An unpleasant smell reached my nostrils.

“It’s burning.”

Our dinner was burning. Pushing Jett away, I reached out to remove the pan from the hotplate but he beat me to it.

“That’s not the only thing burning here.” His sexy smile made me melt like chocolate under his double meaning forbidden promise. “It’s crazy how much you turn me on.”

He switched off the stove, his fingers moving so fast I couldn’t follow. One second I watched him brush aside the clutter covering the oversized kitchen counter, and the next second both of his hands cupped my ass and lifted me onto the counter. My bathrobe barely covered my naked body as he started to kiss my shoulders and my nipples, the bulge in his slacks rubbing hard and deliciously against my sex starved entrance.

“Jett,” I whispered. “Is it really a good idea to do it here?”

“What’s wrong with it? We’ve never done it in the kitchen. It’s only a matter of time until we do so we might as well do it right here, right now.”

“Good point.”

How could I argue with that?

The tip of his tongue moistened his lower lip, leaving a glistering trail of moisture behind. My fingers clawed at his back, pulling him against me. His thumb started to rub my clitoris until I felt my juices slowly gathering between my legs, and then ever so slowly, he dipped his finger inside me, the rotating motion making me moan.

“You’re turning me on,” I whispered against his shoulder.

His finger moved faster, matching the pace of his thumb, as he thrust it in and out. I raised my hips and wrapped my thighs around his waist. My stomach quivered. My whole body trembled for him as his thumb continued to stimulate my clit.

“I want you inside me.”

“Not yet,” Jett whispered. “You’re so wet. Do you hear that?” He laughed quietly into my neck as he slid a second finger into me. My sex clenched around him, welcoming him with a squishing hum. “That’s the sound of love, baby. That’s how I know I turn you on.”

Holy mother of pearls!

Did he have to be so blunt? My cheeks caught fire. I opened my mouth to protest, but he shut me up with a hot rich kiss, his talented fingers continuing to do their magic tricks, bringing me closer to the edge.

Holy cow.

The guy was good. Really good.

Higher and higher waves of arousal washed over me, and my head began to spin in the vortex only Jett could create. I didn’t mind the vulnerability—lying naked on the kitchen counter. I didn’t mind that the kitchen had two large windows and anyone could see me in the heights of lust. Hell, I didn’t even mind Jett watching me circling my hips shamelessly against his talented hand. What I minded was not having him inside me when my orgasm was near. From the even thrusts of his fingers, I knew his little torture would get me there fast.

As if sensing my thoughts, Jett’s fingers pulled out of me. ”Are you ready for a deeper plunge?” His voice dripped with insinuation, as his thumb continued to circle around my clit.

I felt the prod of his erection against my sensitive entry and ran my hands down his chest, exploring the hardness of his muscles beneath my fingers. He kissed me as he spread my legs wider, his tongue tangling with mine, sucking it, nibbling my lips, while the length of his erection rubbed against my entry, spreading the moisture of our arousal.

“You have me but are you mine?” Jett whispered, his deep voice sending another delicious pull through the depths of my sex. Did he have to talk when I was balancing on the edge of insanity, waiting for him to give me the final push? I was wet and in need of release; if he wouldn’t give it, then I’d go for it and take it.

“I’m yours, Jett.” I moistened my lips, the lust savaging my body throbbing so hard I was ready to demand his rawness fill the emptiness inside me. I lifted my legs higher, my hips silently pleading with his hard shaft to enter me.

“I’ll take you at your word.”

His large erection slid deep into my wet sex, filling me, taking every inch I had to offer. I quivered with delight at the way his shaft felt inside me—moving, thrusting—slow but immensely deep. His groans became louder and faster as I matched his movements. With every pound my nerve endings caught fire anew, until my sheath contracted around him, sucking him deeper into me, creating a feeling of closeness and intimacy as he impaled and stretched me. Lost in him, I let go of everything but the sensation of him slamming into me.

Jett dipped his tongue into my mouth, mirroring the fast movements of his hips, his hard flesh plunging deep inside me. He told me how tight I was, how beautiful I was in my need for him, and how he felt my orgasm building as I arched my back to welcome his thrusts.

“Brooke,” he moaned my name, a moment before my vision blurred and I bucked against him. Waves of pleasure rocked my body. A moment later thick hot moisture exploded inside me and he climaxed against my damp body, consumed by the pleasure my body had given him. And I drowned in the sea of release, the air heavy with our scent mixed with herbs.

***

We were still panting when Jett buttoned up his jeans and helped me off the counter. I wrapped my bathrobe against my shivering body and tied my wet hair at the nape of my neck.

“Are you okay?” Jett placed a soft kiss on my forehead.

I nodded, figuring I didn’t need a mirror to know that my cheeks were red and I was smiling, matching the grin on his face. I had never made love in a kitchen so another first for us.

