The Million-Dollar Catch. Susan Mallery

felt good—too good to feel bad.

      “Morning.”

      She glanced up and saw Todd standing in the doorway to the kitchen. He’d pulled on his slacks and his shirt, but hadn’t buttoned the latter. She could see bare skin and tapered muscles. He also looked mussed, unshaven and too sexy for words.

      Unexpected shyness gripped her. “Hi,” she murmured, then cleared her throat. “I’m making coffee, which you can probably guess.”

      “Good. Thanks.”

      His dark gaze settled on her face. She had to fight the need to smooth her hair, even though before entering the kitchen she’d stopped in the bathroom to wash her face, brush her teeth and make sure her hair didn’t look as if it had been attacked by angry birds.

      She had no idea what he was thinking. He probably did this sort of thing most mornings, woke up in a strange bed. She could let him set the tone. Except that wasn’t her style. She was far more take-charge. Her sisters would be happy to provide testimony on her behalf.

      “So I’m out of practice,” she said with a shrug. “The whole strange-guy-in-my-bed and all that. I didn’t expect last night so I certainly didn’t prepare for this morning. What would you like to do? Shower? Leave? Get my phone number?”

      He folded his arms over his chest and leaned against the door frame. “You’re honest.”

      “As I was last night. It’s kind of something that sticks with me. I like to think I’m a trendsetter. Plus, I’ve never understood the thrill of lying. The truth comes out eventually.”

      “Interesting point. What are your plans for the day?”

      Plans? It was a Saturday. “I, ah, have to run some errands. I brought some work home and I’m meeting my sisters later for lunch.”

      “Busy lady.”

      “It happens. And you? What are you doing today?”

      “Meeting my cousin, but that’s not until later.” He glanced down the hall, then back at her. “Can I take you up on that shower? Maybe borrow a toothbrush?”

      “Sure.”

      This was so weird, she thought as she moved down the hall and opened the small linen closet by the bathroom. There was a single unwrapped toothbrush, which was, unfortunately, bright pink.

      “Sorry,” she murmured.

      “I’ll survive. Do your razors have flowers on them?”

      “No, but they’re mostly purple.”

      “Such a girl.”

      “Would you be more comfortable if I were a guy?” she asked.

      He shuddered. “No. Although it would have made for an interesting conversation.”

      She handed him a couple of towels, then pointed to the bathroom. “Have at it.”

      “Okay, thanks.”

      She returned to the kitchen and reached for a mug. There was a man in her bathroom. A soon-to-be naked man who would shower and use her soap and it was all very strange. She should—

      “Julie?”

      She set down the mug and walked back into the hall. The bathroom door stood partially open.

      “What? Is there a problem?” she asked.

      “Sort of.”

      She paused just outside the bathroom and opened her mouth to speak. But before she could say anything, he grabbed her arm and pulled her inside.

      He was naked. She grasped that much right before he drew her close and kissed her. Naked and hard and apparently still in the mood, she thought happily as she parted her lips and let the games begin. His tongue teased hers before he shifted his attention to her neck.

      “You’re wearing a robe,” he murmured against her skin.

      “Yes, I am.” She sounded breathless, which made sense. She was breathless.

      “That’s gotta go.”

      He was a man of his word. He tugged the tie loose, then pushed the robe off her body. She was naked underneath—a good thing what with the way he immediately began to caress her breasts.

      His touch was inspired, she thought as her mind began to fog as passion and need took over. In a matter of seconds she was wet and swollen and hungry for him to be inside of her.

      While he bent down and licked her tight, sensitive nipples, she rubbed his shoulders, his back, then kissed the top of his head.

      He straightened. “Okay, time to shower.”

      Shower? “What?”

      He took her hand and guided her into the tub, then pulled the curtain closed. He urged her under the spray, then reached for the soap.

      After lathering his hands, he began to wash her all over. The soap made her skin slick. His fingers glided and slipped as he first cleaned her, then teased her.

      He washed her back, her hips, the backs of her legs, before rinsing her off. Then instead of turning her, he just moved in close and with her back pressing against his chest, began to run his hands up and down the front of her body.

      He caressed her neck, then did a thorough job of cleaning her breasts. The combination of soapy fingers against her nipples and pounding hot water made her weak and hungry with need. She covered his hands with hers to keep him in place while she leaned her head against his shoulder.

      “There’s more,” he whispered in her ear. “Much more.”

      Without warning, he stepped back, then turned her. He lightly kissed her on the mouth before dropping to his knees and pressing another opened-mouthed kiss to her stomach.

      Her muscles clenched in anticipation. The water ran down her body. He urged her to put one foot on the edge of the tub, then he leaned in, parted her flesh and licked her. She cried out as his tongue circled the very heart of her, before moving across her swollen center. She felt his lips, his breath and the steady pressure as he pleasured her.

      She had to brace herself by placing one hand on the wall. Her legs began to tremble as her muscles clenched. He moved slow, then fast, licking, sucking, forcing her higher and closer. Her breath came in pants. She was completely his to command as the promise of an incredible orgasm kept her frozen in place.

      She wanted to beg. If she’d known any state secrets she would have yelled them, anything to have him keep doing what he was doing. She felt herself spiral closer and yet her release remained elusively out of reach.

      More, she thought frantically, she needed more. But how?

      He must have read her mind because he slipped two fingers inside of her. Even as he continued to kiss her so intimately, he filled her and the combination was too much.

      She lost control right there, in the shower, with the water pounding and an incredible man between her legs. She gasped for breath and screamed and shuddered until she knew that nothing ever again would ever be this spectacular.

      Her release crashed through her, leaving her exhausted and boneless. Todd stood and smiled, then pulled her close. She could barely gather the strength to hug him back.

      The thought of doing to him what he’d gone to her perked her up a little. She stepped back, but before she could do anything else, he reached behind her and turned off the shower.

      “We’ll get cold,” she told him.

      “I don’t think so.”

      He pulled open the curtains, then led her out of the shower. After spreading a towel on the counter, he lifted her onto it, parted her legs and pushed into her with one firm, demanding thrust.

      She would have bet a lot of money that she was too content to even think about coming