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  With a yawn, she snuggled down deeper into the pillow and waited. Listening to the shower and imagining him naked in the water. Eventually, the light went out, and she held her breath for a moment.

  “I’m on the same side I was. Do you want me to move over?”

  “No, you’re fine.”

  The bed dipped as he climbed in. Even with the space he kept between them, she could feel his heat.

  “Goodnight, Vance.”

  “Go to sleep, kitten.”

  She lay there, allowing her breathing to deepen and slow. Eventually, she inched closer until she came in contact with him. With a tiny whimper, she closed her eyes, her arm resting along his bare abdomen.

  “Holy hell,” he muttered. “I won’t sleep a wink.”

  Kendria shifted again, nestling closer. He may not have wanted to be under the covers with her, but she was determined to be as close as she could. One more yawn, and she succumbed to the lure of the sandman, safe and secure once Vance curved his hand over the tuck of her waist.

  She woke in a panic.

  “Easy, kitten.” Vance’s deep voice wound around her, bringing warmth and comfort. He was now under the blankets as well, his arms wrapped around her. “Do you want me to turn on the light?”

  “No.”

  God, I sound so pathetic. She dashed away her tears then placed her hand back to his chest, the heated skin beneath her palm combined with his steady heartbeat assisted in calming her down.

  She lifted her hand and moved up, trailing her touch along his skin. Over his throat and up his neck. Along the scruff on his jaw until she found firm, bow-shaped lips.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Exploring,” she said, emboldened by the darkness. She pushed up, aware of her injury, and leaned in until her lips met the backs of her fingers. “Kissing.” She withdrew her fingers so they were lip to lip.

  “I only have so much restraint.”

  “What else do I have to do?” She straddled him and debated removing the shirt covering her. “If I wanted to shatter this restraint of yours?”

  “Nothing.”

  His mouth dominated hers, and she allowed him to support her weight. In and out, he stroked his tongue, sliding against hers. As happened the first time he kissed her, his taste sank into her. As unique as the man, it fired her synapses to an unknown and unexperienced level.

  His arms, bands of strength around her, drew her tighter to him. A low grumble echoed in her ears seconds before the kiss changed. This was proprietary.

  He rolled them, mindful of her arm, so she was on the bottom. His bare back and shoulders rippled beneath her hands as she touched him. Not a spare ounce of fat on him. She wished the splint didn’t hamper her left arm, but she’d make do. He flexed his hips, driving his jean-covered cock against her core.

  “Inside,” she begged, her body arching to his.

  “You’re supposed to be resting.”

  “I’ll be exhausted after an orgasm.”

  “Kitten, one? I plan on giving you multiple ones before I allow you to go back to sleep.”

  The flutter within her grew. “Yes.”

  He possessed her mouth once more. She ignored the stab of pain in her arm and grabbed at his waist.

  His mouth blazed a path down her throat to the collar of the shirt she’d kept on. “This has to go,” he uttered.

  “Jeans, too,” she insisted.

  “Yes.” He cupped her breast through the cotton.

  She wanted to be naked with him. To have nothing between them. To experience his hard muscles as they were made to be. Vance rose off her and helped her up. With the utmost care, he removed the article then kissed her again.

  The brush of his callused hand across her breast sent waves of need through her. A shuddering gasp escaped her, and she arched into him.

  “Perfect. I can’t wait to explore your body in daylight.”

  He plucked at her nipple until she didn’t believe she could take anymore. So taut the tip nearly hurt. An exquisite, intoxicating one.

  He dipped his head to capture it in his mouth. The rasp of his tongue combined with his touch on the opposite one had her crying to the darkness. She sank her hands into his hair and raked her nails along the back of his head.

  He paid homage to both breasts until she squirmed on the mattress then he moved down. At her belly button, he dipped his tongue in before nipping the skin there lightly. After he’d laved away the sting, he continued on his way to the waistband of her panties.