We cleaned up the mess and erased any proof of our intimate session in silence, enjoying each other’s presence without the need to talk. By the time we were done it was a little after ten. Jett followed my glance to my watch and wrapped his arms around me whispering, “Tired?”

“Very.”

“It’s been a hard day. Do you care for a pre-midnight snack?” His eyes twinkled with mischief and for a moment I wasn’t sure whether he was talking about food or sex—until he drained the pasta in a sieve.

“I’m starving,” I said, ready to take whichever of the two options he offered. “You finish dinner while I get changed.”

“Don’t take too long, woman.” He slapped my butt playfully. I giggled and moved past him.

Upstairs, I slipped into a clean pair of jeans and a long-sleeved shirt. I was halfway through the foyer when I noticed Jett standing near the window, in the darkness of the living room.

“You scared me.” I laughed uneasily.

“Shhh.” He pressed a finger against his mouth and motioned me to step closer. I tiptoed to him, wondering what the heck was going on.

“What’s wrong?” I whispered because his paranoia was contagious. He pulled the curtain aside so I could look. It took my eyes several seconds to adjust to the darkness and my brain another few seconds to process what I was seeing. A man was standing near the house, his features blurred in the moonlight, so I couldn’t make out his face.

“Stay here and be quiet,” Jett whispered.

“Are you crazy? I’m not staying behind,” I whispered. He shushed me by placing a finger on my lips, motioning me to stay. I watched him sneak to the door his hand wrapped around a gun. It had to be the same one I had seen in the car. He must have hid it in his jacket or in the grocery box. My hands covered my mouth to stifle a scream.

Oh god!

He was going to shoot and someone would get hurt.

My heart hammered so hard all I could hear was my blood rushing through my veins. And then my mind began to spin with possibilities. What if the other guy carried a gun too and he shot Jett? What if Jett killed him and we’d end up in even bigger trouble? What if there were more people outside just waiting for Jett to walk blindly into a trap?

I wasn’t going to let my guy die. He had to stay inside—with me— and keep that door closed so that nobody could enter and we could call for help.

“Jett, no.” I whispered after him, shaking my head, signaling to stay. But he ignored me. Before I could move an inch, he was outside. Paralyzed by fear, I pulled the curtain aside. The intruder was gone and Jett disappeared out of my vision.

I wasn’t going to stay put and wait for disaster to strike. Before I could change my mind, I dashed out the door as quietly as I could, aware that my breathing sounded like I had a saxophone inside my chest.

The night was pitch black. The moon hid behind thick clouds but the air was surprisingly balmy. Apart from the chirping of crickets, I could hear no sounds. I moved past the white balustrades, down the stone stairs, gravel crunching beneath my feet as I took a left turn toward where I thought I had seen Jett disappear through the window. My eyes were slowly adjusting to the darkness—good enough to show me the way, but too weak not to mistake tree shadows and branches for people. Still, my courage was stronger than my fear. It was true. Love gave me courage.

I walked around the house, almost reaching the front porch, when Jett and another guy appeared in my line of vision.

“Drop your weapon before I shoot you.” Jett’s voice was cold, unrelenting. A voice that would not hesitate to hurt someone, a voice I had never heard before. A voice so damn sexy I would’ve smiled with pride at the fact that he was my man—if I wasn’t so scared. A twig snapped under my feet. Jett turned his head sharply and in the darkness his gaze fell on me. I could almost see the angry lines around his mouth.

“What the fuck? Go back inside, Brooke.”

Holy cow, he was hot when he was angry. His tone kept me transfixed to the spot, unable to follow his command.

“What did I tell you, Brooke? Get back inside,” Jett hissed.

My feet felt like they were glued to the spot.

“Turn around,” Jett ordered the man.

“Jett?” Holding up his hands, the guy spun around. The first two things I noticed about him were his black leather jacket and the tattoos on his naked arms.

It was the same guy from the bar—the one Sylvie couldn’t keep her hands off.

I blinked several times as I tried to match the man standing in front of Jett to the memory inside my head. Strong jaw. Pierced eyebrow. Sturdy build. And he was tall; almost as tall as Jett. Yeah, it was definitely the same person and he still looked like a drug dealer.

“He must have followed us from the club,” I said. “Should I call the police?”

“That’s your girl?” the guy said. I couldn’t help but notice the amusement in his tone. “I’m glad you found her, man.”

“Kenny.” Jett slapped his shoulder. “I was about to shoot you. Yeah, that’s her.”

“You know him?” I inched closer. Jett wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close, grinning.

“This is Kenny. We’re going way back,” Jett said.

He stepped closer to me and extended his hand. “I’m Kenny. Jett’s friend.”

“Nice to meet you.” I shook his hand, my heart still pounding because, in all honesty, I couldn’t shake off the feeling he was involved in some shady business.

Your girl.

My mind circled around Kenny’s words. Was that how Jett had titled me around his friends?

“What are you doing here?” Jett said, oblivious to the sudden burst of affection invading my heart. “Now it makes sense why I couldn’t reach you.”