Wound Up. Kelli Ireland

Seattle. She could find something here or at least nearby, and they could really see where this thing went.

      Yes, he’d agreed last night was a one-time thing. And she’d made it abundantly clear she didn’t expect anything more. But making more of this thing between them was the only way he could guarantee she didn’t disappear. He’d spent years watching her, had finally found his way to her through dumb luck, and damn if he was willing to let her walk away because of the universe’s poor timing.

      He dragged a hand down his face and took a deep breath. They had cheered adulthood last night. Today it seemed more burden than boon.

      “What’s with the somber look?” Her voice, husky from sleep, made his breath catch.

      “Just thinking.”

      “No thinking before coffee.” She rolled closer to him and snuggled into his chest, slipping an arm around his waist. “It’s a cosmic rule.”

      He stroked a hand down her hair. “Cover hogs don’t get to make rules.”

      “I’m not a cover hog. I only took what I needed.”

      “That apparently equals everything.”

      She sniffed. “A girl has to have her standards.” Her lips curled against his bare skin.

      “Good to know.” Rolling over, he pulled her with him so she draped across his upper body. He was aware that he was holding her a little too tight, but he couldn’t seem to let go.

      “Justin?”

      “No, no. It’s fine. My most important body parts were only at risk of frostbite for a short while. They’ll be fine.”

      She chuckled and propped herself up to meet his gaze. “If I wasn’t sure it would lead to the crossroads of Wicked Lane and Wanton Drive, I’d offer to warm your most important body parts up.”

      His cock swelled. “Yeah?” He shifted against her hip. “I could get behind that.”

      She snorted. “You did.”

      The ribald reference to their lovemaking made him laugh. “You’re a vixen, woman. A true vixen.”

      “Yeah. Sports Illustrated keeps calling for a cover shoot, but I’m just too busy being a bookworm. It’s so much sexier.”

      “On you? Hell, yes, it is.” Leaning in, he took her mouth in a swift kiss. “Your mind is definitely sexy. I loved watching you latch on to a concept or theory in class. Your brows would draw down and you’d get this look, as if you were so deep in your own thoughts you had no idea what was going on around you. I never knew what you’d say, whether you’d agree with me or disagree and defend your position so well I’d have to agree with you. I knew I’d never have to worry you’d play me false.” He traced a finger down her neck and between her breasts, circling the lower side of one and watching the nipple pucker. “And for the record? Your body isn’t half-bad, either.” He dragged his gaze first to her mouth and then to her eyes. “Last night was awesome, Grace.”

      She shivered. “I was sitting here trying to come up with the smoothest way to say the same thing. But I can work with awesome.”

      Justin reached for a condom before he rolled over, blood flooding to his groin. “I’m headed down Wicked Lane. You take Wanton Drive. We’ll meet at the crossroads.”

      Her lazy smile made his testicles draw up tight. “Wanton works for me.”

      He slid into her slowly, pausing when she winced. “Okay?”

      “Just a little sore. That was a lot of mattress gymnastics for a girl who’s gone more than two years between meets.”

      Cupping her face, he kissed her slowly before asking, “How long has it been?”

      She closed her eyes, refusing to meet his gaze.

      “Grace?”

      “My master’s program.”

      “You haven’t been to bed with anyone in—”

      “Twenty-seven months, Justin.” She finally looked at him, her eyes hauntingly beautiful. “So, yeah. I’m a little sore.” She slowly lifted her hips, drawing him in. “Doesn’t mean I want you to stop.”

      So he didn’t.

      * * *

      STEPPING OUT OF the shower an hour later, he heard his cell phone ringing. “Ignore it,” he called out.

      “I did.”

      He grinned and shook his head. Being with her was so easy, so comfortable. Part of him wanted to revel at how easy it was to like her as much as he did. Another part wanted to simply gather up his belongings and leave, ensure nothing could come of the spark harbored in his heart. The longer they were together, the more that spark was coaxed to burn. It scared him more than a little.

      This time in his life was supposed to be about finding his professional footing, making a contribution to the Second Chances program and beginning to carve out respect from his peers. None of that included a woman, particularly a woman whose immediate future didn’t align with his own.

      He’d worked so hard to become the man he was now, not the kid in the too-small clothes, the one always looking to make money any way he had to in order to put food on the table. When his focus had shifted, when he’d begun to think in broader terms than street smarts and day-to-day survival, he’d found his purpose. God knew he hadn’t been abstinent in the years that followed. He was no choirboy. But at the same time, a woman hadn’t figured into his long-term plans.

      And yet, he was fiercely attracted to Grace. She hadn’t quite closed the door on a repeat of last night. Maybe he could see her again before they ultimately went their separate ways. And if their next time had to be their last time, he’d do his best to snuff out this burning desire he harbored for her, had harbored for her for the past three years.

      Hands on the counter, he locked his elbows and leaned forward, head hanging loosely. He wanted Grace. Badly. Craved her, even. But the reality of their situation didn’t change for his wanting her. She had a life to start and so did he. Their paths probably wouldn’t cross again. His only chance was to press her for just a bit more of her now, while it was an option.

      He finished brushing his teeth and stepped into the room, hand on the towel, and froze. Grace had opened the curtains just enough to peer out. Sunlight bathed her in a nimbus of brilliant gold, outlining every curve on her luscious, bare body.

      Shifting, she offered him a partial profile and a wide smile. “Sun’s out today.”

      “Good.” The word was little more than a croak.

      Her brows drew together. “Hey. Are you okay?” She started toward him and stopped when he backed up.

      Justin couldn’t think of anything beyond the woman. Heart racing and palms sweating, he shook his head. “I’m fine.”

      “You seem a little shaky.”

      “I am a little shaky.”

      “Low blood sugar?”

      “Yeah.” Easy answer. A lie, which didn’t sit well with him, but he didn’t correct himself, didn’t offer the truth.

      How could he even be thinking of getting emotionally involved? She’d said she wasn’t staying in Seattle long, but even if she was only here for another couple of weeks, they could see each other again He wanted to find out what might be between them, given time and a little nurturing, a little emotional excavation. “So...what’s your next step, Grace?”

      “What do you mean?”

      “In life. You’ve graduated. What now?”

      “You’re standing there in a towel, I’m naked, and you want to talk career planning?” Her laughter rang out in the bedroom. “You’re