“Have you always wanted to be a sports agent?” he asked, studying her.

  She tried to appear calm, as though his intense scrutiny wasn’t unnerving. “Always. I used to go to work with my dad when I was a kid, and I was in awe that he actually got to meet all these famous people.”

  Dylan smiled. “I take it you watched sports growing up?”

  “Watched and played.” At his look of surprise, she said, “I played on NCAA championship teams in college. Soccer and volleyball.”

  “No way.” The quiet admiration in his voice said he believed her and wanted to hear more.

  “I’ve been playing sports since I was old enough to run, probably because Dalton was such a jock.” She laughed. “I was definitely a tomboy.”

  “You? A tomboy?” He smirked. “Sorry, I’m havin’ a hard time picturing that.”

  “Really?” She got up and snagged one of the signed baseball caps off a shelf of autographed memorabilia. Securing her hair, she threaded it through the opening and assumed a batter’s stance, pretending to swing the bat. “Can you picture it now?”

  Dylan groaned as he shifted, adjusting his pants. “Okay, you in a ball cap is hotter than hell. You do realize you’re killin’ me here, don’t you?”

  She smiled, enjoying the effect she had on him. It was definitely a two-way street. He wasn’t the only one getting all hot and bothered. Before she could tell him that, a knock on the door made her frown. She was having fun getting to know Dylan, and she wasn’t ready for it to end. She was being selfish monopolizing him on his big night, but since he didn’t seem to mind, neither did she.

  “Guess I should find out who that is.” Dylan sighed as he stood.

  Apparently he didn’t appreciate the interruption any more than she did. Good to know. Sabrina got a glimpse of her brother over Dylan’s shoulder when he opened the door. The two men exchanged a few words before he invited Dalton inside.

  “I’m headin’ out,” Dalton said to her. “Just wondering if you need a ride home.”

  She and Dylan shared a regretful look before she said, “Sure, that’d be great. Thanks.” She took off the cap and carefully replaced it on the shelf before shaking her hair and finger-combing it back into some semblance of order. She turned to see Dylan watching her every move while he nodded at Dalton’s account of some play he and the boys had been discussing in the billiards room.

  “It was nice to meet you,” Dylan said, offering her his hand.

  “We don’t have to be so formal,” she said, ignoring his hand to kiss his cheek. She got a little too close, lingered a little too long, and his body reacted just as she knew it would. Good thing she was the only one who seemed to notice. “I’m hoping we can be friends. Good friends.”

  Chapter One

  Dylan kissed Sabrina’s shoulder as he slid the thin black strap of her dress down her arm. He’d been waiting eight long years for that moment. Since he’d first laid eyes on her bent over a pool table in his bar, he’d wanted her. When he retired from professional football three years ago, he was sure they’d finally act on the attraction that had simmered between them for years, but she’d kept him at arm’s length, claiming she didn’t want to ruin their friendship. Now, finally, he was getting what he’d hungered for, what he’d dreamt about for so long: a taste of the woman who’d become his—he hated to admit it but couldn’t deny it—obsession.

  “What are we doing, D?” she asked, tipping her head back so he could kiss her neck. “Are we crazy? We must be crazy, otherwise we wouldn’t be doing this.”

  He heard her protests, but they held no heat. She wanted it as much as he did, and the fact that she was working on his belt buckle proved it.

  She’d invited him to Los Angeles with her for a client meeting, but the meeting had only taken an hour and a half. They spent the rest of the day shopping on Rodeo Drive, talking, laughing, and enjoying an incredible dinner. Now that they were holed up in a suite at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, she’d apparently run out of reasons why making love to him was a bad idea.

  He’d been careful to order only one bottle of wine at dinner because he didn’t want alcohol to be the reason she finally lowered her defenses. He wanted to be the reason. He wanted her to acknowledge that her feelings for him were as strong as his for her.

  “I’ve wanted you for so long,” he whispered, licking the shell of her ear.

  “Could’ve fooled me,” she muttered. “I’ve lost track of all the skanks I’ve seen you with since we met.”

