“A year?” It was inconceivable. Dax had a crazy sex drive. He would be on her at least twice a day. He was always trying to get inside her.

  “Yes. After we split up, I only slept with one woman and only a handful of times.”

  “Courtney.” It was easier to say her name now. They would never be friends again, but some of the toxic feelings had faded. That was a relief, because there had been pain on all sides.

  “Yes.”

  “You didn’t cheat on her?”

  “No. I was cheating on you. That’s the hard truth. I know that’s my true sin.”

  She forgave him, finally and fully. “Don’t do it again.”

  His eyes were solemn as he lowered his head. “Never. I’m yours. Everything I am and everything I have is all for you.”

  She bridged the slight distance between them, rising up on her toes to press her mouth to his. Passion flared, hot and quick. But it had always been that way between them. All she had to do was think about him and her body softened for him.

  She kissed him, covering his mouth and tangling her tongue with his. He granted entry, pulling her against the hard length of his body. He was so warm, her man. It was right this time and she intended to stay with him for the rest of her life.

  Their tongues played, gliding along each other in a silky slide. Her hands explored the strong muscles of his back. She let them slide down to his backside and cupped him, rubbing her body against his. His cock reacted, twitching between them.

  “You’re going to kill me tonight, aren’t you?” Dax smiled as he kissed her nose and cheeks.

  “I’m going to take what’s mine.” He was her man and she would have him any way she wanted him.

  They would always have this push and pull. Giving and taking. When he needed control, she would yield to him, but on nights like this, she would take him and show him what it meant to be her man.

  He shuddered. “I’m yours. You should definitely claim me. Otherwise, I’m going to be very lonely. I’ll sit outside your door just wearing nothing. It could cause a scandal.”

  She couldn’t have that. “Get on the bed, Captain.”

  He stepped back, giving her a spectacular view of his sculpted chest, not to mention that monster cock that stood at attention. “Your wish, my command.”

  His stare never wavered as he spread his big body across the mattress. All that delicious, gorgeous man was laid out for her delectation.

  This was the rest of her life. All she had to do was say yes and they could love and live and play together. They could have a family. They could have a whole life of adventure.

  She watched him as she unbuttoned her blouse and let it fall to the side. “I love you, Dax. It’s always been you. I was afraid. I still am, but I’m not going to walk away this time.”

  “You’ve got nothing to be afraid of.” He held out a hand as she slipped out of her shoes and slid her slacks to the floor. “I’m going to spend the rest of my life making sure you’re safe and happy. It’s all I want.”

  “All?” She had to ask because one specific part of him looked as if he wanted more.

  “Semantics,” he replied. “Love and happiness is what I want to share with you. And that gorgeous body on top of mine? Yes, I want that from you, too. God, you’re beautiful.”

  Somehow he made her feel that way. She glanced at him, at everything he had to offer her. She shook her head. He was the beautiful one. She ran her hand over his chest, soft silky skin covering his rock-hard muscles. Down to his rigid abs and past that part of him that seemed so determined. She would get to that, but first, she intended to explore.

  He groaned as her hand moved down his thigh. “You’re going to kill me.”

  Only with pleasure. It would be a good way to go. “I’m just exploring.”

  “Take off that bra, Holland. Please.”

  She liked to hear him beg. She supposed since he was being so patient, she could give him that. She climbed on the bed between his spread legs and got to her knees. She would never call herself a sensual woman. She didn’t tease her lovers, but it was different with Dax. His stare fused to her chest, waiting for the moment she revealed herself to him. She found herself moving slowly, deliberately drawing the moment out. She twisted the front clasp of her bra, but held it for a moment, locking gazes with him. She eased the cups almost to her nipples, enjoying how still he’d become, how intent.

  She eased the bra off. Then his hands covered her, palming her. Cool air was replaced with the warmth of his callused hands moving on her.

  “I’ll never want to stop touching you,” he said, his thumbs moving over her nipples.

  Her skin flared to life, nipples becoming hard pebbles under his hands. Her blood started to thrum through her in a pleasant pulse. After all the stress of the day, this was what she’d needed—to be alone with him, intimate with him. She needed to lock the world out and be the Holland she was only with him.

