Relief chases the worry from her face.

“I do think it’s a good idea, though,” I tell her, as if she didn’t know. “You need to devote as much time as possible to your job, considering I hear your new boss is a hard-ass.”

Her deep-throated laugh drowns out everything else for a second.

“Boss?” She loops her arms around my neck, slipping her fingers into my hair. “I’m pretty sure my contract says I’m an equal partner at Elevation. I did deliver on my promise to double your client list when I left Bagley.”

“That you did.” A smile stretches across my face, the kind I’m sure the Cheshire cat leaves hanging in Wonderland.

“You sure you don’t just want me for my clients?” She smiles up at me, the question free of sting. Her face, everything about her, so clearly confident in herself, in my love.

We’ve come far. Who were we at the beginning of this road? Two ambitious, lost kids who found each other. God, we were so careless, as you often are when you’re young. You don’t value the things most precious, assuming the rare is common. But it’s not. We weren’t common. In all the years that followed, Banner was my yard stick, and no one else ever measured up. No one ever will. There are many amazing women around. I know that. I’ve met them, but it’s not just who Banner is, but who we are together. Who I am with her. I’d never fit with anyone the way I do with Banner, even though from the outside looking in, we might not make sense.

“Do I want you for your clients?” I repeat the question as a whisper in her ear. “Should I dance you into the shadows over there and show you what I really want from you?”

She pulls back to stare up at me, her dark eyes a warning and a dare.

“We can’t,” she says, her voice firm but her eyes salacious. “We’ve made love in a lot of places and gotten away with it, but I think my niece’s quinceañera would be pushing it even for us.”

I dance her into said shadows, under an overhang of palm trees, a reprieve from what remains of the sun, and press her against the wall.

“Did you say push?” I press my erection into her. “This sounds more and more like an invitation.”

She expels a short breath, bites her lips, and closes her eyes as she subtly gives my dick an answering grind.

“I said no,” she says breathlessly.

“Scared your mom’ll catch us again?” My laugh is huskier now with the sweet curve of her hips against me. “I would not do it here or there. I would not do it anywhere.”

Her giggle is pure appreciation for my dirty Dr. Seuss.

“St. John’s was such a good trip.” She sighs, a rueful twist to her mouth. “Not sure when we’ll get away again. The season’s in full swing, and we’ll be at playoffs in a few weeks.”

I wish I could disagree, but our vacations will have to wait. I suspect the San Diego Waves will finally make the playoffs, so August could be negotiating the first post-season play of his NBA career. No way I’ll check out for any of that. And Banner will keep an eye on Kenan, too, and the other players we manage.

“We may not be able to go back to our islan

d any time soon,” I say, slipping my hands down to cup as much of her butt as I can hold. “But I’m gonna fuck you in that orange dress when we get home.”

She nods a little jerkily, straining up to lick my neck. I want her to bite me, ring my throat with teeth marks so everyone at this party knows I’m hers, but she won’t. For all her wildness in bed, Banner’s too circumspect to shock her family. She has to keep us both in line because she knows I don’t give a damn.

“Are you sure we can’t just . . .” I grasp the hem of her dress, sliding it along the sleek line of her thigh. “In and out. Quick, I promise.”

“As titillating as the thought of you quickly taking your satisfaction and me not having time to come sounds . . .” she rolls her eyes and laughs “. . . it’s a firm no.”

“When have I ever left you unsatisfied?” I kiss the velvety scented curve of her neck.

“Never.” She lays her head on my chest, placing one hand over my heart. “You satisfy me completely, Jared.”

My hands tighten on her butt and slide up to her waist, drift into her hair. I want to take it down. I love seeing her hair liberated, loose. Maybe that’s left over from an entire semester wondering how long it was, how it would feel in my hands.

“Blame this dress,” I tell her. “It shows off the sexiest parts of you.”

“Let me guess.” Her laugh rumbles into me. “The ass?”

I caress the dramatic curve from her back to her butt, rubbing my hand along her spine.

“No, this is the sexiest thing about you.” The laughter leaves my voice. “This gorgeous backbone.”

Tags: Kennedy Ryan Hoops Romance
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