Colt munched his sandwich in silence for a few minutes and then he casually asked, “So, where did you go this weekend?”

  Elise raised her hand in the air at his question to indicate she wanted to finish chewing before she spoke.

  “I went home.”

  “To Virginia?”

  “Yeah, I wanted to get some more of my stuff from storage.”

  That sounded promising. He wondered if she was serious about staying.

  “What does your family think about you moving so far from home?” he asked in a conversational tone.

  Elise looked away as she answered, “Let’s just say, they aren’t thrilled.” She shrugged. “But they’ll just have to get used to it. It’s my life. Plus, Aunt Marie is here. Well, she’ll be here in a few weeks once she gets back from vacation.”

  Colt continued to eat, wondering about the conflict with her family. When he finished his sandwich, Elise was chewing her last bite. She picked up her napkin and dabbed at her lips.

  He had to touch her. Her alluring floral scent had already reached out and wrapped around him, drawing him in. Colt ran a finger along the edge of her lips, rubbing off a bit of mustard that had collected in the corner of her mouth.

  “Missed a spot,” he said. He knew his voice sounded gruff. He didn’t care as he put his finger in his mouth and sucked the mustard off. When her pupils began to dilate, he knew she was turned on. Good. That’s just the way he wanted her. He gave her a devilish grin and started to put his hands around her waist.

  Before he could reach for her, Elise jumped off his desk and quickly began collecting the bag and leftover wrappers.

  “What are you doing?” he said, frustration evident in his voice.

  Elise looked up from her task. “I’m cleaning up, silly. What does it look like I am doing?” She walked around the desk toward the door of his office.

  “Elise!” He was losing patience fast.

  She turned her head as she neared the door and gave him a saucy grin. “Hold your horses, Colt. I’ll be right back.”

  Colt waited. Impatiently. A couple of minutes passed and he deemed she’d been gone longer than necessary to dispose of the trash in the kitchen. He was about to go get her when she appeared in the doorway again and shut the door behind her.

  He studied the natural sway of her hips as she walked back to his desk. He felt the blood pumping in his body and his heart rate kicked up several notches as she approached. She settled herself on his desk, this time right in front of him. Her pink tongue darted out, wetting her lips as she cast him a saucy, come-hither look.

  He didn’t have to be asked twice. Rolling his chair closer, he reached for her slim hips. His heart jerked in alarm when she planted her booted foot a little too close for comfort on the chair in between his legs, stopping the chair from moving forward.

  “Not so fast, Cowboy.”

  Colt jerked his gaze to her face. What kind of game was she playing? Before he could form the words, with a swift push of her foot, she shoved his chair until the back of it slammed against the credenza behind him.

  “We haven’t finished lunch yet,” she said as a small smile formed on her lips.

  “Elise, I’m done eating.” His patience with this woman’s teasing ways hung by a thin thread.

  She hopped off the desk and put out her hand. “No. I’m ready for dessert. How about you?”

  She held one of those small paper containers that usually held ketchup at fast-food restaurants. As she waved it under his nose, his sense of smell kicked in. Mmmm, chocolate syrup. She must have warmed it in the microwave because its rich scent clung to his nostrils as she moved it back and forth in a teasing manner.

  He smiled as he put his hands around her waist and started to pull her shirt out of her jeans.

  “Uh-uh.” She stepped back and set the container on his desk. Turning, she began to unbutton his jeans with nimble fingers. “This is about you, not me. I’ve been told you’ve been quite ornery lately and we can’t have that, now can we?”

  Colt’s heart jerked into hyperdrive. He held his breath while she finished unbuttoning his pants and let out a deep groan when she put her hand on him through his boxers.

  “I love a man in boxers,” she murmured.

  And just how many men had she done this to? he wondered. No, he didn’t want to know. Colt just gave into feeling. She stroked him through his underwear, her hand moving down the full length of him. She shifted gleaming eyes to his half-closed ones, a smile on her face.

