Her hand rested on his chest, put there when she crashed into him. His heartbeat was slow and steady under her fingers, the complete opposite of her erratic one she feared he could see pumping out of her chest. Her legs felt like rubber, and she wondered if it was the desire she felt or the shots she’d drunk over the course of the night. Maybe a little of both?

  The fact he seemed cool as a cucumber made her feel even more ruffled. She needed to get it together, but the world started to spin a little. Getting it together was nearly impossible.

  Kenzie felt the warmth of his breath fanning her face; a hint of peppermint hit her and mingled with the tantalizing musk of his cologne. She lost her balance and bowed into him, and he reached out to grasp her hips, pulling her closer to him. Heat from his body bled into her, and she sighed in delight. The night was quickly getting colder the longer she stood outside.

  “Hi.” His deep voice rumbled through her, and she shivered. “You’re cold. Put your jacket on, silly.”

  He tugged the balled-up cloth from between them and spread the material over her shoulders as she leaned into him. He then pulled her cell phone from the death grip she had on the device and slipped it into one of her coat pockets.

  “So just how drunk are you?”

  She eyeballed him, trying to gauge how much advantage he was going to attempt to take tonight. “Just a little.”

  He chuckled when she pinched her forefinger and thumb together in front of him. “I’d say you’re more than just a little.”

  Opening her mouth to disagree, she wobbled. He rested his large hands on her rib cage, settling her.

  Yeah, more than a little.

  “How about I get you home?” He turned to stand beside her, a warm palm going to her lower back as he escorted her to the passenger side. He then opened the door and lifted her into her seat. She wasn’t short by any standards at five-seven, and didn’t need his help to get into the SUV, but the macho display of him lifting her into the vehicle definitely got her pistons firing.

  Boy, he really does know how to play a good game. The charm is thick. What the hell? Let’s get lost in his little world.

  When he reached in to grab her buckle and pulled it over her, his knuckles grazed her arm, sending little tingles up it. Jace turned his head as he began to click the mechanism in, and his face was mere inches from hers. His lips were so perfect, not too large, but full enough that she knew she would enjoy his kisses. He smiled at her again, and she felt her heart stop for a second.

  Jace leaned in, his lips moving closer to her own. She held her breath, waiting for him to brush against her. Closing her eyes, she readied herself for the touch.

  That never came.

  She opened her eyes. He was still mere inches from her. His clear gray eyes seemed to seek her gaze before locking on to it. His intent look seemed to penetrate her, waiting for a response, a thought, a whisper … something; she knew not what. But his stare heated her blood, made her yearn for all the things he’d promised and more.

  Jace stood back and closed the door without touching her again. Kenzie felt exasperated, having been so ready for his lips on hers. What was he waiting on? She gritted her teeth in annoyance as she watched him walk to the other side and climb into the driver’s seat.

  “Where to?”

  “I thought we were going back to your place?”

  “Kensington, you’re really drunk. I didn’t realize just how far gone you were in your texts. I’m not sure this is a good idea. Not tonight. Not like this.”

  Wait, is he trying to back out? “So you’re going to blow me off, too?”

  “Too? I’m not blowing you off. I just want you to be a completely willing partner. And conscious.”

  “I’m willing. And very conscious.” She unhooked her seat belt and climbed to her knees, pulling her dress higher to show him a hint of the red lace panties underneath.

  His eyes flashed with lust and locked on her core. She saw his hands fist at his sides and knew he was struggling with control, which made her smile. At least one person wanted her tonight, and he was going to follow through on his promises. A few well-placed seductive moves, and he would be hers. There was no way he was going to back out now. She was here. She was ready.

  Kenzie leaned over the console, and starting at the knee, she drew her fingers up his thigh, moving toward his cock. She noted his shaft was already stiffening and tenting his jeans. He caught her wrist before she could touch him and investigate what was under the denim.

  “Okay, okay. Sit down and buckle up. I’ll take you to my place.”

