her landlord was holding her in his arms. Wait! Halt. She had to guard her heart, if not between her legs, and no way was she going to be another number on his bedpost.
Although, how thick and long must his bedpost be?
“Red, Gollie, inside,” Cade commanded, his sexy deep voice vibrated through his chest.
He stepped toward the ornately carved double doors and pulled her body against his as he stumbled across the threshold.
Andie grabbed onto him, arms over his shoulders. He took two heavy steps, then regained his balance, slamming her back against the wall.
She lost her breath and her mouth opened in shock, only to encounter Cade’s lips crashing into her. Everything exploded around her, the heat of the summer evening, being inside Cade’s mansion, the lonely nights replaying him in her mind, and all Andie could do was gasp and allow him to plunder her mouth.
His tongue moved wickedly, smooth as silk and rough with desire. His body was hot and hard, especially the rod pressing between her legs. Her open legs. Holy bratwurst. She’d promised herself to guard her heart. Must. Push. Away. Must. Clamp. Lips. Shut. Must not rub against him.
She wiggled and squirmed, her hands wildly grabbing as she supposedly fended off his passion-filled kisses. His skillful tongue darted and flickered, probing and teasing, before he deepened the kiss, his entire head moving to massage her lips.
Andie moaned in sheer bliss. He was rock hard against her, and his hands had crept to her breasts, smoothly and surely massaging her. Her clothes were too tight, too constraining. Even as he politely remained outside of her bra, she gave herself over, clamping her legs around his waist and moving her crotch over his hard-on.
She might not have an idea about how men were in LA, or how Cade lived and behaved, but what better way to find out than to stay with him, as friends, of course. Maybe with benefits. Big benefits. Like Goliath sized benefits.
Cade groaned and broke the never-ending kiss. Panting, she reached for him, and he tipped his forehead against hers. “If you want to leave, say so now.”
Andie’s vocal cords froze. What did he want her to say after that mind-blowing kiss and the skillful breast exam? She definitely didn’t want to leave—not with her body so hot for him. Forget the heart problems, she had other more immediate needs, like rent, a place to stay, and, face it, Cade had invaded all her dreams since the day she’d first met him deep in the bowels of Opp Library.
“Bedroom. You haven’t shown me my room.” Shit. That came out way too sultry. Her chest heaved and she throbbed between her legs. “I need to know what I’m getting for my rent money.”
There. That sounded businesslike and not at all like a come on. She’d sign the lease, fork over her deposit, and unpack. Why would she want to leave when he was going to give it to her for a hundred a month?
“Definitely.” He carried her down the hallway, up a spiral staircase, and kicked a door open at the top.
Twirling her around, he said. “Your room, your walk-in closet, private bath with jetted tub and ceiling fan, balcony with view of the Hollywood Bowl, and California king-sized bed. You need to let me know if it’s too hard or too soft.”
“I’m sure it’s just right,” she said breathlessly. She hadn’t gotten a good look, but the room was dark like the inside of a movie theater. A large window was covered with room darkening blinds, and an entire wall consisted of a giant movie screen complete with velvet curtains hanging on either side. “Is this a home theater?”
“It was until I repurposed it.” Cade laid her on the center of the plush bed. He handed her a remote with a number display and plus/minus pushbuttons. “You can adjust the bed, hard or soft, anything you’d like. You like it?”
“Uhm … yes, thanks.” The words caught in her mouth. “The bed or the room?”
“All of it, babe.” He ran a firm hand up her
Dayton Ward, Kevin Dilmore