“Can I touch you?”

He pulled his mouth away for only seconds and looked down at me as my chest rose and fell heavily. Arching my back, I spread my legs in a silent reply. His fingers slid through my folds and inside of me, and I damn near came undone.

His hand found purchase as he cradled my neck, making sure my focus was on him as he touched me so gently, sliding his finger in and out while watching my reaction. My hips bucked when he pulled his finger out and up, working me to the point of frenzy. With his eyes on mine, I quickly succumbed to the pressure that was building, letting the inferno of heat and sensation wash through me. Jayden leaned in and kissed me deeply before pulling away. He pulled the skewers out of the pot and walked quickly to the kitchen. Seconds later, he came back as I was straightening myself. I was slightly sated but I wanted to feel him. He quickly apologized when he returned, drying his hands on a towel.

“I couldn’t exactly clear the table and have my way with you,” he chuckled as he rejoined me.

“Sorry, horny and fondue don’t exactly mix.”

“No, they both take time, and the first time I have you, I will take my time.” His blue eyes seared through me. It was a promise. One I intended to make him keep and soon.

“I want to touch you.”

“And I want you to. You have no idea how much, but not with sixty ounces of hot grease boiling next to our heads.”

“Good plan. Let’s eat.” Despite my agreement, I let my hand drift over his crotch then paused. Looking down, I saw an impressive bulge and could not wait to feel him in that intimate way. I looked up and saw his sapphire eyes greedy with need. Leaning in, I licked his lower lip before pulling away, giving him a taste of what was to come. I had no problem taking it slow, but promised myself I would let him take the lead.

“I just want to do this right,” he offered, his face tight with need as his control slipped slightly. “There is nothing I want more right now than to dig my weight into the bed as I waste myself inside you, but I want to do this right.”

I nodded, completely breathless and wordless. He was sincere, and for the first time in years, I thought I might not be the last romantic left in the world. Jayden, so far, was unlike any other man I’d dated. His cockiness was reserved for flirting, He was slightly old fashioned and modest to the point of being humble. He was way too good looking, and much too well endowed to be so, and it baffled me.

We went through two bottles of wine and stuffed ourselves with succulent meat and tender vegetables while swapping life’s war stories. He told me he’d wanted to be a musician when he discovered The Beatles at age eleven, but never actually had the talent to get away with guitar. All of the quotes on his sleeve were from Beatles songs. He mapped his arm as he spoke, our conversation never ending. I found it a cool coincidence that as he started explaining his fascination with Paul, Ringo, George, and John, Strawberry Fields Forever, my favorite Beatles song, wafted through the air. I sat and listened as he briefed me animatedly about his heroes. It was his thing and I was fully aware of just how deep under his spell I was falling. He even played me a few trivial songs of theirs, explaining his interpretation of their meaning, and suddenly I was even more curious. After a few hours of conversation and light kissing, Jayden stood in front of me.

“I want you to meet someone.”

“Oh?” I said, lying on my side, wine in hand.

He walked down the hallway, opening the door to what I assumed was his room. A huge golden retriever emerged and proceeded to trample me before I was able to sit fully upright, but thankfully had successfully set my wine glass down.

“Well hello to you. You must be Trip,” I said to the tongue coming towards my face as he pinned me beneath him. Jay pulled on his neck quickly with an “Oh shit, sorry. Trip, chill out!” as I laughed hysterically at the dog robbing my cheek of skin. “Leave him alone, Jayden. He’s a better kisser than you,” I joked as Trip continued his assault. Jayden pulled him off as I stood, straightening myself before bending down to rub Trip’s head and ears.

“You’ve kept him locked up both times I was here. You don’t have to do that.”

“Trust me, I did,” he said, grinning down at the both of us. “I need to walk him, but I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll come. We can make it one of those long ones you like,” I said, remembering it was one of the things that made him happy. His eyes warmed because I remembered and a few minutes later Jayden’s shaggy mess of affection was leashed and jumping excitedly at the door. We strolled around the complex as Jayden told me how he got Trip.

He’d stolen him.

“In my defense, his owner was in the store and left him in a car with the windows rolled up in one hundred degree plus weather. He was thin...too thin. I stood for over an hour while the damn dog started to suffocate to give the owner a piece of my mind. It was horrible,” he said as Trip pranced in front of us. The damp night was smoggy and misty with an almost eerie feel as we walked and talked, the two of us becoming a sticky mess just minutes after we stepped outside. And I could not have cared less. In truth, it was if we were walking in a cloud and it matched the feeling in my chest.

“Finally, I couldn’t take it. I checked the door and found it was unlocked, so I took him. Anyone who treats an animal like that doesn’t deserve them. I don’t give a damn if he was someone’s seeing-eye dog, which clearly he’s not,” he said as he quickly dodged a lamppost Trip had pulled him into. I laughed loudly as I agreed.

“And now he’s not too thin,” I noted as I stared at Trip’s size. He was a monster of a dog, all hair and tail with adorable, beady eyes and an outgoing personality. It was clear the two were meant for each other as he torpedoed through the complex, jerking the always in control Jayden around with Jay’s constant protest of “Chill out, Trip.”

Clearly, this was a conversation they had often as Trip fought his leash for freedom. I chuckled at the two struggling for power. Trip won.

“Why did you name him Trip?”

“It fits, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah,” I agreed.

“I have no other reason than that.” Simple and yet so completely cool, like his owner, Trip was growing fast on me.

After our walk, I was covered in sweat. Jayden and I reluctantly parted at my building, our good night kiss interrupted by his rabid dog that consistently jumped on us so he could get his share.

I leaned down and kissed Trip goodnight then winked at Jayden.

“You’re beautiful,” he called after me as I turned around, walking backward toward my door.

“So are you.”

I stopped and stared at him from my entrance as we smiled at each other. He stood still as Trip tried in vain to jerk him away. We stayed there for a long moment, eyes locked, before I gave him one last glance before disappearing inside my door.

And that was the moment I knew I was going to fall in love with Jayden Monroe.

“Leisure Travel Agency, this is Hilary.”

“You sound happy.” My heart fluttered in my chest as I turned in my chair to whisper, “I am. So far, this job rocks. I mean, it’s customer service, but everyone calling in is excited about a vacation, you know. Not all demanding and ‘get me a side of ranch’.”

He chuckled then whispered back, “I just called to make sure your first day was going well.”

“Did you have fun this weekend?”

Jayden had gone on a fishing trip with his Uncle Stephen. He’d made no apologies, as the trip had been preplanned, but I could tell he didn’t want to go. I told him I’d be working doubles, anyway, training my replacement, and sent him off with a promising kiss.