“Don’t worry about me, Cull.”

“Sure.” He took in her sweet, smooth complexion and her damp wavy hair. He wasn’t sure how old she was, but she wasn’t as young as he’d first thought. She was more beautiful than imaginable, and each day he looked forward to seeing her. His gaze naturally fell to the neckline of her shirt that had fallen over one shoulder. The rise and fall of her breasts had become quick. His hand ached to touch her, hold her, be near her. He knew she was as soft as he’d fantasized she would be. The smell of her was so strong in the air that it wrapped him in a lustful cloud. Could he just hold her and not take things to the next level?

Her eyes widened slightly as he stared into the green pools. He clenched his hands into fists, his chest was tight and his hips ached. A rosy flush settled on her flawless cheeks, stirring up an excitement in his belly. The devil was on one shoulder encouraging him to do what he’d wanted from almost the beginning.

She moistened her lips as if she begged to be kissed…made love to. Did she realize what she did to him? Her nipples pressed the fabric and he rolled his tongue over his lips, wanting to suckle every part of her.

He had to get the hell out of there. Fast.

But what would just one more kiss do?

Just. One.

It was a terrible idea. A shitty idea in fact, but he didn’t care.

Even as he retraced his steps back to her he warned himself that this was trouble. He had a shitload of reasons why he couldn’t get involved with her, why he needed to keep his emotions as far away as another galaxy. But his logic was on vacation and his libido was sunny side up.

Even as their lips touched, he lost his sanity.

He swiped his hand across the table, knocking the bottle and glasses to the floor with a loud shattering crash. He’d worry about that later. He grabbed her ass and lifted her, placing her on the edge of the table, then stepped between her legs. She was so warm and sweet, so delectable. A gift made just for him.

Cull focused on her lips that were soft and full, and they opened to him so easily. An invitation to do to her what he wanted. Hs tongue moved into her mouth, slipping in like an intruder into the night ready to steal her heart. She pressed against him, their breaths melding together, sounds of pleasure mixing like two life flows.

He buried his fingers in her damp, tangled hair, and she tousled his, nicking his scalp lightly. The feeling was unbelievably amazing and there was no doubt he’d never be the same after meeting her.

Pulling away, he sucked in a calming breath, but it wasn’t enough.

“Stay with me,” she whispered.

He wanted to stay with her. More than anything. He wanted to hold her all night long and make love to her, hear her call out his name in the height of passion. This was a huge problem. When he was near her, he was sidetracked when for years he’d been married to his job, dedicated to bringing in the bad guys. She was one of those people…wasn’t she? He didn’t want to believe it. His instincts told him that she found herself in a bad situation. He took a step back. “Monica…”

She nodded. “I understand.”

But did she really?

“These emotions are strong, but tonight is not the right time,” he said, but why didn’t he feel it in his bones?

She met his eyes and he could see she might cry. “You should go now.”

He nodded and didn’t say a word, just took his leave. How many people would think he’d lost his mind?