“The snack you made me,” he said. “Other than that...at my mother’s house.” He sat back, his gaze searching hers with a fiery intensity. He shook his head—jaw locked and nostrils flared.
“Done?” she asked, her pulse picking up.
But he didn’t say anything. Instead his gaze stayed fixed on hers, turning her insides molten. She pressed her legs together, the throb undeniable. His eyes blazed with want. For her. Now.
“Patton—” she blew out a long, slow breath. It wasn’t just sex anymore. It wasn’t falling into a hotel room or hooking up in a limo and watching him drive away. It was him, here—invading her personal space and making her vulnerable.
Yes, she wanted him like crazy. But she loved him. Knowing that made her consider the aftereffects of another night in his arms. She didn’t know what to expect—or hope for. If she was smart, she’d help him get his things together, wave him off and lock the door behind him. She should be strong and guard her heart... Instead she stood in front of him. “Stay,” she murmured, the word so thick it was barely decipherable.
He sat forward, his hands clasping her hips and pulling her between his legs. He pressed his face against her stomach as his hands slid up the back of her thighs. Her fingers ran through his thick black hair, holding him to her.
“I won’t pretend I don’t want you, Cady,” his voice was thick, “but things are getting...out of hand.”
He had no idea... Did he?
Her fingers tightened in his hair, pulling his head back. She stooped, pressing her lips to his and leaning into him. His hands gripped the hem of her dress, tugging it up and over her head. She tossed it aside and unhooked her bra, letting it drop.
He groaned, realizing she wore no panties. His eyes flashed when they met hers. His hands tugged her closer, cupping one breast and drawing it to his mouth.
She arched into his touch, loving the stroke of his tongue on her skin. The brush of his breath on her nipple made her quiver. When he sucked her nipple deep into his mouth, Cady moaned. It didn’t take much to make her crazy, to have her aching for all of him. It was...Patton. Just Patton
. She gave in, letting sensation take over. She fumbled with his pants, tugging him free before he pulled her onto him. She straddled him, taking him deep—loving the feel of him, the pressure. He was in no hurry. His hold on her set a slow and steady pace and drove her mad with his leisurely rhythm.
“Cady.” The word was a broken whisper.
She opened her eyes, gasping for breath.
He kissed her, softly. His hands brushed her hair back from her face, but his eyes never left hers. He cradled her face, his gaze holding hers—searching hers—as he moved into her.
It was too intense, too...much. She wanted to look away, to sever the connection between them. But she couldn’t. Something in his gaze held her captive. Her body responded instantly, shaking with the force of her release. She cried out, her hands gripping his shoulders through the fabric of his dress shirt.
He kissed her then, wrapping one arm around her waist and holding her to him. His whole body stiffened as he held her tightly in place. She felt the power of his release, the clenching of his muscles, as he muffled his groan against her neck.
When his hold eased, she sat back. “You must be ready for bed.”
His gaze was wary. “Want me to go?”
She frowned, not wanting him to go. “You can.” She swallowed, so nervous she could barely say, “Or you can stay...tonight.”
She hadn’t expected him to look like that, to smile like that. But it was a thing of beauty.
* * *
“SCRAMBLED, FRIED—what’s your pleasure?” Patton asked, sliding a cup of coffee to Cady.
Her hair was mussed, and she wore an oversize T-shirt with the picture of some band he’d never heard of on the front. “Oh, God, are you a morning person?” she asked, accepting the coffee with a sleepy grin.
He shrugged. Not normally, but this morning he was. This morning he’d woken up feeling pretty damn good. Maybe it was because he’d needed the sleep. Or maybe it was because he’d woken up to Cady’s head on his chest, her hand resting on his side. He’d lain there for almost an hour, dozing, enjoying the way she fit against him.
“What time is it?” she asked, wiping her eyes and yawning. She was adorable.
“Nine.” He grinned.
Her eyes popped open. “But, we’re supposed to meet them in thirty minutes,” she hurried back down the hallway, carrying her coffee.
“No breakfast?” he called after her, cracking two eggs into a frying pan.
“Surprise me,” she called back. “Thanks for the coffee.”