Tara couldn’t breathe. The second his lips touched hers she thought she’d died and gone to heaven. Sparks flew between them, as they did the last time. She was afraid to move, to respond, for fear he’d realize what he was doing and back away.

Then his arms locked around her and he let her feel his whole body. Tara couldn’t hold back any longer. She had to participate, even if it risked making him run.

Tara slid her hands up his chest, memorizing the feel of his muscles dancing beneath her fingertips. When they wound around his neck, she shivered at the feel of the stubbled hair just above the collar of his shirt. The soft strands of his hair brushed the tops of her fingers, teasing her into running her hands through.

Rick growled when her fingers dove into his hair. He tugged her closer and hardened against her stomach. His tongue forced her lips to part, which they would have done willingly. She tasted the coffee on his breath but smelled whatever soap he used on his skin.

Dear god, the man could kiss.

Tara wanted to direct him back to her bedroom. She craved nothing more than to lay him out on her bed and relive the best night of her life.

But she didn’t. She just kissed him. Because she hadn’t been kissed like that since he left. She hadn’t been kissed like she was the best thing on the menu, something to be savored… ever. And she was going to enjoy it. Holy shit, was she going to enjoy it.

Her body ached for him. Heat prickled her skin. Desire pooled low in her gut. She wasn’t sure how long she could resist him, and it had nothing to do with how long it’d been since she’d had a man in her bed.

Even though it’d been a while.

Rick groaned when she rubbed herself against him and tightened the grip he had on her hips. He walked them back to the counter and lifted her up onto it. His lips left hers to trail down her neck, stopping at the barrier of her tank top. His hands rose, drawing her shirt up, and tossed it behind him when he freed it from her body. His lips closed over her nipple and she moaned and clutched his head to her.

Rick feasted on her, licking, teasing, nibbling her nipples until her panties soaked through and she needed him to finish the job. “I need you, Rick,” she moaned, trying to rub herself against him and failing.

Then he froze. Her nipple was locked in his mouth, the other breast supported by his hand. His erection throbbed against her leg. But he didn’t move.