“I don’t want to pressure you.” Yes, I do. Some odd part of him wanted to beat his chest and command her to do as he said. Instead he smiled.

“Wow.” Her face lit up, and she grinned. “That’s a fake smile. You’re clearly not saying what you want to say.”

“Fine.” She wants to hear what I really think? “I want you moved in here permanently. I want to trip over your dozens of shoes in my closet and complain that you hog all the hangers. If you don’t want to live here, we can start looking for another house. I’m fine with that. I’m not attached to this place. In fact, I’d love to start somewhere fresh and call it ours. Maybe we should be selling two places, not just yours.”

She tilted her head at him, surprise parting her lips. “I think you’re absolutely right. I love the thought of finding our own home.” Her eyebrows narrowed. “The more I think about it, the more I like the idea, and I suddenly feel comfortable letting that condo go. Ohhh. House shopping together.” Her eyes lit up as she teased him.

Surprisingly, he didn’t have his usual gut-churning reaction to the idea of shopping.

“It’s a big step,” he said cautiously.

Dark-blue eyes smiled at him. “I’m ready. Hell, I can’t wait. Where would you like to live?”

Mason scratched at his head. He hadn’t thought that far ahead. “I’m not sure. I like bigger lots and established neighborhoods, but I don’t want a longer commute. Do we have to talk about this right now?”

“Nope. We’ve got all the time in the world. Just as long as you know I want a dream kitchen. Custom cabinets, imported glass tiles, expensive appliances.” She leaned closer and kissed him, blending her wine-flavored lips with his.

“You barely cook.”

“So? Don’t I deserve something gorgeous?” Her lips smiled against his.

“Absolutely.” All thoughts of houses left his brain. The sensation of Ava pressing against him sent his mind racing in a different direction. He couldn’t help it. When she was near, he wanted more. Hell, he wanted all of her. Being near her in an office environment kept him under control, but with her so close in his home and the comfortable sofa and her natural female scent mixed with the smoky wine . . .

He stood and pulled her up from the sofa, a knowing grin on her face.

“Sleepy?” she asked.

“No.” He buried his hands in her hair, tugging the loose band out of her ponytail. It fell silently to the area rug as he started on the buttons of her blouse. She tipped her head back, exposing her neck, and he took the invitation to explore the soft skin with his mouth.

She sighed.

“I need to shower,” she whispered. “I need to wash away the grime and memories of that scene today.”

“We’ll do it together.”

Ava leaned her back against the wet tile and let Mason take over. He’d turned up the water as hot as she could stand it, creating steam clouds in his spacious shower. He pointed the spray at her chest and stepped close, letting the water pool between them. He took hold of her and tipped her face up, meeting her gaze as the water pounded both of them.

He looked so serious, this cowboy cop of hers. He wasn’t one to throw caution to the wind and plunge head on into whatever life had to offer. He studied it first, weighed his options, and then grabbed with both hands. Once his mind was made up, he was as stubborn and willful as a hound. But he’d never back down, and whomever he’d committed to would never be alone.

She had his commitment. He’d taken his time before he’d told her he loved her, but she’d known when he did it that he truly believed it. She wouldn’t have had it any other way. Mason didn’t say things he didn’t mean; he didn’t try to please other people; he did what he thought was right.

At this moment the sensation of his wet skin against hers was right. Completely right.

He kissed her, and she opened her mouth to him, loving the mental, emotional, and physical feeling of being dominated by a male. Dammit, sometimes she needed to let someone else take the reins. Mason knew exactly when that was. Right now she wanted to forget the blood on the floor at Joe Upton’s, forget she had a needy twin, and forget she had a cell phone that might ring at four A.M., demanding she get out of bed.

He moved his thigh between hers, and she parted her legs. His chest pressed against her breasts and she pushed back, creating tiny sparks of pain that alternated with pleasure.

Greed pulsed through her, and she ached for him to touch her everywhere at once.

He chuckled under his breath, and she realized she was panting.

“Need something?” he asked next to her ear.

“Damn right. Time to prove your worth, cowboy.” Her eyes stayed closed, and she relished the spray of the shower on her shoulder and face.

“Challenge accepted.” His rough cheek brushed hers as he pressed closer, increasing the pressure with his leg between her thighs.

She laid her left arm across his shoulders, ignoring the sharp twinges near her joint. Her right hand ran up and down his side, gliding across wet skin, and then tracing the muscle around to his spine.

His leg between her thighs vanished and he deftly bent and hooked his arm under her right leg, lifting it up and raising her to her toes. She felt exposed. His mouth crushed against hers and the gliding sensation of his tongue captured her attention. Until she felt him stroke gently between her legs.

“Wet everywhere,” he muttered against her mouth.