We moved together like we’d made love a million times. I captured her breasts and sucked hard, my free hand finding her tender nub and coaxing it. Stroking her to the rhythm of my cock.

She screamed my name and came, her muscles clenching around me.

She collapsed on top of me, but I wasn’t done, pounding into her, skin on skin, chest to chest.

It was electric and hot as hell.

I threw my head back against the mat and yelled as I came, my hands holding her tight.

So tight.

Never let her fucking go.

THE NEXT DAY was Saturday, and my cell phone rang at exactly eight o’clock in the morning.

Who on earth would call this early?

“Hello?” I managed as I sat up in bed. Last night had been wild, and my body was still reverberating with little aftershocks.

“Miss Bennett?” a crisp female tone said.

I cleared my throat. “Yes?”

“This is Sylvia Myers with Myers’ Jewelry Store.” She paused as if waiting for me to reply, as if she were returning my call.

“Hi?”

Myers’ was one of the premier jewelry stores in the Raleigh-Durham area. I’d been in there a few times to window shop and get ideas, but their prices were way out of my league.

“I’m calling you about the images you emailed our office? We’d like for you to come in and meet with us next week to discuss perhaps purchasing some of your designs.”

Images? I hadn’t sent anyone pics.

I sat up straighter in bed, brain racing. “I see. Which ones were you interested in, Ms. Myers?”

A shuffling sound of papers came through the phone. “Your personal assistant, Shelley, sent over several drawings, but the ones that caught my eye were the silver pieces, the butterfly ring in particular and the scroll bracelet. We have a shop in Asheville where your artisan type of jewelry would sell quite nicely. Would Wednesday at nine be okay to meet?”

Shelley!

Just when I thought she was full of crap and as empty-headed as a balloon, she’d gone and done something so incredibly … sweet.

But why would they want my designs?

Because they’re beautiful , a small part of my heart whispered. At one time, you believed in yourself. Do it again!

I scrambled around for a pen and a notebook I kept on the nightstand. “I have classes all morning, and I’m not done until one and then I have to work … but I can probably get off. Would three o’clock be okay?”

God, what was I doing? I hadn’t designed anything new in years. All I had was the old stuff. And how the hell had Shelley even gotten ahold of my old designs?

“I didn’t realize you were a college student, Miss Bennett. I assumed you were a professional designer with experience. Your logo on your email says you own a company called Darcy Designs.”

Darcy? Nice name. Props to Shelley for remembering Pride and Prejudice .

“Yes, that’s right.”

“How old are you? You sound rather young on the phone and honestly we’re looking for dependable artisans at the moment, not young college students.” I heard her tapping something, and I imagined her sitting behind a big desk in an office, regretting calling me.

I sighed. “I am a full-time college student.”

“I see.” But I could still hear the uncertainty in her voice. She seemed to come to some kind of decision and cleared her throat. “Okay. I’ll see you Wednesday afternoon at three at our main jewelry store in Raleigh.” She rattled off the address. “Good day, Miss Bennett.” She hung up.

I sprang out of bed like a scalded cat.

I’d gotten an interview for my designs. Holy cow. Exhilaration filled me along with a good dose of fear. I could do this, right? I had to try. Because existing like I had been wasn’t working.

And then thoughts of Colby seeped into my brain. I hadn’t seen or heard from him in two weeks, but somehow I knew he was out there. Lurking. Waiting for me.

I shuddered and pushed those morbid scenarios away and raced out to my balcony. I wanted to see Declan. When we’d gotten home from the gym last night I’d given him an awkward kiss goodnight at my door then I’d come in to crash. But, he hadn’t been far from my mind all night.

I leaned over the railing. “Wake up, you sleepy-headed Englishman, I have big news!” I called over to him. “Huge!”

I counted ten seconds and he suddenly appeared, his hair standing straight up and eyes blinking in the morning sun.

I nearly clapped, but stopped just in time.

“What’s going on?” He scrubbed the dark shadows on his chiseled jawline, looking like a million bucks. No man had the right to look that good this early.