"I have to have you. I can't fucking take it anymore."

He gazed into her troubled eyes. "I can't just sleep with you tonight and then have you go back to your girls tomorrow."

"I have no girls. I want you. I've never wanted anyone the way I want you." He lowered his mouth to her ear. "I need you."

"But Brittany-"

"No. I haven't been with anyone since I've been here, and I got tested right before I left. Please." His mouth burrowed into her neck, licked the sensitive skin. She stirred beneath him, her hands roaming his back.

He kissed her tenderly, the corner of her mouth, her jaw, and then his tongue swiped across her lips, and she lifted her hips, grinding against him. He skimmed the precious ducky shorts and panties off her hips, pulled the tank top over her head, and then filled his palms with her breasts. She gasped, and he licked a hot path down her neck to suck one sweet nipple into his mouth, circling it with his tongue.

"Oh, Christ." His mind practically shorted out with intense pleasure. "Fuck, Nicole. I want you. I have to have you."

"Yes." Hands in his hair, she arched into him, hips rocking, and his cock nudged at her opening-so slick and hot he nearly lost himself.

"Ah, Jesus, Nicole." His mouth skimmed down her body, his hands caressing her breasts. And then he pushed her legs apart, his tongue licking inside her. When he found her nub, he flicked his tongue over it, hard, fast, because he had to have her. Jesus, now.

She clutched his hair, her hips rocking, twisting, slamming her against his mouth. Christ, the sounds she made had him going out of his mind. He gripped her ass and lifted her to him.

"Oh, God, Dylan." She cried out his name over and over and then her body shuddered, her legs stretching straight out, her back arching off the mattress. "God."

After her body settled down, she reached for his shoulders, dragging him up to her. He kissed her, couldn't get enough of her mouth, her tongue.

"Birth control?" he asked.

"Yes."

Thank God. He grabbed his cock, slid it through her juicy folds and then thrust inside her. Her ass came off the bed, as she cried out. "Dylan."

He powered into her. He'd never felt anything like it in his life. Her heat, her scent, her hands clutching him, drawing him deeper. He rammed her so hard, she nearly hit the headboard. Jesus Christ, he couldn't stop. Needed her. More. All of her. Holy fuck. Sliding his hands underneath her, he cupped her shoulders and dragged her down the bed, hips locked tightly against hers. And then he was pumping, out of control, slamming into her so hard his teeth clacked together.

Her cries, the way she clutched him, let him know she was in it with him.

Everything tightened, narrowed to one sensation. Raw, carnal desire. For her.

"Nicole." Sensation grew so acute he could hardly take it. Her back arched off the mattress, fingers digging into his ass, as she slammed up into him. But he grabbed her hips, held her to the bed, and came so hard sparks filled his vision.

He collapsed on top of her, their bodies slick with perspiration. Her hands roamed his back, his shoulders, her breath hot on his neck.

Easing himself off her, he cupped her chin, turning her to claim that pretty mouth. His chest pressed to her back, his hand skimmed down her throat, cupped her breast, then palmed her stomach. She pushed back into him, like she had to be skin-to-skin, too.

"Dylan." His name coasted out on a sigh.

Fully awake, he listened to her breathing even out, felt his skin cool down, until he lay there chilled.

He was out of control. He'd lost it completely with this girl.

The red alert of danger clanged in his mind, making sleep impossible.

The worst thing he could do was lose control. Shit. How had this happened? What was it about her that made him so crazy? Sure, attraction was normal. But what he felt for her? It was insane.

And dangerous.

Fuck. He had to get out of there.

He couldn't bail on her, obviously. He wouldn't do that.

He just needed to think, to get a hold of himself.

Yeah, that was all he needed. Some time to get his shit together. He could have her, just...in a more controlled way.

He pulled away from her, but she stirred, gripping his hand.

Too soon to go. He'd wait until she'd fallen more deeply asleep.

Then he'd leave.

CHAPTER TEN.

A beam of sunlight hit her eyelids, waking her. She should really use a clothespin or a paper clip to hold those curtains together. It would be nice to be able to sleep in on a day when she had no early class.

An ache between her legs made her wonder-and then she lit up like a fuse.

Dylan. He'd come to her.

She smiled. He'd spent the night. And, oh, what a night. Burying her face in the pillow, she smiled at the way they'd loved each other. So intense. So wildly delicious.

She already knew he was gone. Sometime in the night, she'd felt him untangle his body from hers. Vaguely, she recalled trying to hold onto him, but she'd been too exhausted to fight.

How would he act around her today? Because last time they'd gotten intimate, he'd ignored her for days and then he'd brought party favors home. She'd told him not to treat her that way-to stay away from her if he couldn't be with her. He'd understood, so, no, he wouldn't do it again.

