“Like it or not, we both know last night wasn’t enough,” she said. “You want more, like I do. You want to blackmail me? Fine. But don’t think I won’t retaliate.”

He leaned in until his mouth was hovering over hers. “I expect nothing less.”

That stubborn, sexy woman was driving him insane. It was only his third day back in town, and he was already busting at the seams of both his patience and his damn pants.

“Here is an example of stomped-on underbrush,” Gage said to the team of search and rescue volunteers. East—his closest friend, besides Chloe—was at his side, helping him educate the new volunteers for basic training. The fun stuff would come later in the week, when they’d take the main team to the next level of Sartec training. He had to get his shit together quick or he wouldn’t be able to do his job.

Yesterday at the bar, Chloe had made it clear she was going to fight him on this romance idea. She knew what she was doing to him, and part of him liked the challenge. He wanted to know her more, and not just because she was different, sassy, and equipped with enough attitude to whip him so hard he could taste it. But when the rope had loosened and his grip had slipped—when he’d started falling—he’d thought of her.

Her eyes. Her face. How she looked so damn beautiful in the early morning light before sunrise. He’d spent hours watching shadows play over her face as she slept, and he always hated watching the clock count down to the end of their amazing weekends.

Did she miss him? Were the few details they knew about each other enough for her? It wasn’t enough for him—not even close. He wanted more of her, in every way—and he wanted her to know him back. Because she was the closest thing to an honest-to-God connection he had.

He needed to know if a relationship was even possible. Sure, it’d be long distance, but he’d come back here whenever he could if he had Chloe to come home to.

He didn’t want to think about what he’d do if this gambit failed. When it came to an S&R, he was prepared for the worst. When it came to being rejected by the one woman he’d ever wanted? He didn’t know what he’d do. Fortunately, he had a group of trainees to take his mind off Chloe.

He pointed to the shrubs and the ground. “The prints and the broken bushes show someone came through here.”

The volunteers nodded, and East looked them over while Gage gave his lecture. The local team was a damn fine one, but with the new recruits coming in, they needed to get up to speed quickly. There were a lot of acres in the area to cover, and Beaufort’s S&R team handled the greater Carolina area. As soon as an S&R call came in, he’d be out there saving people, but in the meantime, he’d be damned if he didn’t make sure these new recruits were beyond ready for duty.

“Let’s call it a day,” East said.

Gage didn’t argue. It was broaching sundown, and he was ready for dinner…which he’d be having alone, apparently. He hadn’t stopped thinking of Chloe for a damn second. She was right, he wanted her. Bad.

“You all right?” East asked. “You look like someone pissed in your Wheaties.”

Gage scoffed. “Nope, just a certain woman pissing me off is all.”

East nodded.

“Yeah, I’ve known Chloe for a long time,” East said. “You sure you know what you’re doing? She can be vicious when she wants something.”

Chloe, East, and Natalie had been childhood friends forever. Nothing romantic, but East probably knew Chloe better than he did. Something Gage was a bit jealous of.

“I’m aware of how vicious she can be. But she’s fighting mostly to irritate me.”

“Or she really doesn’t want to date you.”

Gage nailed him with a glare. “Bullshit.”

“All I’m saying, man, is you really want her for more than your arrangement, it’s going to be tough. You two have been doing this for what? A year?”

“Two,” Gage said. Which was why he believed they were capable of more. Who stayed fuck buddies for two years? Most moved on to the next person so they could keep it casual. “Christ, all I’m asking for is a meal and conversation before we take our clothes off, but she’s acting like I’m proposing marriage.”

“Aw, cute. You want to cuddle and talk about your feelings and she only wants to fuck. Must be rough being you.”

“Shut up,” Gage said. He was aware of how this looked, and frankly he didn’t give a damn. Yes, he wanted Chloe so fucking much he could taste it. But he also wanted to hear her laugh like she had the last time they’d stayed up all night, getting lost in each other’s body, then talking, then doing it all over again.

But he was too far in now. He had to stick to his guns. No matter how hard—literally—it was.

He pulled out his phone and shot her a quick text.

Dinnertime is coming up…have you seen reason yet? I’m hungry, sweetheart, and we both know you are, too.

In a few seconds, his phone pinged back with a text from Chloe.

I’ll see your dinner and offer up “a quick meal” instead.

He grinned. She was already caving. But he’d hold strong. Romance for sex. But a quick meal for some messing around could take the edge off…

Deal.

His phone pinged again.

Great. Why don’t you come get me in an hour?

His fingers worked fast to reply: I’ll be there.

With that, his evening was looking up and a sexy woman was in his future.

Chapter Three

Chloe tried not to cackle with pride as she went about setting up her “quick meal” to share with Gage. But she really wanted to pat herself on the back for being so clever. She never said anything about leaving her house to get their dinner.

The restaurant was in full swing downstairs, and her crew of wonderful employees was overseeing it while she attended to very important business. Her living space was on the third floor and had a private entrance around back, which Gage had used several times.

She glanced at the clock. He would be there soon, and the process for this meal was a carefully structured one. Hopefully when Gage walked in and saw what she’d prepared, he’d forget the silly date idea and give her what she wanted.

She carefully placed some well-crafted finger foods down and smiled.

Yeah…this was going to be good.

Gage climbed the private stairwell up to Chloe’s apartment above the large Victorian house. The closer he got, the more he could smell the familiar scent of her home. Warm apples mixed with fresh ocean air and a subtle spring flower that was all her. He didn’t know exactly what home smelled like, but he was pretty sure that was it.

He knocked on her door. He’d showered and shaved, and if he were honest, he was excited she had finally accepted his offer. Good thing, too. As it was, he was already hurting for a sample of her. Every muscle in his body begged to be unleashed. He needed to wrap her up. Pin her down. Make her beg.

He knocked again.

“It’s unlocked!” Chloe’s muffled yell came from inside.

Gage opened the door. He walked in, shut the door behind him, and locked it. He’d need to have a talk with her about safety. A single woman leaving her door unlocked at night wasn’t wise.

“Chloe?” he called out. The living room was dark, but around the corner came a soft glowing light from the dining room.

“In here,” she called. Gage hadn’t been in her home in four months, but everything looked the same. Clean, colorful, and well lived in. He made his way to the dining room—

And froze. Every damn cell in his body shot to high alert at the sight of what lay before him.

“Ready for your quick meal, city boy?” she asked.

Jee-sus Christ.

He blew out a breath and looked her over. She was completely naked, lying on her long dining room table, with perfectly placed bits of fruit and pastries covering her most delicious parts.