Goddamn. She’s sexy. Even with the doubt behind her eyes.

I could tell she wanted to call things off. But the way her eyes widened as I got closer—how her breathing shallowed, how her cheeks flushed without me even touching her—are signs I'm not crazy. Signs that she wants this as much as I do.

Her tongue strokes mine in a teasing dance, but her fingers tighten in my hair as I press harder against her.

I nibble her lip and tighten my hold on her hips. “Come home with me tonight.”

When our eyes meet, hers are wild and luminescent in the dim light.

Maddie’s a glowing ember, and doesn’t even know it. And I want to stoke the fire. So fucking bad.

The sound of voices down the hall makes her push away. Reluctantly, I let go of her.

She holds her fingers to her lips. “We shouldn’t be doing this here.”

I grab that hand and place a soft kiss on her wrist. “C’mon, sweet thing. Let’s take a walk on the wild side.”

And then I turn for the exit behind us, pulling her behind me. The parking lot is packed, but it’s dark in the back where my SUV is parked under the branches of a large tree.

Cold rain pelts us, and before I have a chance to worry she’ll be pissed she’s getting drenched, her laughter rings.

Spotting a large puddle, I pick her up with one arm around her waist and one under her knees. Her gasping breath energizes me, and I turn back toward my SUV and resume our run.

I’ve never heard her so relaxed, so at ease that she giggles. Yet, here she is, gripping my shoulders, delight and shock on her face.

When we reach my car, I release her legs, letting them dangle as I hold her to my chest. Her shirt is damp and sticking to her skin.

“You’re soaked.”

She nods, and something in her eyes tells me she’s admitting to more than just her clothes being wet. I set her down on the ground, pleased to see her as out of breath as I feel.

Reaching into my pocket, I hit the key fob and the locks to my SUV snap open, but instead of reaching for the front door, I reach for the back.

Confusion tenses her brows until she gets what I’m suggesting. Her eyes dart around the parking lot, assessing the risk.

“Let’s be young and stupid. For once.” I run my thumb along her lower lip.

In what seems like a split-second decision, she nods and lets me lift her into the back seat. Following behind, I slam the door shut and reach for her.

I may have broken out the dirty talk a few minutes ago in the restaurant, but I don’t know what I expect from her tonight. Maybe nothing. Maybe everything. I’ll do whatever she wants or nothing at all. I just know I need to be in her space and breathe the same air. I’ve been daydreaming about this girl all damn week.

No sooner do I think to say we don’t have to be physical than she’s hiking her skirt up so she can straddle me. Let me just say that a pleated skirt never looks so fine as when Maddie McDermott wears one. She has this naughty schoolgirl vibe going on that has me instantly rock hard.

My hands dip under her skirt and grip her gartered thighs. The fact that Maddie wears garters is seriously hot as fuck.

“I’ve been thinking about you,” I murmur as she grinds against my lap. She stares down at me, her hair damp and tangled. Her fingers slowly unbutton the top two buttons of her blouse, the sight of which has me wanting to rip off every button in a race to see her creamy skin.

Her hips keep a silent rhythm in what’s turning out to be the world’s best lap dance. Thank you, Jesus.

I kiss her neck as the fabric falls away to reveal a white lace bra that pushes her perfectly rounded breasts into my face. So I do what any red-blooded man would do. I bite one. Not too hard. Just enough that she grinds down harder and moans. I grip her other breast in my hand and squeeze before I push the lace down around both lush mounds. Goddamn. What a sight.

Latching on to one nipple, I suck and tug and pull. Her hands pull me closer, like she’s cradling me, while a breathy little pant escapes her lips.

When I break away to inspect my handiwork, a droplet falls from her damp skin. “You’re wet.” I glance up at the raindrops still glistening on her cheeks as I snake a hand between us to push aside her soaked panties. “Everywhere.”

But I can’t give her what she wants. Not yet. So I tease around her soft, pouty skin until her eyes screw shut and her head falls back. “Harder, Daren.”

“Not until you tell me you want this.”

Her head snaps up, and as she begins to shake her head no, I reach for the one place on her body I know will make her say yes.

“Say it, Maddie. Tell me you’ve thought about this all week like I have.”

Choppy breaths escape her mouth as I rub faster, slicking the moisture along her swollen folds. Her eyes shut for a moment and she nods her head. “I did. I do. I don’t know why I want to lie about it. Why I can’t just admit this.” Her hips tilt, grinding harder into my erection. “Yes, Daren. I want you. It’s making me a little crazy, in fact. But I—”

“Shh. Now let me make it better.” I grip her hair and pull her down, and our mouths collide in a frenzy of tongues and lips and groans.

Before I get her to ride me—because, please, God, let her ride me—I have to see this. I have to watch her fall apart.

When I flip her onto her back, she gasps. Her legs fall open, and seeing this gorgeous girl with her breasts surged up over her lace bra, garters dressing the sexiest pair of legs ever to grace this good Earth, and a face that makes angels weep, I know that whatever happens between us, I am one lucky bastard.