“He ran the back of his fingers along her cheek. “Being withyou this weekend made me realize how much I actually missed you. Andnot just sexually. I miss your smile. Your laugh. Your presence. Our latenight conversations while we lie in bed and I hold you. The way you raiseyour right eyebrow when you think I’m being an idiot. The way youknow exactly what I’m thinking or what I need without me having to evensay it. It just hit me hard that I truly miss you.”

“I never realize how much I miss you until I see you again,” hewhispered in her ear.”

“You know me too well, Jeni,” he said. “I’m always up for achallenge. I’ve got you on this one! You’ll be begging me to fuck you wellbefore that twenty-four-hour period is over. Keep the money in your bra.I’ll find it!”

“You told me to tell the truth, and this is exactly why I didn’t want to. You want me to think I’m selfish.” “I want you to own your thoughts and actions, and not be afraid of them. Accepting your limitations is every bit as important as embracing your strengths.”

“If you give me the five hundred dollars right now, I’ll let you dowhatever you want to me,” she whimpered.“Why are you being such a hard ass, Jeni?” he said with a wrysmile. He took her hand and slid it down the front of his bare torso. Hisabdominal muscles rippled under her hand. Then he slid her hand overhis erection. His cock twitched at the feel of her hand. “You know youwant me to fuck you.”“Then cough up the money, Hamilton!” Though her voice regainedits edge, her body was seconds away from crumbling. She wanted nothingmore than him buried deep inside her. She ached for him.”

“Correct me if I’m wrong,” he said, “but I was under the impression that you weren’t looking for anything more than a short-term arrangement either, Miss Free Spirit.”She flushed. “I wasn’t the one who ran for the door that night. I was doing just fine with the summer-fling thing.”“I did not run for the door. I left in a hurry, but I did not run.”“Details.”“Important details. And I’d like to remind you that I showed at your gallery the next morning,” he said. “It’s not like I didn’t call. And how the hell do you think I felt when you told me that the sex had been therapeutic? You made it sound like a good massage or a tonic, damn it.”She bit her lip. “Well, it was in a way.”“Great. Well, do me a favor. The next time you want physical therapy, call a masseuse or a chiropractor. Or buy a vibrator.”

“What about our bet?” she teased. It was clear from the look in hiseyes that the bet was over, but she wanted to hear him say it. Brian let goof her arm and grabbed his wallet on the table. He counted out five onehundred dollar bills and slammed them on the table. Jeni laughed.“Fuck it,” he said, backing her against the wall. He placed hishands on either side of her shoulders, pinning her against the wall. Hischest and hips pressed against her body. “Enough is enough. Last nightwas enough torture to last me a while. I want to fuck you so damned badit hurts.” She saw the desire in his eyes as his breath fanned against hercheek. But he restrained from touching her, and it drove her crazy.”