The last eight months had been a whirlwind of activity for Cherry. Dante had found a new building for his expanding financial consulting firm. He’d snapped it up and it wasn’t long after that he’d talked her into moving in with him. She’d caved right after he’d brought out the Ben Wa balls. They’d set a date for the wedding, too, though Dante wasn’t thrilled that she’d insisted on waiting a year. He’d caved right after she’d squirted the cherry flavored oil onto his chest.

Serene Comfort kept her in the black and she’d even hired a receptionist. Gracie was working out great, even though she and Wade mixed as well as oil and water. Cherry secretly hoped the two would eventually realize they were attracted to each other and do something about it already.

“You’re an amazing massage therapist.”

She felt triumphant at Dante’s praise. Finally, someone who understood her need to help people feel good. Working class people who deserved to pamper themselves every once in a while. She placed her palm against his chest and murmured, “Thank you, Dante.”

“But,” he interjected.

“I knew it was too good to be true,” she grumbled.

“I don’t like you massaging other men. Clinical or not. You’re going to be my wife soon.”

She understood, especially after he’d taunted her with the image of him touching another woman.

Dante had come a few minutes early for his appointment and inadvertently walked in on her and a male client. For the last hour, he’d been trying to get her to see his side. When he’d asked how she’d feel if he became an MT and massaged beautiful women all day, it’d hit a nerve.

“I do see what you mean, Dante. But I can’t very well be gender specific.”

“I know,” he conceded softly. “It’s my problem and I’ll deal with it, little one.”

“How come Wade doesn’t bother you. You’ve never been jealous of him, not once.”

“Wade is like a brother to you. It’s so clear the way he feels toward you.”

“That makes him safe?”

“Yep.”

“I just don’t understand men.”

His gaze pierced her clear to her soul. “You only need to understand me. Other men don’t matter.”

She smacked him on the arm. “You’re ridiculous.”

“But you love me anyway.”

“Don’t push it.”

He wrapped his hand around her nape and pulled her down for a kiss that curled her toes, then whispered, “I’ll always push you to your limits, Cherry, and I’ll make sure you enjoy every second of it too.”

She wanted to say something snappy, but her mind just wasn’t able to keep up with his. He was doing it again. Making her weak and wet. It drove her to her knees each time. When he lifted to a seated position and dropped the sheet to the floor, her mouth watered. He hadn’t gotten aroused during the massage, but now he was huge and ready to party. Her eyes darted to his face and the grin said it all.

“How much time do you have until your next client?”

She looked at her watch and wanted to cry. “None.” They both heard the front door chime, signaling her next appointment. “He’s here and you need to get dressed and leave.”

“He?”

She sighed. “Dante, don’t start.”

He stared at her another second, then nodded and left the table to dress. She watched, unable to pull her gaze away from his tight ass and mouth-watering biceps. He was such a picture of perfection. When he turned and caught her staring, his smile wasn’t at all pleasant. In fact, it was a little scary.

He closed the distance between them and took her into his arms. “I want to fuck you so bad when you look at me like that, baby.”

In an instant, she went breathless and dripping with arousal. “How am I looking at you?”

“Like you want to bend over and offer yourself to your Master. It drives me through the damn roof.”

His darkly whispered words pushed her into another realm. She could easily drop everything and grant him his wish. If it weren’t for her client, she would have caved. She shoved herself out of his arms. “Go. I’ll see you at home later.”

Dante stood there another second, then he kissed her. It was gentle and swift and so sweet she felt it to her toes. He drifted his lips away, opened the door to the massage room and peeked out. Apparently satisfied with the looks of her next client, Dante turned to her. “I cannot guarantee that I’ll be civilized if I see you massaging a man,” he warned. “So, next time I want to take you to lunch, I’ll call first. Fair enough?”

He was trying. Meeting her halfway. Damn, he really was the perfect fiancé. Helpless to her own emotions, Cherry went to him, raised up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Fair enough. I love you, Dante.”

He smacked her ass. “You can thank me properly tonight, baby. I bought more of that cherry flavored oil.”

“You really like that stuff, huh?”

He reached out and traced a path over her lips, then murmured, “I admit, I’ve got a real thing for cherries these days.”

Her heart leaped. “Oh.”

Dante leaned in and kissed her, then ordered, “Be a good girl today or I’ll be forced to discipline you.”

After issuing that outrageous warning, he winked and left. She forced her blood to stop rushing through her veins and went out to the front, ready to get on with her workday. The rest of the afternoon crept by. She could only think of Dante and what he might have planned for them. He was quite the inventive sort. It was anyone’s guess what he had in mind for the night to come.

Damn, she was one lucky lady.