"You're wet," he murmured, his voice filled with awe and appreciation.

She was. She felt on fire from the lean, sculpted heat of him. Then her body rocked when he ran his tongue around her navel, then dipped into the shallow hole at the same moment he slid one lean finger inside her.

Her hips bucked to take more of him.

"Yes," he whispered, boldly stroking, pulling out until the tip of his finger touched her most sensitive spot, circling, then slid deeper, making her body begin to move of its own volition.

He pulled free, and she cried out.

"Shhh," he murmured against her, tugging the bonds around her ankles free.

"Lift your knees," he instructed, his voice low and gruff.

She looked up at him, and his gaze burned with hunger, a predatory gleam in his eyes. Her hands were still tied, her breasts beckoning him with their taut peaks. And she lifted her knees.

His body leaped, and she could tell he was holding on to an amazing control. Then he touched her again, parting her wet folds, one finger finding the hidden sensitive nub, circling as her eyes fluttered closed and her mouth fell open in a silent cry of pleasure. Then his finger slid deeper, the palm of his hand cupping her.

Composure and common sense were lost, and all she wanted was more of what he was giving. He stroked, and when she thought she couldn't feel anything better, his mouth captured hers once again. The thrust of his tongue was carnal, propelling her higher as he slipped a second finger inside her. She squirmed and wanted.

Their kiss turned hard and rough, hot and wet. She couldn't get close enough to his heat. She wanted all of him, his hardness inside her, his strength surrounding her. She wanted to feel the solid strength of him on top of her, her arms free to explore his body.

He broke the kiss and ripped the bonds from her wrists, allowing her to throw her arms around him, holding him close, their bodies melded together.

They rolled together on the mattress, each frantic. Then they rolled again, he on top of her. He cupped her cheeks and just looked at her.

"What are you doing?" she asked, starting to squirm.

"Looking at you here, with me." He smiled, then leaned back to her.

He kissed her, cherishing every bit of her-the sides of her breasts, the sensitive curve of her underarm, the backs of her knees, even her toes. She felt cherished and loved. Yes, loved, she realized. Not simply desired. And it amazed her.

He lowered his head to her naked breasts, and his maddening tongue laving her nipples, each lovingly attended. He whispered words of awe before he levered back.

And suddenly the warmth of him was gone, leaving her hot and cold at the same time-then only hot when he kneeled on the floor between her upraised knees. Cupping her bottom, he pulled her down to the very edge of the bed. Her heart pounded with anticipation. And when his warm palms skimmed along the inside of her thighs, her hands curled into the coverlet.

His lips scorched a path along the tender skin from her knee to the curls between her legs. With both thumbs, he gently parted her.

"I want to taste you."

Excitement rocked through her and she tilted her hips to him. She felt a puff of cool breath against her moist center, then fire at the first touch of his tongue gliding along her nether lips.

"Ben!" She clutched his head, her fingers curling into his dark hair.

He hushed her again, his broad hand splayed on her abdomen. "This is you. Fierce, uninhibited, and passionate."

And when his lips closed over the tender nub, sucking gently, she bucked even harder. She cried out for the intensity that built and grew, threatening to consume her like a white-hot fire. Sensation coiled through her, and when he lifted her hips to take her more fully, very gently he nipped at the tender bud.

She nearly went over the edge. But he held her back, kissing the inside of her thigh.

She was small and light, and when he stood he brought her up with him, making her laugh breathlessly.

Need thundered through him and he buried his face in her neck, pulling her up as she wrapped her legs around his waist. He wanted to plunge deep and hard. But he refused to be the primal man that she had accused him of being. Instead he cupped her bottom, his fingers gently parting her as he guided her down to his shaft. When the secret folds of her flesh touched his slick hardness, he could feel the sensation that took her breath, and she couldn't hold back the moan that started deep in her throat.

With his hands instructing her, he moved her onto him, slowly circling her hips, her mouth parting on a silent gasp as her body opened to him.

"God," he whispered on a strangled breath.

Exhaling sharply, he moved her away from him until they were nearly parted. But then he pulled her back.

