Hayley loved her brother for many reasons, but currently she adored him for taking the focus off her and Badger. When she returned to the living room, her folks were in a deep discussion with Luke about his future. She stayed to participate until she couldn’t keep her eyes open any longer. Then she made her excuses and went to bed.

Luke slept in the next morning. When she announced to her mom and dad that Badger was taking her to breakfast, they both smiled and told her to have fun. Badger poked his head into the kitchen to say a quick hello. They responded but didn’t start up a conversation.

“Your folks seem distracted.” Badger backed the truck out of the drive.

“They’re worried about Luke. They thought he was all set, career wise, and now he’s admitted that he’s unhappy and wants to shift gears.”

“To what?”

“I went to bed before the three of them finished talking last night, so I don’t know the whole story, but I got the impression he doesn’t know for sure. He’s just sick of a job where he’s expected to wear a tie every day and spend most of his time indoors. In restaurants, specifically.”

“You told me that job didn’t fit him.”

“I don’t think it does, so this doesn’t come as a shock to me, but my parents seem shook up. Well, Mom is. Dad’s trying to get her to see the positive side.”

“I see a huge positive side. He’s figured out he hates his job and he doesn’t have a family to worry about. Better to make a change now.”

“I think so, too. But my mom assumed his future was mapped out and she didn’t have to worry about that part of his life. She doesn’t like that his plans are up in the air.”

“That’s not surprisin’. It must be tough to be a parent. You want the best for your kid. Then they reach the age where they can go off and do whatever they want, whether you think it’s a good idea or not.”

She gazed at him. “Like you did?”

“I guess you could say that.”

Maybe now he’d open up about his parents and their expectations. She waited. Nothing. Clearly he didn’t want to talk about it.

And why should he, especially if it was a painful subject? If they’d been engaged for real, then sure. Confiding in her would be important. But they were only playing at being a committed couple.

He put on the truck’s turn signal and headed down the road to the B and B. “Anyway, I hope your brother finds something that makes him happy. I like him. Seems like a great guy.”

“He is. I could tell he likes you, too.”

Badger chuckled. “Smoked me out, didn’t he? Your folks didn’t put two and two together but he did.”

“He’s a business consultant. He thinks in financial terms and he hangs out with people who have money. When he saw my ring, he knew it was expensive.”

“It’s really not that expensive.” He pulled into the parking area beside the B and B.

“Compared to what? The Hope diamond?”

“Compared to several in my mother’s jewelry box.” He glanced at her. “I don’t want it back. I want you to keep it.”

“That’s crazy.”

“No, it’s not.” He reached for her left hand and rubbed his thumb over the surface of the stone. “I’m askin’ for my sake, really.”

“That makes no sense.”

“To me it does.” He held her gaze. “When we break up, I’m hopin’ that your family won’t think too poorly of me. It’ll help my cause if you tell them I insisted on makin’ this my partin’ gift to you. Now they know I can afford it.”

“Badger, I can’t take this ring. It’s no use trying to talk me into it.”

“You’re right. Talkin’ is a terrible way to convince you.” Heat flickered in his eyes. “Let’s go upstairs.”

Her breath caught. “You won’t convince me that way, either.”

“Maybe not, but I’ll sure have fun tryin’.”

How did he do that? One minute she was having a relatively calm discussion in the truck and the next she was hurrying toward the B and B, her hand held tightly in his, her pulse racing and her panties already damp.

Thank goodness Mrs. Stanislowski was nowhere to be seen as they barreled through the lobby and up the stairs. Talk about undignified. But his urgency fueled hers.

The minute he flung the door closed, he started ripping off his clothes and she yanked off hers. They were both panting by the time he shoved back the covers, grabbed her around the waist and hauled her into bed with him.

“I want you so bad, darlin’.” He covered her face with hot kisses. “But first…” He gulped for air. “First I want...” He expanded his territory, nipping and nibbling her breasts until she writhed against the sheet.

Moving lower, he rubbed his open mouth over her stomach as she thrashed beneath him. At last he pinned her to the bed, one large hand gripping each of her thighs as he bestowed the most intimate kiss of all.

And she was lost, surrendering utterly to the pulse-pounding heat and the spiraling need that wrenched moans from her lips. Ah, yes. Yes. She climaxed in seconds, her body arching as she gasped out his name.

His weight shifted, foil crinkled and he was there, plunging into her still quivering channel, his gasps blending with hers. Faster and faster he pumped as the shock waves of her first orgasm subsided and the coil of desire tightened again.

She clutched his hips, urging him on. Sparks of pleasure flared with each vigorous thrust. And, oh, happy days, she was coming again, diving into the swirling waters of release.

He followed her, his deep groan of satisfaction rumbling in his chest, his body shuddering against hers. He stayed locked in tight as he gazed down at her, his breathing ragged.

“That was amazin’!” A slow smile of triumph spread across his handsome face.

She smiled back. “Yep.”

“The last time I had that much fun I was doin’ some fancy flyin’ in an F-15.”

“You had sex in a fighter jet?”

“No, ma’am. You could get killed tryin’ that. I just meant this gave me a rush like doin’ a max climb in an Eagle. That baby has thrust.”

She began to giggle. “So do you, flyboy.”

“Appreciate the compliment. Did I convince you to keep the ring?”

“No.”

