Free The Chase by Adrienne Giordano

concerned that you have two boxes of rubbers in your nightstand?”
    “No, dopey. I bought them for you after the insanity known as our first kiss. I figured it was inevitable and wanted to be prepared.” She gestured at his protruding erection. “I guessed at the size. And I wasn’t sure which ones you’d like. The guy at the store told me he likes these.” She pointed to one of the boxes. “But then another guy—a customer shopping in that aisle—said he liked these. So I bought them both. You can pick. I personally don’t have a clue. Just be fast about it.”
    He pressed the fingers of both hands into his forehead. “You are unbelievable. You took a goddamned survey at the drug store?”
    “Hey! Forgive me for caring. A little research never hurts and I certainly couldn’t call you and ask what size condoms you wear.”
    He tore open the first box, the ones marked ecstasy— oh, baby!— and did his thing while she stripped off her underpants.
    “Okay, Mr. August, let’s see what you’ve got.”
    “What?”
    She waved it off. “Mr. August, the hottest month on the man candy calendar. That’s you. Except in the calendar you’re not talking. At all. Come on, Sergeant.”
    He shoved her backward and climbed on top of her, trapping her against the mattress. The weight of him, so big and solid and safe, only increased the urgency.
    “Where’s the damned fire?” he asked.
    “I’m hungry. For many things.”
    “My kind of woman.” He nudged his knee between her legs.
    She arched against him, needing the contact, the heat that would drive away the day’s demons and let her feel loved. Then he was inside her, gasping in her ear, and she went crazy. Lost her damned mind in a blast of white sparks. She was so not in control and, for once, loved every second of it.
    They found their rhythm, at first fast and then slower, the easy slide of his body so perfectly suited for her. Yes . Yes. Yes. Yes.
    He propped himself on his elbows and kissed her. “I knew it. Amazing.”
    Her core tightened. A squeezing, sensual twisting that urged her to pump her hips harder. Gabe was here. With her. Making her crummy day so, so, so much better.
    “I needed this,” she said. “Thank you. Perfect.”
    “Me too.” The sound of his voice, the roughened edges so soft and gentle calmed her chaotic thoughts.
    She looked into his eyes, ran her fingers down his cheek to his shoulder and held on as their pace increased. A coiling sensation wound through her core and she held her breath until, finally, her world exploded.
     
    Gabe thought a heart attack was imminent. Someone call 9-1-1. Officer down. He heaved out a breath, pulled himself free of Jo’s delectable body and rolled off her.
    No sense crushing her before they were able to do this again.
    “Mission complete.” She snuggled into his side and he flopped his arm over her.
    “Off the charts. I knew it. In fact, I might chain you to this bed.” He caught his breath and rolled to face her. “What do you think? Wanna try it?”
    “Only if you’re chained too.”
    He shrugged. “Sure. Why not?”
    “Kinky.”
    “Uh, fun. ”
    She laughed at him, sat up and smacked his leg. “Let’s eat. I’m hungry.”
    But she straddled him and leaned forward so that amazing rack pressed against his chest. “Your body makes me nuts. I’m sending that surgeon a bottle of scotch. The guy’s a genius.”
    “I’m sure he’ll appreciate the endorsement.” She kissed the center of his chest, then rested her cheek there. “Thank you for scaring off my demons.”
    Careful here, buddy . Slippery slope. He could tell her he’d chase away her demons on a daily basis, but knowing her independence, her strength, she’d despise that. He tickled his hand over her spine, massaging as he went. “You chased your own demons. I helped.”
    “Yeah, but you were the one I wanted help from.”
    He smiled and sat up, holding her in place so she didn’t go anywhere and then kissed her.