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  “You made them.”

  “You made them as well. We’re even.”

  “More than even, Julie. We’re good.”

  With that, he lowered his head and lightly brushed her mouth with his. The kiss was unexpected but delicious. Her stomach clenched and her breasts began to ache. He moved back and forth, but didn’t deepen the kiss.

  Public place, she told herself. He didn’t want to embarrass her. She should appreciate that. And she would…in time.

  He straightened, then cleared his throat. “We should probably go back and order dinner. You know, be responsible.”

  For a heartbeat, she almost asked about the alternative. What would happen if they kept dancing and touching and kissing? Except she kind of had a feeling she knew the answer to the question.

  Too much, too soon, she told herself as they stepped apart. She hadn’t been doing the dating thing for a long time—taking it slow made a lot of sense. But the man did tempt her.

  He kept her hand in his as they walked back to their table.

  “You never told me why you’re here,” he said when they were seated. “I told you Aunt Ruth asked me to come. What’s your excuse?”

  He didn’t know? Seriously? Oh, my. This could be good.

  “My mother and her mother have been estranged for years. Ruth popped back into our lives a couple of months ago. My sisters and I had never met her before. Mom hadn’t even mentioned her. Last week, at dinner, Ruth said she had a great nephew and suggested one of us go out with you.”

  “Interesting.”

  “More than interesting. She offered us…it’s not important.”

  “Of course it is.”

  “You’ll be insulted.”

  “I can handle the truth,” he teased. “What did she offer?”

  “Money.”

  He stared at her. “She’s paying you to date me?”

  “Oh, no. The dates are free. Now if I marry you, I get cash. A million dollars. Each. For me, my sisters and my mom. Pretty cool, huh.”

  A muscle in his jaw twitched, but otherwise, he didn’t show any emotion. She couldn’t begin to imagine what he was thinking.

  “We were all surprised,” Julie said. “We couldn’t figure out what could possibly be so wrong with you that your aunt had to offer that kind of money to get someone to marry you.”

  “Wrong? With me?”

  “Sure.”

  She was enjoying herself, but trying really hard to keep him from knowing.

  “We decided that one of us would go on a date and figure out how truly awful you were,” she continued. “We played Rock, Paper, Scissors to determine the most likely candidate.”

  He actually flinched at that. “Rock, Paper…” He cleared his throat. “So you won.”

  She allowed herself to smile. “Oh, no, Todd. I lost.”

  Two

  The waiter arrived to take their order. Julie placed hers, then waited while Todd did the same. He barely glanced at the menu, instead keeping his gaze fixed on her.

  “You lost?” he asked, his voice slightly strangled. “As in, you didn’t win?”

  She allowed herself a small smile. “Uh-huh. You know how it goes. The loser has to do the icky thing. That would be this date with you. Total ick.”

  “You lost?”

  He seemed unable to comprehend the fact that the three of them hadn’t been dying to be his lady for the night. Ah, the foolishness of men.

  “If it makes you feel any better,” she said before taking a sip of her drink. “I’m glad I lost.”

  “I can’t tell you how that confession moves me.”

  “You shouldn’t take it so hard. Look at the situation from our perspective. Your own great-aunt, who has known you all your life, is willing to pay a woman to marry you. We figured at the very least you had a hump on your back and maybe some odd disease that left you twisted and bumpy. Like the Elephant Man.”

  He nearly choked on his drink. “You thought I was the Elephant Man?”

  “It was a consideration. And yet I showed up anyway.”

  “You lost and I’m a mercy date. Great. I can’t believe Ruth offered you a million dollars.”

  She thought that was odd, too, but hey, everyone had strange relatives. “Not for the date. Remember? The date is free. I have a really simple solution to the problem—don’t propose.”

  He grinned. “Oh, sure. Easy for you to say, but now I don’t have any entertainment for the dessert course.”

  As she laughed, she admitted to herself that he was nothing like she’d imagined. Anyone with a number after his name had to be stuffy and he wasn’t. She liked him—a lot.

  “You should have gotten something for the date,” he told her. “Fifty thousand, at least.”

  “You know, I didn’t even think of that. But if Grandmother Ruth mentions it again, I get a check.”

  He gazed into her eyes. “I’m glad you lost, too.”

  “Thank you. Although my losing wasn’t hard to predict. I’m kind of a sucker for scissor and my sisters know. So someone is always playing the rock.”

  “Interesting way to determine your destiny.”

  She raised her eyebrows. “Destiny? Are you implying you’re mine?”

  She expected him to squirm, but he shrugged. “Neither of us thought things would go this well. Maybe fate had a hand in tonight.”

  She groaned. “No talk of fate or the universe, I beg you. My sister Willow is constantly explaining how each of us has a destiny we can’t escape. She’s very sweet and I love her to death, but sometimes I want to choke her. Plus, if you could see the things she eats…sprouts and tofu and slimy drinks.” Julie shuddered.

  He nodded sympathetically. “Vegetarian?”

  “Most of the time. Although she has an entire list of foods that don’t count as meat. Like hamburgers at a picnic or hot dogs at a Dodger game.”

  “Interesting.”

