“No, I wasn’t hurt,” he replied, rolling his eyes. “But if you keep touching me I’m going to come in my pants. I’ve been thinking about nothing but f**king you for two weeks now, so I’m a little on edge.”

A smile stretched across her mouth. “You’re not allowed to come in your pants. I’m pretty sex-starved too, so don’t you dare deprive me.”

He smiled back, and then his expression darkened. “I didn’t come here to continue the fling, sweetheart.”

“Good, because I don’t want to.”

He faltered. “You don’t?”

She reached up and pressed her palm to his chest, enjoying the sleek muscles under her fingers. “I want more this time,” she admitted, looking up to meet his eyes. “I acted like an idiot, Carson. I was…scared.”

“Scared,” he echoed uncertainly.

“I was starting to feel something for you, and I…I guess I didn’t want to deal with it. My ex dumped me because I wouldn’t make him my world, and then you wanted me to tell my family to screw off, and it was too much like what Steve wanted, and…” She took a breath. “I overreacted, and I accused you of being selfish when you aren’t, and I…I messed up. And I’m sorry. I want nothing more than to be in a relationship with you.”

Carson tilted his head, still looking unsure. “What happened to having too many responsibilities for a relationship?”

“My stress levels have lowered considerably.” She quickly told him about everything that had happened with her family, and the changes in her life. “So far, they’re managing just fine on their own. You were right, they needed to stand on their own two feet instead of relying on me.”

“What about school?” he asked.

“I still have six months left.” She shot him a grin. “But I think I’ll be able to squeeze you in between classes. Don’t worry, I’ll make lots of time for my sexy sailor boyfriend…”

“Lots of time, huh?” His voice grew husky, while a playful glint lit up his eyes. “How on earth are we going to pass the time?”

She brushed her fingers over his pecs, feeling his flat ni**les harden beneath her touch. Still smiling, she moved one hand down his magnificent chest and rested it on the growing bulge at his crotch. “I’m sure we can think of something.”

He groaned as she rubbed his erection, but intercepted her hand before she could reach for his zipper. “One more thing,” he said softly. “And don’t you dare try to distract me with a blowjob, because I have to say this.”

She feigned annoyance. “Fine. What is it?”

“I’ve fallen in love with you.”

The vulnerability she saw in his eyes stole the breath right out of her lungs. As her heart did a little somersault, she swallowed hard and said, “I’m in love with you too.”

Carson bent down and brushed his lips over hers, the gentle kiss causing her toes to curl. Then he pulled back and offered a devastating grin. “So…now that we’ve settled that, how about that blowjob…Jessica?”

She laughed, even while she undid his zipper. “I’m sorry to inform you that Jessica is gone. You’ve got Holly Lawson now, and she’s not going anywhere.”

“I have no complaints with that.” He moaned as she slid her hand underneath the waistband of his boxers. “No complaints at all, sweetheart…”