  Chapter 2

  Kenzie woke up in the front seat. She’d apparently dozed the whole way to Jace’s house, lulled to sleep by the gentle thrum of the engine. Feeling lethargic, she stretched, the warm air from the vents making her all the sleepier. She’d had plans for him on the drive over, but she’d missed the opportunity while playing Sleeping Beauty. She reached for the door handle as he came to a halt in his driveway and heard a stern, “No.”

  Jace bounced out of the front seat and then jogged to her side of the car. She watched him moving, trying not to allow the unexpected chivalry to touch her heart. This wasn’t the beginning of a relationship; it was one night of bliss. Or at least, that was the hope. And he probably did this with every woman he bedded; it was the web he wove around them, suckering them into opening their thighs for him.

  She was a sure thing, so why was he trying so hard?

  He opened her door and held her waist, helping her down. He pulled her close, wrapped her coat over her shoulders once more, and then closed the car door. The heavy thud of the closure echoed in the chilly night, the neighborhood quiet at the late hour. Moonlight burst from behind a heavy cloud, and the illumination made the planes of his face more visible, not that she needed a reminder of how incredibly gorgeous he was.

  His face was already etched into her mind, coming up at the least opportune moments and in the middle of the night, when her defenses were down and he could invade her dreams. Her fingers often found her clit in the dead of night, and she imagined how he would feel, straining over her, his cock deep inside her pussy. Thoughts of him fucking her brought her to release time and time again. Now she had the chance to find out what he felt like in reality; she just hoped it was as good as her fantasies. They stood there motionless for several moments as she leeched some of his body heat. She swayed slightly with intoxication, both from alcohol and his nearness, waiting for him to make a move.

  “Kensington—” He said her name so seductively, a whisper of air over those incredibly flawless lips. Knees trembling, she felt a rush of need unlike any she’d experienced. She looked up at him, his brows slash marks over his shimmering eyes. An arrow-straight nose jutted from between hard-edged cheekbones, pointing to those luscious lips she wanted to nibble and the chiseled chin below them. He was too perfect, so handsome he was almost painful to look at.

  Something below the surface must be wrong; there must be some imperfection that his face and body hides. A lack of personal connection? A refusal to commit? Is that it, or does the rabbit hole go farther?

  He dropped his lips lower, covering hers in a firm kiss. As she sighed against his mouth, he took the opening, swiping his tongue inside. Kenzie leaned into him, taking advantage of his firm strength. Breathing became nearly impossible, as the need within her ratcheted up a few more notches.

  Jace reached an arm behind her as he leaned in closer. For a moment, she was afraid he was falling on top of her and she’d not be able to hold up six and a half feet of hard-packed male. But she was pulled into the air a few moments later, a squeal coming from her lips.

  “Laying it on thick?” He was straight out of a romance novel. Is that what he used to plot his seductions? Did he stay up long hours into the night, reading smut-filled, grocery-store romances for tips on how to woo a woman properly?

  “Thick?” His brows furrowed as he began to walk toward his house, one arm under her shoulders, the other below her knees.

  She had to admit, there was something incredibly sexy about a man who could just pick her up and carry her off into the sunset, even if it were only for one sunset.

  Jace carefully lowered her to her feet as they neared the door, and he fumbled with his keys a moment. He dropped them and then dipped to pick them up, fumbling some more. It was the first time she’d seen him not completely cool and collected, and she rather liked seeing a little chink in his armor. It made him appear more real, for once. Had her presence caused that? She smiled inwardly as she imagined perhaps it did. And she liked the warmth it created within her to consider it.

  Once the door was open, he immediately pulled her to him and ushered her inside.

  “What? No carrying me over the threshold?”

  He brought his lips close to hers, his body hulking over her. “We can step outside and try it again if you really want.”

  “No, what I really want is for you to take me to your bed and fuck me as thoroughly as promised.”

  His fingers stilled. He’d been tracing them up her arm before she spoke, and she was not happy he’d stopped. Little electric currents had zipped through her body. They needed to continue.

