“I’ll be back.”

Jerome’s chuckle followed me out of the kitchen. “Finally, one who runs away from you, instead of throwing herself at you.”

Funny.

Except Jerome didn’t realize this wasn’t the first time she’d run from me, and it was a habit that was starting to piss me off.

I yanked open the door and walked down the front path to the driveway. Yve was tugging on the gate and feeling around for the latch.

“You have somewhere pressing to be this morning, Yve?”

She turned and squared her shoulders, a pose that seemed to be her go-to when facing me. “Didn’t want to overstay my welcome.”

“Or say hello or maybe ask for a ride?”

“I don’t need a ride. I can walk.”

“And you wouldn’t need to walk if you’d just asked.”

Her chin went up. It was a gesture I was beginning to know well.

“What was I going to do? Knock on the door to your bedroom this morning? I don’t think so.” Her stance softened when she added, “I do appreciate the hospitality, though. I’m just . . . I need to be on my way.”

I studied her flushed cheeks. “How many times did you think about that door last night and begging me for round two?”

Her eyes widened and her spine straightened again. “I didn’t. At all.”

I stepped forward and lifted my hand—slowly—to grasp a lock of her hair between my thumb and index finger. “Little liar.”

“You wish.”

“You’re right—I do. Because if you’d come to me like I’d wanted, it would’ve been your lips wrapped around my cock instead of my hand. I will fuck you again. It was too damn good to let you walk away.” I slid my hand into her hair and cupped the back of her head. “I spent all night wondering if you taste as good as I think you will.”

Yve’s mouth dropped open into a little O, and once again color stained her cheeks. She blushed so easily, and it pushed me to shock her further. It also cemented my earlier decision.

I would have her again, and I always got what I wanted. I just wondered how hard she’d make me chase.

Yve’s mouth snapped shut and her eyes narrowed. “Not gonna happen, Titan. Never.” She enunciated both syllables of never, and I couldn’t help but grin.

“Ahh, Yve.” I released my grip and lowered my hand to skim down her body to her hip. She immediately took a step back, but was trapped by the fence.

That’s right, sweetheart, nowhere to run now.

“You’re telling me no, but every ounce of your body language is screaming at me to pin you to this gate and fuck you right here. It just makes me more dead set on having you again.”

“Never,” she whispered again.

I leaned down, bringing my face close to hers. “Lie to me all you want. I felt how hard you came in the kitchen and how fast I brought you to the edge in the bedroom. You can’t make me believe you aren’t dying to let go like that again.”

“You don’t know a damn thing about me, including what I want.”

“Lying to yourself is pointless, Yve.”

I squeezed her hip before sliding my hand down her thigh until I hit bare skin. She didn’t stop me—didn’t do anything but pin me with that challenging stare—as I slipped underneath her skirt and retraced my path until I hit . . . more bare skin.

I bit back a groan as I cupped her naked ass. “You’re so goddamn sexy, and if I were inclined to let another man see you, I’d take you right here up against this fence.”

Yve’s nostrils flared, and her throat bobbed as she swallowed. She said nothing, but her actions spoke louder. She pressed her ass into my hand.

I stared into her tawny eyes as I released my grip and skimmed my palm around to her front and covered her pussy. “You’re so fucking wet for me. Again.”

“I can’t help it that my body wants you. Doesn’t mean I’m gonna give in.”

I smiled, feeling like a class-A predator. “You won’t be able to resist, so why fight it?”

“Because you’re a prick.”

I laughed. “I’ve never been so entertained to be insulted by someone.” I shifted my fingers so one covered her clit and pressed. When Yve sucked in a harsh breath, I slid one finger inside her. “And I still want to make you come, even after that. Are you going to let me? Or are you going to keep lying to us both?”

Yve’s hands shot out and shoved hard against my shoulders. I released my hold on her instantly and stepped away, hands raised.

“Fine. Fight it. But you know where I’ll be when you decide you want more.”

“I won’t.”

“That’s one of us then.” I brought my hand to my face and sucked my fingers into my mouth. Sweet, tangy Yve. Fucking perfection. “And for the record, you taste amazing.”

Her mouth dropped open, and I turned toward the house. “If you want breakfast before I give you a ride to get your car, you can come back inside.”

“Wait, my car’s done?”

I knew that little nugget of information would get her attention. “It is. I’ll take you to get it after breakfast.”

“Just like that. You expect me to sit down and eat with you just like that? After you . . . you . . .”

I glanced behind me as I pulled the front door open, pleased to see that Yve was right on my heels. “After I copped a feel, figured out you weren’t wearing panties, fingered you, and tasted your pussy? Yes.”

Yve slowed and pinched the bridge of her nose. “You’re a freak show. That’s all I’ve got.”

“I’m not the one going commando under a skirt.”

“Shut up. I didn’t have any clean underwear.”

“I’m not complaining. Now, I believe you know your way to the kitchen.”

Yve strutted ahead of me, her head held high while I hung back, watching her go.

She’d be back for more. I was confident of that.

WHEN I WALKED BACK INTO the kitchen, I didn’t expect to see a tall, thin man with a shiny bald head standing in front of the stove. He turned when I walked through the door, a big smile on his face.

“And here’s the mysterious lady who had Lucas digging through my kitchen last night.” He stepped away from the stove to hold out a hand. “I’m Jerome. I’m the master of all you survey, including Mr. Titan.”