“I just want you so much,” she whispered against the skin of his chest, before biting.

He rolled, bringing her atop him. “Take me. I’m yours to take, Elise.”

She pushed herself to sit, quickly positioning herself and sliding back onto his cock. Still for long moments, she simply let herself feel the thickness of him buried deep. And then she looked down at him, mussed up, a big, sexual man with an edge of darkness, and he reined it in for her.

His tattoos were so ridiculously sexy. She’d say something like he didn’t know just how sexy, but as she began to ride him, rising up and coming down over his cock, she knew he did. “You know what’s one of the most sexy things about you?”

He grinned up at her. “No, but I’m always ready to hear such things. Do tell.”

She laughed. She often laughed during sex with him. She’d never laughed with a man in intimate moments before. But with him, the happiness always found a way out.

“You know how hot you are. You know the tall, dark and handsome thing with the tats and the nipple ring is like sugar water to hummingbirds.” She pressed down hard and circled her hips, grinding herself into him.

He sucked in a breath. “I like that move a lot. You’re saying I’m vain but you like it?”

Her nails dug into his sides, and he arched into it, she knew, loving that bit of pain to spice the pleasure.

“I’m saying you understand your sexual allure and you embrace it. You’re a very sexual man. Add the bad-boy thing to that and you’re like catnip for women.”

He laughed. “I think that’s the best compliment I’ve ever received.”

They fell silent, the only sounds the birds out in the backyard and the slap of flesh meeting. Having him inside her felt so good she luxuriated in it, taking her time, teasing him up, higher and higher.

“I’m going to die,” he croaked out, his fists in the blankets. She knew he wanted to take over and leaned down to kiss him.

“Don’t die. I need you here to f**k me.”

He cursed low, and those hands landed on her hips, his fingers digging in to guide her movement, to speed her up and bring her down a little harder. She loved it when he did this, lost his rein and guided her just where and how he wanted. Still she was surprised when another climax blasted through her body.

He must have been too, because he nearly snarled as she contracted around him. He began to thrust up as he pulled her down against him. His upper body tightened as his muscles worked, and then with a long groan, he came.

“I’m starving.” His voice was muffled against her hair.

“I’ll make you a sandwich. Meatloaf okay?”

He tipped her chin and kissed her. “Thank you. And you can tell me about what happened at the attorney’s office. You think Rennie would like to go out to Chinese food tonight? I feel like taking out my two best girls.”

He rolled from her bed, and she couldn’t help but bury her face in the pillow he’d been on. She loved his smell. “I think she’d love it. You know how she feels about you.” She got out of bed and he followed her into her bathroom. Rennie wasn’t the only Sorenson who loved Brody Brown.

22

Elise fell into the rhythm of making him a sandwich. He’d helped her wash and dry the tattoo and had shown her just how much of the gel to put on. Such a big man, but always totally gentle with her.

“They’re trying to drag me back to New York. To a different county than where we were before. This one is where a lot of vacation homes for the rich and famous are located, so Frank and my new attorney—yes the guy was really good—think the Sorensons want to get me where they have a better chance at taking Rennie.”

She put the sandwich on the table and followed with a glass of orange juice.

He took a big bite of the sandwich and looked across to where she sat, eating an apple because we can’t all be men who can inhale four thousand calories a day and still be slim. Not that she was bitter. Not at all.

“Who’d have thought meatloaf would be so awesome? This is so good. Thank you.” He took a drink. “I hate these people. Just on principle, but also because they’re trying to hurt you and Rennie.”

“Bill will handle most of the motions, with Frank helping out in New York. They’re filing a motion to dismiss. And also to keep the case here in Washington where I live and where Rennie lives. Apparently they filed more papers today as I was talking with them both. Frank was going to fax it all to Bill and they’ll get back to me.”

He took her hand across the table. “It’s going to be fine. You’re a wonderful mom. Rennie is happy and healthy and thriving. And so are you, Elise. You grow brighter every day, more vibrant and full of life. You’re making your own way here, and it shows. What can I do to help?”

“Thank you for being here for me. That’s the most important part.”

“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be. I’m also available for things like babysitting if you need to be somewhere and your parents need a break or can’t do it.”

“You really do care about Irene, don’t you?”

Confusion washed over his features for a moment. “Of course I do. Isn’t it obvious?”

“She’s my kid, I obviously think she’s fabulous, so it’s easy to assume everyone else does. But not everyone else does, of course. I’m just grateful she has people who care about her in her life. I can’t let this case get dragged back to New York, Brody. I can’t take her back there. I can’t go back there. I’m here where things are good and right. We’re good here. I don’t want to look back over my shoulder again. And they’re making me. I hate them.”