  “My, my, I think your name should’ve been Stallion instead of Colt,” she said, her voice full of amused appreciation.

  He chuckled at her “hung like a horse” reference. But his amusement quickly turned into a groan of anticipation when she found the opening to his boxers and slipped his hard cock through it.

  The feel of her hand on his exposed flesh lit him on fire. He reached over and pulled the clip out of her hair, sending the weight of her glossy black hair rolling down her back. Sliding his hand into the thick mass, he rubbed the dark tresses before gripping a handful. He didn’t have to wonder anymore. It did feel as soft as it looked.

  “You sure know how to seduce a man,” he groaned as she slid her hand up and down his arousal.

  She looked up at him and gave him a wink and a knowing grin. “You ain’t seen nothing yet, darlin’.” Retrieving the container from the desk, she tipped it over him and warm chocolate drizzled down his sensitized flesh. Colt rocked his hips forward at the sensation of warmth rolling down his cock.

  She gave a throaty chuckle. “Now close your eyes and just experience,” she said before her mouth descended on him.

  The feel of her wet, hot mouth sliding around him just about sent Colt over the edge. He had to measure his breathing to keep from losing it as soon as her mouth touched his skin. She must have sensed it too, for she said in a husky voice, “See how long you can hold out. I promise it’ll be worth the wait.”

  Colt ground his teeth at the feeling of her delicious tongue sliding up and down and around him. He could feel the pressure building, his lower belly tensing. “Elise,” he said in a tight voice as he crushed her hair in his fist, his heart ramming in his chest.

  Pulling her mouth off of him, she teased, “Not yet.”

  Colt opened his eyes and look down at her, not sure if he wanted her to tease him more or not.

  “Let me know when you’re almost there, okay?”

  He nodded and gave her a brief smile before closing his eyes again. She moved her mouth back to surround him and the sensation of warmth washed over him once again. Sensing the welcome tightening deep in his groin, Colt knew he couldn’t hold back much longer. “Elise,” he warned, expecting her to pull away.

  And she did for a brief second, then he felt a sudden rush of coolness bathing him along with her warm mouth. The drastic change in temperature was all he could take. His body shuddered with a mind-blowing climax as he thrust his hips against her again and again. Elise kept her mouth moving over him until he was completely spent.

  As she pulled away, he opened his eyes and started to say, “How did you…?” when he saw her sitting back on her heels. A Cheshire grin lit up her face as she stuck her soda straw in her mouth and sucked seductively on it.

  “Gotta love a cold drink,” she said with a wink.

  Colt grinned at her and just shook his head. What a woman.

  With a pleased look on her face, she stood up, set down her cup and moved in between his legs. “Feeling better, Cowboy?”

  Colt put his hands on her waist and pulled her onto his lap. “I won’t feel better until I am buried in you. I want to hear your screams as I rock your world.” He watched the desire flicker in her eyes and knew they would be good together. Colt cupped her head and pulled her to him, giving her a thorough kiss.

  Elise lifted her head and arched an eyebrow. “Such promising words, Cowboy. The question is…can you deliver?”

  He was about to answer her when he heard Mace’s voice, as he entered the main office door. He gave Elise a heated look as she stood and he fixed his pants.

  Once he was dressed, Elise walked over to the door. Before she opened it, she turned and blew him a kiss. “Here’s to open-ended promises, darlin’.” She opened the door and left the room.

  Elise walked back to her office feeling very happy. She liked Colt. Liked the way he made her feel. And she wanted him. So much so she did things with him she had never done with another man. It just felt so right with him…so natural to be less inhibited and more…wild. She smiled as she sat in her chair and moved her mouse to get rid of the screen saver. And she had made his day. Boy, had she made his day!

  She chuckled to herself at the look of surprise on his face at her aggressive behavior. She really didn’t know where it was coming from. Normally, she didn’t act like this. Colt must just draw the bad girl out of her. She liked it, liked the power of it. Lost in thought, she looked up to see Mace standing in her doorway for the second time that day.

