But at this moment words are pitifully inadequate.

So I grab her by the upper arms and drag her against me. She moans from surprise or excitement—I’m not sure which. Her tongue slides against mine, and her hands pull at my hair. Somehow we end up on the bed, side by side, mouths fused together, my boxers on the floor. My hand slides over her tits, down her stomach, and between her legs.

I groan, “Fuck, Kate, you’re already wet.”

And she is. I’ve barely touched her and she’s dripping for me. Jesus. I’ve never wanted anyone or anything as much as I want her at this moment. She nips at my neck as I slide my fingers inside. Her pu**y closes around them like a goddamn glove, and we both moan loudly.

Then Kate’s hands are on me, all over me. Cupping my balls, stroking my cock, scratching my chest and back.

I roll her under me. I need her—now. I tease her open with my dick, coating the tip with her sweet cream. Heat rolls off her, from her. She’s like a fire—calling to me, drawing me in. I push inside slowly but to the hilt, and my eyes fall closed in perfect f**king ecstasy.

She’s bare, unguarded, all around me. She feels…more. Wetter, hotter, tighter. More in every way. It’s unbelievable.

Kate grips my ass, kneading and massaging and urging me in deeper. But I pull all the way out, just so I can slide back in again.

Christ Almighty.

I set the rhythm. It’s not slow or sweet or tender. It’s brutal and hot, and f**king amazing.

High-pitched whimpers escape through her parted lips. Then my mouth is on hers again, cutting them off. And we’re grasping at each other, desperate and raw.

Like it’s the first time. Like it’s the last time.

She’s curled around me in every way. Her cunt envelops my cock, her legs surround my waist, her arms encircle my neck—all wrapped tight like some exquisite vise. And I’m burrowing into her, wanting to be closer, needing to be deeper. God, I’d f**king crawl inside her if I could and never want out.

Kate’s hands find mine. Our fingers fold together, and I bring them, joined, up over her head. Our foreheads touch—every pant, every breath mixing and mingling. Her hips move with mine, like the flow of the ocean. Back and forth. In frenzied unison. Together.

Our eyes lock. “God, Drew…don’t stop…please, don’t ever stop.”

I’m drowning in her. I can barely draw a breath. But somehow I grind out, “I won’t. I’ll never stop.”

I feel it when she comes. Every scorching wet inch of her tightens blissfully around me. And it’s so good…so savagely intense I want to f**king weep from the pleasure. I bury my face in her neck, inhaling her, devouring her. And then I’m coming with her—within her. Bathing her insides with each carnal thrust. Sweet electricity races through me as one word falls from my lips over and over again:

“Kate…Kate…Kate…Kate.”

It’s miraculous.

After several moments, our bodies still. The only sounds in the room are our rapid breaths and pounding heartbeats.

Then Kate whispers, “Drew? Are you all right?” I lift my head and find her beautiful eyes looking at me with concern. Her hand cups my cheek gently. “You’re shaking.”

Have you ever tried to take a picture of something really far away? And you look through the lens and the whole scene is a blurry blob? So you mess with the focus; you zoom in and out. And then the camera whirls and seconds later—boom—instant clarity.

Everything snaps into place.

The picture is as clear as crystal.

That’s what it’s like for me—right now—looking at Kate. Suddenly, it’s all so obvious. So frigging clear.

I’m in love with her. Totally. Helplessly. Pathetically.

In love.

Kate owns me. Body and soul.

She’s all I think about. She’s everything I never thought I wanted. She’s not just perfect—she’s perfect for me.

I’d do anything for her.

Anything.

I want her near me, with me. All the time.

Forever.

It’s not just the sex. It’s not just her gorgeous body or her brilliant mind. It’s not just that she makes me think or how eager she is to challenge me. It’s more than any of that.

It’s all of it.

It’s her.

I’ve broken every goddamn rule I’ve ever set for myself to be with her. And it wasn’t just to f**k her.

It was to have her. To keep her.

How did I not see it before? How come I didn’t know?

“Hey?” She kisses me softly on the lips. “Where’d you go? I lost you for a minute. Are you okay?”

“I…” I swallow harshly. “Kate, I…” I take a deep breath. “I…I’m fine.” I smile and kiss her back. “I think you just wore me out.”

She laughs. “Wow. Never thought that would happen.”

Yeah—tell me about it.

Chapter 17

I KNOW WHAT YOU’RE THINKING: What the f**k?

If I realized that I’m in love with Kate, and she’s obviously infatuated with me—how does she end up back with Billy Why-Don’t-You-Just-Die-Already Warren?

Excellent question. We’re almost there. But first: a science lesson. What do you know about frogs?

Yes. I said frogs.

Did you know that if you put a frog in boiling water, he’ll jump out? But, if you put one in cold water and heat it slowly, he’ll stay in. And boil to death. He won’t even try to get out. He won’t even know he’s dying. Until it’s too late.