She gave a shaky laugh. “Oh, God, that’s such a line. Do you know how many movies and books use that excuse? It usually gets worse. More intense.”

“Maybe. Maybe not.” His breath caressed her cheek. His hands hovered by her hips. If she leaned forward, just a bit, they’d be pressed together and it would all be over. “We can find out. But you have to make the move. Say no and I’ll walk.” In that moment, his eyes blazed with raw intensity. “I don’t want to hurt you, Raven.”

She didn’t respond.

The image of red roses floated through her mind. Of restoring her restaurant to something beautiful. Of that one perfect, glorious, soul-stirring kiss in the moonlight.

And in that moment, Raven surrendered to the one thing she wanted most in the world. Just for tonight.

She reached out and pulled him into her arms.

This time, there was no buildup or teasing seduction. Her lips opened under his hungry growl, and he pulled her in tight, twisting his fingers in her hair as he devoured her mouth. She arched up for more, and he picked her up without breaking the kiss, setting her back down on top of the bar. Dragging her thighs apart, he stepped between her legs.

Drunk on his taste, she tore at the buttons of his shirt, sliding the fabric off his shoulders. She only got halfway before he pressed her back on the bar, yanking her tank up to cover her breast with his large hand. He flicked the hard tip of her nipple through the lace, ripping his mouth from her lips to press tiny bites down the length of her neck, licking the hurt away with his tongue. His hips slowly rocked back and forth, pressing his erection against the notch of her thighs. Shivers raced down her spine, and her toes curled in her sandals. She tried to finish the job of removing his shirt, but he pressed her down with his weight, forcing her to take the pleasure.

Oh, God, so much pleasure.

“Take the damn shirt off.” Her nails dug into his shoulders. She tried to twist, but his mouth had found her breast, and oh, yes, his teeth tugged at her hard nipple, dragging the scratchy lace back and forth against her swollen bud as if he were conducting a scientific experiment in arousal rather than taking her hard like she wanted.

His low laugh shot warm breath over her other nipple, which now demanded the same attention. “First you.”

“No way, Slick. This an equal opportunity encounter. Strip.”

“You’re so damn bossy.” In one swift motion, he unclasped her bra and snapped open the button on her jeans. She sucked in a breath as his mouth dipped once again to suck on her nipple. The delicious, wicked heat of his mouth and sharp bite of his teeth ripped out a moan, and she frantically wriggled to get closer. He tugged the snug denim over her hips and bared her black bikini underwear. The material was already soaked with her arousal, and Raven panted, trying to tug at his belt buckle.

“Play fair or I’m gonna get mad,” Raven warned.

His mouth moved down her tummy, licking a line of fire to the elastic waistband. He pressed his palm against the damp material, and her hips bucked up, begging for more. He spread her legs wider until she was completely open. “Yeah? Tell you what. You be a good girl and come first, and then you can touch me all you want.”

“You bastard! You’re not running the show here—oh, God!” His fingers hooked under the material and dove deep, moving in and out of her pussy while his thumb lightly played with her clit, rotating in the faintest brushes. She practically clawed at him to get closer.

He overwhelmed her, dominated her, claimed her. While he played his wicked games with her pussy, his tongue thrust into her mouth, fucking her with a fierce possession, pressing his thumb to her throbbing clit a bit harder with each rotation. She writhed and moaned and scratched with savage need until he finally gave her what she craved.

His fingers plunged deep, his thumb flicked her clit, and he bit down on her lower lip.

She came hard, giving in to the brutal waves that wracked her body. His name rose from her lips in a scream, and he helped her ride out the orgasm with his talented mouth and fingers until she lay splayed beneath him, sated.

Slowly, he raised his head and gave her a wolfish grin.

“Now it’s your turn.”

chapter sixteen

Dalton took one look at the woman half-naked on the bar, satisfied by his own hand, and wanted to throw back his head and roar.

Primitive waves of possession and victory beat within him. Something inside told him he’d be happy making Raven come for an endless period of time. Not hours. Days, weeks, months. He was already addicted to the way she surrendered so completely to her pleasure. Her skin smelled of sandalwood and sex. She tasted like forbidden apples and dark Hershey’s chocolate and the smooth, honeyed bourbon Cal liked to drink. Her small breasts were perfectly formed to fit in his hand, and her raspberry nipples were extra sensitive to his touch. He wanted to steep himself in the study of her body, explore the slopes and planes of her curves, her sweet, tight pussy, her muscled arms and legs.

He knew in that moment Raven had been right.

She wouldn’t be wrung out of his system tonight. A taste of her had only teased the beast inside, who was now already demanding more of her.

“You cheated.”

The sexy pout made his dick hurt. He’d never been this ready to come in his jeans before. He was almost afraid to have her touch him. “Couldn’t play fair this time, darlin’. You’re too fucking beautiful.” He brought his fingers up to his nose and breathed in her scent. His knees almost buckled with lust. “How can I make it up to you? Another orgasm?”

He loved her smoke-curling, rich laugh. She rose from the bar, hooked her index finger in the waist of his jeans, and pulled him close. Her voice lowered to a witchy whisper. “Definitely. But it is my turn, and I want to play. Keep your hands to yourself.” She nipped at his bottom lip, tugged off his shirt, and touched him.

Dalton gritted his teeth at the feel of her hands coasting over his skin. She stroked every inch of his chest, raked her nails down his arms, licked his nipples. He groaned and let her take charge, keeping his hands fisted because if he touched her just once, he’d bury himself between her thighs in record time.

Those same legs he dreamed about suddenly wrapped around his hips. He jerked forward, and then she plunged her hand down the front of his jeans, found his dick, and squeezed tight.

Ah, shit. It was too good. It was too much. It was too . . . perfect.