Impulsively, Crystal stepped forward and gave the other woman a quick hug. “I like your plan. And if Jacob has even a tiny bit of intelligence, he’ll be knocking down your door to take a walk on the wild side with you.”

Lydia looked thrilled by her comment. “I’m going to do my best to make that happen. And I don’t think you have to worry about that with Mark. The man couldn’t take his eyes off you, and he didn’t give a damn if I noticed it or not.”

“It’s just sex, though.” Crystal felt compelled to clarify things. “He’s interested because I’m like the most inexperienced woman he’s even known.”

Lydia looked at her as if she was crazy before shaking her head. “I can’t predict the future, but all I have to say is if I had the attention of a man like Mark, for whatever reason, I wouldn’t squander it. Go forth my child, have sex—the dirty kind—and live in the moment. People come into our lives for a variety of reasons, and if we’re smart, we take advantage of what they have to offer. Sometimes all we can do is grab on with both hands and enjoy the ride.”

The words struck a chord inside Crystal as she acknowledged to herself that she was constantly trying to fit Mark into some neat category that she could label. Lydia was right; what she had with Mark might not last forever, but that didn’t mean that they couldn’t be good for each other. He’d said several times that she was different for him, and that was certainly true for her. What was wrong with just enjoying the company of a man she desired without expecting fancy words or heartfelt declarations? Happily ever after hadn’t worked out so well before. She’d just do the very opposite of her marriage with Bill and base her nonrelationship with Mark on sex. If nothing else, it would drive her mother insane.

Chapter Fourteen

Crystal drove straight to Mark’s house after work. Before she could knock on the door, it was flung open by a beaming Denny. “Hey—hey, Crystal. Come on in.”

Unable to resist, she smiled back. Something about Denny’s demeanor was infectious. He was a good-looking guy, but that wasn’t his appeal to her. It was the fact that he always seemed so happy. Maybe if she spent more time with him, it would rub off on her. “Good to see you again,” she replied as he shut the door behind her. Then she saw a sight that had her gawking in shock. Mark was standing at the kitchen island in well-worn jeans and a T-shirt, chopping vegetables as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“Close your mouth, girl.” Denny smirked as he walked to a barstool and plopped down.

Mark glanced up, giving her a sexy grin. His look went from relaxed to downright scalding as he took in her cut-off jean shorts and fitted tank top. She’d figured since they were staying in tonight that she’d dress for comfort. If the way the cousins were looking at her was any indication, they approved wholeheartedly of her casual attire—possibly a bit too much. “Hungry, Angel?” Mark’s searing gaze let her know he wasn’t just talking about dinner.

She shifted her knees together before she could stop herself. “I—um, could eat.” Shit, they’re still staring as if they’ve never seen a woman before. “So . . . what are you making?” she asked brightly.

“Stir-fry,” Mark said, before adding huskily, “Now come give me a kiss, Angel.” She looked at him uncertainly, chancing a glance at Denny. Mark turned to the other man and snapped, “Go get something from the car.”

“Like what?” Denny asked, clearly playing dumb to harass his cousin.

Mark put his hand on his hips, rolling his eyes. “I don’t give a fuck—just walk out there and stand for a while.” Denny grumbled under his breath, but Crystal could tell it was just for show. He looked vastly amused as he was essentially kicked out of the house. Mark turned back to her and crooked his finger. “Now come here so I can touch you. He’ll be back soon just to be an asshole, so unless you want an audience, hustle, baby.” That got her attention. She crossed the room, and before she could blink, he had her turned with her back pressed against the granite island. “You smell amazing,” he murmured as his tongue licked up her neck. Mark, she’d discovered, loved tasting her.

“It’s soap,” she blurted out, unable to hold a coherent thought in her head. “Plus, I used the matching lotion as well, so that’s probably what you smell. Although it could be my lip stuff. . . .” She trailed off, realizing she was rambling like a crazy woman.

Lifting his head, he said, “Angel—time’s wasting.” She didn’t need further encouragement. Going up on her toes, in a move that probably lacked grace, she locked her lips on his—and then he took over. His kiss consumed her, and even though she didn’t realize it as he was repositioning her, she suddenly found her butt on the counter and him between her legs.

Crystal shamelessly pressed her aching core against his hardness as he gave her a deep kiss full of tongue and more than a little teeth nipping. “Oh, Mark,” she moaned as she felt his hand pinching her nipple through her lacy bra. “God—yes!” she encouraged as his hand slipped into the back of her shorts before steadily moving toward the front. And for the second time that day, someone walked in while she and Mark were making out like teenagers.

A throat cleared nearby and a voice said, “Maybe you should have mentioned that you were planning to go all the way, instead of just kissing,” Denny called out. “I could have walked around the block or something. Or picked up some takeout, since it doesn’t look as if dinner is going to be ready anytime soon.”