This time when Cherry pried her eyelids open, she was alone. She sniffed the air. Ah, coffee. She slipped out of bed and went to the bathroom for her morning constitution. When she finished she washed up and took a moment to stare at her reflection in the mirror. Her hair was all over the place. It’d take a week to get rid of the tangles. This was it, the final day of their weekend of frivolity. It was time to be all sophisticated. Thank him for a good time and leave. Of course, that’d be a lot easier to handle had she not fallen for the gorgeous hunk somewhere along the line. Why couldn’t she do anything right? Have sex, leave. That was the way to do it. Not, have sex, fall in love, and hope he shared the same feelings. She was too much of a romantic. That annoying trait is why she’d ended up married to Brody. She wouldn’t make that mistake twice.

Cherry left the bathroom and searched out Dante. She found him at the kitchen table, bent over a newspaper, a cup of coffee in his hand. She cleared her throat. He turned his head and stared, his gaze scorched a wicked path from head to toe. She fidgeted under the onslaught. The T-shirt she’d put on covered all the important parts, but barely.

“Got more of that black stuff you’re drinking?”

He stood and came toward her. “A whole pot actually.”

“Wonderful,” she managed around a suddenly very dry mouth.

His palms cupped her cheeks and he leaned in. Lips touched and Cherry melted. He lifted his head a few inches. “You’re wonderful,” he asserted.

“Thank you, for everything.”

“Everything? That sounds like a good-bye to me.”

She looked away. “Are you going to get me a cup of coffee or not?”

“Cherry, look at me.”

She forced her gaze back to his. “What?”

“Are you saying good-bye?”

She pushed an unruly lock of hair out of her face and said, “The weekend is nearly over. Tomorrow we both go back to our normal lives.”

“And you can’t have a normal life with me in it somewhere?”

That stunned her. “You wanted the weekend,” she reminded him.

“Yeah, and now I want more. I want you, all of you.”

She hadn’t been prepared. Damn it. She just hadn’t been adequately prepared. “Don’t say things like that, Dante. Please.”

“Why? Because it forces you to own up to your feelings?”

That stirred her anger. She stepped forward and pointed a finger at him. “You don’t know a thing about it, so don’t presume to know how I feel.”

He grabbed her finger and tugged, she landed against his chest. His arm came around her middle, holding her in a tight embrace. “I know the way you quiver when I touch you. I know how hard you work at being a success. I know your ex was a fool to lose you. And I know that I’m not a fool. I care about you. In the last three months since you moved here, I’ve watched you, baby. You work hard and you take very little time for yourself. I think this weekend was an eye-opener for both of us. And if you’d quit being so damned stubborn you’d see that.”

Tears filled her eyes, blurring her vision. “I’m just not cut out for this sort of thing. I don’t know what to say.”

“Say you’ll think about me. I won’t push you, but at least give me a chance. Isn’t love worth that?”

“My marriage sucked. The divorce was even worse. My entire life I’ve been one big disappointment. I’m tired of never measuring up.”

He swiped a tear away with his thumb and murmured, “You measure up just fine.”

She buried her head in his chest and cried harder.

“It’s true, baby. Just look at how you stole that office space away from me. You’re one crafty lady.”

That had her laughing and crying at the same time. She pulled back and stared into his blue depths so full of tender affection. “I told you that was just an accident. I didn’t know you wanted the space.”

His smile filled her with warmth. “My point exactly. Just imagine what you’re capable of when you try!”

He was being so sweet, but she was still too afraid of being hurt all over again. “So you want a chance with me?”

“Yes,” he growled.

For the first time since she’d confronted Brody with his indiscretions, hope bloomed. “And you’re content with not getting the space?”

“I’ve already been scouring the city for a bigger building. Serene Comfort is safe from my evil clutches.”

“I can’t make any promises. It’s just been four months since the divorce was final.” she noticed his shoulders stiffen. “But I’m willing to…give this…give us a chance.”

Dante’s dangerous grin filled her belly with butterflies. “That’s all any man can ask for, baby.”

“Okay then. Since that’s settled, how about that coffee?”

He backed up, taking her with him. “Later for that,” he ground out as he sat in the chair he’d vacated earlier. He picked her up as if she weighed no more than a feather and plopped her onto his lap, then coasted his lips over hers.

