I walk out onto the deck off the kitchen and fire the propane grill to life, clean the grates, and let it burn while I go back inside to season two rib-eye steaks and throw together a large green salad.

I whisk together a vinaigrette dressing, then carry the steaks out to the grill and lay them on the grates with a loud sizzle.

There’s nothing like red meat on a grill.

It’s a guy thing.

While I stand outside, enjoying an early-autumn evening, my phone rings in my pocket.

“Hello?”

“Well? Did she like it?” Jill asks.

“I don’t know if she pulled it out of the bag. We’re painting her house.”

The line goes silent and I pull the phone away from my face to make sure I didn’t lose the call.

“Jill?”

“I’m here. You’re painting her house?”

“Well, one room of it. She was working on it when I got here.”

“Huh.”

“What did that mean?” I check the steaks.

“When I asked you to help me paint my house, you hired a company to come do it.”

I smile and shake my head. “I told you then, I didn’t have time to paint your house. What are you bitching about? You got out of doing it yourself.”

“I just find it interesting, that’s all.”

“Shut up, Jilly.”

She laughs. “Have fun painting. It might be fun to paint each other, now that I think about it.”

“I’m hanging up now.” I press the off button and pull the medium-rare steaks off the grill, kill the gas, and saunter inside.

Just as I finish plating the steaks and salads, ready to carry them to the table, Lauren comes barreling into the kitchen and, without saying a word, launches herself into my arms. She jumps up onto me, presses that sweet body against mine, and wraps her legs around my waist, her arms around my neck, and plants a kiss on me that would make the gods weep. My hands plant on the globes of her ass, holding her up to me as her mouth moves confidently yet softly against my own. She slides her tongue along my lips, nips my bottom lip with her teeth, and sinks into me again.

Impatient to touch her, I prop her on the island countertop and glide my hands up her sides to cup her breasts and brush my thumbs over her nipples.

She inhales sharply, pulls back, and stares at me, panting, eyes wide. My hands slide up to hold her face as I turn the tables and take her mouth, softly at first, nibbling at her lips. My fingertips brush down her cheeks to her jaw and around her neck to thread the silky strands of her hair around my fingers and hold her tightly.

A soft moan escapes her lips and her hips circle as she pushes her center against my cock. She’s on fire, and I know without a doubt that she wouldn’t object to my ripping these flimsy shorts off her and sinking inside her, losing myself in her for the rest of the night.

She pulls back to catch her breath and I lean my forehead against hers, count to ten, and find the strength to not fuck the hell out of her here on her kitchen counter.

This is not how the first time is gonna go.

“What was that for?” I whisper.

“You saved my life.” She grins.

“I did?” I cock my head to the side.

“Yeah. I finished the scene.” Her eyes drop to my lips as she sticks out her little, pink tongue and runs it over her bottom lip, tasting me there.

I have to take a deep breath and lower her to the floor and back away. “Good.”

She frowns at me.

“What?”

“Why did you stop?”

“Lo.” I reach up and brush my thumb over the apple of her cheek. “When I make love to you for the first time, it won’t be on a kitchen counter. We’ll do that another time.” I grin and wink at her, then lift the plates and lead her to the table off the kitchen. “Are you okay with a less formal dinner tonight?”

“This is amazing.” She eyes the steaks the way a tiger eyes a wildebeest.

“Hungry?”

“So hungry.” She takes a seat.

“Did you eat today?” I narrow my eyes.

She laughs and waves me off. “Yes, food master, I did. But working makes me hungry.”

“I hope you eat red meat.” Before I join her, I move back into the kitchen. “Wine?”

“I love red meat. No wine for me.” She shakes her head. “I’ll just have water. I have to get back to work after dinner.”

I pour us both a glass of water and join her, digging into our dinner.

“So you figured out the scene?”

“Yes. And I figured out what happens next.” She smiles smugly and takes a bite of her steak. “Oh, sweet Jesus, this is delicious.”

“So what happens next?”

“You’ll have to read the book.” She winks at me and stabs a cucumber.

“I plan to,” I respond truthfully.

“Really?”

“I’ve already started Ignited Lust.” I take a sip of water, watching her surprised face.

“And?”

Fucking sexy as hell. I want to try every single kinky thing you’ve written in that book with you. “It’s fantastic.”

A shy grin spreads across her face. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

She finishes her plate and takes it into the kitchen.

“Leave the dishes.” I follow her, take the plate from her hand, and lower it into the sink. “I’ll clean up.”