It drove him crazy when she sounded like that, all urgent and desperate; when she got that sexy as fuck look of abandon in her eyes.

He needed her mouth. Needed the hot lick of her tongue, the fierce and sizzling connection. His tongue coaxed hers back into play, and-fuck-he burst into flames.

He drank in her love, inhaled it, completely reveled in it. Sometimes he felt starved for her. She filled him with her goodness and purity, her love and warmth, and he didn't think he'd ever get his fill.

Hands gripping her ass, he lifted her, and she wrapped her legs around his waist.

Angling his head, he deepened the kiss and breathed in her sweet, fresh scent. He couldn't get close enough. He wanted more. Always more. "I love you, Nicole. I fucking love you so much." Burning need swept through him fast and fiery- "Dylan?" Sydney called in the distance. "Nicole?"

"Fuck." He relaxed his hold, started to put her down, but she tightened her arms and legs.

"Wait. Before everyone gets here, I just want to tell you how proud I am of you."

He could barely catch his breath, and his body shook with want, but he listened.

Because, yeah, it was pretty amazing. Four years ago he couldn't imagine graduating college-let alone with honors and Nicole by his side-but here he was.

"I remember once telling you that you were a coward but, God, Dylan, I was so wrong. You're a good man-such a good man. I didn't understand it then, but I do now. Because you fought for what you believed in. And you believed with all your heart that your mom was your responsibility-and of course you did. It's what she'd told you your entire life. But once you figured it all out, that you couldn't help her, that you needed to take care of yourself, you let her go. And you put all that strength, all that loyalty and energy, into your own life, into us. And I'm grateful-I mean, I'm so unbelievably grateful you chose me-and I'm so proud of you for the man you've become." She smiled, scraping her fingers through his hair. "My man."

Oh, hell. It wasn't about his accomplishments. It was about him. She had a way of making him feel like a fucking superhero. "How the hell did I ever find you?"

"We found each other." She pressed her sexy mouth to his, stirring up all that desire and need, and he backed her against the wall, grinding into her.

"Oh, look at the greenhouse." Sydney's voice came closer. "It's so pretty."

Breathing hard, Dylan lowered his face into the curve of her neck. Nicole cupped the back of his head, shaking with laughter. "Later."

He didn't know if he could wait.

Sifting her fingers through his hair, she said, "We've got the rest of the night."

"The rest of our lives."

Their gazes locked, the meaning behind his words ricocheting between them, until he saw the moment it finally sank in. Her features softened.

"The rest of our lives," she whispered.

"How does she get it to light up like that?" Sydney neared the greenhouse.

"She leaves the solar lamps out all day and brings them in at night," James said. "But she also wrapped recycled aluminum around cardboard so the light reflects off it."

"This thing is so cool."

"Yeah. That's my Nic."

"I mean, it's like glowing." Sydney sounded like she was right outside the door.

Slowly, Dylan set her down. He cupped her chin, pressing soft kisses to her mouth.

"Dylan? Nic?" Sydney called again, this time right outside. The door rattled. "You in there?"

Nicole smiled up at him, radiant and sweet. The most beautiful woman in the world. He held her gaze, heart full. "Yeah."

"Might be cool if you unlocked the door," James said.

"One sec." Nicole smoothed the skirt of her dress.

He grabbed her hand, and they edged between the counter and the row of freshly planted snap peas.

"Guys, come on." James rattled the door. "The McCaffrey horde is advancing."

Dylan unlocked it. Stepping out into the peach dusk of a cool May evening, Dylan saw Uncle Zach waving, as he headed up the street toward their little community garden. The greenhouse took up a quarter of it, so the neighborhood and school could make use of it year-round.

"Diwin!" One of his little cousins squirmed out of her mom's arms and came toddling over to him. He scooped her up, her sticky hand cupping his face. "I wuv you, Diwin." She smelled of candy and baby shampoo.

And then they were all there. His aunts, uncles, cousins-the whole family had flown in for his graduation. They wanted to see the greenhouse before heading out for a celebratory dinner.

Just for a moment, he thought about his mom. She'd tried rehab once more, but it hadn't stuck. She was living with some guy in Carbondale. He talked to her from time to time, but she was so rarely sober they didn't connect much. He'd long given up believing she'd get better. Not that he'd extinguished all hope. He'd never do that.

"Dylan." Uncle Zach drew him in for a bear hug. "Proud of you."

"You skishing me." Little Emma squirmed between them.

"Nicole," a big voice bellowed.

"Hey, Dad." Nicole got swallowed up in her dad's arms. And then her feet were off the ground. "Oh."

Her brothers came up behind him, their women in tow. The men wore navy blazers and khaki pants, shiny leather shoes and well-groomed hair. The women wore curve-hugging dresses and expensive shoes.

His family couldn't have looked more different with their southwestern flair. The men wore pearl-button shirts and cowboy boots, while the women wore silver and tooled-leather purses. They looked just like what they were-hard-working mountain people.

As he took in their families surrounding him, peace settled over him. A happiness he'd never dared hope for reared up and just for a moment emotion swelled so hard he couldn't breathe.

This is my life.

Thanks to her. He reached for her hand, clasped it tightly. He'd done all right.