  She bit her lower lip when he gripped the elastic with his teeth and tugged it farther down her body. Her senses were heightened in the dark, and she lay there, tense, listening to the rasp of his breath, the movement of skin against blankets, and the pounding of her own heart. His touch teased her as he dragged his fingertips along the insides of her legs, trailing the falling away article of clothing. The moment they were drawn over her feet, she widened her legs and reached out for him.

  His lips drove her to distraction as he made his way slowly back up her body. Alternating with kisses and flicks of his tongue, he had her hyper aware of the need burning deep in her veins. When he skipped over her pussy, she grumbled until his lips found hers once more.

  “Are you on anything?” His question was low by her ear.

  Thank God he’d been thinking. She shook her head then said, “No.”

  “Give me a second.”

  The slide of wood reached her prior to the sound of him rummaging around in a drawer. The tear of a foil packet preceded him moving back over her. She reached for him and found her hands captured in one of his.

  “No lights this time. Just feel this. Let me please you, kitten.” He stretched her arms out over her head. “Arm okay?”

  Shit, they could chop it off, and she’d still be fine with the passion simmering along her body.

  “Yes.” She wriggled her hips, wanting him deep inside her pussy. She inhaled sharply when the broad head of his cock pressed against her core. A moment’s hesitation before he flexed forward, filling her. Stretching her.

  “Fuck,” he uttered. The sensation of being surrounded by her wet heat was beyond anything he’d experienced with anyone before.

  Fire skipped along his veins and under his skin. He gripped a fistful of the bedding beside her head, struggling to contain the need pounding away at him like a lumberjack on a tree.

  “Goddamn,” she replied. “Move. Please.”

  He heard the plea in her tone and listened. The velvet walls parted beneath him as he gave three slow strokes, allowing them both to adjust to their fit. She looped her legs around his waist and undulated against him.

  He grunted low and picked up his speed, needing more. More of what she could give him. More of what she was giving him. Flashes of taking her in the daylight so the sun could worship her dark skin as he buried himself balls deep inside him sparked along his thoughts, only to fade as this moment chased everything else away.

  Vance dipped his head and took possession of her mouth. Her tongue was there to meet his as he continued to thrust deep, loving the way her passion met his. She rolled her hips, rocked up to meet his strokes, allowing the deepest penetration possible.

  Her pussy clenched around his cock as she cried out and arched into his driving hips. Her orgasm rocked him. Fuck, if it’s like this with a condom on, what’s it going to be like bare inside her? To feel her cream sliding along my cock, the ripples of the walls without this latex between us?

  His balls drew up against him, and he worked his hips faster, wanting her to come again, this time with him. She didn’t disappoint, for moments later, she arched her pelvis to take him in as deep as he could go. Her lithe body stiffening beneath his while her nails raked down his back, in her own way of claiming him. A move he approved of. After four driving thrusts, his cock jerked before releasing his seed.

  Her legs tightened around him as her body responded in kind, coming with another powerful wave of an orgasm. He eased up
on his kiss and backed his mouth off until their lips merely grazed one another.

  “Fuck me.” Her words tumbled along his skin, spent and exhausted.

  “I believe, kitten, I just did.” His cock was still hard within her, and he began to slide within her slick channel. “And, I also believe I promised you multiple orgasms before you fall asleep. I’ve counted only three.” He readjusted one of her legs so her knee was on his shoulder. “Never let it be said that I’m not a man of my word.”

  “I can’t wait until this damn medication is out of my system so I can keep up with you better.” Need drenched her statement and wound granite around his dick.

  He loved her words. Indications of sticking around. She tightened her pussy walls, and all else other than fucking her slipped from his mind.

  ҉

  Vance stirred and froze. His bed no longer held any other person than himself. Where is she? He opened his eyes and squinted against the morning light that poured in through the curtains.

  Sitting, he brushed the bedding off him. He’d fully enjoyed Kendria’s body last night. Making good on his word about her having multiple orgasms. He’d also licked her from head to foot until he had satisfied his need for her cream. A temporary fix, for sure; he wanted more of her now.

