Jessie let out a shaky breath and pushed her hair off her face. That’s when he saw her hand. “Your knuckles.”

Jessie looked down at her hand. “Oh, God.” Her eyes widened a bit as she remembered what she’d done. “Your sister. I hit your sister.”

Although it seemed throwing things at his head didn’t warrant any remorse since she’d done it twice already. “Don’t worry about her. She’s got the Smith hard head.” He reached over and opened his medicine cabinet, taking out a first-aid kit. “And it’s not like she didn’t deserve it a bit.”

“That’s not the point. It was weak and pathetic and—”

“Jessie Ann, do me a favor. Cut yourself some slack.” He lifted her hand and began to carefully clean it. “I know it’s hard for you, but really. Give yourself a break.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It sure isn’t hard to get you pissed off.”

“I’ll admit, I’m short on temper.”

“Short like a Munchkin.”

Her eyes narrowed dangerously. “You know what—owwww!”

Smitty glanced up from wiping her knuckles with an alcohol swab. “Oh. Did that hurt?”

“I am starting to hate you.”

“No, you’re not. But I know you’re tryin’.” He covered her knuckles in antiseptic cream and a loose bandage. “There. That should do it.”

“Good.” She tried to get up, but he wouldn’t move. “Would you move?”

“In a second.” He washed his hands in the sink and took his own damn time drying them. The longer he took, the crankier his little wild dog got.

“You know I have to get back to work.”

“Liar.”

“I am not lying.”

“What? They’ll beat ya?”

“Smitty.”

He gave her a wicked smile. “You into that?”

She finally smiled even as she tried not to. “Bobby Ray!”

“It’s all right. There’s no shame in enjoying a firm hand. Especially if it’s mine.”

“Don’t even think about it.” She glanced down at her watch and he immediately covered it with his hand. “What are you doing?”

“Time is not of importance at the moment.”

“Time is always of importance.”

He removed the watch. “Not today.”

“Hey. Give that back.”

Smitty shoved it into his back pocket. “Nope.”

“You do know that watch costs more than your body parts would earn on the black market.”

Smitty placed his hands on either side of Jessie’s legs, keeping her in place. “I’m not going to ask how you know that.”

“That’s for the best,” she answered solemnly.

Smitty stared at her for so long she got nervous. “What? What are you staring at?”

“Your mouth is driving me crazy.”

Jess wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “Why? Do I have something on it?” she asked sincerely.

His hands gently gripped her jaw. “It will.” Then his lips were on hers. Possessive. Demanding. His insistent tongue making her mouth his.

Smitty stepped closer, his legs butting up against her knees. When she didn’t open to him, his hands slid between her thighs and pried them apart so he could move in. He didn’t stop walking until the presence of the counter under her butt made him.

Once comfortable, those big hands moved up again and framed her face, holding her in place as Smitty kissed what sense she had left right out of her.

Jess tried to push him away... well, sort of. She slapped her hands against his shoulders really hard.

Unfortunately, she didn’t shove him away. Her control snapped, and all that pent-up horniness took over.

She yanked off his jacket and tossed it across the room, her legs wrapping around his waist and her ankles locking at the base of his spine.

Smitty dragged his hands up her torso, gliding across her breasts. The feel of his hands on her breasts, even through her sweater and T-shirt, had her arching into him, her own hands scrambling to the snap of his jeans. She didn’t know what had come over her, but she loved it. For once the only thing she could think about was this moment. Not tomorrow or ten years from now or ten years ago. No worries about the business or college funds or charity plans or anything else. She didn’t have any of those worries as she released Smitty long enough for him to tear at her jeans, dragging them off her hips and down her legs. When he yanked them off, her sneakers went flying, slamming into the shower curtain and landing in the tub.

Jess went back to Smitty’s fly, desperately yanking it down while Smitty leaned over and dug into the medicine cabinet. A box of condoms in his hand, he went back to kissing her, rocking her to her toes at the urgency she felt in his every move.

Like he simply had to have her.

Lord, she tasted good. He could kiss her for hours and never get tired of it. But his body was screaming at him. Screaming for him to take her. He’d never felt such urgency before. Not for any female. Usually, Smitty took his time, driving a woman crazy until she couldn’t see straight. Until she was begging him.

But Jessie Ann didn’t beg. She didn’t have to. Instead, she snatched the box of condoms out of his hand and tore the cardboard open. When she had one, he caught her hand in his.

Panting, he said, “Wait, Jessie Ann. Just wait.” He rested his forehead against hers, trying to get his breath back. Trying to get control.