Model Marine. Candace Havens

      She dumped her bag on a coffee table in front of a long sectional couch. Except for a giant flat-screen hanging on the wall it was the only thing in this part of the loft. He could see a filmy curtain in the back that separated her bedroom from the rest of the area. A fridge and a microwave were the only appliances in the kitchen.

      How does she cook a meal without an oven or a stovetop?

      Will didn’t have a home, except for his parents’ house. Financially, it made no sense to have a place of his own—he was in the U.S. Marine Corps and he lived wherever they sent him. He never accumulated much in the way of belongings because of his travels. But Hannah hadn’t seemed one to like a sparse lifestyle. The clothing at her show was colorful and fun. He wasn’t sure what he expected but it wasn’t this.

      “Most of them do love clothing. My family is from old money. My mother has a stylist who buys everything she wears. I’m not sure she’s ever stepped foot in a department store or even a boutique. The clothes and the jewels all come to her. And my dad, well, he lives to work. My mother has all of his clothes made by the same tailors who seamed my grandfather’s clothing.”

      Slipping off her heels, she tossed them on the floor near the bar in her kitchen.

      He stifled the urge to pick them up and put them where they were supposed to go. Will had a thing about order. Rafe called him OCD, but his friend wasn’t much better. Most of the marines he knew liked to keep their belongings tidy. It was a part of the lifestyle. They never knew when they’d be called into action.

      “Wow! Talking about my parents just sucked the life right out of the room.” She motioned to the couch. “Go have a seat. I’ll be back in a minute.”

      While it was only ten-thirty, Will had dated enough to know a minute to a woman was often a half hour in man time. He flipped on the television and turned the volume down low. He watched the end of the news and then switched to see a documentary on the National Geographic channel.

      “Oh, I love that movie, except for that poor wildebeest who doesn’t see the lion coming.”

      Will turned to see her in drawstring pajama bottoms and a long-sleeve T-shirt. Her hair had been pulled up into a fluffy ponytail. He liked that she was comfortable enough around him that she probably would have dressed the same as if he weren’t here. Though, if she was trying to seduce him she was doing a great job. Her natural beauty was like lightning striking his body with pure heat.

      If she were trying to seduce you, she would have worn something sexier.

      She handed him something soft.

      “It’s a scarf. I made it for my brother, Tyler, for Christmas. But I noticed you didn’t have one and it’s supposed to get really cold the next few days.”

      Will unraveled the scarf. It was tightly woven, but incredibly soft. “What about your brother?”

      She sat down on the L of her couch next to him. “I have several months to make him a new one.”

      “Thank you. It’s beautiful and that you made it makes it even more special.”

      Her smile lit up her face and he could feel that light sear through his heart.

      “I wanted you to have it. I like the idea of you having a part of me wrapped around you.” Her hand flew to her mouth. “I can’t believe that came out the way it did. I meant since you were so incredible today… I give up.” She covered her face and shook her head.

      Will’s heart felt as though it beat double-time as he reached up and pulled her hands away from her face.

      “You never have to be embarrassed with me.” He touched her cheek gently with the back of his fingers. Her skin was so smooth. It took all of his resolve to keep from hauling her into his lap. “I should get going.” Those words were tough to say but he was doing his best to be a gentleman.

      Her lips formed a straight line. “I forgot you have a job to go to tomorrow morning.” She touched his hand. “I’ve kept you out late and—”

      “Hannah, stop. It’s only eleven and I do want to stay. Trust me I do. But you’ve had a really long and eventful day. I saw you hiding the yawns during dinner.”

      “Oh, no, and here I thought I was being so clever with my napkin. I haven’t slept for a couple of days. So much was riding on this show. But, and I know how this makes me sound, I don’t want to be alone. Can you stay, just for a little while? We can watch the documentary and I have popcorn and beer or wine. And maybe some cheese and bottled water. I eat out a lot.”

      “I figured as much when I saw your kitchen. I’m happy to stay if you aren’t too tired.”

      “Stay right there.”

      She ran off to the kitchen and returned with some beer and a giant bowl of popcorn. She scooted in next to him and he slipped his arm across her petite shoulders.

      Less than ten minutes later Will had to save her couch by grabbing the bottle of beer out of her hand. She’d fallen asleep.

      When he shifted to put the bowl of popcorn on the coffee table, she fell into his lap. He grabbed a pillow to put between her and his thighs, praying that she didn’t feel the sudden bulge when she’d touched him there.

      Will pushed the tiny tendrils that escaped her ponytail away from her face. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.

      Now what the hell am I going to do?

      3

      HANNAH OPENED HER EYES to find the television was on. She yawned and noticed she was lying on her sofa pillow, which was on top of two strong thighs.

      Will.

      Great. I fell asleep.

      Turning her head, she glanced up to find an amused look on his face.

      “Hey.” That whiskey voice got to her every time.

      She sat up and tugged the pillow from his lap. “Okay, I’m mortified. I can’t believe I did that.”

      “You had a good excuse.” He stood and stretched. His shirt lifted enough she caught a glimpse of his hardened abs. The lower region of her body reacted instantly. “You were right about the documentary. It was great.”

      His next words would be about him needing to leave. He’d be polite and obliging but she wasn’t ready for that yet. The man was so handsome that part of her wondered if he was a hallucination. If he were a dream, she would make the most of it.

      “Will? I don’t ask men I just met to stay overnight.”

      “I was heading out.” He was so earnest.

      Hannah made a bold move without even thinking about it. She quickly stood before him and placed her hand on his chest.

      “Um, you misunderstood. What would you think of me if I told you I want you to stay? That I want to do naughty, dirty things to your body. That I—”

      Before she could say another word his lips captured hers, his tongue begging for entrance as it teased her lips. With the lightest touch his knuckle outlined her jaw.

      Her hands lifted his shirt so she could run her palms up and down the muscles beneath.

      Will moaned when she touched him and he twined her hands up around his neck so that her body was flush against his, her breasts rubbing against his hard chest. There was a strange sense of coming home, almost as if she could feel her body binding to his.

      His hand moved behind her head and he loosened her ponytail. “Your hair is like wavy sunshine.”

      Her hair was her arch enemy but now wasn’t the time to talk about that.

      When she glanced up, the need in his eyes stole her breath. He wanted her as much as she did him.

      “Hannah, are you trying to seduce me?”