Reaching out, Kenneth twirled a strand of copper-shaded hair around his finger, tugging lightly. "What I see is what I want. Nothing less will satisfy me, tonight or any other night. Just tell me what you want me to do. Stay or walk out." His gaze darkened subtly. "But I'm warning you now. Throw me out and I'll be right back on your doorstep tomorrow. I'm serious."

Tessa lifted her eyes, staring into his handsome face. Her heart beat rapidly inside her chest. "You think it's that easy? That I should trust and believe a complete stranger?"

A grin tugged at his lips, making her want to lay claim to his s.e.xy mouth. "Give me tonight and I won't be a stranger anymore."

Before she could answer, Kenneth brushed a kiss over her lips. He meant to take it slow, but the fire between them flared fast.

Fantastic, he thought. Absolute heaven.

Tongue plumbing her mouth, he worked a hand under her sweatshirt. She wasn't wearing a bra and her nipple pushed taut against his palm. Finding the sensitive tip, he rolled it between thumb and forefinger.

Her response was instant. And encouraging. "That feels so good," she murmured against his lips.

"It's about to feel better." Reaching for the bottom of her shirt, he eased it up to bare her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Lowering his head, he captured one pink tip between his teeth. At the same time, he slipped a hand into the waistband of her sweatpants. Her knees separated, allowing him full access. His fingers continued their exploration.

Tessa released a sound somewhere between a moan and a whimper. The contentment behind that tiny noise hinted he was definitely headed in the right direction. Stroking her softness, he slid a finger into her moist depth. Her heat simmered under his touch.

Driven by pure impulse, she automatically lifted her hips, pressing against his hand. A purr rumbled deep in her throat. "Oh, G.o.ddess," she breathed. "Don't stop . . ."

He took her b.r.e.a.s.t.s more deeply into his mouth, tonguing her sensitive nipples as his fingers delved below.

Tangling her fingers in his thick hair, Tessa held him close. Breath coming fast and hard, her entire body began to tremble, slowly engulfing her in heated convulsions. She climaxed with a loud moan. After a few minutes she went limp, seemingly stunned in the aftermath.

Kenneth slowly pulled away. Gaze locked on her face, he brushed away a few curls clinging to her damp forehead. A fine sheen of perspiration slicked her tanned skin. "Good?"

Opening her eyes, Tessa slowly dragged her tongue over her lips. "Fantastic." Heat crept into her face, reddening her cheeks. "But I didn't mean to come that fast."

He grinned at her. "It's not like it's the only one you'll have tonight."

She looked at him through sparkling green eyes. "Don't go making promises you can't keep." Her voice had changed, sounding deeper, huskier than before.

Tugging her sweatshirt over her head, Kenneth tossed it aside. "Oh, it's a promise I intend to keep." Her sweatpants followed.

His gaze swept her naked body, appreciating every inch. He wanted to savor the moment, commit every inch of her to memory. "You're so beautiful."

Tessa was definitely all woman: peach- firm b.r.e.a.s.t.s, long torso, and even longer legs. Her eyes were electric, sparking with the mysterious, primitive power only females possessed.

A faint blush heated her cheeks. "This isn't fair."

He lifted an eyebrow. "Why?"

A bandit's grin lit up her face. Her rose-shaded nipples jutted. "I'm naked."

Kenneth grinned back, savoring the sight. He cupped a breast, thumb brushing the erect nipple. The hard little peak puckered, then blossomed. Her skin was warm, bronzed perfection. "I noticed."

She laughed and tugged at his clothes. "And you have way too much on."

He lifted a wicked brow. "What should I do about that?"

"Take it off," she said coyly. "Take it all off."

Kenneth groaned in frustration. "I think I can handle that request just fine." Beyond refusing her anything she wanted, he stood and slipped his shirt over his head. If she would have asked for the keys to his vehicle and every credit card he had in his wallet, he would have handed them over without question.

He'd give anything to make her happy. And keep her in his bed.

Tessa's hungry gaze eagerly roamed his hard physique. She followed the line of his abdomen down to the top of the jeans hugging his slender waist.

She reached out, eager to take him.

Kenneth shook his head. "Not just yet." He wanted to make love to her slowly, give her the gift of delicious pleasure without the pressure to reciprocate.

Moving the coffee table aside, he dropped to his knees. Light from the nearby lamp reflected the fine sheen of perspiration on her tanned skin.

Kenneth's hand brushed her face. "I've wanted to do this all d.a.m.n day." He leaned forward and nibbled at the soft flesh under her jaw, just below her ear.

Tessa let her head fall back. Lashes a mile long fanned across her cheeks. "Then do." She moaned softly, encouraging him to continue his enticing torment. "I feel that all the way inside." Her arms circled his neck. Their mouths came together again with ravenous intensity. She tasted like sweet, tangy apricots-a delicious, mind-drugging nectar.

