smelled like she’d recently gotten out of the shower. “Did you want something to drink? Or did you just want to...”
She trailed off, and it was enough for Ken. He stepped over and pulled her into a kiss.
It was just as hot and intoxicating as it had been yesterday. The kiss got deep quickly and soon turned into him carrying her over to her dark red couch. They tumbled onto it together, kissing until he’d gotten rid of her clothes.
He didn’t seem to have a lot of control today. He was hard almost immediately. But it didn’t seem to matter. She was just as eager as he was, rocking up into him and making pretty moans as he caressed her. In a matter of minutes, he was buried inside her, and her legs were wrapped high around his waist.
He took her hard and fast and deep until she came with a loud sob, completely genuine, completely uninhibited. Then he came too, even before he wanted to. He simply couldn’t resist the feel of her inner muscles clamping down around him.
They panted together, tangled up on the couch, until he had the ability to extricate himself and take care of the condom. They ended up in her bed, where they did it again, this time going slower, lasting longer.
Every time he made her come, he felt a thrill of awed surprise. He couldn’t believe she responded to him so easily, so authentically. And late in the night, after they’d both dozed off and recovered, he put her on her hands and knees and took her from behind until she was actually screaming.
He was pretty awed about that too.
He wanted to do it again and again, but eventually his body stopped cooperating. He lay in her bed exhausted, stroking her hair as she curled at his side.
It was a long time before he could focus enough to form words. “We’re pretty good together,” was what he said when he could speak.
She made a soft huff. Maybe amusement of the very dry kind. “Yeah.”
She felt thoughtful, serious, intelligent. Even lying naked in bed beside him. This observation made him murmur, “Bet you never thought a good ole boy like me could make you feel that way.”
She shifted her position, as if she were trying to peer at him in the dark. “I never thought anyone could.”
His chest expanded so much he could feel the satisfaction pushing out against his ribs. “Really? You never had sex like that before?”
“No. Never.” She paused. “Have you?”
“No. Honestly, I feel like the regular old me has been changed into some kind of porn star. Didn’t know I could do all that.”
She laughed, which made him feel even better (if that were possible).
They lay for a while, enjoying the aftermath, until Madeline said softly, “No hurry, but when you leave, be sure that no one sees you.”
His heart dropped into his stomach for a moment until he mentally talked it back into its proper place in his chest. He’d known what this was. She’d never been anything but honest about it. He’d understood the limits of their relationship, and he’d jumped right into it anyway.
He had absolutely nothing to complain about here.
“I’m not kicking you out,” she added, as if she’d read something into his silence.
“I know. And I know you want to keep this private. I’ll be careful when I leave. I promise.”
She pressed a little kiss on his chest, just above his nipple. “Thanks, Ken.”
“You’ve got nothing to thank me for. I guarantee I’m getting as much as you are out of this.”
The words were true. He’d had the best sex of his life with her, and he wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
But he had to admit that he didn’t want to leave. He wanted to spend the night with her. He wanted to keep holding her against his side the way he was doing right now.
He wanted to do this—just this—as much as he wanted to make her come.
Which meant he was really in trouble here.
Because he couldn’t let her know. If she knew, she’d never let him take her to bed again.
Five
A MONTH LATER, MADELINE woke up feeling rested and a little bit sore.
She and Ken had had quite a workout last night. He’d been out of town for a few days—taking his daughters on a weekend trip to Williamsburg—and he hadn’t gotten back in town until yesterday evening. He’d shown up at her door at about ten o’clock at night, and