“Hell, woman.” His jaw went taut, and his hands closed around her waist—not to move her. Instead, his warm, callused palms skimmed up and down her newly bared skin.

A thrill of awareness heated her blood. What had she unleashed?

Cupping the back of her head, he drew her down. His lips were firm as he nibbled on her mouth.

Shocked, she didn’t move.

With a low sound, he nipped her lower lip, and when she gasped, he took possession. His technique held nothing gentle about it. His kiss was as direct and commanding as he was himself—and she was swept into responding.

Even as he kissed her, he captured a breast. She startled—and he deepened the kiss, his tongue invading in a seductive, fierce demand.

As heat swept over her skin, her head swam. Low in her belly, everything was melting.

His palm on her breast was hard, rough, and the abrasion over her delicate skin sent tingles coursing through her.

When she moaned, he stilled, then gripped her shoulders and moved her slightly back.

At his frown, she couldn’t resist running a finger over his dark brows. They were so straight with only the tiniest hint of a curve, as if to say, no pretense, no games. The line between them grew, and he tugged on her hair, making her blink. “Did you hear anything I just said?”

Had he spoken? “Uh. No.”

“Fuck,” he said under his breath, before cupping her face gently. His eyes were the blue of the lake at twilight. “Julie, although I’d love to be balls-deep inside you, I don’t want anything more.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I don’t do relationships.” No smile showed in his eyes. “Don’t jump in thinking this is more than a night. Anything between us will be physical only.”

“Oh, I see.” Her relief at his qualification was edged with illogical disappointment. “That’s fine, really. I don’t want you.”

His quizzical look made her giggle. “No, I do want you—right now—but I certainly don’t want a relationship or ties or anything.”

The mesmerizing fan of lines beside his eyes appeared. “Guess I’ve been told.”

“Just this once. Okay?”

“Okay.” He put an arm behind her back, one behind her knees and rose with her in his arms.

“Wait—”

“Goldilocks, I’m not going to fuck you on this poor excuse for a couch.” He crossed the room, stepped around the curtain hiding the bedroom corner, laid her on the bed, and followed her down. His fingers tangled in her hair as he took her mouth again, kissing her mindless.

After a while, he moved to lie beside her. When she made a protesting sound, he ran a finger over her lip. “I’m too heavy for you.” He leaned over and kissed her again.