  He rose and, after a quick trip to the bathroom, swiped a pair of his pants to shove into. Then, he strode up the hall to the rest of his house. He slowed as he neared the kitchen, surprised by the vocals pouring from the room. So rich and pure he didn’t know what to make of it. The music reached out, grabbed him low in the gut, and wound around him like an ivy on a post, tightening and drawing him close.

  Vance stood in the entrance to his kitchen and saw Kendria rolling out some dough on the countertop. She had a small mp3 player hooked to some speakers and sang along to the music she heard. The longer he stood there, the louder she sang, overpowering the music that she’d had down low. He didn’t think she knew what she was doing, that it was just happening. Not that he had any complaints. Her voice was incredible.

  He trailed his gaze over her, taking in the way his shirt fell to the backs of her mid-thighs. There wasn’t a way to ignore how much he liked having her here.

  I barely know anything about her. Yet, I just know I want her to stay here.

  His phone rang, jolting her from whatever spell the music had woven around her. And him. Her brown eyes were wide, and from the way she watched him after she’d whipped around, he knew she was embarrassed. He allowed the satisfied smile to curve up his lips as he walked by her.

  Trailing a hand over her belly, he stole a kiss. “Morning, kitten.” Then, he went and answered the phone.

  He watched her as he spoke to another of his workers. When he hung up, he crossed his arms and leaned against the counter. “So, your voice is amazing.”

  “Thank you.” She returned to rolling out the dough.

  “Don’t stop singing on my account. I was mesmerized.”

  “I didn’t mean to wake you. I was going to surprise you with breakfast.” She gave him a small smile and reached for a glass beside her and began cutting out circles that she placed on the cookie sheet.

  “You don’t have to cook for me, Kendria.”

  “I was restless,” she said with a shrug. “I figured I could so this instead of waking you up by tossing and turning.”

  He grinned. “You could have wakened me. I’m sure we would have discovered something else to do.”

  “Trust me, it crossed my mind. But, then, my stomach got involved, and, well, it would have been just all kinds of messy. You, me, my stomach. Three’s a crowd.”

  He pushed from the counter, moved to where her player was, and lifted it. Tapping a button, he looked at the name on the screen. “Memphis?”

  “It’s a musical.”

  “You like musicals.”

  “That’s a way to put it.” She motioned to the tray. “In the oven, please.” She flicked her gaze to the clock on the wall.

  He listened then approached her. Pressing against her back, he nibbled on her neck. She shuddered beneath his assault, a moan sliding from her throat. “What can I do?”

  “So many things I could say right now. But, since my stomach is still rebelling, can you grab some eggs?”

  He inched the bottom of his shirt up, exposing more of her firm thighs. “Yes. I want to know more about your love of singing.”

  She whimpered as his fingers trailed along her inner thighs, moving closer to her pussy. “Yes.” She widened her stance, allowing him access.

  “Food first, kitten. Don’t want your stomach to be mad.” He kissed her cheek and stepped away.

  “Fucking stomach,” she groused as he went to wash his hands.

  Vance chuckled, loving her candor.

  Chapter Four

  Kendria stared over the clothing before her, not sure what to get. Vance had dropped her off on his way to his garage where he had a call. It had come not long after they’d begun to eat, so she’d yet to tell him of her singing. This was the third store she’d walked into. He’d just dropped her off on the main drag and told her to explore. So, that’s what was she was doing.

  “Still in town, I see.”

  She turned her head to see the woman who’d given her a ride into town standing there. Sarah. “I am. Vance, I mean Mr. Hendrickson, said it would be a bit until my car was fixed.”

  Sarah nodded. “I’m sure he did.

  Unsure if there was a hidden meaning to her comment, Kendria let it go without replying. Sarah was about four inches taller than her and radiated a level of assuredness that Kendria hadn’t experienced since she’d gotten involved with Joe. There was also a level of imp there she saw flashes of.

  “Have plans for this afternoon?”