He drank deep and long, savoring every drop.

After a long time he broke away, separating their bodies.

"Lay back," he murmured. "And enjoy."

Kenneth licked his way down her abdomen, his tongue tracing one of the thick black lines marking her skin. They wound round her body from shoulders to ankle, forming an elaborate pattern. "These are so d.a.m.n s.e.xy."

He kissed his way down her abdomen. Unlike some women who were all skin and bone, Tessa had a s.e.xy, full belly. Then he moved lower. His hand parted her thighs.

But before he went farther, he stood up, leaving Tessa with a pleading look on her face. Claiming one of their empty gla.s.ses, he walked to the bar and filled the gla.s.s with two fingers' worth of apricot brandy. Coming back to his place, he tipped the gla.s.s over, letting a bit of the fragrant alcohol trickle into her belly b.u.t.ton.

Tessa squealed, then dissolved into a fit of giggles. "Oh, I don't believe you're doing this."

Kenneth dipped his tongue into her navel. "Tastes like the nectar of the G.o.ds." He dripped more of the sweet brandy onto her skin, then lapped it up. "I could get used to a diet like this."

Eyes smoldering with heat, Tessa rolled her hips. "Feast away."

Feast, he did.

She gave a primitive cry when he parted her legs again. Adding a splash of brandy, his tongue immediately followed.

Tessa released a strangled cry. "Oh, heavens!" she gasped. "That's so wonderful." Her moans and deep sighs mingled with the soft hum emanating from the swamp cooler.

Kenneth's hand replaced his mouth. In moments, Tessa voiced a l.u.s.ty moan of pleasure. Limp in the aftermath of rapture, it took her a few moments to catch her breath. But it wasn't long before Tessa's fingers plucked at the top b.u.t.ton of his jeans. "I want more."

He pulled back, trying to ignore the bulge in his pants straining for freedom beneath the tight denim. "d.a.m.n." Stomach twisting with disappointment, he swallowed hard. "I haven't got a condom." As much as he wanted her, there was no reason to take risky chances.

A soft voice cut through his frustration. "It's okay. Mers don't carry disease, and we can't catch anything from humans."

Kenneth's jaw tightened. Holding himself back was a misery within itself. "What about . . . ?"

He held his breath, waiting for her answer. Backing off now wasn't going to be easy, but he'd find some other way to relieve his fierce need if he had to. Neither one of them needed an unexpected complication.

Tessa's fingers worked into the top of his jeans, tugging his hips toward hers. She tilted her chin up. Her touch was intimate, her gaze even more so. "A Mer can't get pregnant unless she's breed-mated."

He caressed her cheek. The bulge in his pants swelled, pulsing even harder. The pressure had gone from uncomfortable to out-and-out unbearable. "I don't know what that is, but it sounds serious."

Tessa deftly undid the single b.u.t.ton. "It means we choose only a single male to sire our offspring." His zipper crunched down, delivering welcome freedom. "But until that time comes, I can't conceive."

Kenneth drew a sharp breath as she pushed his jeans down. The sheer intensity of waiting was beginning to shred him to pieces. His hands slid into her long hair, sending a ma.s.s of curls tumbling down around her neck and shoulders. Tilting back her head, he sought her mouth. Their lips came together in a hungry crush.

Somehow their bodies came together, all the separate parts meshing with perfect synchronicity. Tessa curled her legs around his waist. "I want you inside me." It was all he needed to hear.

Kenneth's self-control snapped. He plunged deep, savoring the silken glide into her depth. Bracing his hands against the cushions, he began to thrust. Blood pounded in his temples, spurring him on. Pleasure built with every excruciating second. Waves of liquid heat shimmered through his veins. A long groan of surrender broke from his throat. His hips moved with a rhythm all their own.

All gentleness was lost between them as Tessa welcomed thrust after thrust. Gripping his shoulders, she dug her nails deep into his skin. Their bodies weren't just joined.

They were one.

Chapter 6.

Sunlight was flooding the room when Kenneth forced himself to wake up. His muscles ached, and the temptation to succ.u.mb to two or three additional hours of sleep was difficult to resist. Punching his pillow, he rolled over on his side and snuggled deeper under the blanket. He immediately felt a naked female body pressing against the length of his.

As visions of the previous night unspooled across his mind's eye, Kenneth opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was a luxurious length of red hair covering the pillow next to his. Tessa lay beside him, sleeping peacefully.

He shook his head in disbelief. I can't believe I'm really with her.

Kenneth eased himself up on an elbow. Aftershocks still rippled through his system. Muscles he hadn't used in a long time ached, reminding him just how long it had been since he'd spent the night with a woman. He doubted he'd ever walk normally again.

