I splay my hands over his chest and push upward to get some space between us, but I don’t climb off of him. “Neither am I.”

“Natalie . . .” His tone holds warning.

“Why did you take me out tonight?”

A little wrinkle appears between his brows. Whether it’s from the subject change or the question itself, I can’t tell. “Because I wanted to. I like you.”

“Okay, but why? I was kind of a bitch to you.”

“No, you were—are—feisty, and I’m into that. I like women who aren’t afraid to say what they’re thinking. Polite girls bore the shit out of me. And I could tell you weren’t going to let me get away with anything. I’d have to work for it.”

I process that. “So you like a challenge.”

“I do, but I wasn’t looking at you like some prize to win or anything. Just thought we’d have fun together, if I could get you to let your guard down a little.”

The answer affects me more than he probably realizes. He likes that I’m a challenge. He likes that I talk back. “You know why people like me?”

“Same reason?”

“No, they like me because I’m really good at doing what’s expected of me. I’m responsible. I’m practical. Nice. You don’t have to worry about me being unpredictable. I do what I’m supposed to because I’m way too concerned about what everyone thinks about me. But the minute you picked me up today, that seemed to fall away. I didn’t have this need to impress you.”

He gives me a wry look. “Gee, thanks.”

I shake my head. “No, it’s not like that. It’s just . . . I didn’t need to put on some mask. You saw me, the unedited, not-so-polite side, and liked me anyway.”

He lifts my hand from his chest and kisses my palm. “Is that bad?”

“No, it’s not. It’s very, very good.” I lie down again, bringing my face close to his. “Because no one’s ever taken the real me to bed, and I’m thinking it’s way overdue.”

His blue eyes widen. “What?”

I shift against him, settling myself along his body. “You’re going on a road trip for the summer because you want to, because it will be fun and an adventure. You aren’t worried about anyone else’s opinion. It’s your whim.”

“Right,” he says slowly.

“I want you to be mine.” I let my hand drift between us and cup his erection, loving the sound he makes in the back of his throat when I do. Never have I been so bold. I don’t make first moves. I’ve been the nice girl behind closed doors just like I have been in the rest of my life. But right now, all I want is a whole lot of bad. “Take me home, Monroe. And to hell with sleeping on the couch.”

Chapter 6

Monroe

I’ve never made it home so fast in my life. All those traffic laws I agreed to follow earlier this afternoon? Yeah, well, I got her home safe, that’s all that counts, right? But now I can barely get my key in the door. What the fuck? I’m like a damn teenager again, getting ready to cop his first feel.

This isn’t me. I’m the guy who keeps his cool. Women are great, sex is fantastic, but I’m not one to get all urgent about it. We’ve got all night. But I’ve got no fucking shot at slowing myself down and acting like a normal human being.

The minute we’re inside the door of my house, I’m grabbing for Natalie and pushing her against the nearby wall. She’s been rubbing that body up against mine on the ride over here, and I’m about to combust. My mouth crashes against hers, and my hands reach for her thighs.

She doesn’t fight it. She wraps her legs around my waist, letting me lift her up, and is kissing me back just as hard. I press her against the wall and her nails score my scalp, the resulting tingles going straight to my dick. I want to swallow her whole.

And happy day—I think she wants to devour me right back. Whatever reins she’s been holding on to have been cut. She’s letting go. And I get the feeling this might be the first time. I can’t wait.

I pull back for half a second to grab a breath. “Tell me you’re sure.”

Her eyes are dilated, her lips puffy. She’s fucking gorgeous. “I’m so sure.”

My fingers dig into her thighs, my restraint on a weak tether, and she winces. I soften my grip. “Sorry.”

She shakes her head. “No, I like it. I want . . .”

She rolls her lips inward, and her gaze skates away. Old fears are obviously creeping in. I tighten my hold on her. “No, princess. You want me to fuck you? Then tell me how you want it. No room for being scared right now.”

“I like how rough you’re being.”

Oh, hell yeah. “Feel free to be rough right back.”

I bury my face in her neck and press my teeth to her throat. Her head tilts back, and the gritty moan that accompanies the move makes me so damn hard I worry I’m going to have a permanent zipper imprint on my cock.

My hand coasts up her body and I cup her breast, the full, soft flesh heating my palm. I need to get her out of this dress, but I don’t want to put her down long enough to do it. I rub my thumb over her nipple, and she shudders in my hold. God, she’s sexy. Even the slightest touch gets a response. I want to find all her hot buttons and press them over and over until she’s out of her mind from it.

Her lips are on mine again and the long, deep kiss has me feeling wild and frantic on the inside. And I’m down for being rough. But I don’t want to hurt her or fuck this up in my rush to get us naked. I pull away and ease her down from the wall. “This will be better on the bed.”

She nods and kicks off her shoes. “Good idea. I have condoms in my purse.”

“I’ve got us covered.” I grab her hand and lead her down the hallway, hoping to hell I put away all my crap before I left for work today. Nothing like a pile of dirty underwear to ruin the mood. Luckily, when we walk in, the place looks mostly presentable. The bed isn’t made but other than that, we’re good.

I turn to Natalie and kiss her again, my hands going to the tie on the side of her dress. But when I tug, she puts her hand over mine. “Should we shower? I mean, I probably still smell like skunk and . . .”

“You smell amazing,” I say, and mean it. She smells like the grass from the lake, baked goods, and girl. There’s even a hint of some fruity shampoo lingering.

“Liar,” she says, but she’s smiling.

“Maybe I just like you dirty.”

“You would.” She cocks her head in challenge.

“There she goes again. Judging.” She laughs and I gather her flush against me, putting my lips close to her ear. “Lose the dress, beautiful. There’s only one scent I want you wearing. Mine.”

She groans softly and steps back to finish unfastening the tie on her dress. The fabric falls open, and I forget how to speak.

Chapter 7

Natalie

When I let my dress drop to the floor, I have the immediate urge to run into Monroe’s closet and slam the doors shut to hide. I’ve never felt more exposed. The red lacy bra and thong are somehow worse than being naked. Because this says—Hey there, I totally planned on getting laid tonight. And oh, I bought these to impress someone. Not you, by the way. Though, I’m really happy it is you who’s here.

Awkward.

Plus, I don’t know what kind of girl Monroe usually dates. I’m not exactly a size-two model. No quarters are bouncing off this belly. And what if I look ridiculous and like I’m trying too hard and—