  “I think you need a cup of coffee, or two, first. Why don’t we head to the kitchen?”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down to her lips, and stole a kiss as her jacket slid down her shoulders and onto the floor. “I say that’s a very bad idea. I like mine better.”

  Pushing close to his body, she could feel the hard imprint of his cock against her stomach. Why was he hesitating? Was the chase the fun part, and now that she was willing and wanton, the entertainment was lost?

  “You made promises to me on the phone—to tie me to your bed, to fuck me all night long. You are backing out, aren’t you, Jace?”

  The words rushed out in drink-laced honesty. She wouldn’t have asked him had she not been bolstered by liquor, but she was still sober enough to regret the words as soon as they flew from her lips. The night was becoming a series of setbacks and put-downs, and she was near her limit. She sucked in a breath when she realized he may, in fact, not be as interested in her as he’d let on. He’d suggested taking her back to her house. Maybe that was what he’d really wanted to do, and she was standing in his house, acting pathetic, chasing after a man who really didn’t want her.

  “No, I’m not backing out.” The garbled tone to his voice was filled with what sounded like need. “Not on your life.”

  Jace moved his hands; they roamed down her back and onto her rump, dragging her closer to his hard cock. A stilted breath slowly slid from between his lips. She placed a hand to his chest and felt his heart, beating as quickly as her own.

  He appeared on edge.

  But she was teetering closer to the brink and needed to pull him nearer. She slid her hand down his chest and below and then pressed a palm to his heavy cock. His hiss of pleasure made her smile, cream spreading along her pussy at the thought of a man of his size sliding into her. Huge was an understatement. She’d never felt a man so thick, so long. The night would be an interesting one, seeing how well he would fit inside her.

  He pulled her hand away, bringing her fingers to his lips. He kissed each one as she observed, enraptured by the sight. His lips really were very kissable, and she planned to savor them thoroughly throughout the night.

  As if hearing her thoughts, his mouth slanted down across hers, and he tasted her tentatively. His lips were soft, yet firm, and made her want more. He was being too timid, too gentle. This was not the overzealous persona he’d portrayed when trying to tempt her all those times before. This was not the man who’d texted her earlier, telling her the near-sadistic games he wanted to play with her body.

  She needed hot and hard. He was giving her soft and gentle.

  “I expected—different—from you. Where is all this romantic mumbo jumbo coming from?” She wrapped her arms around his neck as she awaited his response.

  His head lifted away from hers, and she looked up into his gray eyes. She’d never seen them this close before, but in the light of the foyer, his eyes were stunning. Ice-blue flecks glimmered in the silver depths. He was a Greek god reincarnated, beautiful, strong, and completely male.

  And he was playing hard to get. What the hell?

  “Romantic mumbo jumbo? I thought all the ladies liked to have a little romance in their lives? Not you, Kensington?”

  “Nope, not me. I want it hot, hard, and heavy. I’m tired of nice guys. I want a dirty one. Why’d you think I called you of all people?”

  He looked down at her, an unknown emotion wavering across his face. He removed her arms from around his neck and pulled her into the living room. He settled her on the couch before moving to the bar.

  “Want another drink?”

  “Two minutes ago, you were offering me coffee. Now you wanna liquor me up and have your wicked way with me?”

  “I believe that’s already on the table.”

  There was no humor in his tone, and it stilled her for a moment. What had crawled up his ass? He’d chased her; now here she was, offering herself up like the sacrificial lamb, and he had the nerve to get bitchy about it. Had she taken all the fun from his hunt?

  “Yes—it—is. But it is a limited time offer, so act now and don’t delay.”

  He didn’t smile at her sarcasm, just stared at her with an empty glass in hand and a raised eyebrow.

  “Sure, another drink would be just fine.” Her buzz was already starting to wear off, thanks to his inability to play along as promised, and if he didn’t speed up the process, she wouldn’t have the nerve to go through with what she had planned. “Vodka cranberry if you have it.”

