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We weren’t starving.

We took our time, touching, observing, holding. She straddled my lap, and my hands roamed the length of her back, my palms fitting into her curves as she rode me, as we climbed higher together.

When she came, it was waves crashing, galaxies soaring, showers of fireworks. Yet, at the same time, it was the two of us together, hearts beating in time, exchanging our breath. I curled her in my arms, and we slept… then sometime in the night, we made love again.

Rubbing my palm over my eyes, I realize with a jolt I didn’t use a condom. Shit. Was I even awake when I slid inside her from behind last night? All I know is I wanted her, and I reached for her. It was like a dream I’ve had so many times—the two of us together, no barriers, rocking gently, eyes closed.

I have to tell her I’m clean. Apologize.

A breath and she exhales a little sound. She stirs, lifting her head off my chest, and her brown hair hangs to the side in a silky curtain, green eyes finding mine.

“What time is it?” she whispers. “I can’t believe I slept all night.”

“You don’t seem to have a clock.”

We both sit up, and she’s beside me, her chin down as she rubs her forehead.

Her hand drifts down to her mouth, and she blinks up to me. “You spent the night again.”

“I did.” I take a moment, waiting.

Tabby’s stubborn, but even she has to feel what’s happening here. I know she does, but will she acknowledge it?

She drops her hand to her lap, twisting her fingers together. “We had sex without a condom. I never do that.”

“I never do that.”

Both our voices are quiet, and she blinks up to me once more. “I went and got tested after Travis cheated on me. I’m always careful, but I just needed to be sure.”

“I get tested every year because of my job. People can get violent—biting, scratching, whatever—I never know.”

“So we’re good?” Her eyes are on mine again, and I nod.

“I am if you are.”

She nods, and her lips press into a line… which slowly becomes a smile. The tension evaporates, and I reach out to put my hand on her neck, my thumb on her bottom lip. Leaning forward I try to kiss her, but she arches back.

“Oh, no. I know exactly where that leads, and I have to get to work.” Swinging her legs around, she hops out of the bed completely naked and goes into the bathroom. “We’re really going to be the talk of the town today.”

“How so?” I stand, walking over to where I stripped off my clothes last night.

The toilet flushes, and she returns wrapped in a lavender silk robe. “How did you get here last night?”

My grey sweats are on my hips, and I lower the tank top over my head. I don’t miss her lusty gaze on me as I straighten the fabric over my body. It makes me grin. I know you like what you see, beautiful. The feeling’s mutual.

She shakes her head, clearing her throat. “What was I saying? Oh! How did you get here last night?” She walks to the window as I slip in the bathroom to use it and splash some water on my face. “Is your truck parked out front again?”

“I walked.” As soon as I’m finished, I go to where she stands, lowering my face to her neck and sliding her hair off her shoulder.

She ducks and spins away. “I’ll drive you home. What time are you supposed to be at the station?”

“Probably now.” I lean my back against the wall, arms crossed over my chest as I watch her opening and closing doors, pulling out leggings and a tee before disappearing into the bathroom again. “If you owned a clock, I could tell you.”

She’s out just as fast, her hair up on her head in a messy bun, dressed in black leggings and a gray tee falling off one shoulder that reads I love Jesus, but I cuss a little.

“Nice.” I nod to her shirt, and she catches my hand.

“I’ll drive you home real quick. Maybe they won’t see us.”