“Damn. Guess we’ll have to do this again once I’m recovered.” He eased away from her and left the bed.

“It’s a lost cause, Badger!” she called after him.

“No such thing!” he shouted back.

Repeating yesterday’s routine, she climbed out of bed and retrieved his shirt off the floor. It was a wonder he hadn’t torn it in his haste. Same with her.

Putting on the shirt, she wandered over to the small table where Mrs. Stanislowski had left their breakfast, along with a single hothouse rose. No way had their landlady grown it in the backyard.

But the sentiment was sweet. Everything about this adorable B and B was geared toward romantic couples. Couples in love. She touched the velvet petals of the rose.

Badger was getting to her. It wasn’t just the sex, which was incredible. Being with him was easy and natural. Fun. More fun than with she’d had in years.

But they’d started this caper to fool her mother and from all indications, he hadn’t moved beyond that concept. If he had, he’d be telling her about his family. He might discuss what job options he’d considered besides Ryker’s offer.

He hadn’t done that. Quite the opposite. He’d clammed up whenever he’d had the perfect opening to confide in her. This morning he’d used the phrase when we break up as he’d announced he wanted her to keep the ring.

Coming up behind her, he drew her back against his naked body. “If you want to eat breakfast now you’d better say so, because seein’ you in my shirt has given me other ideas.”

She wiggled against the hard length pressed against her backside. “Can’t imagine what those are.”

“Are you hungry? Because I’m good at delayed gratification.”

She turned in his arms and slid her palms up his bare chest. “I’m not. But let’s take it slow and easy this time.”

“Sounds like makin’ love Southern style.”

“Does it? Maybe you need to show me what that’s like.”

“It would be my privilege, darlin’. But first we need to get rid of this.” Grasping the front of the shirt, he wrenched it apart. Snaps gave way. “There we go.” He slid the shirt over her shoulders and nuzzled her throat in the process.

As he pulled the shirt past her wrists, he leaned down and tasted her breasts in a leisurely, almost lazy caress. The shirt dropped to the floor.

Then he scooped her up in his arms. “This would be the Rhett Butler move.”

“Where he carries her up the staircase?”

“Right.”

“But they both wore clothes and you’re carrying me across level ground a maximum of ten feet.”

“Inconsequential details. It’s what happens after that I’m thinkin’ of.”

“In the movie, we don’t see what happens after that.”

“Exactly. We only know that the next mornin’ Scarlett is very happy. That gives me latitude.” He carried her to the bed and laid her gently down.

“Are you going to make me very happy?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He picked up his jeans, pulled a condom from his pocket and proceeded to put it on.

“Good start.”

“Thank you kindly.” He climbed into bed with her. “My guess is that ol’ Rhett stuck with the tried and true, so we’re not goin’ to do any fancy stuff.”

“Okay.”

Moving between her thighs, he braced his hands on either side of her head. “Let’s see how makin’ love Southern style works for us.”

“I’m game.”

“First off, I’ll slide my cock in slow and easy. No sudden moves.” He gazed into her eyes as he gradually entered her.

Her breathing grew shallow. It was the sexiest beginning to sex she’d ever experienced.

His eyes grew heavy-lidded as he seated himself firmly inside her. “How’s that?”

“Not bad.” Because he’d come in slowly, she was more aware of his length and girth. It was a snug fit. An exceedingly erotic fit, especially when he just stayed there, not moving.

Then his cock twitched.

“Oh.” The sensation traveled to every nerve ending in her body.

“Enjoy that?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Your turn.”

“My turn?”

“Squeeze.”

The intimacy of it turned her blood to rivers of heat. She contracted her core muscles.

His jaw tightened.

Ha! She’d affected him the same way he’d affected her. “Like that?”

“Yes.”

“Want me to do it again?”

“No.” He swallowed. “I’m going to start moving at a very gentlemanly pace. Enjoy.” Rocking his hips slowly, he caressed the walls of her channel with controlled, light friction.

It was like nothing she’d ever experienced. In theory, his subtle movements should be too tame to excite her. In practice, he was driving her nuts.

And even more arousing, he was watching her as she gradually unraveled. His lazy smile added to the seductive rhythm he’d created.

“Not much to it, is there?” He maintained the pace that was dismantling her poise one unhurried stroke at a time.

“Not…much.”

“Laid-back sex. I could do it all day.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“You think I’ll run out of steam?”

“No.” She took a steadying breath. “I think you’ll come pretty soon. Just like I will.”

“Nah.”

She rested her hand on his chest. “Your heart is pounding as hard as mine. You may look relaxed, but I know different. You’re ready to explode.”

“Am not.”

“Are so.”

“Am…not.” He clenched his jaw.

“I’ll bet you will if I do this.” She tightened her core muscles.

He gasped.

“Told you.” But that slight action on her part was all it took to send her over the edge. With a quick cry of surprise, she erupted, trembling beneath him as the waves of her orgasm surged through her.

He drew in a sharp breath. “You win.” Abandoning his leisurely pace, he came in hard and fast. Then he delved deep, pulsing within her as he gulped for air.

Wrapping her arms around him, she urged him closer. “Come here. Cuddle with me.”

He settled down with a sigh and nestled his cheek against her shoulder. He took a shaky breath. “You blow me away.”

“Same here, Badger.” She stroked his hair. “Same here.