Over and over again, barely a movement, slowly, deliciously, until she started moving again on her own. Moving and sliding, still seeking, she demanded more with each erotic gasp.

Then he plunged deep inside her.

They both cried out, and she clung to him as they moved together, panting, seeking. His movement grew faster as he thrust inside her. They were hot and wet, and deliciously wild.

His hips arched into her, her body tilting to take him more deeply in a way that he had never penetrated a woman before. He had never felt anything so amazing.

"I can't wait," she breathed.

With furious need, his body rock hard, he groaned as they fell together onto the bed.

He raised up over her, Julia watching, her lips slightly parted, her hair cast about on the covers and sheets. "Now," she cried.

He pulled her underneath him, insinuating his powerful thighs between her legs to let his hard flesh pulse against her, rubbing erotically.

With a frustrated cry she moved against him. She reached out to him, looking up into his eyes. "Love me," she whispered.

Love me.

The words rang in his head as he came between her knees and he pinned her down. His hard shaft found the sweet heat of her, and their eyes met. He saw her desire, but there was something else. Emotion, deep and pure and much beyond simple sexual need.

With that he couldn't hold back any longer. He plunged into her, cupping her hips, pulling her body up to meet his. She clutched his shoulders, panting, needing. He thrust inside her, desire and passion racing along every nerve ending. And then it happened. He felt her body convulse with spiraling intensity, his every sense reeling and alive. Only then did he allow his body's explosive shudder to rack the hard length of him. He cried out her name, grasping her tightly to his heart as he buried his face in her hair.

Love me, she had whispered.

And he knew for certain in that moment that he did.

To: Julia Boudreaux From: Katherine Bloom Subject: Going crazy

You'll never believe it! After just a single promo for the show, the phone lines are ringing off the hook. All of West Texas is intrigued with Primal Guy!

Katherine C. Bloom News Anchor, KTEX TV, West Texas

To: Katherine Bloom From: Julia Boudreaux Subject: re: Going crazy You're kidding! When did you run the promo? And when did you schedule the show?!!!

xo, j To: Julia Boudreaux From: Katherine Bloom Subject: Time slot

Andrew scheduled the show to run right after the Friends rerun on Thursday night. For a guy who didn't like you before, he certainly has changed his tune after seeing what you put together. The slot is the best we have in the evenings. You're going to knock 'em dead!

K.

p.s. We're getting several requests for interviews for you.

To: Katherine Bloom From: Julia Boudreaux Subject: Why me Why would anyone want to interview me? They should interview Rocco.

xo, j To: Julia Boudreaux From: Katherine Bloom Subject: re: Why me

Rocco's turn will come after the show airs. In the meantime, El Paso is interested in the bad girl who is making good.

K.

To: Katherine Bloom From: Julia Boudreaux Subject: Good is a relative term I might be making good, but I'm no longer being good. In fact, last night I had the most amazing bad night of my life.

To: Julia Boudreaux From: Katherine Bloom Subject: re: Good is a relative term

What did you do?!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Spill, Jules.

K.

To: Katherine Bloom From: Julia Boudreaux Subject: Later Details don't belong in e-mail. We'll talk later.

xo, j

Chapter Twenty-one.

Signing off e-mail, Julia felt a jumble of emotions-a heady high when she thought of Ben and a thrill of excitement that her show was working, all mixed with a knot of nerves in her stomach. She knew Ben cared about her, and she knew that he was drawn to her. But could they have something deeper than really great sex?

She didn't know. She didn't even know if he would come back. Or if she could sustain something long term with any man.

There was no way of knowing, but she wanted to try. The thought was surprising, but exciting as well. She wanted to try to make it work with Ben-not give up easily because she refused to put her heart on the line. And wasn't that what keeping a distance had always been about? Her fear of being rejected? Being afraid that all men were like her father and couldn't stay interested in a single woman after she had shown her love for the man?

Last night, when the digital clock shone 2:59 a.m., Julia had woken with a gasp, her skin damp with sweat. She had been certain he was gone. She knew it, every atom in her screaming that Ben had left her. When she'd finally had the nerve to roll over, he was there, sound asleep.