Gage rolled his shoulders forward, trying to release a little of the tension that was forming an ache at the back of his neck. As he pushed through the doors, he was assailed by the blast of music and flashing lights.

He normally didn’t frequent the bar in the hotel in which he lived, especially on Saturday nights. It was always too loud and crowded for his tastes, but he wanted something to help him loosen up. He’d sat hunched over paperwork all day, trying to catch up on two weeks’ worth of billing and documentation. Paperwork was not his strong suit, so this had been a stressful day, and he could sure use a little liquid relaxation. Having been a building contractor for the past seven years, today he would have given his left arm to be a groundskeeper or general flunky for someone else. Something, anything, with a lot less responsibility and headaches. He desperately needed to unwind before he attempted to get some much-needed rest.

“Hey, Gage. What can I get you?” asked the bartender, as he polished the surface of the bar in front of Gage.

Smiling tiredly at the bartender, Gage replied, “Some magical elixir that promises instant relaxation.”

“The usual, huh?” The bartender reached into the cooler below him, pulled out a long-necked bottle of beer, popped off the top and handed it to Gage.

“Thanks, Jim, you’re a life saver.”

Tipping the bottle back, he drank it down without stopping to breathe, then set it on the counter with a thump.

“That was good, how about another, just like it? I can feel the magic taking effect already.”

With a fresh bottle of brew in his hand, Gage leaned against the bar and concentrated on relaxing.

“Rough day?” Jim asked, as he swiped at the already clean counter with a rag.

“Rough week. Correction, a rough two weeks. I haven’t had a day off and I can sure feel it.”

“Know whatcha mean. Ernie called in sick tonight, and this’ll be my ninth night straight working. My wife’s starting to complain.”

“At least you have a wife. Maybe if I had one, I’d have more incentive to limit my time on the job. There’s something appealing about going home to a home-cooked meal and kicking back with my feet up on the coffee table.”

“That’s funny, but that’s not anything like my life. My wife’s a nurse, and we only see each other in passing. If I want a home-cooked meal, I have to cook it myself.” Jim laughed at himself, good-naturedly. “I don’t mind, though, because I know how hard she works, too.”

“Actually, she sounds like a woman after my own heart,” Gage said.

“How so?”

“Sounds like an intelligent woman working in an honorable profession.”

“That’s my Millie,” Jim said, smiling. “She’s strong, smart and has a heart of gold. What about you, Gage, how’s a good-looking guy like you stayed single for so long?”

“I guess you could say I’m gun shy.” Gage shrugged. “When I was in college, I got engaged to a girl I thought was perfect for me. She was beautiful, vivacious, and we had a lot of fun together.” Gage paused, his mind drifting back ten years.

“So, what happened?”

“What?” Startled back to the present, Gage continued, “We really didn’t have any of the same goals. She wanted to play and have fun all the time, which didn’t bother me at the time, until the having fun part included my roommate. I found them together two weeks before the wedding.”

“I think I dated a few just like her before I met Millie,” Jim said. “Those are the type of women who are fun for a fling, but there’s no substance, no commitment, not enough to sustain a marriage.”

“Yeah, I couldn’t get out of that relationship fast enough. I just haven’t found a woman, since, who’s smart, knows what she wants out of life, and can make that commitment. Let me know when you and Millie bust up. I think I’m in love.”

“Not a chance, buddy,” Jim said, with a mock-fierce frown. “She’s mine and I intend to keep her. Go find your own woman.”

Gage turned toward the dance floor and looked around, his promise to the members of the Texas Billionaires Club heavy on his mind. The music was getting louder than Gage preferred, but the drink was already beginning to insulate his senses. The dance floor was a crush of people moving to the fast pace of the dance music. When the song wound to a stop, the dancers parted and returned to their tables for refreshment.

He scanned the room, skimming over a petite blond headed in his direction from the middle of the dance floor. He did a double take and came back to the blond. She was small, but very well put together. Her hair was a glorious shade of sunlight, and her body was wrapped in a small black sheath no bigger than one of his sleeves.

“Wow,” he said, at a loss for words to describe the beauty moving straight for him. His previous exhaustion vanished, replaced by a jolt of blood surging through his veins. So much for relaxing.