Cherry got into the game quickly, drifting her hands down his nape to his shoulders, then his pecs and ripped abs. He was so hard and muscular all over it nearly melted her every time she touched him. He was a bronze, sleek god. Regal and arrogant and too good looking for his own good. Feeling wild and impetuous, Cherry slid her palm over the bulge in his faded jeans, cupping his rigid length. She was way too happy to note he was as turned on as she. As he continued to eat at her mouth, Cherry played. Soon, his free hand was sliding up her calf, beneath the T-shirt she wore. He caressed his way up her thigh and cupped her mound. Cherry lurched at the feel of him there.

By sheer will, she forced her mouth off his and moved her hand away from his crotch. “Dante?”

He growled. “Be still and let me have some fun.”

His mouth moved to her neck and he began to nibble and lick. “Oh, God, that feels so good.”

Dante drifted his lips to her ear and whispered, “I’ve only just begun.”

His talented mouth pressed against hers and Cherry forgot about everything else. There was only Dante and Cherry. All her worries and fears fell away. She opened her mouth and danced her tongue over his lips. At his rumbling of approval, Dante opened up and took her in. Their tongues mated and Cherry’s hands clutched on to Dante’s biceps, excited and eager. Her body was on fire. She wanted him. Inside of her. Around her. Drinking her in, filling her up. He was a craving in her blood, one she could no more deny than she could her next breath.

Cherry’s fingers trailed over his muscular arms and she drew in a breath when they came around her waist and pulled her in tight. A moan escaped. His strength and virility made her feel safe and secure. Never once had she felt that with Brody.

“I want this pussy. It’s mine. Will always be mine. Say you want me. Deep. Here and now.”

“Yes. I can’t wait a second more. Please, Dante!”

“Unzip me.”

Cherry quickly obeyed. Her fingers fumbled over the button in his jeans. As she opened his fly and glimpsed his navy blue boxer-briefs, her desire increased tenfold. She licked her lips and gently drew him out. The head of his cock tempted her to taste.

As if reading her mind, Dante stroked her hair and murmured, “Later, we will take our time, baby. For now I need to feel your tight clutch.”

It was the same for her. “Yes.”

He grabbed a condom from his pocket and instructed, “Guide me in. Show me how much you like being my sweet little submissive. Take us both there, little one.”

His erotic words had her heart pounding harder and her body quaking with need. “My pussy is dripping for you. It’s been too long, Master.”

He chuckled. “It’s only been a few hours.”

“Like I said, too long,” she whispered. Then she took his heavy cock in her hand and slid him inside. Her inner muscles contracted around him, tight and hot. She shuddered, flung her head back and rode him.

“That’s my girl. Fuck it good, Cherry. Show me how much you want me,” Dante urged, then he clutched her hair in his fist and lowered over her, feasting on her breasts through the cotton of her shirt.

The heat of his mouth seeped through the thin material, stealing the breath from her lungs and driving her into another world. When his fingers found their way over her nub, expertly flicking it in just the way she liked, Cherry’s body seized. Her muscles clenched as she rode him faster, harder, their bodies slapping together, melding until there was no separating them. Soon Cherry was there, spiraling out of control. Her hot pussy bathing him in wet satisfaction as he sank his mouth over hers and captured her shouts.

As the desire began to ebb, Dante clutched her hips and pushed into her once, twice, then he arched his neck and moaned her name as he climaxed.

Cherry’s breath came in short pants, her body sweaty, the shirt clinging. Her legs shook from exertion as she collapsed against Dante’s heaving chest. No way could she ever move again. Dante’s arms came around her shoulders, holding her tight against him, as if unable to release her. She wiggled, gaining his attention. As his eyes came to hers, she saw raw hunger in their passionate depths. If he hadn’t just spent himself inside her, she would have thought he was ready to go again.

“I think I’m going to be a bit sticky,” Cherry teased, trying to inject some casualness into the intensity that now surrounded them. It didn’t work.

“I could fuck you twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week and it still would not be enough.”

She had no words for such a bald statement. Thankfully, he didn’t seem to expect any, merely slipped out of her and stood her on her feet. “Come, let’s shower.”

Several minutes later, Cherry was once again sporting one of Dante’s T-shirts and watching him slip back into his jeans. Watching Dante dress was a fascinating show in masculine grace.

