in Royal. The Texas Rangers had solved the case and recovered his parents’ losses. In their cowboy hats and holsters, Cole had thought the Rangers were everything he wanted to be—strong, resourceful, and dedicated to seeing that justice was served.
“You’re drunk,” she said.
“No. I’m not.”
She laughed that breathy Dani laugh. “I sometimes think you like to argue as much as I do.” She angled herself toward him and flashed her big brown eyes, biting her lower lip. It felt like an invitation, but he wanted a little more. One more sign. “I sort of missed it. I have yet to meet another man who will stand up to me.”
“Is that what you want? Is that what you need?” His pulse was thundering in his ears as he waited to hear her response. He was really hoping for I need you. Right now. Right here.
“Now where’s the fun in telling you what I need, mister? I’d rather keep you guessing. I think I’ve earned the right to do that.”
But he did know what she needed, and what she wanted, at least when it came to the physical. That part had never been a problem between them. In fact, it had always been perfect. Consequences be damned, he decided to dip his toes in this hot water, even if he might end up getting scalded. He lowered his head, eyes open to watch for punches launched, but all Dani did was shake her head.
“You’re going to kiss me?”
“Right now.” He moved a little closer.
“Right here?”
“Unless you tell me to stop.” He was inches away, so close that he felt her warm breath on his lips. Her beautiful skin was calling to him, begging for his touch.
“I suppose one time couldn’t hurt.”
Dani sealed the deal before he could do it. Cole clamped his eyes shut and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tight against him. It only took a second until she was bending into him, angling her neck for a deeper kiss. Her lips parted and her tongue sought his. That was all the encouragement he needed. He leaned back on the couch, pulling her with him, until her beautiful body was stretched out over the length of his.
She pulled away for an instant, breathless. “What are we doing?”
“I think you know exactly what we’re doing.” He hoped like hell she wasn’t about to change her mind. He never knew with Dani. He kissed her neck, which was a bit of a low blow. He knew exactly how much she loved it.
Dani groaned her approval. “If this happens, it doesn’t mean anything. Not a damn thing, okay?”
Maybe Dani really was a gift delivered by the universe. If he could have her one more time and go back to his miserable life later, it would be the best of both worlds. For both of them.
“I promise. This doesn’t mean a thing.”
* * *
The heat from Cole’s body was making it impossible to think straight, but Dani did manage one salient thought: if she was going to have a meaningless hookup with some guy, Cole was her best choice. There was nothing to lose. Everything had already been lost.
He dug his fingers into her hair, deepening their kiss. Of course she was going to respond in kind. He tasted of her favorite scotch. She’d forgotten how good he was with his tongue. He was bringing to life parts of her that had practically closed up shop. He drew a line down her spine but kept going, tugging up the hem of her dress, dragging his knuckles along the backs of her thighs. The air was cool against her skin when he had the fabric up around her waist, but then his fingers slipped into the back of her panties and the heat spiked again.
He was hard between her legs. Even through his jeans she could feel how badly he wanted her. It felt like some small measure of revenge to grind against him, knowing she was frustrating him. Unfortunately, her own dissatisfaction was gaining speed.
Cole shifted up onto his elbows, and Dani reared back her head.
“Let’s sit up,” he said, his voice a sexy rumble. “I want to get to the rest of you.”
“Of course.” She hopped up and Cole straightened to sitting.
He curled his finger. “Come here.” His voice was low and rough.
It sent a thrill right through her, but she shook her head. “Not yet.”
“Don’t tease me, Dani. You’ll kill me.”
“As appealing as you make that sound, I want what I can get out of this, too.” She planted her hands on his thighs, leaning forward and letting him get an eyeful of her cleavage. Then she lowered herself to her knees.
Cole untucked his soft, plaid shirt and tore it open. Thank goodness for pearl buttons. Dani sucked in a gasp when he rolled himself out of the sleeves. How she’d missed his broad chest and the patch of sandy-brown hair. She spread her hands across his firm pecs, loving the way his chest rose beneath her palms. She trailed a finger down his centerline, stopping to trace the contours of his abs. A woman could get lost following those lines. Dani had, many, many times.
When she reached his belt buckle, the metal clattered. She unbuttoned his jeans and drew down the zipper. Cole raised his hips and let her tug his pants down his legs. She placed her elbows on his thighs again, leaning forward and touching him through the fabric of his black boxer briefs. He closed his eyes halfway and dropped his chin to his chest, a deep groan escaping his throat. She loved feeling how hard he was from her touch. She loved knowing that she could still do this to him after all this time.
She pulled the waistband down and took him in her hand, lowering her head and drawing only the tip into her mouth. She stroked and sucked, swirling her tongue round and round. He dug the fingers of both hands into her hair, curling them into her head, raking them through her tresses. She wasn’t about to let him reach his peak this way. She just wanted a reminder that she could drive him crazy if she wanted to.
She gently released the suction of her lips. His eyes opened only partway as he looked at her. “You are wearing entirely too many clothes.”
She stood and Cole scooted to the front edge of the couch, bracketing her legs with his knees. She looked down at him, watching as he untied the bow at the side of her wrap dress. The reaction he had when the dress fell open was so good she almost wished she had a camera to capture the moment. The lust in his eyes? The craving? It was off the charts. The bra and panties she’d opted for, made of the finest French lace, were clearly adding to the appeal. Dani loosened the other tie and let the dress fall to the floor.
Cole rose from the couch and stepped out of his boxers. He was towering over her, even when she was still wearing heels. All that hard manly muscle pressed against her was enough to send her over the edge. She’d forgotten just how easy it was to want Cole Sullivan.
He wasted no time reaching around and unhooking her bra and dragging it down her shoulders. He gripped her rib cage with both of his hands and rubbed her nipples with his thumbs, sending a ribbon of pleasure shooting down her torso and into her thighs. He lowered his head and drew one firm bud into his mouth, swirling his tongue in circles. She watched him as he nearly sent her over the edge with the simplest touch.
She placed her hands on his waist and felt the raised skin of the scar along his right flank. He jumped a bit and so
