“Actually, I’m not. It’s more that you’re incredibly distracting.”

She finished with the buttons and slowly pushed the shirt down his arms where it fell on the carpet with a quiet whoosh. Her avid gaze took in the fascinating display of toned muscle then zeroed in on his tattoo. “Very nice,” she murmured, splaying her hands on his ridged abdomen then gliding her palms slowly upward. “Your calendar shot was lovely, but it doesn’t do you justice, Mr. December.”

“Glad you liked it…” His voice trailed off into a low growl of approval when she leaned forward and lightly traced his tattoo with her tongue. Her hands skimmed down to his belt which she quickly opened, along with the button on his pants. Then she gently pushed him until he sat on the edge of the bed. He leaned back and with his weight propped on his elbows, he watched her through glittering eyes as she slipped off his black dress shoes and tugged off his socks. Then her gaze slowly tracked up his long legs and muscular torso. With his pants unfastened at the waist and that huge bulge pressing behind his zipper, he looked positively sinful.

Stepping between his legs, she slowly lowered his zipper then curled her fingers around the waistband of both his pants and underwear. He lifted his hips and she slid the garments down his legs, dropping them on the floor where they landed next to his shirt. Her avid gaze fastened on his erection which rose thick and hard, curving upward nearly to his navel.

“Spread your legs.” It was the same thing he’d said to her, and, like her, he obeyed the command. She ran a single fingertip up the length of his shaft, enjoying the sharp breath he sucked in. Enjoying even more the long breath he exhaled when she wrapped her fingers around him and squeezed.

“I’m not going to last if you keep doing that,” he warned in a strained voice.

For an answer, she leaned down and in the name of payback gave his erection a long, slow lick. His drawn-out groan encouraged her to repeat the lick, ending with a lazy swirl of her tongue around the head before drawing him deep into her mouth.

His breath came in a sharp hiss. “Toni…” His fingers sifted through her hair. When she swirled her tongue around him again, he made an agonized sound and urged her head up.

“Can’t take anymore,” he said, between urgent kisses against her lips.

Female satisfaction filled her. Perfect. Right where she wanted him. She reached for one of the condoms she’d bought earlier that day and had stashed in the drawer of her bedside table-minus the one she’d tucked in her purse-and tore open the package. After sheathing him, she straddled his hips and slowly took him into her body until he was buried to the hilt.

Toni rocked her hips and her long sigh of pleasure mingled with his groan. She rode him, slowly at first, running her hands over his chest, exploring every muscle, loving how they tensed and jumped beneath her fingertips. He rolled his hips in perfect unison to her quickening movements while his hands molded her breasts and his long fingers teased her aching nipples. When her climax overtook her, he grasped her hips and thrust upward as she ground down, embedding him deeper. Their moans and ragged breaths filled the room. Deep spasms shook her, and when they faded into delicious aftershocks, she melted against his broad chest like warm honey.

Where he found the strength to move she couldn’t imagine, but seconds later she found herself on her back looking up into his eyes. She stretched beneath him, reveling in the delicious sensation of his body on top of hers. Still inside hers.

He pushed back a tangled curl that clung to her damp cheek then brushed his lips over hers. “Sorry I came so fast that time.”

“Your timing was perfect.”

“Good. Next time will be better. I’ll last longer-now that the edge is off.”

A huff of laughter escaped her. “I don’t know how much better it could possibly get. But, hey, I’m willing to find out.”

“Glad to hear it.” He touched his forehead to hers. “Toni…do you have any idea how much I’ve wanted you?”

Her heart performed a swooping dive at both the tender gesture and the quiet words that sounded way too serious. And serious was to be avoided at all costs. Her mind knew it, but for reasons she neither liked nor understood, her heart didn’t seem to be falling in line. Which meant it was time to stop thinking.

Framing his face between her hands, she shot him a wicked half smile. “I think you demonstrated how much. But…what would you say if I told you I need some more data. Just to be sure.”

He nuzzled the sensitive spot where her neck and shoulder joined. “I’d say let’s take this to the shower and I’d be happy to provide further information.” He lifted his head and looked into her eyes. “What would you say about that?”

“I’d say that’s the perfect answer.”

TONI WAS putting together a birthday bouquet of red and white roses, freesia and white hydrangea when Jayne arrived at Blooming Pails the next morning. Her pregnant friend studied her for several seconds, then said, “Three.”

“Three?”

Jayne nodded. “I’m guessing that neon glow emanating from you is the result of three orgasms.”

Toni shook her head. “Wrong.”

Jayne’s face fell. “You didn’t have sex with him? Good God, you are made of titanium.”

“Oh, we had sex. You’re just wrong about three.” Toni peeked at her over a white rose. “Try six.”

Jayne’s eyes goggled. “Six? You had six orgasms last night?”

“It actually might have been seven. I think I had an out-of-body experience at one point and may have missed one.”

Jayne plopped onto the nearest stool. “I want details.”

A wave of heat engulfed Toni. She couldn’t possibly tell Jayne the finer points of what she and Brad had shared. And not just sexual intimacies. No, they’d also shared laughter and conversation during their reheated meal where they’d discovered many common interests. They both enjoyed action flicks. Sports. Classic cars. Butter-pecan ice cream. Had similar political views. She’d never met a man with whom she felt so at ease and who was so easy to be with.

And as for the sex, it had been…incredible. After those first two frantic encounters, time had seemed to stand still as they’d spent hours in leisurely sensual exploration. Touching, talking, laughing, learning. If she lived to be one hundred, she’d never forget the way Brad had plucked the petals from the rose she’d given him and strategically placed them on her naked body. Had then settled himself between her splayed thighs and with their hands entwined above her head and his gaze steady on hers, had made soft, slow love to her with the scent of roses rising between them.

Blinking away the image, Toni forced a laugh. “You want more details than six, possibly seven orgasms and one out-of-body experience? Suffice it to say, it was a pleasurable night.”

“Obviously.” Jayne chuckled. “Can you even walk?”

“I’m a bit tender,” Toni admitted, looking down to hide the flush heating her face. “But in a good way.”

“Did you get any sleep?”

“Not much, yet I’m feeling surprisingly exhilarated.”

“Hardly surprising. The postcoital glow you’re tossing off could light up a cave. So when are you seeing him again?”

Toni’s fingers briefly faltered, then she shrugged. “What makes you think I am? The operative words in one-night stand are one and night.”

Jayne’s mouth dropped open. “Are you crazy? How could you even consider not seeing again a man who gave you six orgasms and an out-of-body experience? You need to lock yourself in a room with him and toss away the key.”

“You seem to be forgetting that I’m not looking for a time-consuming, work-disrupting boyfriend. Most especially not a firefighter one.”