She came to a stop in front of him, smiled a wicked little smile and crooked her finger, beckoning him forward.

Even before his mind decided to follow, he slammed his beer bottle to the counter, his body automatically responding to her call, pulling him off his stool and onto the dance floor.

“There’s a woman who knows what she wants, Gage. Just beware the commitment thing.”

Jim’s parting shot only just registered on Gage. He could barely hear over the sound of his heart beating furiously at the sight of the golden-haired goddess. Could this be The One? Only one way to find out.

---

Sophie didn’t stop until she had the man in the middle of the dance floor. She held out her hand. When he took it, she closed her fingers around his large palm. She looked up and up at him, feeling a moment’s alarm at her impetuous act. This close, he was even taller than she first supposed, and his shoulders were so broad they blocked out the muted light shining from above the bar. Her gaze followed the placket of his shirt up to the thick column of his throat and stopped at his firm, masculine jaw. The stubble of whiskers only enhanced the raw masculinity that was doing funny things to her insides.

As his fingers closed around hers, she glanced up to his face. His lips were curved in a smile of welcome, with nothing predatory in his intense glance. He appeared to be waiting for her to decide what should be the next step.

Draping the fingers of one hand on the warm skin at the curve of his neck, Sophie rested the other in his large, callused hand. Sighing soundlessly, her body melted against his as he slowly led her around the dance floor.

She had always felt a little intimidated by large men. They made her feel small and childlike. Strangely, she still felt small but, this time, she felt protected by the strength of the man who held her so gently. Peeking up at him from beneath her eyelashes, she found his gaze fixed on her face.

He held her stare for a long moment, before she ducked her head and rested her cheek against his chest. Strong arms gathered her tightly against him, and she smiled as the music and the man carried her away.

All too soon, Sophie felt him stop and realized that the music had ended. He released her but quickly claimed her hand. The corners of Sophie’s mouth turned up. She could tell by the way he tightened his grip on her hand, he was just as anxious to continue the physical contact as she was. In a sensual haze, she followed him back to the bar.

He helped her take an empty stool before seating himself. When he began to speak, she shook her head and touched a finger to her ear to indicate she couldn’t hear a word. The noise inside the bar had intensified as the band played a lively tune. The conversations of the people seated at the tables increased in volume to compensate. The effect was ear-numbing.

He leaned closer, and Sophie inhaled his intoxicating scent, struggling to pay attention to what he was asking.

“Can I buy you a drink?”

Nodding, she leaned close to speak into his ear, “I’ll have a Margarita, please.”

Her breast pressed against the solid muscle of his arm, and as she straightened away from him she felt it tingling from the contact. A muscle in the side of his jaw clenched, and she realized he was just as aware of her proximity. A heady rush of triumph flooded her senses.

The bartender handed them their drinks and, with a curiously huge smile, gave Gage the thumbs up, and then left them alone.

Sophie felt the temperature in the room rise, whether from the added alcohol or from her excitement, she didn’t really know or care.

Once more, he leaned close. “I haven’t seen you before. Do you live in town?”

She nodded then spoke into his ear, “And you?”

“New in this part of town. Just moved here,” he replied.

She smiled in relief that he wasn’t just passing through. She wanted to know this man better.

Their heads were still very close, and she turned so she could watch his face as he spoke.

“Do you have friends here?” she asked.

He shook his head, “A few, and Jim, the bartender. I’m a building contractor. I work all over the region, but most of my jobs of late have been in this area. I decided to follow the work.”

Better yet, he didn’t know many people. She needed to snap him up before the other ladies in town discovered him.

“Have you lived here all your life?” he asked.

“No, I’m a military brat. My dad retired here when I was in high school, and I’ve never wanted to leave.”

“I’m glad,” he said, and they both smiled.

The band returned to the stage, and noise intensified.

“My name’s Gage,” he shouted. She nodded to indicate that she understood, and tried to give him her name, but lifted her shoulders helplessly when she realized he couldn’t hear well enough over the music to understand what she said.

“Later,” she mouthed, and hopped up from her stool to pull him toward the dance floor where they could be close in yet another slow dance.

