Crosby’s heart beat against my cheek as he trailed fingers up and down my spine. “I knew you were hiding a hellcat under that smooth, composed surface.”

I froze. Muscles tensing and breath catching. Hellcat. What had I just done? I’d basically begged Crosby to have sex with me. Demanded that he hurry up with the job. What was wrong with me?

“Kenna? Are you okay?” There was nothing but concern in Crosby’s voice as he brushed damp hair away from my face. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

I shook my head.

“What is it?”

“That—that wasn’t me. I don’t—I’m not.”

The smile that split Crosby’s face made me want to punch him. “You’re allowed to do something that doesn’t fall into your ten-year plan. Live a little. You’d be surprised how fun life can be.”

I glowered at Crosby, pushing up and off him, ignoring the wince that wanted to surface at the loss of him. Crosby cursed.

“I live plenty. I like my life just the way it is. And part of that existence does not include sex with random men.”

Crosby sat up, a hint of anger flashing across his handsome features. “I’m not some random person. We’ve known each other for years. And there has always been something between us, a chemistry that burned below the surface. You’ve just been too scared to admit it. To face it.”

I bristled. “I am not scared. Not of you. Not of anything.” It was all lies. I was afraid all the time. Petrified. But I wasn’t going to let this man see it. No one got that piece of me.

“Oh, no?”

“No. In fact, I think we should keep doing this.”

Crosby froze. His mouth opened, then closed, then opened again. “Doing what, exactly?”

“Having sex.” I did my best to keep my face neutral, but inside, I was screaming, what are you thinking? “Like you said, we obviously have good chemistry, why not keep this going? I’m not scared. Are you?”

Crosby grinned. “I’ll give you all the feelings you want, on two conditions.”

I pursed my lips. If Crosby and I kept this arrangement up, I just might kill the man. “And that would be?”

“First, you go on some adventures with me. You need to live a little, and not just in the bedroom.” At my scowl, he arched a brow. “No adventures, no orgasms.”

“Fine. But nothing that can get me killed.”

“Deal.”

“What else?”

Crosby smiled, but there was a hint of something just a little bit sad that tinged the expression. “This is all we’ll ever be. You can’t ask me for more.”

I rolled my eyes heavenward. “I think I can restrain myself.”

“Then I believe we have ourselves a deal.”

“Good. Then get out of my house. I need some sleep.”