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  One hand circled her aching clit. With the other, she plunged two fingers into her channel and thrust. Her head whipped back, hips twisted and arched. One eye closed to the pleasure engulfing her, the other eye open to devour Jared pumping his impressive cock. His rhythm was pure poetry. She hungered for it inside her, lunging until she exploded in ecstasy. But first, that mouth, that full, soft sensuous mouth tasting, licking every of inch of her.

  “Time for my prize. Eat me.”

  Jocelyn’s voice splashed over him. This woman was more lover than he ever thought possible. Lust raged inside him, so intense it ripped through his chest and seized his heart, squeezing until he was sure it would pop. Her dripping pussy had him salivating. Ready to gorge, he dove between her legs. His tongue lapped and licked until he was drunk on the sweet taste of her.

  A moan escaped her lips every time he suckled her clit so he kept at it and added two fingers up her channel. He thrust and sucked until she whimpered with desperate need. Glorying in the music of bliss-filled cries, he binged until the screaming stopped and the purring started.

  When her body calmed, his fingers trailed the creamy ambrosia up her belly to her breasts. His tongue followed in hot pursuit to lick the juice from each nipple. The silken feel of her skin and her subtle citrus scent had him howling in pure pleasure.

  Those lips called him and she returned the kiss with equal ardor, wrapping herself around him until he no longer knew where he stopped and she began. The blending of bodies jacked up his pulse and touched his heart in a place that had been cold for far too long.

  Lost in her, he barely registered that the writhing of her body against him became more purposeful, more directed. The next thing he knew, she hoisted him onto his back and looked down on him. “You know what I want and I want it now.”

  Oh yeah! Her ferocity turned his already hard erection to steel. With one arm, he reached for his jeans on the floor and fumbled in the pocket for the condoms he kept there. Faster than he thought possible, his cock was dressed for the party.

  Jocelyn moved over him and slid him inside her with one hand. Slowly, too damn slowly, her pussy swallowed him and milked him in agonizingly sweet pulls. He thrust up hard and pushed at her hips to increase the speed but she strengthened her grip. Seeming to thrive on the power, she smiled and kept it leisurely. His adrenaline skyrocketed. The next move was his and he was going to jackhammer them both into screaming pulp.

  Jared shifted, still buried deep inside her, until he sat upright with Jocelyn in his lap. “And I thought you wanted to fuck. Can you handle it, babe?”

  “Bring it on.” Heat torpedoed through her cells. She loved men who fought back, played the game as well as she did. Wrapping her arms and legs around him, she accelerated her thrusts. Jared held her hips against him and arched up while his mouth consumed her breasts. Sweat beaded her forehead and dripped down her neck. Ravenous, she let loose and rode him with everything she had. Intense pleasure surged through her. She gasped his name, plowed her nails down his back and exploded into oblivion. Jared kept thrusting until he came with a feral groan.

  In each other’s arms, they slid into a reclining position. Jared discarded the used condom in the trash can next to the bed. On his side, his head on his arm, he ran his hand over her body. His finger stopped to trace over the cesarean scar. “Someone gave you some trouble.”

  “She still does.” Love laced her words and softened her voice.

  “Is this why Thor left?”

  “Yes,” she said.

  “I’m sorry.” He leaned down and kissed the scar while his fingers tickled her breasts, nipples and collarbone. The tenderness of skin on skin was soothing. I could get used to this. She buried the idea down so deep it wouldn’t come out again. She couldn’t afford the need for touch and gentleness. Too many people depended on her to be strong. For tonight only she could sink into Jared’s arms and be soft and female and desired. Tomorrow, the armor reappeared.

  Switching gears, back in control of herself, she relaxed into the pleasure of the moment and the feel of his hard body. She stroked his chest, curling and uncurling his black silky hair, kneading the steely knots of muscle underneath until her juices flowed. “Ding. Ding. There’s the bell. Second round’s about to start.”

  She attacked his mouth in a long, searing kiss and stroked his dick until it swelled to fill her hand. He drank deep, nibbling at her tongue, her mouth, down the soft flesh of her throat. Lips devoured lips. Hands grasped at bare flesh, creating a whirlwind of body parts seeking physical and emotional fulfillment.