  He lifted a bottle of Grey Goose and poured freely. A moment later, he brought her a lightly pinked tumbler of vodka. Her head was so going to hurt in the morning. Hopefully, her body would be as sore from the workout he’d guaranteed.

  She took a long gulp of the liquor and smiled at the burn in her throat. Jace took a seat beside her and began to run his hands through her hair. She closed her eyes to the sensation of his fingers, and he moved slightly so he could rub her scalp. A moan escaped her lips as his fingers worked like magic. The light touch was drugging.

  Another few sips and her drink was almost done. His fingers moved to her neck and then her shoulders. She grew lethargic, the combination of drink, his fingers, and the late hour mixing to bring her to the warm glow of sleepiness.

  Jace dropped a kiss to her exposed shoulder. He pulled her closer and continued to massage her shoulders and arms. In the crook of his arm, she felt warm and safe.

  She yawned, and blackness took over.

  *

  Jace stood beside the bed he’d just deposited his Sleeping Beauty into. Nestled into the comforter, in the middle of his bedroom, is exactly where he wanted her to be, but he wanted her sober and awake, not drunk and asleep.

  When the first texts had come, he’d been excited she had finally contacted him. The long weeks of her ignoring him had been a challenge at first, but after a while, it had worn on him. Tonight, she’d dropped herself right in his lap, ripe for the picking. But then the further the conversation had gone, the more it hadn’t felt right. All he’d worried about was getting her home safe and away from the hundred or so men in the club who could have taken advantage of her.

  Men like him.

  He knew he wasn’t the best of men. There were many women who would claim injury from his lack of calling after their nights of pleasure. But it seemed after one or two nights, the women who had insinuated themselves into his life had only wanted him for his pretty face, the big cock between his thighs, or his bank account. He was an object, something to flaunt in front of their friends and family, to trap into marriage. They all seemed to have thoughts of the little white house, picket fence, and babies. He wasn’t a Ken to their Barbie and refused to be treated as such.

  Kensington wasn’t like the other women. Most women chased after him ruthlessly, throwing themselves at his feet, yet she pretended he didn’t exist, although she didn’t do it all that well. He’d seen the fire in her eyes the few times he’d caught her staring at him. Lust had shaken him to the core when he’d felt her eyes on him, and he knew from the first moment he’d laid eyes on her she would give him a run for his money and wouldn’t bore him like the others.

  The first time he’d seen her lounging in a beach chair, watching his volleyball game, he’d been blown away. A slinky two-piece barely covered her delicious curves. He liked robust women, not the stick-thin women who looked like they’d snap like a twig if he gave them a good fucking. Kensington was all woman, full of life and full of fire. He’d known he had to have her from that first day. He’d talked his friend into introducing them. She’d feigned disinterest, but he knew enough about women to know when they were faking. Her eyes had been on him throughout the rest of the day. He’d felt her gaze, even beneath her dark sunglasses, and smiled as she turned her head each time he caught her.

  What he’d heard about Kensington from his experience with the new group had perked his interest even more. She was a hard worker, very independent, dated little, and was more focused on career than marriage. Added to the fact she was absolutely stunning, and he was seriously in lust. Once he’d realized she was the real deal, he’d been in pursuit, stealthily like a tiger, until the past few weeks. With her constantly ignoring him, he was going mad, and he’d come right out and flirted with her openly. She’d not responded to his gibes, but her skin had grown pink.

  Kensington had wanted him, and it had been enough to keep him intrigued. He’d dreamed of getting her into his bed, of all the things he would do to her lush curves, of all the holes he would fill with his dick. Her sweet, kiss-swollen lips would wrap perfectly around him as he thrust into her mouth. And then he wasn’t sure which would be better, her pussy or her nicely rounded ass. But he was bound and determined to find out.

  Now, she was in his bed, and he wasn’t going to lay a finger on her. His whole body shook with need; the texting game they’d played had fired him up and gotten him riled and ready. Then, she’d thrown herself at him, desperate for attention, attention he wanted to give her, but not in her condition.