.

“Thank you so much for the flowers.”

“I’m sorry if the flowers were too much.”

We stare at one another again and laugh.

Why am I playing it safe? Stop being so damn rigid, Maddie.

I clear my throat. “This is stupid, Daren.”

His head tilts to one side, his expression suddenly serious.

Stepping closer, I wrap my arms around his neck. His hands automatically fall to my waist.

It’s hard to miss the relief in his eyes. “What’s stupid, baby?”

Even though I should probably tell him not to send me anything at work, the bouquet was such a thoughtful gesture that I can't bring myself to do it. No, what I want to do is kiss him senseless.

I stand on my tiptoes and press my lips to his, and his fingers tighten on my hips. “Why would you apologize? I loved the flowers.” I kiss him again and lean into his big, hard body. “No one has ever sent me lavender roses before. They’re beautiful. Breathtaking.”

He whips me around until I’m pressed against the door, and his hand goes to my hair, tugging until my lips fall open, so he can kiss me deeply. So deeply I feel it like a tidal wave in my girlie parts.

“Mmm.” I lean back and smile, loving how he fills my vision. “I wish I could get naked with you, but I have some research to do tonight, and I’m afraid if I indulge in your brand of orgasms, I won’t be able to function.”

He chuckles as I kiss him again, and then I nuzzle into his neck, taking a moment to breathe in his crisp cologne that’s faded but still smells so yummy I can almost taste it. Plus, I’m squirmy, that pulse between my legs going a million miles an hour.

“It’s okay. I need to study some film. Wanna work here? I promise not to violate you before ten p.m.”

“That sounds perfect.” I kiss his neck and then break away from him before I give into my overwhelming urge to strip naked and do it against his door. “Let me run home and change into something more comfortable, and I’ll grab us some snacks.” I really don’t want to hang out in a suit and heels.

His eyebrow lifts. “How comfortable are we talking? Like, pasties and a thong comfortable?”

I laugh and smack him playfully on the arm. “No, goofball. Yoga pants and a t-shirt.” I lean in for one more quick kiss before I head for the door. “We’ll save the pasties and thong for the weekend.” Then I give him a wink before I run back to my place.