The house was still empty when I returned. I carried Violet’s suitcase into my suite to find her curled up on the bed in an old flannel robe she must have dug out of the back of my closet. A gift from some forgotten ex-girlfriend, I doubted I’d ever worn it. I wasn’t a robe kind of guy.

Spotting the suitcase, she said, “I got your note. You didn’t have to do that, but I appreciate it. Thank you.”

“Not a problem. I doubt it helps, but your brother is miserable.”

Her eyes went stormy and she shook her head. “You’re right, it doesn’t help. And he should be miserable.” Under her breath she said, “Jackass.”

“I know from experience, older brothers can often be jackasses.”

A ghost of a smile curved her lips. “I bet you do.” Standing up and straightening the robe she said, “I don’t want to stay with Chase right now, but I can’t impose on you. I’ll change, and then I’ll see about finding something.”

“I’d prefer you stayed with me.”

“I appreciate the offer. I really do. But I don’t want to make your family uncomfortable, and I don’t want to take advantage of your hospitality.”

“You won’t make my family uncomfortable. Gage already promised to behave. And you can’t be taking advantage of my hospitality when I’m offering it freely.”

“It’s too soon. This is all going so fast, and it’s too soon.”

I rolled her suitcase to the door of the walk-in closet, taking a quick detour to set the tote bag with her toiletries and makeup on the bathroom counter. Violet watched, slowly shaking her head at the way I was ignoring her, until I came to stand directly in front of her and pulled her into my arms.

She smelled like my soap, woodsy with a hint of spice. The masculine scent shouldn’t have been so appealing, but as it rose from her skin I knew I’d never shower again without thinking of Violet. Of the way she fit in my arms, of how beautiful she was just like this, her face bare of makeup, her hair wet, her body warm.

“I know it’s fast. But I know what I want, and I want you. If you need to slow this down, I can do that. But I don’t want to. I want you here, with me. I want you in my bed. I want you at my breakfast table.”

Violet’s mouth dropped open in surprise. I had to stop myself from kissing her. Those pink lips, her wide lavender eyes. She rarely looked so unguarded. So open.

“I don’t know what to say. I—”

“Say you’ll stay with me.”

The absent shake of her head belied the words that came from her mouth. “Just for a few days. Then we’ll see.”

It wasn’t a wholehearted agreement, but I’d take it. Assuming Gage didn’t run her off, all I needed was a few days to convince Violet she belonged by my side.

Giving into my impulse, I lowered my head and took her mouth. I wasn’t ready for her response. She melted into me, her full breasts pillowing against my chest, her tongue reaching for mine, driving me straight from arousal to desperate need.

I tugged at the belt of her robe as her busy fingers pulled at my tie. A button popped and rolled to the carpet. I don’t remember stepping out of my shoes and pants. Just Violet pulling back, then pushing on my shoulder, nudging me to the bed. I tried to take her with me and she ordered, “Sit.”

I wasn’t going to argue. I stripped off my socks and leaned back against the headboard, taking my hard cock in hand and stroking, watching her loosen the belt of my plaid flannel robe and slowly peel open the lapels. She was naked beneath, and she dropped the robe back off her shoulders, letting it fall to the floor at her feet.

I gripped my cock hard, struggling to stay where I was. I wanted to touch. I wanted my hands all over her body. I wanted to spread her legs and fuck her hard. To fill her with me. To own her.

My head wanted to court her.

My body wanted to claim her.

Her eyes moved from my hand on my cock to my face and back again, her bare pink mouth curving into a knowing smile as old as female desire. She knew—or thought she knew—exactly how much I wanted her.

If she could see inside my head, if she knew the ferocity of my need, she’d probably run screaming.

Instead, she strolled to the bed, hips swaying, and climbed on, straddling my lap and putting her perfect round breasts right in my face. I released my cock to cup them in my hands, rubbing her hard nipples with my thumbs.

She spread her knees, dropping her hips until the heat between her legs grazed the head of my cock. I sucked in a harsh breath. Her pussy already slick with arousal, she stroked over me, spreading her desire, teasing us both.

She swayed forward, letting the head of my cock dip the tiniest bit inside her, clasping me with sweet, tight, wet heat before she swayed back to stroke me over her clit. Then it was her turn to gasp.

