Dawn Endeavor 1: Fallon's Flame by Marie Harte (book recommendations website TXT) 📕

before succumbing to temptation. She'd work hard to earn an orgasm or two, then let go of her boyfriends after sharing too many of their emotions. Boredom would set in. Disgust that she couldn't break out of bad habits, especially when she could see going into a relationship it would end badly. Yet here she was, once again, mooning after a hunk way out of her league. Go figure.

She turned around at the sign and slowed down, her lungs burning. At least Jesse seemed to be circumspect about what they'd done. Probably because he hadn't had his “happy ending” yet.

Even as she knew she unfairly condemned him, she couldn't help herself. Every time she'd wished one of her Prince Charmings would be different, he'd turned into a frog. And none of them had ever churned her up so much inside. She barely knew Jesse, and she couldn't stop thinking about him.

She wondered what he was really like, beneath the muscles and the looks. Would he remain as nice once he had what he wanted? When would he show his true colors—when he didn't get what he wanted? And what did he want? Sex, sure. But anything else?

So intent on her thoughts, she literally ran into the man on her mind.

“Shit!” She bounced off him and would have fallen on her ass if he hadn't reached for her arm. Her heart raced, as much from the shock and the adrenaline rush as from her run. “Sorry.

Didn't…see…you…there.”

“My mistake. I should have called out. You seemed miles away.” He didn't sound out of breath. Despite the weather, he wore shorts and a long-sleeved shirt. At least this time he wore sneakers.

“Aren't you…cold?” She leaned over, trying to catch her breath, and placed her hands on her knees

“Nah. Tough skin.” He thumped his chest. “You okay?”

She drew in a breath, stood, and let it out slowly. “Yeah. Thanks.”

“No problem. Actually I was looking for you.”

Her pulse picked up. Down, girl. “Oh?”

His gaze narrowed on her mouth before shifting back up to her eyes. “Yeah. We haven't talked much, not since last night.”

He just had to bring that up.

“Oh.”

“You're not, ah, mad at me or anything, are you? Because I swear I didn't plan on going d—I mean, I only meant to kiss you. You have the sweetest-looking lips,” he rasped, rubbing a thumb over her lower lip.

She stood as still as a statue, unable to move. The smart side of her told her to demand he back away and keep his hands to himself. She wasn't some floozy he could toy with. But the hungry side of her subtly leaned into his touch. When he dropped his hand, she licked her lips, telling herself they were dry and needed the moisture.

His eyes darkened, and he took a deep breath. “So. Right.” He exhaled. “I just… I didn't want to scare you away.”

“I'm not scared.” The stubborn woman within refused to acknowledge his power over her without putting up a fight.

“I am,” he admitted. “You're different.”

She scowled. “Thanks a lot.”

“No. I mean, you make it hard to think past wanting you.” He closed his eyes and opened them, a flush on his cheeks that completely devastated her. Handsome and vulnerable?

“I—oh.”

“Look, what the guys say about me, it's not true. I'm not some roving stud.” He frowned. “I have needs, sure, but I'm not some idiot out to nail any piece of ass.” He paused and snapped his mouth shut.

She raised a brow, bemused by his lust that mingled with anger. At himself or at her? Oh wow. I'm sensing his emotions.

Jesse ran a hand over his short hair, obviously frustrated. “Shit. I didn't mean that the way it sounded. I'm not some dog in heat.”

“All the time,” echoed in her mind.

Sensing his emotions and reading his mind?

“I know this is bad timing. We have a job to do. We can't afford to muck it up with sex.

Hell, I've worked with women before.” Now he sounded defensive. “I don't jump every hot woman I come into contact with. Let alone rip their clothes off them.” The quieter she remained, the more flustered he became. His insecurity captivated her.

She'd never assumed to see this side of the man. Never assumed someone so incredibly sexy and commanding could have a side like this.

“Hell, Olivia. I barely know you. I know what your file says, but not about you. Your favorite color, your favorite flavor ice cream. Do you like adventure movies, or are you a chick-flick type? A dog person or a cat person? Shit like that. Important stuff.” When she continued to stare at him, wide-eyed, he swore and took a step closer. A shock of anger brightened his gaze.

“But you know what I do know? How you respond when I do this.” She knew all about high-handed men. But she had never dealt with one who made her wet with a look before.

Jesse kissed her with a rough determination that made her want to belt him. The brutal kiss smashed her lips against her teeth. His tongue thrust into her mouth with a cruel possession. He plastered her breasts to his chest and ground a huge erection against her belly. She couldn't move, because he'd tangled his fingers in her hair, pulling the band holding it back and tossing it to the ground. Gripping her tightly, he consumed her.

Olivia had a temper slow to boil, but when it did, it flamed until it burned itself out.

Unfortunately Jesse didn't arouse the anger she desperately needed to fight off this sensual devastation.

Instead of pulling back and slapping him, she attacked him right back with a kiss that made his look tame by comparison.

She couldn't think, could only feel as raw desire poured through her very soul. A wild need to take, to keep, settled into her soul and wouldn't let go. Not until she got what she wanted.

Olivia bit his lip and then licked at the spot of blood she caused.

“Yes, oh