“Is this about your parents? Because they had you so young, you don’t want to make the same mistake?”

“Yeah, maybe. My folks didn’t get to do all the things they wanted to do in life.”

She lifted her head from his bare chest and shot him a mocking look. “With ten million dollars in the bank, they couldn’t do what they wanted?”

Cash smiled faintly. “Big spenders they ain’t. They’re very practical, those two. They used the lotto money for the basics—putting food on the table, a roof over our heads, and clothing on our backs. Dad always wanted to be a mechanic, so he bought a garage and started his own business. After that, they set aside some money for my college fund and invested the rest. They both grew up poor, so spending money on pointless luxuries isn’t in their DNA. Neither is hiring a nanny for their kid. They were hands-on parents, so thanks to me, neither of them got to enjoy their teens or twenties. The moment I left for college, they started making up for lost time. They’ve been traveling a lot. Dad joined a football league. Mom got her GED and enrolled in college.”

The pride in his voice brought a rush of warmth to Jen’s heart. She was a total sucker for men who adored their parents.

She propped herself on her elbow. “So what are all the things you want to do?”

“Well, when I was a kid I wanted to either play professional football or enlist in the navy.”

“And you chose the navy.”

“Actually, no. I chose football. I went to Notre Dame on a full athletic scholarship.”

“You did?”

He nodded. “I was the starting quarterback for the Fighting Irish during junior year, and then senior year came along and I injured my shoulder, right before the draft.”

“Oh. That’s terrible.”

“Yeah, it was,” he said gruffly. “I was out for eleven months, and then I threw myself back into training. My shoulder healed perfectly, but it was clear I wouldn’t be able to play at the same level anymore. Pro football is damn competitive, and by the time I got back in shape, a whole new crop of talented players was graduating and my chances of being drafted weren’t that great anymore. So I enlisted.”

“Okay, then you’re still living one of the dreams. What else would a relationship hold you back from?”

His features creased with unease. “I don’t know what other things I want to do yet, but I’d like to have the freedom to do them. Traveling, for one. I doubt a serious girlfriend would appreciate me dropping everything and leaving town if I suddenly decided to do it.” He paused. “I don’t want to be tied down yet.”

“Relationships don’t have to tie you down,” Jen pointed out.

Before she could blink, Cash flipped her on her back, his strong body hovering over her. “This conversation is getting too serious. Let’s do something to lighten it up.”

“Interesting. Like what?”

He swept his tongue over his bottom lip as he pushed the blanket away to expose her naked body. “Well, I’m hungry.”

“We just had all that leftover pizza.”

“Not that kind of hungry.” A predatory gleam entered his eyes. “I think I’ll nibble on you for a bit.”

Lord. Clearly the S in SEAL stood for stamina. Not that she was complaining. In fact, she wasn’t complaining at all as Cash buried his face in her neck and kissed her feverish skin. A moan slipped out when he sucked hard enough to leave a hickey, and little pinpricks of pleasure danced along her flesh.

Cash’s rough hands teased her br**sts as he dragged that hot mouth along the curve of her neck. His intoxicating scent surrounded her, spice and aftershave and pure man. The heavy weight of his c**k on her belly made her shiver and arch her hips.

“Your body is perfect,” he murmured as his hands and mouth continued to explore. He cupped her br**sts and sighed with masculine pleasure. “So full.” His fingers skimmed down to her waist. “Such tiny hips, and then this round, tight ass.” He reached underneath her to squeeze said round, tight ass. “These sexy legs.” His callused palms traveled down her thighs, her knees, her calves, before returning north and parting her legs.

Jen gasped when he pushed one long finger into her core.

“And then this sweet, wet paradise,” he rasped.

His finger slid out and he gently stroked her clit in light circular motions that made her squirm. How did he know exactly how to touch her? She’d never had a man so attuned to her body and its responses, and she couldn’t control her shock when his skilled ministrations swiftly brought the first ripples of orgasm to the surface. Three past lovers and not a single one had brought her to climax with his touch. One day with Cash McCoy, and she’d come so many times she’d lost count.

The man just might be her new hero.

“You’re close, aren’t you?”

She met his eyes, floored by the naked passion glittering there. From the moment she’d met him in that coatroom, she’d known he’d be like this, capable of making her go up in flames with one heated look, one sinful touch.

“Well, we can’t have that,” Cash said after she nodded in response.

A disappointed groan lodged in her chest as he moved his hand away.

His husky laugh made her shiver. “You’ve gotta learn some patience, sweetheart.” He flung out his arm and grabbed the condom sitting on the coffee table. “Besides, I want you to come while you’re riding me.”