“There you go. Now you don’t look nearly as fierce.”

“I figured you’d like fierce.”

“I do, but I’m helping you out for future females. You don’t want to scare them off, do you?”

“I’m told my non-expression is more terrifying.”

“Because we have no idea what you’ll do. Sniff and move on or start tearing off limbs.”

“That’s lovely. Thank you.”

“Uh-oh. The scowl’s back. Better distract you before I end up torn limb from limb.”

“If you’re that worried—”

She kissed him, cutting off the rest of his words.

It wasn’t a nice kiss, either. Oh, it was amazing, and he never knew anyone could have such soft lips, but it wasn’t “nice.” In fact, he didn’t know a woman could make a simple kiss so wonderfully raunchy and dirty. Crush secretly liked dirty. And he got the feeling Malone liked dirty, too, but that she didn’t keep it a secret.

She invaded his mouth with her tongue, fingers digging deep into the back of his neck and head, kind of holding him there. Crush’s entire body loosened, his arms falling away from his chest and to his sides, then reaching around her waist and pulling her off the chair. The chair ended up between them, so Crush kicked it out of the way. Keeping a solid grip on her, he returned her kiss. But he wanted more.

Without thought to anything but the demands of his body, Crush pushed her up against his refrigerator, his body pinning hers there. He let his hands slip from around her waist and travel up until they could grip her breasts, fingers squeezing while his thumbs circled her nipples through her shirt and bra. Her entire body shook and then her hands were pressed against his chest, pushing him back.

“What?” He heard the growl in his voice, and was kind of appalled by it.

“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!” Malone shoved and he released her, watching her drop to the floor.

She panted, gold eyes watching him close. Gold eyes that were accusing him. “You didn’t tell me you were a powder keg about to go off.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

She stepped away from the fridge, but she never took her eyes off him.

“You kissed me,” Crush quickly argued, feeling the need to defend himself.

“I know,” she shot back.

“Then why are you looking at me like—?”

She pointed an accusing finger. “Don’t play coy with me!”

“What?”

“You and I both know what’s going on here and I see now that I’ll need more time than just some quickie on your kitchen table. I’ll need a whole night to work with”—she moved her hands around in the air as if rubbing his entire body—“allthis.”

Crush scratched his head. “I’m so confused right now.”

“That’s ’cause you’re not paying attention.” She shook her head. “I gotta go.”

“Why?” And his own question caught him by surprise.

“The kid’s expecting me home tonight, otherwise I’d totally stay. But I’m trying the whole good mom thing.”

“Yeah. Good luck with that.”

“I don’t like the tone and do not snarl at me.”

She took a step, stopped, walked back to him, and placed her hand against his crotch.

Crush jerked at the feel of her stroking his cock through the thick denim of his jeans. Of course, the way those fingers were working him, he might as well be naked.

“Goddamn,” she murmured, then again shook her head and snatched her hand away. “See what you’re doing?”

“What I’m doing? How is this my fault?”

“It is your fault. You and your big cock! Dammit!”

“You’re insane.”

“Certifiable.” She wagged a finger. “But you’re not getting out of this now. Better put some time aside, because when I nail you, I’m going to need all night.”

Her cold gold eyes scowled down at his crotch again and, after what felt like forever, she stamped her foot, spun away from him, and stormed out, slamming his front door behind her.

Crush looked over at the dog gazing up at him from under the table. Where it was safe.

“I don’t understand how this is my fault,” he told Lola, which got him a vicious bark.

“You don’t have to be mean about it.”

When Cella got back home, she walked in through the front door, passing the living room where her family was enjoying pie and TV. When they saw her, they all cheered, “Cella!”

Annoyed, she snapped, “Oh, shut up!”

Cutting through the kitchen, Cella headed into the backyard. She stopped by the table where Meghan and Josie sat doing schoolwork and glared down at her daughter.

“I hope you appreciate what a good mom I’m being,” Cella told her.

“You mean at the moment? Ow!” Meghan lifted her leg and rubbed her shin, which was probably where Josie had kicked her under the table.

“You’re a wonderful mom, Aunt C.,” Josie said, ignoring Meghan’s brutal glare. “And Mom’s inside.”

Taking the hint, Cella headed to the Davises’ house. When she walked in, Jai’s mother took one look at her face and pointed in the direction of the office that mother and daughter shared.

Cella marched through to the office, dropping into a free chair across from Jai’s desk.