“It’s built into the intercom panel, my dear,” Jerome replied, reading my movements accurately. “Please come right in.”

The latch of the gate clicked and released, and I slipped inside. Striding up to the house, I tried to get my thoughts in order. What exactly was I going to say to him?

Stay the hell out of my life?

If you want to know something about me, then you damn well better ask me and not my friends?

Why are you invading my thoughts when I don’t want you there?

Okay, that last one I’d keep to myself. But everything else was fair game.

Jerome was standing at the open front door when I reached it. “Don’t you look lovely this evening, Yve. It’s wonderful to see you again so soon.”

I glanced down at my dress. It was a retro white number I’d picked up on eBay. It was after Labor Day, so my mama would have said I shouldn’t have been wearing white. But guess what, I didn’t care. I’m a rebel like that.

“Thank you, Jerome,” I replied, trying to be polite, but I was a woman on a mission. “I don’t mean to be rude, but where the hell is he?”

Jerome’s lips quirked into a smile, and I could swear his eyes twinkled. “He’s having a swim. Do you know where the pool room is located?”

The familiar heat of my blush rose in my cheeks. “Yes, I do. Thank you.”

I’d taken only one step when Jerome offered a friendly, “Good luck, dear. He’s in a mood tonight.”

In a mood? I was the one in a mood.

The scent of chlorine grew as I neared the pool. Through the glass walls, I could make out the powerful muscles of Titan’s back and arms as he cut through the water. Every flex and contraction conjured images of what he must have looked like pounding into me from behind.

You didn’t come here to ogle the man’s fine-as-hell, totally ripped body, and you’re certainly not here for a repeat performance.

Taking a deep breath, I grabbed the handle and pulled the door open. I crossed to the edge of the pool and stood at the end of the lane Titan was swimming in.

Ignore the muscles, Yve.

Impossible.

I propped my hands on my hips and waited for about thirty seconds, and then my patience dried up. “Hey! I need to talk to you.”

The words bounced off the walls of the room, and Titan’s head jerked out of the water as he stood in the pool.

Oh hell . . . those pecs. Shit. The man did not look like he sat at a desk wearing a fancy suit all day. No paper pusher should be allowed to have abs like that.

I snapped my eyes to his face as he pulled the goggles off his head.

“Once again I find you uninvited in my pool room. You’re wearing too many clothes this time.”

I didn’t acknowledge his comment before I launched into my tirade. “If you want to know something about me, you come to me. Don’t go snooping around in my business or trying to get information out of my friends. If I want you to know something, I’ll tell you. Otherwise, mind your own damn business. You get me?”

Titan moved to the edge of the pool, and I stepped back. It proved to be the right choice because he placed both palms on the tiled floor and lifted himself out of the pool.

Holy. Hell.

I had to avert my eyes. It was like looking at the sun, except he was all golden skin and lean, long muscles. And he was wearing tight enough swim shorts that his bulge was in no way concealed.

He’d felt huge when I wrapped my hand around him—and when he’d pushed inside me.

Focus, Yve. You don’t like him.

But my body’s reaction proved once more that I didn’t have to like him to want him.

I WONDERED IF YVE KNEW I could see straight up her dress before she stepped away from the edge of the pool. Unlikely, and I wasn’t going to point out the fact. But still, it was a shame when she moved back. Unfortunately she’d chosen white lace today instead of going bare. I just wondered if it was a thong . . .

Already, I could feel my dick perking up in my swim shorts. Not surprising. The woman only had to breathe to get me hard.

I pushed out of the pool, letting the water cascade off me. Once I was on two feet, I stepped to the chair to grab my towel and began to dry off.

Yve stood silently. A glance in her direction showed her eyes glued to my body.

“Want me to drop the trunks so we’re even? After all, I got to see all of you.”

Her spine shot poker straight. “Not necessary. That’s not why I’m here.”

I had no intention of letting her leave without getting another taste of her, but I could bide my time. For now.

I shrugged and tossed the towel aside. “Then why are you here?”

“Because you’re meddling in my life.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Meddling how? I haven’t done a thing.”

“You went to the gym trying to dig up information on me.”

“I did.” I wasn’t about to hide it, but my confession didn’t slow her down.

“You want to know something about me, then you come to me.”

When she jabbed a finger at her own chest to make her point, I was reminded of her perfect tits and dusky-rose nipples. I needed to fuck her while we were both naked. Preferably in front of a mirror so I could see everything. But first, I wanted answers.

“Then you tell me. What the hell sent you running out of your apartment?”

“It’s none of your goddamn business, Titan,” she shot back.

“Guess what, Yve? I decide what’s my business, and for some damn reason, I’ve decided you are.”

She stepped toward me. “Well, undecide. I don’t need you meddling in my life.”

Stubborn woman. “Have you ever asked for help?”

“I don’t need your help.”

“That wasn’t my question. My question was,” I took another step closer, until the skirt of her dress pressed against my still wet thighs, “have you ever asked for help.”

She refused to lower her eyes, but her chest rose and fell faster with each breath. “I don’t see the point of asking for help. It always comes with strings attached.”

She didn’t step away, and I found that almost as fascinating as her answer.

“I knew you were a smart woman, because my help definitely has strings attached. I want you naked when I’m inside you next time.”

Her golden eyes sparked and flashed, right before she pressed both hands against my chest and shoved.