I gave myself over to her sweet torture, distracting myself from my cock’s demands by pulling first one nipple, then the other, between my lips, nipping and sucking until Violet couldn’t take anymore and sank all the way down my length.

Her head dropped forward as she watched my mouth on her breasts. Eyes half closed, she rose and fell on my cock, grinding her swollen clit into the base on every down stroke with a little moan of pleasure.

I sank my fingers into her ass, holding her down as I surged up, dragging the orgasm from her, throwing my head back as her pussy clenched and released around me, almost pulling me over the edge along with her.

I wouldn’t last much longer.

Couldn’t last much longer.

Flipping her to her back, I pressed her knees to her shoulders and braced my weight on my elbows, hands on her arms, holding us both motionless as the echoes of her climax faded. Her eyes were dark, almost midnight blue and dazed with pleasure, her mouth open, bottom lip so plump and pink I had to sink my teeth in for a taste.

I kissed her until she squirmed beneath me, rocking her hips up the little bit she could move. I kept her there, knees high and spread wide, arms pinned, and took her mouth with mine until she gave a frustrated, keening cry and bucked up hard.

I let go of everything. Her arms. My restraint. Her legs wrapped around my hips, hanging on as I plunged into her, losing myself in her body, in her pussy, her mouth, the scent of her hair, and the silk of her skin.

Losing myself in everything that was Violet.

Imprinting myself on her.

Absorbing her into me.

Making her mine.

The orgasm surged up my spine, exploding from my cock, detonating in my brain as I spilled myself inside her.

It wasn’t until I rolled to my back, taking Violet with me, my cock sliding from her pussy, that I realized our mistake. For the first time in my entire adult life, I had completely forgotten a condom.

Not wanting to freak her out I said, quietly, “We didn’t use protection.”

Laying half on top of me, Violet went stiff. Before she could pull away, I wrapped my arm around her and held her close. “I had a physical six weeks ago. I’ve been tested, so you don’t have to worry about that.”

“I get the birth control shot,” she said in a thin, anxious voice. “I won’t get pregnant, but what about since your physical?”

She went rock solid at the chuckle that tumbled from my lips. I knew laughing was the wrong move but I couldn’t help it. “My physical was the day before we shared the elevator. Since I saw you, I haven’t even looked at another woman, much less fucked one.”

The tension eased from her body and she rolled to her side, raising her eyes to mine. “Really?”

The open disbelief made me laugh again. “Really,” I confirmed. “I never settle for less than exactly what I want. The second I laid eyes on you, I wanted you. Only you.”

“Now you’ve had me,” she said teasingly, a thread of uncertainty running through her words.

I craned my neck to brush my lips over her cheekbone. “Yes, I have. But not enough. Never enough.”

“Do you want to skip the condoms then?”

“If you’re okay with it. I can show you my test results if you want,” I offered.

She pressed her lips to my collarbone. “No, I trust you.”

I wanted to thank her. To tell her how much it meant to know I had her trust. Words jumbled in my head, stilted and wrong.

I settled for holding her close, feeling her heart beat against mine before urging her up and into the shower with me. She started to complain, but her hair was still wet from her own shower and once I stroked slick, soapy hands down her back, she let out a contented sigh and relaxed.

It wasn’t hard to talk her into coming downstairs and joining me on the terrace behind the house. The day was unseasonably cool for June in Atlanta, in the low seventies, perfect for enjoying the garden before summer kicked in.

Violet twisted her damp hair into a knot at the nape of her neck, pulled on a pink linen sundress I’d packed for her and did something with her face before she pronounced herself ready to leave the room.

She followed me down to the main level, waiting a moment while I grabbed my laptop and some papers from my home office. I’d taken the rest of the day off, but there were still a few things I had to check on. When I came back, she held her tablet in one hand.

The terrace was deep and ran most of the width of the house. I led Violet to a small table beside a chaise lounge.

“Do you mind if I get some work done?”

“Hmm?” Violet stared out over the gardens, distracted. I understood. The gardens of Winters House were stunning, and early summer was their best season. Suiting the house, the gardens were formal, the beds arranged with precision, separated by stone walkways, a riot of color and beauty.

“How is it that you don’t sit out here all day?” she asked. “It’s gorgeous.”