  “Let me touch you, Dax. Let me taste you.” She eased back, her skin crying at the loss of his touch, but she wanted a deeper connection. She moved between his legs, lowering herself down so she had access to his cock.

  It pulsed under her lips as she gently covered it in kisses and little licks. She loved running her tongue over the spot where the head sloped down to his thick stalk. She definitely loved lapping up the head.

  His body shuddered under her, but he let her have her way. He raised his hand and tangled it in her hair. “Please put your mouth on me.”

  She had to admit, she liked torturing him. She pressed a peck on his flesh. “It is on you.”

  He laughed, though she heard a frustrated hiss behind it. “Suck me. Please suck my cock, Holland. I’ll die if you don’t.”

  She couldn’t have that. She gently eased the head of his cock into her mouth, sucking lightly and enjoying the way he tasted, salty and sweet and masculine as hell.

  Dax groaned as she began to take him deeper. She ran her tongue over his velvety flesh, drawing him into her mouth. He was so big, but she could handle him. One hand cupped his heavy testicles, rolling them and making him squirm and beg for more.

  She took her time, making the moment last. Dragging her tongue over and around, she didn’t want to miss an inch. She worked him inside, opening herself bit by bit as he murmured to her. He told her how much he loved her, how happy he was, how she would someday agree to marry him.

  She had news for him. Someday was sooner than he would think.

  “I don’t want to come in your mouth, Holland.” His hand tugged on her hair. “You keep doing what you’re doing and I’ll take over.”

  There was only so much he could take before he gave into his alpha-male instincts. She would try to remember that because she wanted to be on top this time. She gave him one last lick before she sat up. When she started to tug at her undies, he stopped her.

  “Let me help.” He reached for the sides of her lacy panties and ripped them apart before tossing them off the bed. “See. That was easy.”

  He was hell on her lingerie, but she had to admit, it made what she was about to do so much easier.

  She straddled him, sliding her aching folds over his cock. She was so wet she didn’t need any more play. She just wanted Dax inside her, connected to her. The day without him had been too long. She needed the reminder of where she belonged. With him. Always with him.

  He gripped her hips and began guiding her down. As he filled her, she leaned in and kissed him. Their bodies entwined and she moved with him.

  Together, they found a rhythm. She took him deep. His hands moved over her body, taking and giving. His hips thrust up, sending him deeper and deeper, and they got lost in their connection. She rode his cock, their eyes locked. He’d told her he loved her, couldn’t want anyone else, and finally she was able to give the words back to him.

  When his finger found her clitoris and pressed down, she rode that wild wave of pleasure only he could give her. She felt him stiffen under her, the hot wash of his own pleasure sending her spiraling again.

  Finally she sank onto his body, curling herself around him. As the blood pounded through her she knew she would never leave him again.

  “I think I’m ready for that ring now.”

  Dax jerked up on his elbow, staring down at her, gaze searching. “Are you serious? Be sure, Holland, because this is forever.”

  “I’m sure. But we are not going to Vegas.” She wouldn’t be swayed on that.

  He reached over and grabbed the box. He had that ring on her finger before she could take another breath. “No Vegas. I love you. We can go anywhere you like.”

  She had a plan. “I’ve heard there’s a lovely rose garden here.”

  It would be the perfect place to start their lives together.

  TWENTY-ONE

  Roman adjusted his chair, scanning the area for one of his aides. Air Force Two was brimming with White House staff on their way to London. They would set up everything for the president, who would come on his own in about a week.

  He glanced out the window as they jetted farther and farther from D.C.

  “You want a drink?” Connor asked, sliding into the seat across from him.

  “I probably had enough at the wedding,” he admitted.

  Earlier in the afternoon, Dax and Holland had said their vows in the Rose Garden, a small ceremony capped off with a party thrown by the president. About fifty people had attended, but naturally Roman only had eyes for one.

  Augustine Spencer had been Holland’s maid of honor. The bride hadn’t stuffed her lone attendant in some nasty pastel gown. Oh no. Not Augustine Spencer. She’d worn an emerald green sheath that hugged her every curve and a plunging neckline that caught the eye of every man in the room.