---

Closing his arms around the beautiful woman, Gage pulled her body against his, fitting her snugly against him from chest to hip. The band had switched to a slow, erotic rhythm, the primal beat pulsing in time with his heart. Sliding his hands downward he reached for her slender hips and pulled her even closer. They began a slow grinding motion, their legs intermingling. Her body relaxed against his; her head rested against his chest. He was everything but relaxed as he felt himself stiffening in response to the friction of their two bodies rubbing together.

Slowly, her other hand crept up to curl around his neck.

His wayward hands moved down further to cup her firm bottom. He couldn’t believe he was moving this fast and, more importantly, she wasn’t stopping him. His lips found the lobe of her ear, and he tugged on it with his teeth. Her body began to quiver as he feasted.

It took a few moments for them to notice the music had ended and to realize they were the objects of avid attention from the crowd of onlookers.

Unwilling to let her escape, he whispered, “Would you like to get some air?”

“Yes, where?”

Before he could stop to think, he said, “How about my room?” and winced inwardly. That wasn’t very smooth.

To his surprise, she answered, “Okay.”

Moments later, they stood in front of the door to his room. With his arm around her waist, Gage fished in his pocket for the key card. He was afraid to let go of her in case this miniature goddess had second thoughts. He waved the card over the lock, flung the door open and guided her inside with him.

When they were through the door, he pulled her into his embrace, slamming his lips to hers and pushing her back against the door, shutting them inside the darkness of his room. His tongue stabbed at the seam of her lips, until she gasped and opened them to allow his entrance. She moaned softly, and he swallowed the sound, letting it wrap him in a sensual haze that sent heat straight to the straining juncture of his thighs.

She clutched at his chest and returned the bold kiss, sliding her tongue over his.

He sucked rhythmically at her lips and tongue, and her hands slid upward from his shoulders to wrap tightly around his neck.

Pressing his chest against her small, pert breasts, he heard the gentle thump of her head falling back against the door. Swooping in to take advantage of her abandon, he trailed heated kisses down the side of her neck until he reached a creamy shoulder.

Gage smoothed his hands down her legs then slid them up the back of her thighs, pushing the short hem of her skirt upwards, until he cupped a globe of her buttocks in each hand. When he squeezed, he felt her breath catch raggedly. Pressing her harder against the closed door, he inserted a knee between her thighs.

With his large hands kneading her silky rump, he began a rocking motion that moved with the rhythm of his pulse, increasing with maddening intensity. Her head fell to his chest, and she began to shudder. Gage paused. This was going too fast. She was like a flame to his firecracker, and he was having difficulty controlling his raging body. He wasn’t a green boy, and he wasn’t about to lose it with his clothes still on.

Grasping her tush in one hand, he used the other hand to urge her thighs up around his waist. “Clasp your ankles behind my back, sweetheart,” he whispered against her ear.

She was slow to act, and he smiled at the confusion of her dazed stare.

“We’re moving to the bed, Honey, and I’m not letting go of you.”

She crossed her ankles behind his back and tightened her hold on his neck.

Gage backed away from the door with her in his arms, and walked the few steps to the side of his bed. He lowered her legs and let her slide down his body to stand in front of him, her hands still draped around his neck. He flicked the switch to the lamp on the nightstand then stood staring down at her in the soft glow for a long moment, offering her the opportunity to back out before they went any further.

The hands clasped loosely around his neck tightened, drawing him closer. He nearly came undone at the sight of her lips, swollen and moist from his kisses. He would have liked to take his time to learn the taste and feel of every part of her, but based on her urgent, encouraging whimper, he knew they were both too close to exploding to allow a leisurely journey.

He reached for her and turned her in his arms, so her back was to him. Then he slid the zipper down on her sexy little dress, smoothed the straps over her shoulders and let the dress slide down her body to pool at her feet.

She stood there in her heels and panties, the smooth skin of her back perfectly tempting in every way.

Gage inserted his fingers beneath the waistband of her panties and slid them down her legs to join the dress. He dropped to his knees and pushed the straps off the backs of her heels.

She stepped out of the sandals. When she tried to turn, he stopped her with a hand on her wrist.