“I guess I’m used to it.” Mr. Henried, the gardener, designed and maintained the landscaping at his discretion. I’m sorry to say I mostly just stayed out of his way. As long as things looked well maintained and attractive, I didn’t care what he did. “Do you know anything about gardening?” I asked.

“Not really,” Violet, murmured, settling onto the chaise. “I don’t think I could ever get used to this. There’s so much to look at. Can I wander later?”

“You can do anything you want. I packed you a bathing suit.” I nodded my head in the direction of the sparkling water of the pool.

“I noticed. My smallest bikini. I’ve only worn it once. I don’t suppose you could have packed the one piece?”

“Not likely.” Though now that I thought about it, I wasn’t sure I wanted Violet in that bikini in front of Gage and Riley. Was it too late to go back and get the one piece? Or maybe one of those full-skirted bathing suits women wore in the last century.

The terrace doors swung open and Mrs. W joined us. “Excuse the interruption. I wanted to see if you’d like a tea tray.”

At the sound of her voice, Violet set down her tablet and stood.

With a flash of nerves at introducing the two women, I said, “Violet, this is Mrs. W. She runs the house and keeps us all in line. Mrs. W, this is Violet.”

Violet approached Mrs. W and held out her hand. “It’s lovely to meet you. I apologize for springing a last-minute guest on the household. If there’s anything I can do to ease the imposition, please let me know.”

Mrs. W graced Violet with an unexpectedly warm smile and took her hand in a firm shake.

“Nonsense. It’s a pleasure to have any guest of Aiden’s. Don’t worry about a thing, just make yourself comfortable.” Then, shocking the hell out of me, in a low voice that was almost conspiratorial, she went on, “It’s nice to see this one relaxing instead of working all hours.”

Violet looked at the papers spread before me. “Well, he’s still working.”

“True, but he’s doing it out here in the sunshine, enjoying the gardens, instead of closed up in his office.”

“I suppose that is an improvement,” Violet agreed. “I’ve told him more than once that he works too hard.”

“If you can get him to spend a little less time in the office and a little more time enjoying life, I know we’d all be grateful.” At that, Mrs. W winked at me and turned to leave. Before she disappeared back into the house, she said, “I’ll bring a tray so you have something to snack on.”

When she was gone, Violet said, “She adores you.”

“I adore her back. I knew she’d like you.” I hadn’t known, but I’d suspected. Still, I wasn’t quite prepared for my satisfaction at seeing the two women hit it off. I trusted my own judgment, but I trusted Mrs. W’s almost as much. I hadn’t paid attention with Elizabeth, but I was paying attention now.

“She was only being polite,” Violet demurred.

“Trust me,” I said with a low laugh, “for Mrs. W, a smile and personal talk about the family is as good as a hug.”

Violet smiled distractedly and settled back into the chaise, only looking up to thank Mrs. W when she brought the tray of tea, tiny sandwiches and cookies.

Afternoon tea was a tradition when we were children, one both of our mothers, then just my mother, shared with the Winters children. A small way to spend some time connecting as a family over a snack and some sweets. After my mother was gone, Mrs. W kept the tradition alive, in memory of the women we’d lost.

Violet joined me at the table and poured us both tea, admiring the delicate china service my mother had so loved, placing shortbread and crustless cucumber sandwiches on a plate for me before helping herself. I watched her stare absently into her steaming cup, not touching the food she’d taken for herself.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Everything’s fine. Just thinking.”

“About?” I pressed.

Violet let out a sigh. She picked up a sandwich but didn’t take a bite. “I need to go see my parents.”

I didn’t have to look hard to see her reluctance. I could guess why she was so determined. My gut reaction was to bar her from ever seeing those people again, but it wasn’t like I could stop her.

“You want to see the files,” I guessed.

Her chin was set in mulish determination. “Chase should have copied both of them. Those files are about us. I have a right to know where I came from. And if it can help your friends, help other people find answers, I need to do something.”

“We’ll go tomorrow.”

“Thank you,” Violet said, with a look of such relief I felt like I’d slain a dragon for her.

She should have known there was no way I’d let her go anywhere near her parents on her own.

They’d hurt her enough.

If I had my way, no one would ever hurt her again.