  He grinned against her neck, loving that his dates hadn’t gone unnoticed. They were all a poor substitute for Sabrina, but if he couldn’t have her, he sure as hell wouldn’t punish himself by taking a vow of celibacy. “Jealous much?”

  “Screw you, Clark,” she said, shoving him back a step before unbuttoning his shirt.

  His eyes glittered with amusement when her focus shifted to his cut abs. He may not be a professional football player anymore, but he still worked out as though it was his job. There was no better feeling than knowing that she was comparing him to other men and finding him superior.

  “That’s what I’m hoping for,” he said, peeling his shirt off as he toed off his shoes. He realized his mistake when her eyes darkened and she looked away. He grasped her chin. “Hey, you have to know this is more than that. I’ve wanted you forever.”

  “Yeah, but is this all you want?” she asked, inclining her head toward the king-sized bed. “When you satisfy the urge, are you gonna be done with me?”

  He grabbed her waist, hauling her hard against his chest. “Baby, I may never be done with you.” Can’t you see how much I need you? He wanted to say it, but his fear of rejection was always close to the surface whenever he was with Sabrina. She always held back, though he had no idea why. Even now, when they were so close, he could tell she was still questioning him.

  She ran her hands over his pecs, biting her bottom lip. “Is that a threat or a promise?”

  “What do you want it to be?” He’d never been in love before, but if this wasn’t love, he didn’t want to know what love was. He couldn’t handle anything more consuming.

  “I don’t know.” She threaded her hands at the back of his neck. “You scare me, D.”

  “Why?”

  “You’re the kind of man I swore I’d never be stupid enough to get involved with again.”

  Since her father had been in the business for so long, she’d grown up around athletes, and given how stunning she was, Dylan knew many had made a play for her. According to her, a few had broken her heart over the years, and she was too smart, too tough, to be played again. But he wasn’t playing. Since the first time he met her, something had told him that she was special.

  The years they’d spent building a solid friendship had proved to him she was unlike anyone he’d ever known. She’d not only taken over her father’s successful business, but she’d taken it to the next level. She was a force to be reckoned with in the sports world, and if you weren’t represented by Sabrina Mitchell, you wanted to be.

  “Don’t compare me to the other losers you’ve dated,” he said, cupping her cheek. “You know me better than that.”

  “I know you’re a good guy.” She sighed. “But I’ve seen you mess around with so many women over the years, I’ve lost count.”

  “Only because I couldn’t have you.” He smiled when she rolled her eyes. “You know it’s true.” He wasn’t kidding, and he sensed she knew it. “You were the only one I wanted, but you weren’t ready, so I had to wait. And I did wait. I’d have kept on waiting as long as it took to get here.”

  He slid her slinky black dress over her hips. He’d seen her in a black string bikini at his buddy’s pool party, but seeing her in lingerie was different. It was more intimate, as though she’d dressed for him alone.

  “Just tell me you want this, sweetheart.” He didn’t know what he’d do if she told him to stop. Yes, he did—he’d stop. But it would be the hardest thing he’d ever had to do. “Tell me you want me as much as I want you.”

  “You know I do. It’s no secret how attracted I am to you. I always have been.”

  Yeah, their sexual chemistry had never been lacking. Apparently it was the emotional connection she questioned, though he couldn’t imagine why. Every time he looked at her, he believed the way he felt was etched on his face. He couldn’t hide it, nor did he want to.

  He knew it didn’t get any better than her. What they had was the real deal. They laughed together, talked ‘til the wee hours of the morning, played cards and pool, kicked each other’s butt at the gym, teased, taunted, and ached when one of them went out with someone else. At least he did. He had to assume Sabrina felt the same way.

  “Then let’s stop playing games,” he said, nipping her full bottom lip before soothing it with his tongue.

  She moaned softly before curling her arms around his back. “Yes, let’s.”

