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caresses that are a lot more likely to injure me than the brute force I’m used to on occasion. This is something entirely new. Petrifying. His thumbs caress my skittering pulse in my wrists. My resistance melts, allowing me to indulge in the surrender of my will to his. For a moment.
    Then I bite his lip hard enough to ensure he jerks with a curse.
    “Are you really planning to force yourself on me when I’ve said no?” My dreams begin to shrivel and die.
    “I’ve paid for this goddamn half-hour. I intend to get my money’s worth.”
    I flinch as though he smacked me. A bitch slap would have been kinder.
    “Exactly what I feared.” Who is this man and what has he done with my sunshine? The dangerous game we’ve been playing backfires, sending shrapnel through my chest. My heart turns brittle and cracks beneath the blow.
    A single tear leaks from the corner of my eye.
    The droplet acts like a magic elixir, instantly transforming the demanding monster on top of me into my softhearted bad boy.
    “Oh Christ.” He crashes to his side on the mattress, his ribs expanding beneath the force of labored breaths. “What the fuck am I doing? You’re driving me insane, I swear. I can’t erase you from my mind. I smell you in my bed, on my sheets, my pillow. I can’t settle for less than everything. I’ve turned into some obsessed stalker.”
    His muscles bunch as though he prepares to leap from my loft. I lay my palm on his cheek, preventing him from fleeing.
    “I’m so fucking sorry. I would never hurt you, Sarah.” He reaches for me but stops halfway, as though he doesn’t trust himself. “Except I already have. At least twice tonight.”
    Fuck that. I burrow against his chest, wrapping my arm around his waist to stroke his trembling shoulders. “It’s not in your nature to harm another human being, especially not a woman. You’re a protector. Not a raider.”
    “I almost… You have no idea how badly I want you.”
    “Believe me.” I install enough distance between us to allow him a glimpse of the desperation in my gaze. “I do.”
    He rolls, swinging to his feet, slapping a hand on the dresser when his balance suffers from our dizzying exchange. “So we’re right back to where we were.”
    “I don’t think so.” I scoot off the mattress and step into my clothes. Where the hell are my boots? I have to examine his eyes up close.
    He trundles down the stairs and lingers by the door, staring at the cash on the table.
    “You’re right. Things are worse than before. Because it didn’t help. Fucking. Like this. It will never suffice.” He closes his eyes as he shrugs on his jacket. I tuck the money from the table into his pocket. The first refund I’ve ever given.
    Dane’s advice floats into my mind. “You can buy sex, Rick. But you can’t buy love.”
    “No shit. You prove that every day. Hell, we confirmed it tonight, didn’t we?”
    “We did.” I grimace.
    “So now what?” His skull clunks on the glass of my window. “I knew I wouldn’t be able to talk to you here. For once, I wish I’d been wrong.”
    He takes my hand in his and lifts it to his mouth, kissing my knuckles as we scramble for an easy answer where none exists.
    “I…” I clear my throat. “I agree, this isn’t the place. Would you still be open to seeing me outside of work?”
    I hold my breath.
    Fortunately it doesn’t take him more than a millionth of a second to agree. “Fuck yes. Would you do that? Would you…go out with me?”
    “Yes.” My heart flutters in my chest. I’ve never been on an official date.
    “Where would you like me to take you? Somewhere we can talk.” His fingertips trace the edge of my cheek. “Somewhere special.”
    “I’ve been to your apartment. Would it be okay if I had you over to my home? I’ll cook dinner. For you.” I scribble my address on a corner of my ledger then rip it out. At the last second I add my phone number below it.
    Rick tucks the information close to his heart in