If he'd gone back to his own bed, though, she'd be pretty disappointed. He loved sleeping with her, so leaving her for his own bed would definitely be a sign.

Rolling out of bed, she winced at the soreness of her muscles. Shower, definitely.

Tying her robe, she opened her door at the same moment James came out of the bathroom, hair wet, towel wrapped around his waist.

"You little whore," he whispered, looking all excited and happy.

She shushed him, pointing toward the bedroom, in case Dylan was in there.

He cocked his head, confused. "He's not with you?"

She shook her head, trying hard to keep her spirits from plummeting. On Fridays, he had a lab at ten and then he worked the lunch shift in town. No way would he need to get up before eight.

"Oh, shit." James grabbed her arm and led her into his room, pushing her onto his bed. "Every detail."

She and Dylan...no. It didn't feel right to share what they did or said together. "When was the last time you saw him?"

"Last night. I haven't seen him at all this morning. But, damn, girl, I heard you two going at it. Who knew you could get so dirty?"

"Maybe he went to the gym." Yes, that made sense. That made her feel better.

James sat on the bed, reaching for the lotion he kept on his desk. He poured a good amount in his hand and slathered his shoulders and arms. "Text him."

"No." She'd give him space. Especially if he was lifting.

"You think he's freaking out?"

"Maybe. But he's probably at the gym."

James glanced at the alarm clock on his desk. "Fuck me." He got up, dropped the towel and pulled on his boxers and jeans. When his head popped out of a thermal Henley, he said, "I'm so late." He jammed his feet into his boots, didn't even bother tying them before he got up and smashed some papers into his messenger bag. "I'm sorry for bailing on you." He started to leave the room. "You going to be okay?"

She nodded.

"You going to text him?"

"I'm going to give him some space."

"He's crazy about you. You know that, right?" He came back and kissed her cheek. "Just give him time. He'll get there."

By the time she got back from class at two-thirty, she still saw no sign of Dylan. If he'd gone to the gym, he'd have come home to shower and change. Unless he'd brought his clothes and toiletries with him to avoid coming back to the house. But, no, his toiletries were in the bathroom, his bed the same mess it'd been that morning.

James found her sitting on Dylan's bed with his pillow on her lap.

He tossed his messenger bag on the floor near his desk. "Oh, shit. You haven't heard from him?"

She shook her head.

"Fucker pulled a runner." He pulled his phone out of his back pocket. "I'm texting him."

A few seconds later, they heard a vibration. Dylan's phone danced on the desk right next to his bed.

James's eyes went wide. Not taking his phone was huge. It meant his mom couldn't get a hold of him. The last time she hadn't been able to get through to him, she'd called the school.

Nicole set the pillow back down. "I'm going into town."

"Yeah, good idea. Let's get a coffee."

They walked in silence, James kind enough to leave her alone with her thoughts. Without a word, they both slowed in front of the restaurant where Dylan worked. James held the door open for her.

It took a moment for her eyes to adjust, but she walked right up to the hostess station.

The young woman grabbed some menus, the smile fading when she saw Nicole's expression. "Can I help you?"

"I'm looking for Dylan McCaffrey. Is he working today?"

"No, sorry. He's not in today."

"But he was supposed to work, right?"

The girl looked uncomfortable. "I don't know his schedule. I just know he's not here now."

"Okay, thank you."

James belted his arm around her as they headed back outside into the cold air.

"So, what do we do?" she asked him.

"I don't know."

"We should find his friends. You know, Joe and those guys."

Brittany came racing out of the restaurant. "Hey, wait up. Are you looking for Dylan?"

"Yes," Nicole said, fearful and hopeful at once.

"He didn't show up for work, and he's not answering his phone," she said.

"Do you have any idea where he might be?" James asked.

"I mean, the only thing I can think of is Joe's place. Maybe he crashed there?"

"Where does Joe live?" James asked.

"I'd take you there, but I can't get off work." She looked down the street, unseeing. "God, he's never missed a shift. He didn't even call in sick." And then she turned to Nicole. "What happened last night? Was he with you?"

"Nothing happened. I know he slept at home."

"But he was gone before we woke up," James said.

Brittany took a step closer. "You've got to back off. He's got enough shit in his life. I mean, he's just...he doesn't need one more person to take care of, you know?"

"You know about his family?" Nicole instantly regretted asking.

"Of course. He tells me everything."

Nicole's heart squeezed so hard it hurt. Why would he open up to this girl and not to her? Why didn't he trust her?

"Except where he is." James pulled out his phone. "Listen, if you hear from him or find out anything, will you text me?"