A grin split his lips. He had to admit he liked those feelings. A lot. It felt good waking up next to another warm body. He'd like to do it more often. Every day, if he could arrange it.

At first he'd been afraid of making a move on her, afraid he'd make a fool of himself with a woman he'd known barely a day. But when she'd accepted his kiss and gave him the chance to keep going, he'd grabbed on with both hands.

Everything since last night had felt like a dream.

After making love to her in the living room, he'd been so d.a.m.n wasted he barely remembered making the move to her bedroom. His head had barely touched the pillow before he'd fallen asleep, vaguely aware of Tessa curling into him for warmth. Good s.e.x had put him out like a candle in a hurricane-force wind.

Last night there hadn't been time for regrets or second thoughts. He had plenty of opportunity now. Much to his surprise, he couldn't find a single reason why they shouldn't have made love last night. They'd both needed someone, and they'd both satisfied each other. Completely.

On every level, lying beside Tessa felt right.

He didn't know why. It just did.

Kenneth glanced around Tessa's bedroom. You could tell a lot about a woman by the way she kept her private s.p.a.ce. Seaside blues and sandy creams dominated the color scheme. The furniture was basic with a slight French flair and many of the pieces had a worn yet comfortable look. Though a little battered by years of use, everything was neatly arranged, clean, the seascapes hanging on the walls painted with a lively hand. Beneath the combat boots and cutoffs beat the heart of a woman grounded in the traditional style of the place she grew up.

As for lace and other frills, there wasn't a single one to be found. What you saw was what you got.

Kenneth had to admit there was something s.e.xy about a naked woman wrapped in a patchwork quilt and plain cotton sheets scented with a barest hint of sandalwood and spicy cinnamon.

He reached out, caressing her cheek. A pair of vibrant green eyes blinked, and then looked into his.

Kenneth smiled. "Morning." He leaned over and tried to brush a warm kiss over her cheek.

Neatly avoiding contact, Tessa rolled over onto her back. Throwing her arms wide, she stretched and sat up. The bedding slipped down, revealing her nudity.

Making a quick attempt to cover herself, she regarded him through half-lidded eyes. "Hi." The expression flitting across her face said everything.

She hadn't expected to wake up to company.

Ah, d.a.m.n. The morning after was always awkward. As comfortable as he felt, he had to consider that Tessa might be having posts.e.x regrets. He had to wonder how she felt, having a naked man sprawled in her bed. "You okay?"

Tessa bit down on her lower lip. "Yeah, I think so." Her voice was husky, like gravel rolling over silk. She hesitated a moment. "You?"

Kenneth pressed his fingers to his temple. A slight thud be-bopped behind his eyes, accompanied by the achy feeling one usually felt the morning after imbibing too much booze on an empty stomach. He hadn't eaten a bite since yesterday's breakfast, and that meal was long gone. Too keyed up and nervous about coming to the island, he'd missed lunch. Dinner, too, had gotten a pa.s.s in favor of those tempting beers.

"I'm a little beat, but I'll survive." He mentally pictured a nice, hearty breakfast, one that included heaps of bacon and lots of b.u.t.tered toast.

Dragging her fingers through her tangled hair, Tessa yawned again. "Oh, me, too." She plopped back onto the mattress. Rolling onto her side, she pulled the covers up to her chin before drawing her knees up to her chest. "I'm definitely sleeping in." She scrunched her eyes shut. Her body language was stiff, and the message was clear: Do not touch.

She might as well have put up a brick wall between them.

Kenneth glanced at the clock on her bed table: 8:40. Early enough to sleep a little longer and still get up before noon.

Except that Tessa didn't seem to want any company.

"I guess this is the part where I have to make the walk of shame?" At least he'd managed to make it upstairs with half his clothes on. His jeans were tossed across a nearby chair, his boots and socks nearby. Getting up was the problem. He didn't want to go.

Tessa cracked an eye. "If I had any energy I'd put my foot on your a.s.s and boot you out of my bed so I could get my beauty rest."

His stomach tightened. "I get the hint." He started to slide out of bed. Right about now he could use a shower and a hot cup of extrastrong coffee. Several cups. And some aspirin, to chase away that headachy feeling. "I'll think about trying to make nice with you later. You sure are grouchy in the morning."

The creases in her forehead deepened. "Grouch smouch," she grumbled. "All I want to do is s.n.a.t.c.h a little more snooze."

He grinned and leaned over her. "And all I want to do is s.n.a.t.c.h a little more snuggle." His lips brushed hers.

She didn't uncurl. "You're a pain in the a.s.s," she whispered against his mouth.

He didn't pull back. "Then let me kiss it and make it all better."

Tessa's throat worked. "Right now I'm not sure about letting you anywhere near me."

Kenneth froze. His stomach balled into tight, hard knots. "Did I do something wrong?"