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Cade stood on Kerrigan’s covered front stoop. The rain had stopped at some point during their time at the hospital. Their blood-stained clothes were now dry, along with their hair.

“I really am sorry about today,” she offered a heartfelt apology. “You put so much thought and effort into making our first date perfect, and then…”

She was right. He had wanted to give her the perfect first date. And for a brief, precious moment in time, it had seemed as if that wish would come true.

They’d been sitting on the blanket, laughing and talking. It felt so natural. Effortless. And when they’d kissed, he could have sworn it was just like…

Lightning.

Even now, despite the unexpected turn of the day’s events, Cade found himself replaying that moment seconds before the rain had begun to pour. Her in his arms. His mouth devouring hers. It was a moment he wanted to hold onto forever.

But for now…

“Hey.” He cupped one side of her face. A few limp strands of her hair tickled the skin covering the back of his hand, but he ignored it. “You saved a life today, Doc. That’s not something to apologize for. Not ever.”

“Don’t you mean, we?”

“We?” He frowned, confused by her response.

“ We saved a life today, Cade.” She reached up and placed a gentle palm over his beating heart. “There’s no way I could have carried that poor woman out of the park by myself. So, if not for you, Julie Mays would have died right there, naked and on the ground. Just like so many of his other victims.”

“You’re the one who kept pressure on the worst of her wounds all the way to the hospital.”

“And it was your expedient and talented driving skills that got us there as quickly as we did.”

His lips twitched into a crooked grin as his thumb caressed her cheek in a slow, back-and-forth motion. “So what you’re saying is we make a pretty good team.”

Kerrigan smiled, and he was relieved when it reached all the way up to her eyes.

“I guess we do,” she finally agreed.

The seconds ticked on, though neither seemed to notice. But then he blinked, catching sight of a tiny smear of blood still present on the back of his forearm. One he must have missed while washing up in the hospital bathroom.

She’s had a helluva a day, Ellis. One she apparently will never forget, no matter how much she probably wished she could. Maybe now would be a good time to see your ass out.

“I should probably go.” He let his hand drop back to his side. “I need to shower, and?—”

“I have a shower.”

Cade blinked, convinced she hadn’t meant that the way it had sounded. But before he could come up with a response that didn’t make him sound like an inconsiderate prick, Kerrigan further explained.

“Actually, I have four showers. So you could take your pick, or…”

That lingering “or” couldn’t possibly mean what his horny mind wanted it to mean.

Only one way to find out.

“Or?”

“Or…” She stared deep into his eyes. “Mine’s big enough for two.”

“Doc.” He whispered the playful nickname. “Today was?—”

“Fun. Relaxing. Perfect.” Her eyes remained on his. “Until it wasn’t. But that’s not what this is about.”

“No?”

Kerrigan shook her head from side to side. “I want you, Cade. Not because it’s been a shit day or because I’m so upset by what happened that I can’t bear the thought of sleeping alone.”

“Then why?”

“Isn’t it obvious? I…like you.” She blushed. “A lot, actually.”

He fucking loved it when she blushed.

“I like you a lot, too, sweetheart.” Cade smiled.

“So stay. Or don’t. Your choice.”

Rather than wait for his response, she turned around and unlocked her front door. Pushing it open, Kerrigan stepped inside. She looked back at him from over her shoulder, and when their eyes met once again, he knew he couldn’t walk away.

Cade stepped inside her magnificent home and shut the door behind him. He waited while she set the alarm, his focus solely zoned in on her.

He paid no attention to the expensive wooden floors. Didn’t notice the fancy lighting or the artwork hanging from the pristine walls. He was too busy staring at the only woman to ever make him feel this way.

Too busy wrapping his mind around the fact that he would soon be in Kerrigan’s bed.

Tonight was about more than just sex for him. For Cade, this would be about finally exploring the connection that seemed to be growing in strength with every moment they shared.

From the first time they’d met, he’d found himself inexplicably drawn to the sexy doctor. He saw her…he needed her. Once his lips touched hers, he transformed into a starving man.

There was no logical explanation for the way he felt whenever she was near. Only that she affected him in ways no woman before her ever had.

If he’d learned anything from watching his teammates go through hell to hang on to the women they loved, it was that waiting for the “right time” was a waste of fucking time. They were right here. Right now.

And since Kerrigan had made herself very clear on her motives for inviting him to stay, it seemed there was only one thing left for him to do.

I have to make her mine.

“My shower’s upstairs.” She turned to face him.

Cade dipped his chin but found he was suddenly too nervous to speak. She stepped up beside him, taking one of his hands in hers. With their fingers interlocked, he followed her through the foyer and around the corner to the home’s main staircase.

But like before, he only had eyes for her.

They remained silent as he followed her up the stairs to the second floor. Once there, he continued following her lead past a bathroom, what he assumed was a small closet and two other bedrooms.

