“Well, I don’t know what else I bring to a relationship.”
 
 “You saved me,” she said as her hands stroked my jaw. “You killed that asshole in the hallway, right? I very much appreciated that.”
 
 “You’re welcome.”
 
 Lula smiled brightly. “Also, when you were helping me to your motorcycle, you didn’t cop a feel. Most men would have accidentally gotten a handful. You showed restraint.”
 
 “You’re just scraping the bottom of the barrel of compliments now.”
 
 “Okay, fine,” she said, squirming closer until her nipples teased my chest. “I have genuine praise for you. I find you very romantic.”
 
 Scowling, I thought she was putting me on. “You do?”
 
 “You rode up here to see me. A less romantic man would have taken his time and played the situation real slick. Instead, you showed up like a dog in heat. I appreciate such behavior from a man.”
 
 “You’re fucking with me now.”
 
 Stroking my jaw, Lula laughed. “A little, but I was extremely happy when you showed up. Your big move made me feel pretty.”
 
 “You’re gorgeous.”
 
 “So are you, but I feel like maybe there’s more here between us than mutual attraction.”
 
 My need for this woman left me tongue-tied again. Rather than put words to how much I wanted to keep her at my side, I kissed Lula. She wrapped her arms around my shoulders and pinned me against her.
 
 Our kisses grew more heated. Her naked body intoxicated me. I couldn’t breathe or think. I just needed her again.
 
 Lula pressed me back on her bed and climbed over me. Her soft brown hair tumbled over her tits. I smiled at the way she slid her hot pussy against my erection, teasing me while our gazes held.Lula was breathtaking.My chest hurt at how she might only be mine for a short time. How long before life’s responsibilities tore us apart?
 
 Leaning down, Lula nipped at my lips and moaned my name. I cupped her ass as she rolled her hips. Lula reached between us, stroking my cock. When her gaze held mine, the expression in her dark eyes made me feel like a fucking king.
 
 I teased her upturned nipples, making her breath quicken. Lula guided my cock inside her body. We sighed together as if we’d been waiting forever for this moment.
 
 As she rolled her hips, taking me deeper, I marveled at more than her beauty. I couldn’t believe how incredible everything felt. I was drunk on this need, unable to see past Lula.
 
 Our bodies moved together as if knowing exactly what the other needed. When my fingers plucked at her nipples, Lula arched her back and gripped my hands with hers. Her hips moved with more urgency. The heat around my cock felt incredible, velvety soft yet unrelenting.
 
 Lula made the most divine sound when she came. Her hands tightened around mine as she rode me harder, craving more. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She was everything beautiful in the world. I felt starstruck and a little helpless against this unyielding desire.
 
 My place wasn’t in Little Memphis. I couldn’t stay here. Yet, as Lula drove us both to another powerful orgasm, I promised myself nothing would break us apart. If I could trust in the inevitability of keeping Lula, everything I needed could be mine.
 
 LULA
 
 In an ideal world, I could remain in bed with Exile for the rest of the day. I wanted to memorize every inch of this sexy man. He had stories to tell and secrets to share. If we were left alone, we might learn everything we needed to know. The answer might become clear over whether this desire between us was temporary or permanent.
 
 Of course, if we lived in an ideal world, Cher and Stevie wouldn’t be at the hospital.
 
 Feeling guilty over my good fortune, I forced myself to leave bed. Yet, I didn’t get dressed, instead luring Exile into the bathroom. We soon washed off under several showerheads. After his cock was hard again, I used my mouth to make him go wild.
 
 The earlier fun fell away once we were dressed and waiting for Dillon to arrive home. A growing panic burned inside me as I accepted that Exile and I might be rushing toward the end of our journey together.
 
 Exile stood nearby, seeming lost in his head. He was a different man without his cowboy hat. More vulnerable, maybe. The shadows from the hat gave his face harder edges. Right now, he seemed downright cuddly as he stood in his jeans and my brother’s T-shirt.
 
 “Elle brings the kids home most days,” I said, sitting on the couch while he lingered in the kitchen. “When she’s working on something, Bebe or Shay will pick them up.”
 
 “Do you work a lot?”
 
 “Yes, but often from home. Elle just likes to pick up her son, so it’s easier to let her play chauffeur with them all.”