Free Could This Be Love? by Lee Kilraine

but it wasn’t easy being one of the Cates brothers.”
    “Seriously? You do remember who you are, right?”
    “Yeah. That’s part of the secret. Tynan, the oldest, was outgoing, popular, and caused trouble seven days a week. He got more attention than he knew what to do with. Paxton and Kaz, the twins, were little Einsteins in school, always winning debates or science fair competitions. And Quinn, the baby, was the star athlete. He grabbed attention anytime he was on a field. Me? I was lost growing up and felt left out and out of place most of the time.”
    “I know just how you felt.” Her lips formed a soft, lopsided smile on her face.
    “My mom talked me into the drama club freshman year. Pushed me kicking and screaming is more accurate. But I found I could pour all my emotions out on stage and walk away feeling better. Stronger. On stage, I finally knew who I was and found a place to shine.”
    Her gaze dropped away. “Why are you telling me this?”
    “Just . . . you seemed nervous.” He usually guarded his privacy, but this woman had him so off-kilter he was spilling his guts. “I thought if I told you something about me most people don’t know, it might help.”
    “I am a little nervous. It’s been a while for me.” Avery smoothed unsteady hands down the nonexistent wrinkles on her dress. “And I don’t want either one of us to regret this.”
    “What’s to regret?” Sijan held the key in his hand giving her a chance to change her mind. “We both know what this is. All our cards are on the table so no one gets hurt.”
    “Right. All our cards are on the table.” Avery’s gaze cut away, darting around the room.
    Okay, so maybe the lady still had secrets, but that was fine with him. Tonight was about exploring potential and stripping it down to pure pleasure.
    “You can always change your mind.” Sijan tossed the key card onto the nearest piece of furniture and stepped closer until he could feel the heat from her body. “At any point.”
    Her eyes flashed back to his and her cheeks turned a soft pink. “It’s just . . . I’m not very good at this.”
    Sijan kissed her. He cupped his hands along her delicate jaw and lost himself in the softness of her lips and the rose-petal taste of her. Heady, perfumed, luscious. “Not good at what?”
    “Sex.” Avery’s unsteady breathing matched his.
    This wasn’t sex. This was madness. This was a lesson in combustion. “No worries. We can slow this down. Or at least try to.” Although he didn’t stop his hand from reaching for the zipper of her dress, sliding it down as far as it would go. He smoothed his hand along the silky skin of her back.
    Avery looked up at him like she didn’t have a clue what he was talking about. Her hand held up the front of her now gaping dress. “You can do that?”
    “Whoa, wait. This isn’t your first time, is it?” Sijan pulled back a few inches. He might need to rethink this. He still needed to make love to this woman, but he might need to approach this differently or slow this way the hell down, maybe even back off entirely.
    “N . . . no. But, I’ve only done this fast.” She cleared her throat, her voice matter-of fact, but the slight tremble of her chin and hands held his attention. “Like it was a race to the finish. I think I lost each time.”
    Sijan looked into Avery’s eyes and saw more than she was saying. She stood like a wild animal, tense, ready to bolt at the slightest threat. Christ, some men should be shot.
    Moving forward again, he turned her around until he faced her back and looped her hair up off her neck. “Hold this for a second.” He placed kisses along the soft, perfumed nape of her neck as he closed the zipper on her dress.
    Avery’s head jerked around in surprise. “What are you doing?”
    “Slowing this down.” He kissed her and led her away from the bed and over to the sofa in the room. “Since you missed out on dating because the boys in your high school were obviously