Drew’s cheery voice answers, “You’re just the person I was hoping it would be.”

My spirits sink even further with his words. His smiling face pops into my head and the image makes my craving for his hands on my body all that much stronger. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but …”

“That damn but,” he says with a chuckle. “What’s up?”

“School. I’m underwater with my writing. I know if I come tomorrow I won’t get done what needs doing, and I have two long articles due on Monday. I’m going to have to push back coming until Saturday.”

“Hey, Cate, no worries on that. You have to do what’s important and school is important. Understand?”

“Yeah, but I want to see you, too.”

“And you will. Just a day later than previously planned. And don’t worry¸ I’ll make up for it,” he says. I can almost see him grinning.

“Oh yeah? Tell me.”

“Hmm. I don’t think so. Have I ever told you how much I adore your neck? That should be keep you guessing.” His deep chuckle sends shivers up and down my spine.

“You’re not playing fair.”

He laughs again. “I know but when did I say I played fair?”

I rifle through my thoughts for something to latch onto, but come up empty. “Did I ever tell you I fight back?”

“You did now.”

My mouth turns up at the corners.

“But Cate, I play hockey, remember? I know how to fight really dirty.”

Oh my god. The way he says, “Really dirty,” makes me want to jump his bones. Like right this second. How will I ever wait until Saturday?

“Um, Cate, are you still there?”

I swallow the huge heated lump of desire that’s knotted up my throat and croak out, “Uh, yeah. I’m here.”

“Good. Because I like the turn this conversation has taken. What I think I’d like to do is put you in my penalty box and perhaps punish you.”

“P-punish me? How?”

“Mmm, I’ll have to let you think about that for a while.”

Holy shit. What is he talking about here?

“So, Cate?”

His deep sexy voice has me all worked up. “Yeah, Drew.”

“What time do you think you can be here on Saturday?”

“Sin. I mean six.”

A salacious chuckle hits my ear. “Hmm. That’s the time my game starts.”

“I’m talking six in the morning.”

He roars with laughter. “Eager, are you?”

“I would probably call it something else, Drew.”

“Oh, and what would that be?”

“I’ll have to let you think about it for a while.”

His laughter rings out over the phone.

“Oh, and Drew, just so you know, Louise is all hot to see you, too.” In a breathy voice, I add, “Be ready for me at six on Saturday.” As I’m moving the phone away from my ear, I can hear him still laughing.

Friday is nothing but constant work. But the good part of it all is that I accomplish what I set out to do so I can go to Drew’s with a guilt-free conscience. I pack a bag at night so all I have to do in the morning is take a quick shower and go. I set my alarm for four forty-five, and fifteen minutes later, I’m on the interstate. An hour later, I pull into Drew’s parking lot. As if on cue, he stands in the doorway of his apartment, waiting.

Wearing faded jeans with the top button undone and nothing else except his mussed up hair, he looks good enough to eat.

“You didn’t even give me a chance to knock,” I say.

“I figured you’d be on time. You said six and it’s six.” His mouth curls into a sexy smile so I stand on my toes and kiss him. He palms my ass and lifts me so we’re the same height, and kisses me back. “Is this everything?” He’s referring to the small bag I’m carrying.

“All except for the couple of things I have hanging up, but I can grab those later.”

“Good,” he says as he kicks the door closed behind him. Then he starts peeling me out of my clothes. “These were in the way.”

“I noticed. But what about you?”

“Not a problem.” He unzips, tugs his jeans down, and is nice and naked underneath.

“I like,” I say as I run my hand over the ripples of his torso. But I don’t linger because there is something else that begs for my attention. “Mmm, I really like.”

“Not nearly as much as I do.” Abruptly, he picks me up and throws me over his shoulder as I squeal. “I’ve been waiting far too long for this, Catelyn.”

His bedroom is mere steps away. He tosses me on the bed and follows me down. Kneeling, then sitting back on his heels, he says, “I’m too impatient for much right now.” Ecstasy is soon mine because Drew is right. He’s impatient. His tactic is to make me come and he achieves that with a stellar performance.

Kissing Drew is a sexual experience in itself. I love the magic of his mouth and tongue. It’s like stepping into a fairy tale, one that’s all sparkly and filled with fantastical enchantments. My body becomes something completely different when he kisses me.

While inside me, he moves his hand between us; I know it won’t be long.

“Cate, I’m not going to last much longer.”

Thank god. “Neither am I.” I cry out his name. He pulls out and I wonder what’s happening until I see him come all over my belly. Only then do I realize he didn’t have a condom on. Shit.

It takes me a while to catch my breath, but when I do, I want to chastise him. He beats me to the punch. “I got so wrapped up in you, I forgot the condom. Thank god, I remembered to pull out.”

Rubbing my forehead, I say, “Uh, you know that’s not one hundred percent.”

“Cate, it’ll be fine. You won’t get pregnant. But I would like for you to go on some type of birth control. Are you willing?”

“Of course. I just haven’t had the time.”

“I understand,” he says. “If you’d like, I can call the residency clinic here today to see if they can fit you in.”

“Yeah?”

“Sure. They open at seven thirty.”

“On Saturdays?”

“Yeah. They have Saturday hours.”

“Okay.”

“Stay put. Let me get a cloth to clean you up.”

He hops out of bed and I get to admire the fine view as he walks. By the time he gets back, I’m half asleep. He cleans me up and I drift off, curled up beside him.

The next thing I know I’m waking up to the smell of bacon wafting in the room. Lifting my head, I find myself alone in the bed. After a speedy trip to the bathroom, I borrow one of Drew’s T-shirts and pad into the kitchen where the bacon aroma has my tummy rumbling for a taste.

“Good morning sleepy head,” I hear his voice coming from behind me. I turn to see him with a mug of coffee and his computer on his lap.

Yawning, I stop to stretch. “What time is it?”

He moves the computer, stands, and I’m in his arms as he answers, “Ten. I thought you might need the sleep.”

“Ten! I never sleep this late!”

“Must’ve been that amazing lover you encountered this morning.”

Just to keep that cocky attitude of his in check, I say, “Naw, I think it was all that damn studying I did this week.”

His hangdog expression has me giggling. I ruffle his hair, saying, “Of course it was that amazing lover I encountered.” Then I kiss him. “And where can I get some of that bacon? All that lovin’ has made me famished.”

“Right this way, pretty lady.” He takes my hand and guides me to a seat at the counter.

“Have you eaten?”

A guilty expression clouds his eyes. “Uh, yeah. I’ve been up since seven thirty. My hunger overruled my desire to wait. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’m sorry I slept so late.”

He starts pulling things out of the cabinets. “Would you like some eggs?”

“You know, bacon and toast would be great. And some coffee, please.”

After passing me a mug of java, he pops some bread in the toaster. When it’s done he butters it and asks me if I want jelly on it. I decline. Then he hands me a plate with the toast and a pile of bacon on it. I sip my coffee and delight in my toast and bacon.

“I wish bacon was a healthy food option,” I say, biting into a piece of the stuff.