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of Albert Einstein above the vanity were definite clues that this wasn’t his house,
     wasn’t his room. Okay, it wasn’t called gray anymore, it was . . . what’s the word?
     . . . pewter. Yeah, he knew what pewter was, and it was something that would have
     him handing in his man card if people knew. Growing up as the only boy with four older
     sisters had its consequences.
    But damn, he hadn’t meant to fall asleep. Staying awake was one of the ten commandments
     of going back to a girl’s house.
    Always use protection.
    Never fall asleep.
    Always keep car keys easily accessible for a clean getaway.
    There was more, but his head was hurting so bad he couldn’t remember the rest. Maybe
     one was, don’t drink , but that could hinder his success rate at picking up chicks an awful lot.
    He groaned softly. Best to get it over with. He opened his eyes and took in the blonde
     who was lying beside him. She was sprawled out on her stomach, hair a riot around
     her head. He tried hard, could actually feel the gears of his brain turn as he fought
     to come up with a name. Ugh—he rubbed his temple—better stop or he might permanently
     damage something.
    The woman next to him sighed, and then relaxed back into some pretty heavy breathing,
     telling him she’d be passed out for a while. At least he had that going for him. She
     moved a little, adjusted her leg, pulling the sheet lower down her body. His gaze
     traveled down the curve of her spine and paused at the base of her back. That’s right.
     She was the girl with the wild tattoo from the bar. She’d been wearing low-slung jeans
     and a short shirt that allowed him glimpses of a wicked-looking tattoo. Quick flashes
     of soft skin covered with blues and reds that drove him crazy until he just had to
     know what was hiding beneath her clothes.
    That was hours ago, and he’d spent more than his fair share of the night tracing that
     tattoo—with his finger, with his lips, with his tongue. But damn it, he should really
     know her name by now. The endearments of “baby,” “pretty girl,” and “sweetie” were
     sure to wear thin by morning.
    The dog barked again. Time to go. Luckily he had experience with this type of thing.
     He slid out of bed, and grabbed his clothes, boots, and phone on the way out. The
     secret to a clean exit was to forgo all modesty. He was not above walking to his truck
     butt naked and finishing getting dressed inside the cab. Though he had to be careful
     in the winter; cold mornings were not kind, and he had a reputation to protect.
    He closed the front door with a soft click and cursed slightly at the sharp stones beneath his bare feet. The road to hell wasn’t
     paved with good intentions . . . but the cinders that were on just about every damn
     driveway in Texas.
    Jett got into his truck and wrestled into his jeans. He was down the road, boots on,
     in thirty seconds flat—a new record even for him. Maybe he wouldn’t have to expend
     the energy to find out girl-with-crazy-tattoo’s name. A getaway maneuver like this
     would probably solve that dilemma.
    Jett drove to the nearest coffee shop, put his truck in park, and finished buttoning
     up his shirt. The digital clock said it was five in the morning. Benny would’ve just
     put on the first pot of coffee, so he might as well wait in the warmth of his cab
     until it was done.
    He grabbed his cell. He was used to his phone blowing up at all hours of the night;
     such was the burden of an active social life. But usually things quieted down once
     people began sleeping off what had gotten them into trouble the night before. There
     was only one person he had regular contact with who actually chose to meet the day
     at dawn instead of partying their way to seeing the sunrise. He touched the screen,
     not at all surprised to find that the text was from Cole.
    Jett had known Cole since grade school, and where Jett had learned that words could
     persuade, pursue, and excite, Cole