Still kneeling behind her, he smoothed his hands over her back and pressed a kiss to each pert cheek. He pushed to his feet, turned her once more and gathered her into his arms for a long sensuous kiss, and then tore at his clothing, patience at an end. After pausing to remove a small foil package from the nightstand next to the bed, he removed his briefs and stood in front of her.

“Oh, my...” She closed her eyes for a moment, her chest rising and falling in labored gasps.

He watched as she took a deep breath, reopened her eyes and reached out to take the packet from his hand. With one quick flick, she ripped the edge and withdrew the latex sheath. She smoothed it gently over his engorged flesh.

“Keep touching me like that, darlin’, and this won’t last long.” He grinned wickedly.

“Impossible,” she said, breathlessly.

She continued to stare at the part of him that refused to listen to his pleas for patience. The hungry look in her gaze was his undoing.

Gage bent to cup the backs of her thighs, swept her up into his arms and laid her gently on the sheets. He joined her, crawling up her body and spreading her legs wide with his knees. His heart pounding, he rested his weight on one arm and stared down at her beautiful face. “I don’t know how I got so lucky tonight, but we’ll talk about that...later.”

He kissed her lips hard then moved downward to her breasts. They were small but tipped with pale strawberry-colored nipples that puckered into points, making his mouth water. Flicking his tongue at one peak, he felt her draw in a deep breath, lifting the fruit closer to his lips. He covered it with his mouth and drew strongly on it, then rolled the tip gently between his teeth.

She writhed and arched, sobbing softly at the sensual torture.

Gage dropped his forehead between her breasts and groaned. “I can’t wait much longer.”

“Then don’t,” she said, her words exhaled on a wispy breath.

That’s all the encouragement he needed. Gage moved suddenly, and slid his full length into her.

When she cried out, he froze. “Hell,” he repeated, and strained to hold himself still inside her. “You’re so tight. Don’t move.” He gritted his teeth with the strain. “Did I hurt you?”

Her eyes flew wide, and she clutched his buttocks tightly. “For crissakes, don’t stop now!”

He let out his pent-up breath, withdrew almost completely then slammed into her again. He moved in and out, faster and faster, her fierce cries urging him on.

Suddenly, she stiffened beneath him, and her nails sank into his shoulders.

The convulsions of her orgasm milked him, sending him into his own oblivion. When the world stopped spinning and he could breathe again, he collapsed over her. For several long moments, he lay still, remembering how to breathe. Then he realized he was crushing her and moved to her side, gathering her tightly against him.

The respite was short. Their loving-making continued well into the night, both of them exploring each other’s bodies thoroughly, testing and teasing, until they were both exhausted. Just as sleep claimed him, he realized in mild amusement, he didn’t even know her name. Drifting off, he smiled and gathered her closer. There would be time in the morning for introductions.

---

Sophie woke slowly, her mind fuzzy from the aftermath of too many margaritas and very little sleep. Furnace-hot heat warmed her back, and she remembered with a smile whose strong arms still held her close. It was early enough she could probably wake him up for an encore before she had to leave.

She glanced at the table next to the bed, and the clock confirmed the hour was indeed still early. Then she noted, in puzzlement, the cap next to the clock. It was camouflaged with black captain’s bars adorning the front of it. She glanced across the room to the open door of the closet where a uniform hung neatly on a hanger, turned just enough for her to read the name tag on the breast.

“Oh my God,” she whispered in disbelief. Her mind was instantly alert. “It can’t be.”

She turned slowly in his arms, trying not to wake him. Last night had been a blur of music, drink and red-hot passion. This morning, she could clearly see all of the features of the man who had blown her socks off. That nose, that chin, those cheekbones…

Holy crap! It was him.

She eased out of the bed and frantically searched for her clothing. Finding her dress in a puddle next to the bed, she slid into it, grabbed her shoes, and crept silently to the door. She had to get out of there before he awoke. He hadn’t recognized her last night, but she might not be so lucky in the light of day.

Slipping out the door of his room, she sped down the hall and slammed her hand against the elevator button. Hurry, please, hurry! The doors whooshed open, and she jumped inside with relief. She stared down the hall to the door, willing it to remain closed as the doors to the elevator shut securely. The relief she felt for her narrow escape turned into despair, for Mr. Perfect had turned out to be her nemesis, Captain Jenkins.