  Sarah’s question shocked her, and she dropped the fabric she’d been touching before looking at the woman beside her. Her jeans rode low on her hips, and she had a tight t-shirt on that said Marines on the front. On the back, it read, After you’ve sent the rest, send the best, and those words were over the same design Kendria had witnessed on Sarah’s wrist.

  “No, just getting some more clothing.”

  “How’s your arm?”

  “My arm?” Kendria asked.

  Sarah gave her a kind smile. “Small town.”

  “It’s fine. I just have to watch what I’m doing with it.” Flashes of gripping Vance’s sweat-slicked flesh hit her, and her knees wobbled.

  “So, then, you don’t have any plans?”

  “Can’t say I do.” She plucked two shirts off the rack. “Can I help you with something?”

  “Yes. Absolutely. Once you finish here, I’m kidnapping you and taking you with me to the school. Yes. I’m going to use you as an excuse, telling them I have to show you around, and that’s why I can’t stay and help them make the floats.” Sarah grinned. “Are you game?”

  “Yep, count me in.” Kendria took two more, doing a swift mental calculation on her cash. She had to be cautious not to use her card or get into her account. He would be watching. “Let me grab some jeans, and I’ll be ready.”

  She liked Sarah, hadn’t known her long, but the woman effervesced and had this spark in her eyes that made Kendria feel like they were going to cause some trouble and have a blast doing it. More of the imp making its presence known.

  “What floats are they making?” she asked as she paid for her clothing.

  “Founder’s Day parade. Hi, Kelly,” she said.

  “Hey, Sarah, glad you’re home. On your way to help out with the floats?”

  Kendria watched the exchange.

  “Only swinging by. My friend, Kendria, is in town, and we’ve got some things to do.”

  Kelly nodded. “I’ll be out there later when I finish here. Can’t wait to start my float. Are you doing one this year?”

  “Nope. Maybe next year.”

  “Your loss,” Kelly said with a grin. “Here you go, ma’am. Thanks for coming and welcome to Cottonwood Falls. I
’m Kelly, by the way.”

  Kendria shook her hand. “Thanks. I’m Kendria.”

  Kelly tipped her head and asked, “Do you know her from the Marines?”

  “No time to get into this right now, Kelly. We have to get going.” Sarah slipped her hand around Kendria’s uninjured arm, swiped the bag, and led them to the door. “Sorry, pretty much everyone knows everything around here.”

  “Must be nice.”

  They walked to the motorcycle. “How so?”

  Kendria didn’t comment as Sarah stored her purchases in the bag on the bike. “Well, I mean as opposed to being nameless in a large sea of faces. It must be nice to have people who know you.”

  Sarah swung a leg over. “It is, at times.” She passed back the helmet. “Climb on.”

  Much more comfortable this time around, she did as ordered and held on. The rumble, this time, only shot a thrill through her. Sarah got them moving, and Kendria enjoyed the ride to the school. She had a hard time containing her smile as she climbed off the bike.

  A large brick building sprawled out before them.

  “Cottonwood Falls High School,” Sarah stated as she took the helmet from Kendria.

  “How many were in your graduating class?”

  “Three hundred.”

  “Wow. I had over a thousand in mine.”

  “Come on. Let’s get this over with.”

  “I’m starting to suspect you’re not exactly thrilled about being here.” Kendria fell into step with her, lengthening her stride to keep up.

  “Sleep would be nice.”

  Her own body clamored for a bit more. She and Vance hadn’t exactly spent the night in deep slumber. “Yes, it does have its benefits.”

  “At least you got sex out of it. I was sleeping at my mother’s.” Kendria had no words, and Sarah laughed. “Sorry, I’m a bit blunt. It’s obvious to me there was something between y’all when you first met. I’m not buying that all that huskiness of Vance was left untouched.”

  “I can handle blunt. And, you’re right. He wasn’t untouched.” She nudged her. “Neither was I.”

  “So unfair,” Sarah groused as they walked around the buildings corner.