Kerrigan’s was the one at the very end of the hall. The room’s double doors had been left slightly ajar, and when he crossed over the threshold, Cade couldn’t help but be in awe.

Her queen-sized bed was the focal point of the wide-opened room, the linens and pillows a continuous white.

The wall behind the bed was a deep, rich brown. A stark contrast to the other three walls, which had all been painted white.

To his right were four large, to-the-ceiling windows. Beneath that was a long, cushioned seat. He smiled to himself, picturing Kerrigan sitting there, reading a book. Or staring out the window on a beautiful, sunny day.

“There are plenty of towels in that cabinet.” She pointed as they entered the en suite bathroom. “And the shower’s right there.”

A low whistle escaped from between his lips when he saw the massive, tile and glass structure straight ahead.

“Wow.” His brows rose with appreciation. “That’s some shower.”

The damn thing was as big as an elevator with enough room for half a dozen people. Maybe more.

“It’s ridiculously large.” She shrugged. “But it’s what my dad wanted. He got the shower, she got the free-standing soaker tub. Oh, and speaking of my dad, I have one of his old t-shirts in my closet. It’s way too big on me, but I like to sleep in it sometimes. You’re welcome to it. You know, so you don’t have to wear that one…later.”

Her nervous rambling was as surprising as it was adorable as fuck. She’d handled herself so well earlier today. Taking charge without so much as a sliver of hesitancy or panic.

But now…

“Sorry.” Kerrigan’s gorgeous face twisted with uncertainty. “I guess I should have waited to…I’m making this really awkward for you, aren’t I?”

“You haven’t made anything awkward.” He glanced down at the front of his stained shirt. “And I’ll definitely take you up on that offer…later.”

Cade offered her a wink and a grin to let her know he was totally on board with the plan. He had no idea how long he’d be allowed to stay here, but the idea of putting on a blood-stained shirt after sex was admittedly less than appealing.

If he was lucky and she let him stay over, he needed to remember their early-morning appointment to get it cleaned. When been washing his hands earlier at the hospital, he’d texted a guy, arranging to have his car detailed first thing in the morning.

Having contacts within Homeland Security definitely had its perks. One of those being that there always seemed to be a guy. And in this particular case, his “guy” was the owner of a local autobody shop.

The man also happened to be an expert in making blood disappear.

So he’d drop off the car, and while it was getting cleaned, they could go down and give their statements to the cops. After that...

“Sorry.” Kerrigan spoke up again. “I didn’t think I was this nervous until, well…now.”

Cade inched himself closer to where she stood. “It’s okay, Doc. I’m nervous, too.”

Just like that, her anxiety seemed to vanish. He watched as she turned and went to the shower, pulling open the large, glass door. Reaching in, Kerrigan turned the main knob two-thirds of the way down, and within seconds, several showerheads came to life.

She turned back around, toeing the sandals from her feet. He held his breath, unable to look away when her hands moved to the top button on her dress.

Moving slowly, Kerrigan began releasing each one. The two halves of her dress started to fall open, and before long, it became evident that she wasn’t wearing a bra.

Lord have mercy.

He’d been so wrapped up in their kiss before he hadn’t realized. But now…

The dress fell to the floor in a soft pile around at her feet. Cade didn’t dare move. He didn’t so much as blink for fear she’d vanish into thin air.

Her breasts rose and fell with each of her breaths, their rosy, pink nipples taut and ready for the attention he planned to give. Kerrigan’s feminine curves were like a Hollywood starlet, and he couldn’t wait to get his fill.

A tiny scrap of white lace barely covered her sex. And when she reached for the delicate waistband, he heard himself utter a soft?—

“Wait.”

She froze, her fingertips remaining still between the lace and her skin. A set of green eyes he wanted to get lost in stared back, slowly filling with a touch of humor.

“If you’re about to ask me if I’m sure, the answer is yes. I want you, Cade.” She began lowering the intimate garment. “I wanted you in the car on the way to the park.” Lower. “When we were sitting on the blanket in the grass.” And lower. “So I guess, the only thing left to determine is whether you’re sure, too.”

When she stood back up, Cade thought he may have swallowed his own tongue. His mouth literally fucking watered, and he was as hard as a stone made of granite.

Holy. Hell.

She was completely naked and deliciously bare. The urge to drive himself deep inside her was stronger than ever. But she deserved better. Deserved…more.

“You want to know if I’m sure?”

Cade made quick work of his own clothes, ignoring the way his hard-as-a-hammer dick jutted out like an angry sword looking for a fight. But fighting was the last thing on his mind.

He went to her, not stopping until he was mere inches from where she stood. Reaching down, he linked their fingers together. And this time, he was the one who took the lead.

They stepped into the shower, the steam billowing up all around them. He grabbed the bar of soap resting on the small built-in shelf to his left, and with slow, gentle movements, Cade began lathering it across her skin.

