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I slowly slide down the door until I find myself sitting on the scratchy green and beige welcome mat.

The spark.

The little flame that flares into a blaze whenever I think of her.

She woke up your heart. Is it stupid to think that maybe she breathed a soul into you with that kiss, too?

With a sudden bound, I’m back on my feet and walking with swift, silent steps to the bedroom we’ve decided to share.

“Teri?” I breathe.

Her soft, gentle breathing is my only answer. She’s asleep.

Maybe it’s for the best. I’ve known her for a day. Living in Pine Ridge has taught me that love at first sight does exist. Soul mates do exist—just not for hunks of clay like me.

I crawl into bed beside her and turn my back so that it’s inches from hers, even though I ache to wrap my arms around her.

Still, the part of me that had resilience and hope shaped into it can’t help but smile a little.We’ll see what happens tomorrow.

Chapter Nine

Saturday morning in the suburbs. The sun is shining. The humidity is crippling—and I’m in bed with one of the most gorgeous men I’ve ever seen. Bonus—he gives off a calming cool as I move closer to him.

Reggie looks different when he’s asleep. All stretched out and sleepy, less the quiet, stern protector, and more... vulnerable. Like me. I can see every inch of thick, bulging muscle. His shirt’s rolled up to just under his abs, and there are all kinds of muscles, scars, and sigils on his gray body, sacred words in Hebrew that I cannot read, faded gray on gray.

Do not think about dragging your tongue along the almost invisible lines, the sacred, holy lines on this divine warrior. Do not, do not, do not. He is forbidden in every sense of the word...or he should be.

My gaze travels lower. The low-riding black sweats have shifted in his sleep—and they’re straining with what people crudely call “morning wood.”

My face heats, and I turn studiously away, trying to be good.

But bad girl thoughts pursue me. Morning wood? More like morning redwood. So big. Matteo was tall enough, and the relevant parts of him were proportional. He was plenty big for me, especially since I was new to pretty much everything he wanted to teach me.

I can’t help but wonder what Reggie could do with that equipment. Does it have special powers, like the rest of him? Would he ever want to...try anything? With me? I know that Itried a ton of new things with Matteo—and I blush from some of the kinkier ones—but that was built up over a year.

I would do anything Reggie wanted, instantly.

Probably because, see above—vulnerable. And desperate for physical comfort and distraction.

Suddenly, I want to convince Reggie to take a risk with me, even though parts of my brain scream it’s a dumb idea. Other parts of me scream that I want to make his eyes pop with the realization that the “good girl” persona comes with a side of “good in bed.”

Wrapping my lips around that long, thick bulge and showing him that I have no problem trying to take him all the way would be just the start.

Except that my masterpiece just rolled over and sat up. “Morning. Guess we’d better head out and hit the grocery store. Nothing in the fridge but ice cubes. You need to eat.”

In spite of my disappointment, I smile. Married life.

“Right. Let me grab something to wear.”

“Take your time. I’m going to check the house and the outside. Won’t be a tick.” He smiles, and I catch the adorable faint trace of his accent again.

I feel a prickle of anticipation as I start unpacking my suitcase, putting things in the walk-in closet and chest of drawers. Should I be feeling a thrill of excitement about wandering through the grocery store on Saturday morning instead of climbing on Reggie's cock and riding him until we both come? Probably not, but I can’t help it.

This is the “real” I want.

And there’s always tonight.

THERESE WEARS CHICblack shorts and a teal tank top that makes her look like a beach goddess. Every head in the grocerystore turns. More than one guy checks out her hand. I put my arm over her shoulders possessively, glad we’re both sporting rings. Luckily, no one I know is out and about in the produce aisle of the Pine Ridge Fresh Mart this morning. I’m spared a stumbling excuse for a bit.