LITMIR.BIZ

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time he’d done it, when he was a young Texas Ranger and she was a brand-new chef. Back when their whole lives were stretching out before them and the future seemed ripe with possibilities. “But it’s just too delicious to say no.”

      “That’s my girl.” He berated himself as soon as the words came out of his mouth. That’s what the old Cole would’ve said. The Cole who’d broken her heart to save her. He got up from the couch and poured them both another drink before sitting back down. Hopefully she hadn’t noticed what he’d said.

      “It’s been a long time since you called me that.”

      “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said it.”

      She took the glass when he offered it to her. “It’s okay. It was actually sort of nice to hear.” She laughed quietly. “I don’t know exactly how pathetic that sounded, but I’m guessing pretty darn pathetic. That’s what happens when you go for years being single. You end up a total sucker for sweet things guys say.”

      His ears perked up at that. Not only was she still single, she’d been that way for a while. He knew he shouldn’t take any encouragement, but now that he had a drink under his belt and she was softening her hard exterior, it was impossible not to want her and feel as though he had a chance. “Apparently the men of New York don’t know a good thing when they see it.”

      Her eyes raked over his face. That hot, seductive look made him want to dig his hands into her hair and taste her lips. He wanted to unzip that dress, touch every inch of her silky skin, and get lost in her for hours. “A few have a clue. They just don’t manage to have a clue for very long. That’s the problem.”

      “Anybody serious?”

      She arched an elegant brow. “You really want to know?”

      “I really want to know.” Except he didn’t. The thought of her with another guy made him want to put his fist through a wall, even when he’d willingly given her up.

      She took another sip of the amber scotch and cradled the glass in her hand. “One guy lasted a year. Another chef. Celebrity chef, actually. I doubt you watch the Food Network, but he has a bunch of shows. Taylor Blake.”

      Cole didn’t watch the Food Network, but he’d have to be living under a rock to not know Mr. Blake. He was a big figure in the world of barbecue championships, handsome as a male model and knew his way around the kitchen. He also happened to look quite a lot like Cole. Apparently Dani had a type. “I know exactly who that is.”

      “Oh. Well, it was a long time ago now. He came close to popping the question, I think, but it didn’t happen. Too many career aspirations between the two of us.”

      Dani had always had big dreams. She’d come from very little and had always been determined that wouldn’t define her. Her lofty goals were part of what had made Cole end things with her, even though they were also much of what had attracted him to her. He couldn’t guarantee her he’d be around long enough, and he never wanted to hold her back. “I’d say I’m sorry, but I’m not really.”

      “I’m not sure what that means.”

      “It means I’m not sorry you’re single.” The words escaped his mouth before he realized what he was saying. He needed to ride the brakes right now, not rev the engine, even if Dani did make his heart pound in his chest and everything below his waist flicker back to life. He was in the middle of a case, back to putting himself in danger. She’d hated it when he was a Texas Ranger, running around and catching criminals. Now he was back at it as a private investigator.

      But that was part of who he was—he’d always had a strong sense of right and wrong and a fierce desire to set things straight. This thirst for justice was fed when Cole was twelve and his parents had some trouble with several ranch hands that were not only stealing from them, they were committing robberies in Royal. The Texas Rangers had solved the case and recovered his parents’ losses. In their cowboy hats and holsters, Cole had thought the Rangers were everything he wanted to be—strong, resourceful, and dedicated to seeing that justice was served.

      “You’re drunk,” she said.

      “No. I’m not.”

      She laughed that breathy Dani laugh. “I sometimes think you like to argue as much as I do.” She angled herself toward him and flashed her big brown eyes, biting her lower lip. It felt like an invitation, but he wanted a little more. One more sign. “I sort of missed it. I have yet to meet another man who will stand up to me.”

      “Is that what you want? Is that what you need?” His pulse was thundering in his ears as he waited to hear her response. He was really hoping for I need you. Right now. Right here.

      “Now where’s the fun in telling you what I need, mister? I’d rather keep you guessing. I think I’ve earned the right to do that.”

      But he did know what she needed, and what she wanted, at least when it came to the physical. That part had never been a problem between them. In fact, it had always been perfect. Consequences be damned, he decided to dip his toes in this hot water, even if he might end up getting scalded. He lowered his head, eyes open to watch for punches launched, but all Dani did was shake her head.

      “You’re going to kiss me?”

      “Right now.” He moved a little closer.

      “Right here?”

      “Unless you tell me to stop.” He was inches away, so close that he felt her warm breath on his lips. Her beautiful skin was calling to him, begging for his touch.

      “I suppose one time couldn’t hurt.”

      Dani sealed the deal before he could do it. Cole clamped his eyes shut and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tight against him. It only took a second until she was bending into him, angling her neck for a deeper kiss. Her lips parted and her tongue sought his. That was all the encouragement he needed. He leaned back on the couch, pulling her with him, until her beautiful body was stretched out over the length of his.

      She pulled away for an instant, breathless. “What are we doing?”

      “I think you know exactly what we’re doing.” He hoped like hell she wasn’t about to change her mind. He never knew with Dani. He kissed her neck, which was a bit of a low blow. He knew exactly how much she loved it.

      Dani groaned her approval. “If this happens, it doesn’t mean anything. Not a damn thing, okay?”

      Maybe Dani really was a gift delivered by the universe. If he could have her one more time and go back to his miserable life later, it would be the best of both worlds. For both of them.

      “I promise. This doesn’t mean a thing.”

      * * *

      The heat from Cole’s body was making it impossible to think straight, but Dani did manage one salient thought: if she was going to have a meaningless hookup with some guy, Cole was her best choice. There was nothing to lose. Everything had already been lost.

      He dug his fingers into her hair, deepening their kiss. Of course she was going to respond in kind. He tasted of her favorite scotch. She’d forgotten how good he was with his tongue. He was bringing to life parts of her that had practically closed up shop. He drew a line down her spine but kept going, tugging up the hem of her dress, dragging his knuckles along the backs of her thighs. The air was cool against her skin when he had the fabric up around her waist, but then his fingers slipped into the back of her panties and the heat spiked again.

      He was hard between her legs. Even through his jeans she could feel how badly he wanted her. It felt like some small measure of revenge to grind against him, knowing she was frustrating him. Unfortunately, her own dissatisfaction was gaining speed.

      Cole shifted up onto his elbows, and Dani reared back her head.

      “Let’s sit up,” he said, his voice a sexy rumble. “I want to get to the rest of you.”

      “Of course.”

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