When he caught her staring, her face heated and she looked away. He strode across the room and slid both his palms up her thighs, then cupped her mound possessively. “You never cease to amaze me, Cherry. So volatile and shy at the same time. So much of you still mystifies me. It’s a pleasure learning your secrets, baby.” He leaned in and kissed her lightly on the forehead, then wrapped his strong hands around her middle. “Mmm, now you can have your coffee.”

“I don’t think I need it anymore.”

“Then I’ll cook you breakfast. Trust me, you’re going to need your strength.”

She shuddered.

“He hasn’t lost interest, Cherry.”

“How do you know? It’s been a week and I’ve not heard a peep from him.”

Wade looked away. “It’s been five days, not exactly an eternity, and I just know that’s all.”

Cherry wasn’t sure what was going on, but it was clear Wade knew something. She hadn’t heard a word from Dante after he’d dropped her off Sunday night. All she’d gotten were flowers. Two dozen red roses. Who cared about roses? She wanted Dante!

“Wade?”

“Huh?” he mumbled as he stared at a spot on the carpet.

She crossed her arms over her chest. “What do you know that I don’t? And don’t you dare lie to me.”

Wade shot out of the chair he’d been lounging in across from her desk and ran his fingers through his hair. “I was sworn to secrecy, damn it.”

She glanced at the clock on the wall. Good, she had fifteen minutes before her next appointment showed up. Plenty of time to pummel an answer out of Wade. “I’m feeling very violent right now, Wade. Start talking.”

Wade licked his lips and said, “Fine, but just remember, it’s not my fault.”

“What’s not your fault?”

“Dante has spent the last week with his—”

“Mom.”

Cherry and Wade both turned at the low baritone. Dante stood in the door to Serene Comfort, another large bouquet of flowers in his hand, this time pink tulips, and a scowl on his face. The tight, faded jeans and black T-shirt devastated her senses. “I thought you weren’t going to say anything?”

Wade turned red. “Hell, she’s tenacious; you should know that by now.”

Dante grinned. “Yeah, I love that about her.”

Cherry stood and came around the desk, not about to be swayed by flowers, even if the pink bouquet were her favorite. “Flowers won’t make up for an entire week of no phone calls.”

He frowned. “I called. Twice actually.”

Her eyes narrowed. “There weren’t any messages.”

He stepped closer. “I left two.”

“Well, I never received them,” she stepped back and bumped into her desk. Crap.

Dante kept coming, when he was within inches of her, he bit out, “Then that means I called someone else and told them I missed them.”

She ignored that and addressed the other issue. “What’s all this about your mom?”

“She lives in Pittsburgh, it’s almost a four hour drive from here, but I wanted to tell her in person that I’d met the woman I wanted to marry.”

She wanted to believe him, she yearned to believe him, but fear of being hurt again kept her from leaping into his arms. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Wade slip out the front door. She’d deal with him later. “You drove to Pittsburgh?”

“Yes. I would’ve been back sooner, but Mom insisted on coming back with me. She wants to meet you, which meant making arrangements for someone to watch her house and her cats while she’s here. Since Dad’s heart attack, she’s ended up with four cats. Probably to compensate for not having Dad around. At any rate, what should have been a two-day trip turned into almost a week.” He paused, then brushed his fingers over her cheek. “I’m sorry, baby; I thought you got my messages.”

“I was afraid you didn’t want me. I thought…” she stopped, unable to form the words.

Dante pulled her into his strong arms and held her tight. “I should have told you in person where I was going, but I wanted to surprise you.”

“Surprise me?”

Dante stepped back. When he reached into the front pocket of his jeans, brought out a small blue velvet box and lowered down on one knee her mouth fell open. “Cherry DuBois, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

The elegant beauty of the princess-cut diamond stole her breath. “Oh, Dante,” she murmured, as the tears she’d been holding back spilled over.

“Before you answer, I want you to know that I’m prepared to wait. I’m not trying to rush you, little one. I guess I just wanted to prove to you that I’m not going anywhere.”

“We only just met,” she hedged.

“I know, but it doesn’t matter. Not to me. I knew. Before I asked you to dinner, I knew you were the one. I’ve never wanted a woman the way I want you and I’ve sure as hell never proposed to one before. This is the real deal for me.”

How did a girl fight a statement like that? “I love you!” Cherry shouted, then flung herself into Dante’s strong, sturdy arms.