“Hell no. The few times I had sex with Maisie was in her house, not the bar. I never wanted Maisie the way I want you.” Then he fisted a hand in her hair to hold her in place and kissed her deeply again, ravishing her mouth as his other hand slid over her body.

Ellie’s legs went weak. She clung to Kade’s broad shoulders and kissed him back. The next thing she knew, he was shoving aside a stack of bar towels piled on a counter, wrapping his hands around her waist, hoisting her up, and setting her firmly on top. Her skirt rode up as he moved between her legs and started kissing her again.

Kade tugged her sweater off over her head and tossed it away, followed it with her bra, and captured a breast in his mouth. Moaning, she slid her fingers into his hair and arched her back to give him better access.

Restless hunger poured through her. “I need you, Kade,” she whispered as she clung to him, her body aching and on fire.

“Just hold on, darlin’.”

Hearing the buzz of his zipper, Ellie gripped the front of his white western shirt and jerked it open, popping the row of pearl snaps on the front. Her hands slid over his powerful chest, savoring its strength and breadth. Wanting to taste all that warm male skin, she pressed her mouth over his heart.

Kade hissed in a breath. Lifting her chin, her lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her, then positioned himself between her legs, tore off her red thong panties, and stroked her until she was sobbing his name. Kade slid inside her, his hard length filling her completely, promising the same pleasure he had given her before.

Kade paused, a shudder rippling through him as he fought for control. “Damn, I want you. Watching you smile at Sullivan, I wanted to rip his head off and shove it down his throat.” Kade drove into her, hard enough to lift her a little off the counter. “He doesn’t touch you. Nobody touches you but me.” Kade kissed her.

She should have been angry, should have been worried at the wildly possessive note in his voice, maybe even frightened. Instead, she raised her hips to take more of him, urging him to move deeper, faster, harder, wildly exhilarated that in some way he claimed her.

Kade took her and took her, the sound of their lovemaking hidden beneath the music pounding through the walls of the storeroom. Ellie came with a rush so sweet and hot that tears filled her eyes.

She cried out as a second climax struck. Seconds later, Kade’s jaw clenched and his whole body tightened as he followed her to release.

For long seconds, neither of them moved. Kade just held her, his forehead tipped against hers. He cupped her face and kissed her one last time.

“Are you all right?”