“I feel your pain.”

Zander glanced over at Ben, who sat upright, head tilted back as he studied the heavens. “So, Ben, how about you and me blow this place, get roaring drunk, and find a few ladies for the night?”

Ben kept his gaze on the stars. He was silent a long moment, then said. “Nah.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” Zander said. “Who needs uncontrolled, no-strings-attached, no-holds-barred sex?”

Ben chuckled. “You do. Tell you what—we’ll sit this one out and next time we’ll make a night of it.”

Zander settled back down, staring up at the sky until he felt as though he were floating among the stars. “All right. It’s a date.”

Ben grunted another laugh and then they both fell silent, contemplating the night, lost in their own thoughts.

*   *   *

Addison woke to bright daylight and her nose against Kendrick’s forehead.

For a moment, the previous day blurred, to coalesce into the memory of the fantastic lovemaking she’d had last night with Kendrick. He was here, lying with his chest against hers, his hand heavy on her side.

Addie lay motionless, soaking in his warmth, the scent of him. Sunlight touched his mottled hair, the white luminescent against the black.

The light traced his cheek, the dark lashes against sun-bronzed skin, his mouth, which had so thoroughly kissed hers. Addie slid her gaze down his tight shoulder, arm folded against his body, his hand relaxed, fingers splayed just above her breast. The sunlight touched his bare hip and backside, down his leg to the curve of his calf.

Addie couldn’t see the front of him, because it was pressed against her. But she could feel him. The hard planes of his chest cradled her breasts, and his cock, no longer rigid, rested heavily against her thigh.

Addie raised her gaze to his face again and found his green eyes open and looking straight at her.

“Hey,” she said, suddenly shy.

Kendrick touched her cheek with a gentle fingertip. “Hey.” His deep voice vibrated the mattress. “You okay?”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Addie considered. “The morning after great sex? Yeah, I think so.”

Kendrick let out a small breath. “Good.”

“Why good?” Addie frowned. “Why do you sound so relieved?”

He brushed back a lock of her hair. “Because I could have hurt you. I can be . . . focused.”

“Focused on taking me to the best orgasm of my life?” Addie brushed a brief kiss to his lips. “I didn’t mind.”

A small smile touched his mouth. “The best?”

“Don’t get a swelled head. But yes. Although the thing in the barn—that was pretty good too.”

His smile turned wicked. “You bring out the playful in me.”

“Oh, yeah?” Addie kissed him again. She liked how Kendrick tasted in the morning, and the fact that he kept his eyes open to watch her kiss him. “Do you feel playful now?”

“A little.”

The growl in his throat made her shiver. “The others will expect you to get up soon, go out and see them,” Addie said. “Maybe make a speech.”

The growl escalated. “They can wait.”

The warmth that squeezed Addie’s chest grew. “Really? What for?”

Kendrick pushed her down into the bed, his fine weight on top of her. “The more you tease me, the less gentle you make me want to be.”

“Mmm,” Addie said, stretching under him. “Intriguing.”

Kendrick’s ongoing growl became a snarl. He backed away swiftly, seized her by the hips, and flipped her over. Addie squealed and struggled, but not very hard.