“Jess?”

She drew in a breath. “I’m making myself insane, worrying.”

“About?”

“That you’ll be disappointed.”

He smiled. “That’s not going to be a problem.”

“You can’t know that for sure.”

“Stop thinking,” he told her, just before he kissed her again.

She gave up to the feel of his mouth on hers. When her brain offered other ways for her to panic, she pushed the thoughts away. Better to enjoy what she could and let the crisis occur on its own.

She tilted her head and parted for him. He swept into her mouth, arousing her with each brush of his tongue.

Over and over, he kissed her, drawing out the process until she began to relax. They weren’t going to rush. That was good. Because despite her past, everything felt oddly new and unfamiliar.

He ran his fingers through her long hair, then pulled it aside so he could kiss her neck. He moved down to the hollow of her throat, the warm, erotic touch making her shiver slightly.

Wanting moved through her, sluggish at first, then growing. Her br**sts began to ache. She felt heat burn between her legs.

He moved his hands over her back, then to her waist. She felt the weight of them through the layers of her clothing. He cupped the curve of her hips, but didn’t move either higher or lower, as if he were comfortable taking things just this far.

He kissed her again. With each touch of his tongue on hers, her need cranked up a few degrees. When he nipped her earlobe, she quivered. Sensation flowed from where he touched her br**sts. She could feel her nipples, tight and aching inside her bra.

She wanted to pull off her clothes and be naked. She wanted him urging her legs apart so he could fill her. She imagined his erection, big and straight and thick enough to make her scream.

Her skin yearned to feel his touch and still he only kissed her. Over and over, making her squirm.

At last he drew back far enough to pull off her sweater. At the same time she kicked off her shoes. He put his hands on her waist. She caught her breath in anticipation. Her br**sts throbbed with each heartbeat. She was getting desperate.

He bent down and pressed his mouth to her bare shoulder. He licked the skin and she gasped. Slowly, more slowly than should be allowed, he moved his hands higher. Closer to her br**sts. Closer and closer. At the same time, he kissed her collarbone, then her neck.

His hands moved higher. She silently urged him on. Just a little more. Just a little—

He cupped her curves in his large hands. Just held them for a second, before beginning to move, exploring her. She let her head drop back as she focused solely on his touch, the way his fingers moved over all of her. Then he brushed his thumbs across her ni**les and she nearly screamed.

She stood frozen, wanting only to feel what he was doing to her. The irony was, he was barely touching her through her bra. In theory, they hadn’t even gotten to the good stuff. How was she supposed to survive that?

He stepped back slightly and unfastened his shirt, then tugged it off. She stared at his bare chest, at the defined muscles, the dark hair. Then he pulled her against him.

She went willingly, wanting to feel skin on skin. He wrapped his arms around her, cocooning her in his strength. She clung to him, wishing she could crawl inside of him and never leave.

It was a perfect moment and they hadn’t even done anything. Maybe it was because she knew for Matt, this was about being with her. She wasn’t just some easy way to get laid. She was unique to him, and she’d never been that before.

His hands moved on her back. She felt a slight tugging on her bra, then it was loose. He pulled at a strap. She eased away enough to let it fall.

She was bare to the waist. He gazed at her, as if he found her beautiful, then he bent down and took her left nipple in his mouth. He sucked and licked, sending ribbons of sensation all through her body. She had to hold on to him to keep herself upright. Pressure built inside and when he used his hand to tease her other breast, she thought she might come right then.

It was as if he knew exactly what to do, exactly how to please her. He moved back and forth between her br**sts, caressing her until she couldn’t help moaning.

“Matt, please,” she breathed. She was so ready, so on the edge. She wasn’t used to this kind of foreplay, the drawn-out dance performed by a man determined to shatter every part of her.

He straightened and smiled at her. “I like how your breath catches and the little sounds you make.”

She was making sounds? That was kind of embarrassing. How to explain she was used to sex being more…direct and quick. Or maybe she didn’t want to. This way was a whole lot more fun.

He reached between them and unfastened her jeans. He pushed them down, along with her bikini panties and she stepped out of them. Then she was n**ed and he was easing her onto the edge of the bed.

She sat, her legs hanging down.

“Lay back,” Matt told her.

She hesitated, knowing the position would leave her vulnerable, yet wanting to do what he said. Slowly, she lowered herself onto the sheets. He knelt on the floor.

“You’re so beautiful,” he murmured between kisses along her calf to her knee. “Your skin, your hair, your smile. The way you say my name.”

He kissed and licked and nibbled his way up her thighs, getting closer and closer to the hungriest part of her. She stirred restlessly, parting her legs more, wanting what she knew was coming next. Wanting it all. She felt a whisper of breath, then his tongue found her most sensitive spot and she groaned.

He licked her gently, exploring her. At the same time, he moved his hands up her body until he touched her br**sts.

The sensations were incredible. His tongue between her legs, loving the very center of her, his skilled fingers on her nipples, moving in perfect rhythm. She closed her eyes and gave herself up to the sensation, the liquid desire pulsing through her.