  “Okay, sexy lady. How do we play round two?” he whispered against her neck.

  “We let loose, get so wild we break the bed.”

  “That’s one audacious goal.” The approval in Jared’s chuckle tugged at her heart.

  “Only kind that makes life interesting.”

  “You’re on. Prepare to be fucked.”

  She knew he’d be there. Jared not only kept her pace, he embraced her boldness and got hot with it. A rare treat, she’d savor every minute with him, every inch of him, before returning to the stresses and strains of her real life.

  Condom donned, he flipped her on her knees and slammed into her. Pulling out, pommeling back, out, back. He fucked her harder than she’d ever known and she loved it, wanted more of it and returned his ferocity with every thrust. The mattress sagged. The bed buckled and creaked under their weight. Their movements accelerated, becoming wilder, more frenzied. Pleasure-filled grunts and moans filled the room.

  “So good, so damn good,” Jocelyn cried and pushed back against him, rubbing her clit between her fingers. This was torture, absolute torture, and she didn’t want it to end. He kept pounding until she exploded into a thousand pieces, her orgasm-driven pulses took him right along with her. Sated, they collapsed on the bed, locked together.

  “Did we do it?” Jared asked into her hair.

  “The bed didn’t break, but it’s on the other side of the room. That counts in my book.”

  “Agreed.” Laughing, he kissed the top of her head. “Damn that was incredible,” he said, breathless, voice thickening with fatigue.

  She nestled closer to him, drawn to his warmth and scent. “Yes it was.”

  Exhausted, she fell asleep in his arms.

  * * * * *

  Jared awoke at dawn and marveled at the beautiful woman sleeping soundly next to him. Had sex ever been this satisfying? Too many nights with submissive women to erase his memories of Cara had left him hollow. Jocelyn was different. Strong-willed, aggressive, she demanded his best and gave it in return. Last night he experienced a sensual revelation that he wanted to grab with both hands and hold close.

  He leaned on his elbow, trailed his fingers down her spine, vertebra by vertebra, and lingered on the finest ass he had seen in years. She stirred and turned toward him, her lush breasts offered an irresistible feast. Lust gnawed at his chest. Blood rushed to his dick and stiffened it enough to hammer nails through concrete. He captured a soft peak in his mouth, suckling until it hardened in full bloom. Still hungry, pussy was the next stop at the buffet. Her thighs widened in invitation as he lapped his way down her belly to her mons.

  Jared licked her lazily, enjoying the taste of her and the raw-honey smell of her desire.

  “Don’t we have planes to catch?” she asked, wriggling against his mouth.

  “It’s still early. We have enough time.” He kissed up her abdomen, his tongue flicking along her hipbone while his fingers toyed with her sex.

  “Time for what?” Her eyes closed and her head arched back. Soft mewls escaped from slightly open lips.

  “For this.” Turning her to the side, he bent her top leg and angled it toward the bed until she opened to him. Condom on, he guided his cock inside her and thrust. One arm snaked under her body and the other strummed her clit. His teeth nibbled along her neck. Short gasping groans spilled from her throat. Her nails dug into his buttocks with every thrust. Pressure pooled at
the base of his spine. He pommeled harder, unable to get enough of her. She screamed and didn’t stop until he took them both over the edge.

  Holding each other close, they struggled to breathe.

  “I want to pack you in my suitcase and take you with me.” He meant every word.

  Jocelyn flinched as soon as he said it and rolled away, breaking all contact. “None of that.”

  “Why not?” Cold water washed through his veins.

  “Last night was wonderful but it wasn’t real. We both needed touch, to remember the good in our pasts. It’s time to go home where it’s messy and complicated and this just doesn’t belong.” Her finger traced along his lower lip. “Put your clothes on, good-looking. It’ll fade, you’ll see.”

  She was going to walk away from this. Why did he think she’d be different? Underneath the heat lurked a frozen core, just like Cara. Anger had him dressed and ready to run. At the door, he glanced back and stopped in his tracks. Pain had drawn dark circles under her eyes. Whatever demons lived in her memory spoke those words. Last night had touched her too. Her face revealed that truth even if her words denied it.