He washed her body. Her hair. When he was finished, she returned the tantalizing favor.

Neither spoke a word, instead communicating solely by touch. It was the single most erotic experience of his entire existence.

Erotic. Sensual. Arousing.

For Cade, this wasn’t just about sex. Nor was it simply a way to blow off steam or scratch a temporary itch.

This was more. So much more. As far as he was concerned, this moment only solidified the inexplicable connection the two of them already shared.

By the time the suds had all been washed away, Cade was so hard and swollen, he physically ached. While he couldn’t fucking wait to finally sink into her welcoming warmth, there was one thing he wanted even more.

He reached up, adjusting the showerhead mounted directly above him before dropping to his knees directly in front of where she stood.

“What are you?—”

“Hold on.” He motioned to the wall nearest where she stood.

Kerrigan’s heated gaze flared to life as she pressed a balancing palm to the tile. Despite his body’s urge to finally taste what he’d been craving, Cade took a few precious seconds to commit what he was seeing to his long-term memory.

Naked. Wet. Nipples hard, her body flushed.

The woman was every wet dream he’d ever had…and then some. And for tonight, at least, she was his.

“Mine,” he mumbled beneath the sound of falling water. He studied her stance, making sure she wasn’t going to fall.

When Cade was confident the woman wasn’t going to fall, he slid a hand to her ankle. Gently guiding her foot from the smooth shower floor, he lifted her leg up and over his shoulder.

“Cade…”

His gaze slid to the object of his current desire. Her sex front and center, ripe and ready for the taking.

Don’t mind if I do.

With one hand on her hip and the other wrapped around her elevated thigh, he leaned in for that very first, glorious taste.

Kerrigan’s body bucked against him as she threw her head back with a tiny cry.

He wondered if he should make sure that this—the way he was devouring her very essence—was okay. But then, less than a second later, Cade felt a hand grab hold of his short, brown hair.

She didn’t push him away, like he’d half expected. Instead, Kerrigan greedily pulled him closer. A silent plea to give her more.

Don’t worry, baby. I’ve got you covered.

His lips kissed and sucked, his tongue swirling this way and that. A deep moan escaped, and he felt as though he were a prisoner about to die, and Kerrigan was his final meal.

“Oh, God,” she breathed. The soft words intertwined with the sound of the water’s steady streams.

He slid a hand up the length of her inner thigh, not stopping until he’d reached her most intimate flesh. Slowly, gently, he pushed a finger between her slick folds.

Fuuuuck.

She was molten hot and so damned tight. His dick twitched against his lower belly as if to beg him for permission to take what it so desperately craved.

That would happen, and soon. But first…

“Ah!” Kerrigan’s hand slapped loudly against the shower wall as he thrust not one but two fingers deep inside.

He fucking loved how reactive she was to his touch. So unabashed. Uninhibited. A woman who was gladly accepting what he’d been so willing to give.

Cade leaned in again, adding his mouth back into the mix. He moved his fingers in and out of her velvety core as he brought his lips to her clit.

The bundle of nerves was swollen and tight beneath the tip of his tongue. The grip on his hair grew tighter and tighter. Her legs trembled and shook as he brought her closer and closer to that wonderful edge.

“Oh, God, Cade. Don’t stop. Please…don’t….stop…”

He had no intentions of stopping. Not until she found her release.

His fingers moved faster, her inner muscles clenching around him with every forceful thrust. Cade laved circles around the base of her clit, alternating the occasional lick to its taut, swollen tip.

“I’m close,” Kerrigan announced. “Holy shit, I’m…so…close.”

He smiled around her because, yeah. She sure as fuck was.

Far be it from me to deny the pleas of a woman in distress.

He moved his hand faster. Wrapped his lips around the tiny bundle of nerves. And then, being careful not to use too much pressure, he began to suck.

“Cade!”

Kerrigan’s climax hit with a powerful blow, his name echoing around them as he continued giving as much pleasure as he could. Her legs shook with the electrical pulses of her orgasm, and when he could sense his touch was becoming too much, Cade slowly slid his fingers free from her pulsating core.

“Ohmygod.”

She leaned the side of her head against the ceramic tile. Eyes closed, the flushed woman didn’t even try to fight his movements when he carefully lowered her hiked leg back down to the shower floor.

“That was…” Her breaths heaved with exertion. “Holy…”

“Yeah, it was.” Cade agreed, unable to keep the cocky grin from spreading across his face. “Best thing I’ve ever tasted.”

It seemed impossible, given what had just transpired, but Kerrigan’s flushed skin grew even redder than before. She opened her heavy lids, her sated gaze doing something to him he couldn’t explain.

He’d done that. Him. He was the one to put that look on her gorgeous face. And he couldn’t fucking wait to do it again.