He moved slowly, around and around. Her muscles tensed. Wave after wave of deliciousness washed over her, pushing her higher and closer. As if sensing that, he went a little faster, a little harder. The movement of his fingers was more insistent. Need increased, pressure grew. She grabbed at the sheets and pushed toward him.

Faster and harder and more. She got closer and closer, losing herself. Her orgasm hovered just out of reach, teasing her with promise, making her ache and strain.

“Matt,” she groaned.

He shifted slightly and sucked on the very core of her.

It was too much, she thought in the half second before she shattered.

Her orgasm claimed her with an unexpected intensity. She shook and cried out, unable to control her body. She might have begged, she wasn’t sure. She just knew he couldn’t stop—not until she was done.

She came and came, shuddering as he continued to touch her. Partway through, he thrust a finger inside of her. That sent her off on a new wave. She gave herself over to him, grinding herself against him, taking all of it on and on until finally she was still.

Jesse lay on the bed, her legs dangling, feeling more n**ed than she ever had in her life. She’d always enjoyed sex, but never like that. She felt as if she’d exposed her very soul. It was all she could do not to start crying. Or run away. She knew for sure she had to cover herself somehow.

She sat up and looked for an escape. Then Matt was there, pulling her to her feet, holding her. His strong arms held her close. He whispered that it was all right. As if he knew. As if he understood.

She began to cry then, big, fat tears she couldn’t explain. She cried as if her heart were breaking, probably terrifying him, but she couldn’t stop. She cried like she’d come, with an out-of-control effort that left her drained and shaken.

“I’m sorry,” she gasped, feeling his skin get wet beneath her cheek. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.” He stroked her hair, then kissed her forehead. “Just relax. I’m here.”

He was there and he didn’t sound the least bit freaked out. She managed to get her tears under control. “Why aren’t you running as hard and as fast as you can?”

He smiled. “Why would I?”

“Because I’m a mess. I’m supposed to be glowing, not losing control. I don’t know what’s wrong.”

He cupped her face, then wiped her tears. “I love you, Jess. Every part of you. You feel what you feel.”

He loved her? Seriously?

Her heart stopped. She felt it freeze in her chest. How could he love her? She wasn’t close to being anyone he should care about.

“Matt, you can’t.”

His answer was to kiss her. A gentle kiss filled with promise. She kissed him back, wanting to show him how much this meant to her. There had never been anyone like him before, anyone who cared. Sure, guys had told her they loved her, but only because they thought they had to so she would have sex with them.

He ran his hands up and down her body, touching her as if he couldn’t get enough of her. She touched him back, then tugged at his belt.

He stepped back. While he pulled off the rest of his clothes, she got into bed and stretched out on the sheets. When he was naked, he moved next to her and stroked her. She saw the condom in his other hand.

Because that’s just how he was, she thought, fighting tears again. He would protect her and take care of her, no matter what.

She pushed him onto his back and smiled down at him. “Brace yourself, big guy.”

He laughed. “I can take it.”

“I hope so.”

She kissed him on the mouth, then trailed down his neck to his chest. Her hair was loose and stroked him as she moved.

She paused long enough to lick his nipples, then blow on them. From the corner of her eye, she saw his hands close into fists, as if he were fighting for control.

Good. She wanted to amaze him as much as he’d amazed her.

She continued kissing her way down his muscled stomach, then shifted so she knelt between his thighs. When she was in place, she took the condom from him and opened it, but didn’t put it on him. Not yet. Then she leaned down and took him in her mouth.

She moved up and down a couple of times, retreated and licked the tip. He exhaled with a hiss. She closed her lips around him and sucked, then used her tongue to caress him.

Blood pulsed, making him even harder. His thighs tensed.

“Jesse,” he groaned and reached for her.

She knew what he meant. Not like this. Not the first time. He wanted to be inside of her and she wanted that, too.

She slipped on the condom, then straddled him, taking all of him in one movement.

He filled her so completely, she nearly cried out. It was almost too much, she thought, then eased up and down again, more slowly. Her body stretched, adjusting to his arousal. She bent forward and braced herself on the bed. He reached up and cupped her hips.

“Jesse,” he said, his voice strained and low.

She smiled. This was what she wanted—the chance to please him. She let him set the pace with his hold on her. She slid up and down, wanting to push him to the edge.

“Come with me,” he told her.

“No. I want to watch.”

She pushed down again and felt him stiffen. She moved faster, forcing him over the edge. He held on to her, as if trying to keep control, then he groaned again and was lost.

She rode him until the hands at her h*ps held her still. His eyes closed, his features tightened. She waited until he looked at her, then she bent down and kissed him.

“I love you, Matt.”

He wrapped his arms around her and rolled so that he was on top, then kissed her. “I love you more.”

“Impossible.”

“Want to bet?” he asked.

“Sure.”

“I’ll prove it.”

She laughed. “I can’t wait to see you try.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Present Day…

JESSE SAT DRINKING her morning coffee, trying to wake up. For once she didn’t have to be at the bakery in the predawn hours, so sleeping in until seven was a treat. Or it would have been if she’d been able to sleep. Unfortunately, she’d had a restless night, unable to relax. When she’d finally dozed off, she’d dreamed about Matt. He’d haunted her with his kiss and his touch until she’d awakened uncomfortably aroused.