  He walked back and sat on the edge of the bed. Pushing an auburn curl behind her ear, he kissed her with all he had in a last-ditch attempt to change her mind. “You sure, Jocelyn?”

  “Yes,” she said quickly, too quickly. “No strings. Goodbye, good-looking. I wish you only happiness.”

  He nodded and walked through the door, a sense of loss slicing through his chest. Despite Jocelyn’s words, something real passed between them. He wanted to feel every day how he felt last night—alive and whole.

  The punch of the emotional swell gave him hope, something he’d been living too long without. He was moving to a new town, which promised new opportunities. Maybe there was a woman who might dare him to try again, who could fill the empty spaces life drilled through his heart. Even if it wasn’t Jocelyn Wade.

  * * * * *

  Jocelyn stared at the door for a long while. That was supposed to be fun, no-strings-attached sex. A one-night sanctuary from the demands of daily life. Why did she feel so empty? And why for one brief moment did she toy with the idea of packing herself in his suitcase?

  Her Blackberry rang. The office number blared at her and jumpstarted ribbons of frustration tensing through her neck and shoulders. Too often lately the tentacles of work reaching into her personal space triggered a sense of despair in the pit of her stomach, like Pavlov’s dogs salivating to the suggestion of food. Work used to be her escape, her lifeline. Now… She was losing it. Get it together, Joci, there’s too much on your plate at home.

  Shaking her head to oust the unwanted thoughts, she headed to the shower to pull herself together. A good life awaited her back home—relationship-free, just the way she liked it. Right?

  Chapter Four

  Jocelyn picked up her Ford hybrid from the airport parking lot and drove to her father’s house, singing loudly, off-key, happy to be home and eager to see her daughter after a week away. Kylie started high school in two weeks and didn’t adapt well to new places nor were schools in Madison ready for her. Diagnosed with ADHD, Kylie could be a handful. Her intensity and energy often kept other kids and adults at a distance. Jocelyn researched the condition vigorously and found ways to create a rich life for the two of them. Running long distances together centered them both. What Jocelyn tired of was browbeating each new school on how to handle kids with distinct learning needs. At least this would be her last fight.

  She walked up the stone walkway worn smooth from years of use, passing the silvery-blue Russian sage in full autumn bloom lined up in rows to salute all who came in. Its familiar scent always tugged at her heart. They were her mother’s favorites. She used her key to enter the neat yellow stucco house. “Dad, Kylie, I’m back,” she yelled.

  Marching through the well-worn but well-kept living room, through the French doors that opened to the deck, she found her father and daughter eating lunch. A bowl of salad, sliced fruit and a plate of cold cuts lay out neatly on the table. Kylie was dressed all in black as she usually was. Silver studs glistened down her earlobes and an amethyst shimmered in her nose. She hunched low in the white metal chair, long, muscled legs crossed one over the other, stretched out under the matching white metallic table. My beautiful goth girl. Her dad sat perfectly erect, his khaki shorts and golf shirt freshly pressed, habits revealing his years in the military. His lean, athletic build shaved decades off his age. Jocelyn kissed them both and grabbed a seat at the table.

  “Have some lunch, Joci.” Her dad went to the kitchen and fetched a plate. “How’d the trip go?’”

  She helped herself to some fruit and salad. “Except for the storm, the rest of the trip was a smashing success. We not only convinced Premier to keep Health Corp open, but they’re going to expand their operations in Madison. We came away much better than I expected. It makes me uneasy but we could sure use those new jobs. What’s been going on here in my absence?”

  “The high school hired a new athletic director. They recruited him away from the Texas school that beat our boys’ soccer team at nationals last year. He came last week to find a place to live. That’s all anyone’s talking about.”

  “Looks like it’s been a great week for Madison.” As Chamber President, Jocelyn knew that Madison cared about two things—having enough jobs and the high school boys’ soccer team. The Lions had been state champion more years than she could count and last year lost the national championship in a sudden-death ending. The Chamber sponsored the team.