  She was the sexiest thing alive and she knew it.

  “You know we could have waited until tomorrow,” Connor said. “I was surprised you decided to head out tonight.”

  If he hadn’t, he would have been forced to deal with Gus, who thought she belonged on this trip. He’d explained that she could come out with Liz and Zack next week. He’d sprung it on her when she’d been too tied up to work her magic.

  For once, he’d managed to put one over on her.

  “Yes, well, if I’d waited we wouldn’t be alone. Gus would be here and then we would have to deal with her sticking her nose in our business.”

  A smile curled up Connor’s lips. “So this was your way of sneaking out on your work wife?”

  Maybe he would have another drink after all. “I wouldn’t put it like that.”

  He didn’t put the words “wife” and “Gus” in the same sentence—ever. When he finally married, it wouldn’t be to a mouthy, brazen sex bomb. Gus tied his stomach in knots. Gus made him crazy.

  No, he’d choose someone who calmed and soothed him. Like Joy. Though she’d been Zack’s, Joy was exactly what Roman sought in a wife. Faithful, kind, even-tempered, demure. If she’d lived, Joy would have been a wonderful mother. She would have given Zack a serene home to return to every night.

  That was what Roman craved. Simple, blessed peace. He’d seen too much so-called passion from his parents. His childhood had been marked by their fights and their constant making up and breaking up. The upheavals had been chaos, and he refused to go through it again.

  It was precisely why he’d broken it off with her back in college. He’d known it couldn’t work. So why couldn’t he get his mind off Gus even decades later? Why had he watched her dancing with another man and wanted to rip her out of the asshole’s arms?

  She turned him into a caveman and he wouldn’t have it. He was doing the right thing in leaving Gus behind, and when he returned from this trip, maybe he’d put some real distance between them once and for all.

  Because working with her every day and not touching her was slowly driving him mad.

  “Have we found the mysterious Sergei? Do we have any idea how he’s connected to Boris?” He needed to focus on something else, like the mysterious man coming after Zack.

  Finally, they had a name and a trail. So he and some of the others were heading to England to investigate Constance Hayes’s death. Maybe they’d finally uncover the secrets she’d been hiding and who killed her for them.

  “I’ve got a PI in Russia running them both down for me. Do you really think Sergei could be Zack’s half brother?” Connor asked.

  It was the only explanation that made sense, given what they knew. “If they’re coming after Zack to blackmail him, it’s a good play. He’s going into another election. Our enemies would never let anyone forget that the president is related to a Russian mobster. Let me know the minute you find out anything about that man.”

  “You got it.” Connor nodded.

  “What man?” a familiar voice asked. “Are we plotting? The great Roman Calder loves a good plot.”

  Roman froze, then cursed under his breath.

  Gus slid into the seat beside him and crossed those long legs of hers that made him think of sin. She’d changed into a skirt and silky blouse that couldn’t quite hide the fact that she was cold. Her nipples were nearly visible.

  Just like that his cock hardened.

  Connor sent him a shit-eating grin. “I should have mentioned that we had a last-minute addition.”

  “Lucky for you, I pack fast, Calder.” She sat back, her lips curling up like a cat who’d stolen the cream.

  “I will have that drink after all, Connor.” It looked like he was going to need it.

  Roman, Augustine, and all the Perfect Gentlemen will return in

  SMOKE AND SIN

  And if you can’t wait for more perfectly seductive romance don’t miss . . .

  SHAYLA BLACK’S

  FALLING IN DEEPER

  A Wicked Lovers Novel coming July 2016 from Berkley!

  AND

  LEXI BLAKE’S

  RUTHLESS

  A Lawless Novel coming August 2016 from Berkley!

  Shayla Black is the New York Times bestselling author of nearly fifty books, including the Wicked Lovers novels (Wicked for You, His to Take, Theirs to Cherish, Ours to Love, and many more). She lives in Texas with her family.

  Lexi Blake is the New York Times bestselling author of the Masters and Mercenaries series, including You Only Love Twice, Cherished, and A View to a Thrill. She lives in North Texas with her family.

  Looking for more?

  Visit Penguin.com for more about this author and a complete list of their books.

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