  “She’s great. Marina is, too. She’s the baby of the family. Just think, you could have been out with either of them.”

  “I’m happy with the sister I have.”

  “But you don’t have me.” Although he certainly could, she thought wistfully, remembering how she’d felt his in arms.

  “Give me time.”

  Julie glanced in her rearview mirror for the hundredth time in the past seven minutes. Dinner had been fabulous. She couldn’t remember a thing about the food, although she was confident that had been great. It was the conversation she remembered. The sexy banter, the laughter—the connection.

  She couldn’t remember the last time a man had pulled her in so completely. One minute she’d been dreading the evening and the next she’d wanted to stop time so it would never end.

  Todd was amazing. Funny and smart and he got her humor, which didn’t always happen. And the physical chemistry…he could make her melt just by looking at her.

  All of which was really nice, but was she prepared to take things where they were obviously headed? His offer to follow her home to make sure she arrived safely was a very thin disguise for what he was really offering—naked Todd in her bed.

  The question wasn’t if she wanted that—she did with a desperation that left her hungry and restless. It wasn’t about wanting, it was about being sensible. She hadn’t had a man in her life since Garrett. Not that she was going to think about that lying bastard right now. The point was, she hadn’t been playing the dating game for a long time. She was out of practice. Sure, tonight had gone well, but did that mean she should celebrate by inviting Todd in and having her way with him?

  She still hadn’t decided when they arrived at her place. She pulled in front of the single-car garage and climbed out of her car. The night was still and clear, not too cold because even though it was fall, it was still Los Angeles where real weather need not apply.

  Nerves tingled and danced throughout her body. Every cell from her ears down begged her to take the very handsome and capable man up on his yet-to-be-made offer. Her sk
in ached to be touched and her feminine bits could use with a good ravishing. But her brain warned her to be careful. Sure, Todd was all things charming, but what did she really know about him? Besides, sex on the first date was so tacky.

  He parked on the street and climbed out, then glanced around.

  “Not what I expected,” he said quietly as he approached. “I thought you’d live in something new and shiny.”

  The neighborhood was older, with a lot of houses having been converted into duplexes. Julie liked the settled atmosphere of the neighborhood and craftsman details inside and out.

  “I’m close to work and I get to have a bit of grass,” she said. “I’m not really a condo person.”

  He smiled down at her, then brushed her cheek with his thumb. “Good thing we didn’t go to my place.”

  “Let me guess. It’s all glass and steel.”

  “That, too, but mostly because it’s farther.”

  With that, he kissed her.

  His mouth was warm and firm, yet gentle. He moved slowly, as if he had all the time in the world, and she liked that. She liked how he put his hands on her waist and didn’t grab for anything significant.

  She stepped in a little closer and rested her fingers on his shoulders. Thank goodness her purse had a long strap, so she didn’t have to waste time holding it. She wanted to have the freedom to explore his arms and back.

  He was all hard muscles through the well-tailored fabric of his suit. He was also warm and alive and just tall enough that even in her heels she had to stretch a little to keep their mouths connected.

  She definitely wanted the kiss to continue. Even without him deepening it, she felt tingles in all the right places and a few that surprised her. Her chest was tight, her legs kind of trembly and she had the sudden thought she was never going to be able to catch her breath again.

  He drifted slightly, kissed her cheek, then along her jaw. Little brushing touches of lips on sensitized skin. He nipped her earlobe, which made her jump and shiver and need, then lightly touched the tip of his tongue to the side of her neck.

  Goose bumps broke out all over. She gasped as heat poured through her. The wanting overwhelmed her until she knew that she couldn’t possibly survive another second if he didn’t kiss her. Really kiss her.

  Fortunately Todd seemed to be a good mind reader. He brought his mouth back to hers. She parted her lips and he plunged inside of her, as if his need to take was as great as her desire to be taken.

  She met him stroke for stroke, savoring the passion flaring between them. Even as his tongue mated with hers, he dropped his hands to her hips and pulled her close. She arched against him.

  Two thoughts struck her at once. That the pressure of her swollen, sensitive breasts against his chest was wonderful torture, and that he was rock hard.

  Images filled her brain—of them naked, touching, him filling her. She was dying from hunger and that hunger made her frantic. She tried to battle her body’s desire for a man she barely knew, but it was like trying to herd cats—pointless and a little silly.

  He pulled back a little and cupped her face. “This is where I’m supposed to offer to leave,” he said as he stared into her eyes. “It’s how I was raised and the polite thing to do.”

  “Good manners are important,” she murmured, pleased that she was able to speak at all. She’d wondered if it was possible, what with how every nerve was on fire.

  “I agree.” He drew in a ragged breath. “There is also an alternative option.”

  “Bad manners?”

  He grinned, then lightly kissed her. “I want you, Julie. I can give you a list of really good reasons why this is a bad idea, but I want you. Desperately.”

  She’d never made a man desperate before, she thought as the ache between her legs grew.

  “Good manners, a witty conversationalist and a great kisser,” she whispered. “Who could refuse that?”

  “Not me.”

  “Me, either.”

  She pulled her keys out of her purse and led the way to the front door. With each step, she braced herself for second or even third thoughts. Instead there was only a pounding rhythm urging her to hurry.