  He didn’t waste any more time with words, fearing they may be the wrong ones. He couldn’t afford to risk anything spoiling that moment. He picked her up and laid her in the middle of the bed before he finished what she’d started: peeling off the rest of his clothes.

  She did the same. “Condom?” She stretched her arms overhead as her large, firm breasts begged for some attention.

  Dylan quickly donned a condom before stretching over her while bracing his hands on either side of her. There were so many things he wanted to do to her, so much pleasure he wanted to bestow, he couldn’t decide where to start.

  He felt the thrill bumps rising on her skin as he trailed his lips over her breasts, from one to the other and back again before lashing the tip of her nipple with his tongue. She moaned, arching her back and offering herself to him. He rolled his tongue around the tight peaks before drawing them into his mouth and suckling vigorously as she cried out, begging him not to stop.

  Dylan looked at her, and he felt the air rush out of his lungs. She was stunning with her long dark hair fanning out on the white pillow. Her olive skin had taken on a ruddy hue, and her hazel eyes were clouded with lust as she looked back at him.

  “You are so gorgeous,” he whispered. His mouth crossed her tight stomach before finding the gentle curve of her hip. Dipping lower, he knew he wouldn’t be satisfied until he’d tasted her.

  “Jesus, Dylan,” she murmured when he eased her legs apart and planted his shoulders between her thighs. “Are you trying to kill me? Seriously, I don’t know if my heart can handle this.”

  He smirked before descending on her. He intended to make sure she not only survived but begged him to do it over and over again. Preferably for the rest of their lives. He found her center and teased her slowly, building her climax with every gentle stroke of his tongue before increasing the intensity to a frenzied pitch that had her thrashing and pleading. His fingers probed her core while she bucked, crying out that she was so close.

  “Please, D…” she whimpered, passing her hands through his hair before tightening her grip. “I can’t take anymore. Please. Oh God. Please.”

  Hearing her beg, knowing he was making her lose control, was music to his ears. He wanted to make her feel as helpless as she made him feel. He couldn’t contain his feelings for her, and now she understood how it felt to be at someone else’s mercy. But this wasn’t about his ego—it was about her pleasure. As much as he wanted to remind her he was in the driver’s seat, his desire to watch her erupt won out. He draped her legs over his shoulders and devastated her with his complete and total possession.

  Her breath died in her throat before she released a gasp, followed by a sigh. Her body shook uncontrollably. She whispered in a hoarse voice, “I can’t… you can’t… stop.”

  Dylan didn’t know whether she was begging him to stop or begging him to continue, nor did it matter. He had other plans for her. Sliding up her body, he held her face and pinned her with a gaze that told her what he was afraid to. He was in love with her. She was his. He was hers. And he never wanted another man to have her. He kissed her with a force that made her breath stutter when he finally let her go.

  Before she could utter a word, he plunged inside her. He knew she was more than ready to take him, and he wanted her to feel this.

  Squeezing her eyes shut, she whimpered, “I can’t breathe.”

  “Yes, you can.” He moved slowly, giving her a chance to find her bearings before he found his rhythm. More than sex, he wanted to get inside her head. Claim her heart. Infiltrate her thoughts. And make her fall in love.

  “It feels so incredible.” She reached for him, bringing him close. “God, I didn’t know it would be like this.”

  He did. He knew making love to her would be like nothing he’d ever experienced. She’d already been a part of him for so long, how could his body not recognize that when they finally came together? His arms encircled her, cradling her head while his lips found hers. He made love to her with his mouth as he stretched and filled her until his entire body felt branded by hers.

  Her mouth broke free to pant, “Yes, right there. Just like that.”

  He watched her come apart, up close and personal, while a hot pool of liquid surrounded him, making it difficult for him to keep his body in check. He kissed her neck while slowing his movements. Her vise-like grip, coupled with the relentless throbbing, sent a tingling sensation straight up his spine. He knew she was pushing him to the limits of his control on purpose.

  “I don’t even know what to say to that,” she said breathlessly, wiping her hair off her damp forehead.