  “Dad, next Friday night the Chamber’s holding a reception to celebrate the retention of Health Corp. I’d love for you to attend.” Jocelyn used every opportunity she could find to get her dad out socially. After her mom died, he sold the boxing gym, burrowed himself in the house and neglected his health. She asked him to watch Kylie to keep him engaged in life. The child care was an added bonus. The situation crushed her between the two high-needs individuals.

  “It’ll be my pleasure, Joci. Oh, I almost forgot, Gideon’s coming to visit next month.”

  “Wonderful. It’ll be great to see him. If only we could get Tommy home. It’s been years since we’ve all been together as a family.” Jocelyn missed her big brothers, both in the military, who got home infrequently. Gideon served at the Pentagon. Tommy in Afghanistan.

  “Okay, baby girl. Thank your granddad for taking such good care of you and then go pack your things. It’s time for us to go home.”

  “Don’t call me baby girl. I’m fourteen.”

  Jocelyn scowled her response to the attitude.

  Kylie glowered back but thanked her grandfather before heading upstairs to pack.

  Her daughter out of the room, Jocelyn grilled her father. “How’s Kylie doing, Dad? Does she seem nervous to be starting high school? Notice any changes?”

  Kicking back in his chair, he stared her down. She could have sworn she heard him sigh before he answered. “Kylie’s just fine, Joci.” The firm tenor of the military commander and boxing coach he had been was still strong in his tone. “She talked my ear off, like she usually does. Don’t worry, daughter mine, she’s made of stern stuff. She’s your child after all.”

  “What about you, Dad?”

  “I’m holding on, baby girl. When are you going to stop your worrying about us both and live a little?” If only she could.

  “Never, most likely.” With a snort, she kissed her dad on the cheek. When Kylie arrived, they said their goodbyes and headed out.

  Settled in at home, Jocelyn and Kylie went for a three mile, a ritual they both missed when Jocelyn traveled. If all else went to hell, they kept to this routine and this more than anything provided ritual and stability to both their lives. Jocelyn started Kylie running early as a way to channel the excessive energy and short attention span that marked her ADHD child. It kept her sane and in shape to cope with the multiple responsibilities she juggled in her life. Their morning run had become a sacred t
ime for the two of them.

  When Jocelyn finally went to bed, sleep didn’t come. Unable to shut down, her mind conjured images of a naked Jared Wyatt, the feel of his mouth, the touch of his hand, the hardness of his chest. I wonder if I could find him with an internet search. Her razor-sharp will slammed that thought away. It had been one hell of a night, but that’s all it was. It would fade with time.After giving herself some relief, she mouthed a silent prayer that he was nowhere nearby before finally drifting to sleep.

  * * * * *

  The Chamber’s celebration was in full swing by the time Jocelyn arrived at the modern structure of glass and steel that housed the Madison Chamber of Commerce and the Madison Historical Museum. Once inside, she did a sweep of the room, making sure to locate her father, Don Corcoran, the Chairman of the Chamber Board, his wife Brenda, her oldest friend Myron Atwater, Madison’s mayor, and Len Reynolds, the superintendent of the school system—Madison’s political leadership along with her. The high school athletic director would also join this elite power circle if the Madison Lions kept winning.

  She spotted Don and Brenda filling their plates at the silver-clothed buffet table. Delicate lavender-tipped orchids serving as table settings starkly contrasted the heavy platters of meat, cheeses and cakes. Don Corcoran, at six foot three, towered over his petite wife. Grabbing a glass of wine from the bar, she headed to greet them.

  “Well if it isn’t the lady of the hour, making a late entrance,” Don said, looking striking in a blue-striped business suit, tailored to camouflage his thickening waistline. Stocky but well-muscled, he still turned ladies’ heads.

  “Now that you’re here, I imagine the speeches will get started soon,” Brenda said, rolling her eyes at Jocelyn, who smiled back. They both hated the posturing but understood the speeches afforded the local leadership the opportunity to speak to their constituency, all of whom were at this reception. Thanking Jocelyn and her team was just a convenient forum to accomplish that. But that was the local power game and Jocelyn succeeded as Chamber president by playing it well.