“That waslastnight.”

“Like I said. Before.” Her words are clipped, but I see a slight flush crawl over her cheeks. She’s not immune. “I’m not changing until you leave.”

“Well, I’m not leaving.”

Now we’re in a standoff. Both of us, glaring at the other, arms crossed, the energy between us thick and hot.

I move first. I admit it, I’m weak as hell where this woman is concerned. I tangle my fingers in her hair, pulling enough to reaffirm that I’m the boss, and then I stake my claim.

She struggles, but I pin her wrists to the bed as my mouth reminds Tally of what she’s missing. My tongue pushes past her lips—possessing her, owning her.

After a few seconds, I hear her low moan as her mouth gets in on the action. Hell yes, this woman is trapped fire.

Her teeth sink into my lower lip, much harder than usual, and I pull back, licking my wounded skin. “Fuck, Darlin.”

“That,” she hisses, “is for lying to me.” She shoves against my chest. “Get off.”

“No.”

“Get off now, Owen.”

“I can bite too, Tally.” She knows I’m good to my word. I’ve covered her body in love bites. I nuzzle her neck, breathing deeply of her scent. Christ, she’s addicting. “How would you explain wearing a turtleneck in Florida?”

“Don’t even think about it.”

“I’m so far past thinking about it,” I murmur as I nip her skin, my hands stilling her halfhearted attempts to push me away.

“Donotmark me,” Tally warns.

But what good is an idle threat? Holding her wrists firm, I travel south to the top of her breast, sucking the soft skin into my mouth.

When her body arches against me, I release the grip on her wrists to pull open the towel and expose every inch of her deliciousness.

The doorbell rings, and we both startle. Figures. For once, the delivery guy is on time. With a hooded glance and a cock straining for release, I push off her. “Chinese.”

“Right,” she breathes, her entire body flushed from my exploration. “Let me get dressed, and I’ll be right out.”

“Feel free to eat naked. Hell, let me grab the food, and I’ll come back and eat you.”

She opens her mouth to retort as the doorbell peals again.

Patience, dude. It’s only been thirty seconds.

I adjust myself and open the door, shooting the guy a forced smile. I’m starving, but it’s not for Chinese. I pay the bill and bring the food into her small living room, catching sight of her worn furnishings, threadbare in spots. I’m not sure how I missed it before.

Tally never spoke about financial difficulties, but judging by her modest life, she’s suffering from them. She won’t admit it, but she needs help. I’m just the man for the job.

“Come on, let’s get some food in you,” I call into the bedroom.

I hear Tally’s mumbled voice and realize she’s on the phone. Glancing at my watch, I know it’s the hospital. Please let it be good news.

She joins me on the couch a few minutes later, tucking her legs under her as she grabs a pint off the table. “Thank you for dinner. I love lo mein.”

“I know, Darlin. How’s your Dad?”

She pokes at the noodles with chopsticks, her eyes averted. “He’s the same. The nurse was giving me an update before change of shift.”

“What’s his prognosis?” No point in hiding my medical expertise now, thank Christ.