They'd take the summer off to travel, but in the fall he'd be at Columbia Business School, while Nicole started her job with Feeding America in New York City.

She squeezed his hand, and he knew she felt it, too.

As long as they had each other, everything was right in the world.

Thank you for reading this book! The next book in the Wild Love series, Mine for the Week, comes out soon. Please sign up for my newsletter to find out when it will be up for preorder. I would love to get to know you better, so come hang out with me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Mine for the Week (book 2 in the Wild Love series), coming soon!

CHAPTER ONE.

"Like shootin' fish in a barrel."

"I'm going for the hot blonde with the tight ass."

"That narrows it down."

Ryan O'Donnell's friends burst out laughing and then spread out to claim their fun for the night. A singles resort wasn't exactly what he'd had in mind when he'd called his buddies to take this trip, but what the hell. The dance floor teemed with grinding bodies-flashes of bare skin, red lipstick, and glittering jewels. He wasn't complaining.

He didn't dance, so when he spotted a hot brunette sitting alone at a table, he headed in her direction. She looked up as he approached, her features softening, eyelids lowering, and her tongue took a slow glide across her glossy upper lip. Then, she lifted a hand, curved her fingers into a claw, and meowed.

Okay. Maybe a drink first? Yeah, a drink. They'd arrived twenty minutes ago, and he'd been traveling all day. He could use to loosen up a little.

As he headed toward the bar, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He tensed. Pulling it out, he scanned a couple of the most recent texts.

Everything okay?

When you coming back?

You okay dude?

Damn, when he'd made up the story, he hadn't considered anyone's reaction. He hadn't thought about anything. He'd just run.

And then he saw a voicemail from his coach. His chest went tight.

Okay, so, he either returned the call now and listened to Coach tell him to come back to school, or he ignored it and took his break. What was it going to be? You in or out?

Fuck it. He had six days to forget about everything and have a good time- "Hey, there."

Ryan's head snapped up at the sound of a sultry voice. The accompanying face and body didn't disappoint. He shoved the phone back in his pocket. "Hey. Ryan O'Donnell."

"Carrie Winters. I saw the three of you standing there." She blew out a slow breath. "The trifecta of holy hotness. It's like winning the lottery or something."

His smile broadened. As athletes, they tended to get attention like that. Jake, at six-six, with his dark hair and olive skin, had women falling all over him. Dixon might've been shorter than the two of them, but he was a powerhouse of pure muscle. His blonde hair, shaggy and overgrown like a surfer, got him the attention his height and looks didn't.

"Can I get you something to drink, Carrie?" Unlike most island resorts with tiki lamps and strings of lights, Isla de los Amantes had gleaming black lacquer tables, silver vases filled with exotic orchids, and crystal chandeliers. A safe haven for wealthy singles, it was known for its Vegas attitude. What happens on Santa Grenada stays on Santa Grenada.

He made a move to the bar, but she stepped in front of him, planting her hands on his chest.

"Let's just skip to the part where I'm in bed with all three of you at once."

Yup. He really needed that drink. "How about we start with a beer?"

"Oh, honey. Don't you know?" She got up on her toes, her breasts brushing against him, and whispered in his ear. "I'm a sure thing." Gliding a hand from his shoulder to his biceps, she gave it a squeeze. "You're seriously the hottest man I've ever seen. I can't wait to get you naked."

Step one in letting loose stood before him. This woman was ready to get down and dirty, no strings attached. He should go for it.

Instead, he stepped sideways and moved around her. "I'm gonna grab a beer. You want one?"

"Ah. A virgin."

"Excuse me?"

"Don't worry. I love virgins. I can't wait to break you in."

The last thing he should be feeling right then was irritation. With her long dark hair and curvy figure, Carrie was hot. Clearly, she had no inhibitions. He couldn't ask for a better way to launch spring break. "Virgins, huh?"

"Resort virgins. I can't wait to initiate you. Let's go to my room."

"I'm gonna grab that drink first." He pushed through to the bar and lifted a finger to get the bartender's attention.

Carrie's hand caressed his ass and gave it a squeeze. "I'm not used to resistance, but I admit the build-up's making me even hotter for you."

He grinned at her. "So, Carrie Winters, where you from?"

"Boston. You?"

"I go to school in Michigan, but I'm from Connecticut."

"You're still in school?"

"Senior, but yeah. What do you do?"

"I'm a realtor, and I'm about four years older than you. I've never been a cougar, but that's what I love about this place. I can be whatever I want."

"And what do you want to be?"

An ocean-scented breeze fanned her hair out. Her skin-tight dress revealed a toned body with generous mounds of flesh bursting out of the deep neckline. "When I'm here? Fucking wild. I work in my dad's firm, so I have to be perfect. All the time. And I love it. I'm not complaining. I make a ton of money, and the clients come to me. But sometimes I need to let loose, you know?"

"I do." Christ, did he know.

Her features turned sultry. "Obviously, or you wouldn't be here. I've been coming here for four years because there's no bullshit. You can just do your thing with anyone, anywhere, anytime. And there's no walk of shame. No worrying if the guy'll call you again. I love it."

He tugged at the collar of his shirt. Was it warm in here? He checked to see if he stood under a heat lamp.