  “I don’t know what kind of magic you worked on my brother, but keep it up.” He grinned. “I just might get a raise, yet.”

  Elise feigned a puzzled expression. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Even though she was secretly pleased she could bring about such a swift change in Colt’s mood, she didn’t need or want to broadcast their relation…er, whatever it was, just yet.

  Mace laughed. “Yeah, right.” He continued to stand there as if waiting for her to respond.

  Elise stared him down, waiting for him to get bored and leave. With a shrug and a wide grin, Mace turned to walk away. He swiftly glanced back and said, “I like your hair down.” An innocent expression crossed his face as he continued, “Is that the way you wore it this morning?”

  Elise involuntarily put her hand to her hair. She had forgotten about her clip Colt had removed in his office. Her cheeks grew hot as Mace walked away, a deep, knowing chuckle following in his wake.

  * * * * *

  Colt stared at the clock on his desk. Man, it felt like an eternity until six. He lost count of the number of times he stopped working and glanced at his watch, willing it to move faster. He hadn’t seen Elise since lunch. Earlier, he heard her talking on the phone, heard her sexy laugh and he instantly hardened. This was the longest damn day in his life. His body reacted as if Elise hadn’t satisfied him just a few hours ago. If anything, her knowing touch only managed to make him want her more.

  Another long hour passed.

  Colt said goodbye to Mabel as she waved goodnight. On his way out, Mace leaned in his doorway. “Have a good evening, bro, ya hear?” His brother winked at him and laughed heartily as he turned and walked out the main door.

  His heart already pounding faster, Colt forced himself to wait until Mace turned toward the main house and Mabel’s car disappeared down the long driveway.

  He pushed his chair back, picked up his hat and set it on his head as he made his way back to Elise’s office.

  A grin rode up on his face as he pushed open her partially closed door. He was surprised to find Elise, her head cradled in her arms on her desk, fast asleep. Colt felt the disappointment course through his body, but it was quickly replaced with concern as he stared down at her, watching her sleep.

  He walked over and scooped her up from the chair into his arms. “Come on, sweetheart, time to go home.”

  “Wha…?” She looked up at him, dazed and confused. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she mumbled into his neck, “I’m sorry…must’ve fallen asleep…that’ll teach me to take the red-eye back.” When Colt moved to walk out of her office, she quickly lifted her head. “My keys.” Colt turned back and she swiped her purse and keys off the desk.

  After he set her down next to his truck, Elise looked around. “My car’s over there.”

  Colt put a finger on her jaw and turned her face toward his. “You’re too tired to drive yourself home. I’ll drive you.”

  She stared into his eyes for a long moment and then sighed. “I guess you’re right.”

  He opened the door for her and she slid into the seat. Once she’d buckled her seatbelt, he walked around to his side of the truck. Climbing in, he put his hat on the seat and started the engine. As his truck rumbled down the gravel drive, he saw Elise’s eyes begin to close once more.

  Colt pulled into the parking lot in front of Elise’s apartment and she lifted her head when the car stopped. “Are we here already?”

  He chuckled and got out of the truck. Opening her door for her, he leaned over and grabbed her keys from the seat. When she stumbled as she stepped down from the truck, Colt lifted her in his arms once again.

  “Colt! I’m fine to walk myself,” Elise complained.

  “I like holding you close, Lise,” Colt said as he nuzzled his face into her neck, inhaling her scent and wishing for more.

  Elise sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck as he walked up the stairs to her apartment. Without setting her down, he unlocked her door and walked inside. Kicking the door closed behind him, he asked, “Which way to your bedroom?”

  Elise pointed and he followed her direction. As Colt walked toward her bedroom, he vaguely noticed an overstuffed cream-colored sofa and chair with a rattan frame and a matching round side chair. Several boxes were still sitting around, waiting to be unpacked.

  He laid Elise on her bed and started to move away.

  “Where are you going, Cowboy?” she said in a sultry voice, her green eyes gazing up at him with sexy promises.

