Tough Love

He’d been at the rec center longer than her, but she’d remained there with him right through dinnertime. He should have offered to take her to dinner. Soon, he would. But not tonight.

The dogs would want to visit. Desperate as he was to have Vanity again, he couldn’t disregard Maggie and Norwood.

His forearm provided a nonstop ache. He should ice it again, and he would, later. Until then, he wouldn’t let it slow him down.

Was Vanity tired after her workout and then the self-defense class? If so, she’d done a good job hiding it. While some women finished up their workouts looking exhausted, Vanity had emerged from the showers all smiles and laughter, and so damned beautiful.

Her energy level astounded him and turned him on. But then she could do nothing at all, and he wanted her. Especially now that he’d gotten a small taste of her.

And thinking of tasting her... Damn. There was a lot he wanted to do, all of it making the restriction in his jeans more noticeable.

He reached the front door, raised his hand to knock—and a shadow shifted in the side yard.

No fucking way would he get caught off guard twice. Senses sharpened, he silently stepped to the side of her porch. He heard movement, and then saw a deer bolt off. The white tail disappeared into the darkness. With a sense of unease still prickling the back of his neck, he continued to search the area.

Behind him the front door opened. “Stack?”

He turned back to Vanity and mentally reeled.

Her pale hair reflected the glow of the porch light. A pink, long-sleeved tee fit snug to her breasts, the hem not quite reaching the waistband of the soft flannel pants hanging low on her narrow hips. He saw a tantalizing strip of belly in between, and it made him burn.

In her eyes, he saw the same urgency he felt.

Breathing fast, her gaze devouring him, she held out a hand.

Stack made himself stand still. “Where are the dogs?”

“Waiting to say hi.”

“I don’t want to rush you.”

“How about you let me do the rushing?”

That did it. He could fight himself, but he couldn’t fight them both. He took her hand, used it to drag her out to the porch, then backed her up to the wall and kissed her. The door fell shut behind her.

Everything he’d just told himself faded away. Vanity clutched at him, squeezing him tighter to her, hooking one calf around his.

Scooping his hand under her bottom, he aligned their bodies so that his straining erection nestled against the warm junction of her thighs.

Her faint gasp spurred him on.

Cold air whispered around them, but he barely felt it. Her lips softened, opened; he turned his head, licked in, stroked deep. Devoured.

Their breaths labored, fogging the air around them. She moved against him, needy, ready. He felt explosive.

When the dogs scratched at the door, Stack forced himself to come up for air. “Damn, I need you,” he growled.

“Need you more,” she whispered, her hands knotted in his shirt. She nipped his chin, his jaw, made her way to his throat and opened her mouth against his skin.

Fuck. His guts tightened, his muscles clenching. Hand still on her ass, he lifted and rocked her against him.

A gust of icy wind drifted her hair against his forearm.

Hadn’t he just thought about how cold it was now? And here he had her out on the porch wearing only socks, flannel pants and a long-sleeved tee. “I’m sorry.”

Brushing her nose over his throat, she asked, “For?”

He rubbed his hands up and down her arms. “It’s cold out here.”

Meeting his gaze, she took his hand and pressed it low to her belly. “It’s hot enough inside that it doesn’t matter.”

He had to kiss her again and did. But this time he kept enough sense not to get carried away. Tucking her hair back, he asked, “You hungry?”

She purred. “Starving.”

That made him smile. “For food, darlin’.”

Her hand repeatedly smoothed over his shoulder. “Maybe just a little.”

“Then how about we get some food together and give the dogs a chance to calm down.” He brushed his knuckles over her cheek. “Then you’re mine for the rest of the night.”

Another purr and a murmured, “Love that plan.” Again she took his hand, turned and led him inside.

Even while kneeling down to greet the dogs, he watched her sexy walk as she headed to the kitchen. Didn’t matter what she fixed. He planned to inhale it.

Then he planned to have her for dessert.

* * *

HUNKERED IN THE SHADOWS, heart still tripping, Phil waited until he was dead-sure they were inside, and that they’d stay there.