  Once inside, she set her keys and her purse on the small table by the door. Todd shrugged out of what she would guess was a very expensive jacket and let it fall to the floor. Then he pulled her against him and kissed her with a thoroughness that left her weak and made her wonder how intensely he would do other things.

  She kissed him just as deeply, running her hands over his chest, feeling the slick silk of his tie and the smooth cotton of his shirt. He slid one hand down to her rear, where he squeezed, and moved the other hand up until he cupped her breast.

  Even through the fabric of her dress and her bra, she felt his strong fingers exploring, teasing, caressing. He lingered on her tight nipple, brushing back and forth until she wanted to rip off her clothes so he could touch her bare skin.

  He nudged her backward. She reached for his tie and managed to pull it free, then she started on the buttons of his shirt. He fumbled for the zipper at the back of her dress.

  They made it into the hall. She’d left a light on in the living room, but here it was dark. He kissed his way down her neck, his warm mouth making her moan. Tingles and shivers and ripples overtook her. Hunger consumed.

  He made his way to the vee of her dress and his mouth settled on the curve of her breast. At the same time she found the hall light switch and he tugged down her zipper. The light came on in time for her to see as well as feel her dress fall to the floor. Todd’s dark, passion-filled gaze locked with hers as he closed both hands over her breasts.

  “You’re beautiful,” he murmured. “Hot and soft and I don’t care if it is copier toner, you smell great.”

  She laughed and moaned at the same time as he rubbed her nipples. Her entire body tightened as her swollen, damp center cried out for some attention of its own.

  Still touching her breasts, he leaned in for another kiss. She welcomed him, closing her lips around his tongue and sucking until he, too, shuddered.

  Suddenly this wasn’t enough. She wanted more—all. She wanted the weight of him on top of her. She wanted him filling her over and over again until she had no choice but to give herself up to the pleasure of her orgasm.

  “Clothes,” she said against his mouth. “You’re wearing too many.”

  “Good point.”

  As he shrugged out of his shirt, she stepped over her dress and led the way into her small bedroom. The light from the hall was more than enough for what they were going to do. She turned to face him, only to find him staring at her.

  “What?”

  He swore softly. “Are you trying to kill me? You’re a walking, breathing fantasy. Do the partners at your law firm know what you wear under your suits?”

  She glanced down at the matching pink bra and bikini panties. They were a little lacy, but nothing special. She’d bought them on sale, but hey, guys were easy.

  “They probably suspect I’m wearing underwear,” she murmured as she stepped out of her high heels. “I’d rather they thought that than speculated about me wearing nothing at all. That would be tacky.”

  The appreciation in his gaze made her bold. Or maybe it was the fact that Todd was a sure thing that gave her confidence. Either way she slid one strap off her shoulder and smiled.

  “Did you want me to take this off?”

  He’d already kicked off his shoes and was in the process of lowering his slacks. As she spoke, his erection actually pulsed. She saw it through his dark briefs.

  He swallowed. “That would be great.”

  His slacks dropped to the ground, pooling at his ankles. He didn’t seem to notice. Instead his gaze fixed on her chest.

  She reached behind her and unfastened her bra, then tossed it toward the dresser.

  She had no idea if it actually made it because she was too caught up in the expression on Todd’s face. Wonder and desire blended in a look s
o passionate and male that it took her breath away.

  She’d been with men before and she’d been reasonably certain that they’d wanted her. After all, there had been obvious proof. But Todd stared at her as if she were his last meal. His appreciation made her feel special and exotic and more than anxious to make all his dreams come true.

  He moved toward her and nearly stumbled as he got caught in his slacks. “I’m totally smooth,” he muttered as he freed himself, then pulled off his socks.

  She thought about mentioning the fact that she liked that he wasn’t perfect. It made him seem more approachable somehow. But then he was pulling her close and touching her and speaking became a highly overrated activity.

  His hands were everywhere—her arms, her stomach, then he cupped her bare breasts. He didn’t kiss her as he explored her curves, then lightly touched her nipples with his fingers. Instead he stared into her eyes and she found herself very close to begging to be taken.

  She held his gaze as long as she could, but soon sensation overwhelmed her. If was as if there were a direct line of pleasure from her breasts to between her legs. With each touch, both became more needy.

  “Todd,” she whispered, hoping she didn’t sound as desperate as she felt.

  He nudged her backward until she felt the bed behind her. Then he wrapped his arms around her, turned and lowered them both onto the mattress.

  She landed on him, her legs spread, her center nestled on his arousal. He smiled up at her.

  “Now I have you exactly where I want you,” he whispered. “In my power.”

  “I’m on top,” she told him. “I’m in charge.”

  “Wanna bet?”

  He put his hands on her hips and urged her back and forth. Even through the layers of her panties and his briefs, she felt the delicious heat and friction. With a groan, she gave herself up to the sensation. It was nearly enough to get her over the edge.

  “Just that like,” he murmured as he began to touch her breasts.

  The combination of sensations was unbelievably sensual. Tension tightened all her muscles as she felt herself racing closer and closer to her release.