  His jaw tightened. He fought the wave of desire coursing through his body at her suggestive question, the thought of her warm body pressed against his for hours.

  Colt planted a brief kiss on her forehead. “You need to sleep, Elise.” He moved to untangle her arms she’d wrapped around his neck.

  “You can’t leave me now.” She tightened her hold and pressed closer to him.

  How did she manage to sound incredulous and alluring all at once?

  Colt tamped down the hunger raging throughout his body. He looked directly into her eyes. “Elise, darlin’, the last thing I want to do is leave your delectable body alone right now. There’s nothing more I would like to do than bury myself so deep in you that neither of us would be able to tell where one left off and the other began.” He heard her intake of breath at his lascivious words, saw her pulse racing at her throat and his body throbbed.

  Running his hand down her side and across her breast, he never relinquished her gaze. “I want to see every inch of your beautiful body, to know that my touch makes it hum.” He skimmed his fingers over her stomach and lower where he cupped her sex possessively through her jeans. Her heat radiated through the fabric and he felt his own body grow instantly hard at its fiery promise. She arched her back at his touch, moaning softly.

  God, she was so responsive.

  He removed his hand before all his good intentions slipped away in a haze of lust-filled passion. “I want you. But I want you rested and ready, not tired and half asleep.”

  Elise sat up on her elbows and he instinctively dipped his head toward hers. She closed the small distance between them and drew his bottom lip in her mouth. After she’d sucked on it, she let his lip slide through her lips as she laid her head back on her pillow.

  “You’ll pay for this,” she said with a disappointed sigh.

  Colt chuckled at her petulant behavior. “Is that a fact?”

  Elise bit her full lower lip and then ran her tongue slowly along it. She nodded. “Yes, it is.”

  He arched an eyebrow. “Well, then, I’d better make the payback worth my while.” Lowering his head, he ran his tongue along her lower lip where she had just moistened her mouth.

  Elise opened her mouth to speak and he took advantage, sliding his tongue into her mouth, intending to plunder her senseless. Elise kissed him back and began to suck on his tongue the same way she had sucked on his cock earlier. Her seductive act sent a jolt of raging lust slamming into his groin.

  Colt jerked away, breathing hard. He stood, straightening beside the bed. “Good night, Elise. Sleep well.” Turning on his heel, he walked out of her apartment as fast as his boots would take him. As he closed her apartment door and used her keys to lock it, he heard her throaty laughter floating from her bedroom. His body reacted, winding even tighter.

  Damn the woman and her talented mouth. Now, he’d be the one dragging tomorrow. Fuckin’ hell, he knew he wouldn’t get a lick of sleep tonight.

  * * * * *

  The next morning, Elise awoke to the aroma of fresh roasted coffee. It smelled strong, as if it were right under her nose. She inhaled again, drinking in the inviting scent and actually felt the heat against her skin. Her eyes flew open to see Colt sitting on her bed with a hot cup of coffee from the local coffee shop down the street in his hand. He pulled it away from her nose and took a sip.

  “Morning, Princess. Sleep well?” His eyes crinkled in the corners as he smiled at some hidden humor.

  Elise harrumphed and rolled away from him, pulling the covers over her head. “What time is it?” she mumbled. She vaguely noticed the sun had barely begun to rise outside.

  “Time to rise and shine, sunshine,” he said in a voice way too awake for her. “I brought you coffee.”

  “Go away and come back in two hours,” she said ungraciously. The truth was she didn’t feel very gracious toward Colt. He’d left her wanting.

  Again.

  All she did last night was dream about his handsome face. His hands touching her. Everywhere. She tossed and turned and slept fitfully for the first hour until the lack of sleep from the night before finally caught up with her. She slept like a rock the rest of the night. But she still felt like she could use a couple more hours.

  She drew in her breath when Colt’s large hand landed hard on her backside.

  “Get up, Elise. If you want to get to the office before Mace and Mabel do, get a move on. Else, they’ll wonder why your car is there and you aren’t yet.”