  “Don’t say anything.” He continued to move slowly, practicing incredible discipline. “Just enjoy.” He knew he was. Nothing had ever felt more unbelievable than being buried inside her, giving her pleasure and watching her fall in love with him. Because whether she realized it or not, that was exactly what she was doing.

  “My turn,” she said, pushing on his shoulder.

  He decided to humor her by rolling onto his back as he took her with him. “Your turn, huh?” If he thought he’d been at her mercy before, that position gave it a whole new meaning.

  “You think you’re the only one who can give pleasure, Clark?”

  He gripped her hips, digging his fingers into her soft flesh, when she made him think of all the men she’d practiced on. But that was all it had been—practice. Because he intended to be her last lover. She braced her hands on his chest and rode him until he thought his heart would give out from the intense pleasure.

  “Jesus, baby. I’m gonna…”

  Sabrina clenched him hard before collapsing on top of him. She held his face, kissing him deeply while he spilled inside her. “That… exceeded my expectations by a mile.”

  He chuckled before smacking her butt. “Glad to hear it. Uh, just so we’re clear”—he locked his arms at the base of her spine so she couldn’t move—“this sweet ass is mine now.”

  “Is that so?” she asked, raising an arched brow.

  “I don’t share. Not you. Not ever.”

  “Dylan, I—”

  “I don’t care what you call it. We don’t have to label it, but you’re not sleeping with anyone else. Period. It’s killed me knowing you’ve been with other guys these past few years. Now that we’ve finally been together like this, I can’t just watch you go out with other guys who just want to be where I am right now.” He knew asking Sabrina for a commitment of any kind, even a sexual one, was risky, but he couldn’t sleep if he thought she was sharing her body with other men.

  “I wouldn’t worry about it if I were you,” she said, patting his chest. “You’ve kind of ruined me for all other men, D.”

  Chapter Two

  The past few months with Sabrina had made Dylan happier than he’d ever been. They hung out together as they always had, but their intimacy now extended to the bedroom, and since neither of them were seeing other people, it felt like a real relationship. With a future. Which of course he wouldn’t be stupid enough to suggest to her. She didn’t talk about their future, except to say she’d be a lousy mother because she was married to her career.

  Kids were a huge part of Dylan’s life—he coached youth football, volunteered at the local community center, and had spearheaded High Rollers’ fundraising campaigns for under-privileged kids. But he didn’t want that to be a bone of contention between them, so he let it go for the moment. He knew he couldn’t sweep it under the rug forever. He wanted to be a dad someday, and he couldn’t imagine anyone else as the mother of his children. Maybe he was being naïve, but he believed she would eventually get burned out and decide to slow down. He had to hope that when she did, the idea of getting married and having a baby would appeal to her more. The alternative was unthinkable.

  He was waiting for Sabrina at her place, watching her big screen TV with a cold beer in his hand. She’d spent the last four days in Florida, negotiating a contract for a baseball player who’d pitched a no-hitter and led his team to a sweep in the World Series. She hadn’t thought it would take long, but she’d called a couple of days ago to tell him she’d run into a snag and her trip had been delayed.

  She’d sounded distant, but he assumed she was just tired. He’d grilled a couple steaks an hour ago, assuming she would have forgotten to eat. When Sabrina was working, she had tunnel vision, often forgetting to eat and sleep. Another reason he felt compelled to take care of her—she routinely forgot to take care of herself. Of course, he loved doing it because it just reinforced the fact that she needed him more than she’d ever admit.

  When he heard her car pull into the garage, it was after ten, and he knew she’d be dead on her feet. He met her in the back hallway to grab her luggage, but what he saw stopped him in his tracks. “Baby, what happened? You look…” He wanted to say wrecked, but held his tongue.

  Her cream dress pants and matching silk blouse looked as though she’d slept in them, her eyes were rimmed with red, she wasn’t wearing a lick of makeup, and her hair was fastened in a messy ponytail. “I look like shit, I know.” She stiffened in his arms and pushed him away. “I don’t want you to get too close. Airport germs.”