boss. Holding his hot gaze, she put her fingers to her nipples.
âSqueeze them,â he ordered, nearly choking.
âVader,â she whispered helplessly. Sheâd lost all control of her reactions; her body quivered and jumped from need.
âJust do it.â
She squeezed. The searing arc of heat acted like the spark to a bomb. She absolutely detonated, her body arching with the force of her climax, sweet, drugging pleasure flooding her brain. He came too, deep spasms racking his magnificent body, his hands digging into her upper thighs.
Finally he went still. âSweet baby Jesus,â he gritted, eyes closed, his head thrown back, his strong throat muscles moving hypnotically. âWhat you do to me, Cherie.â
She flung the back of her hand over her damp forehead, and uttered a helpless moan of a laugh.
That made two of them.
Â
Chapter Six
V ader was pretty sure the woman heâd just made fierce, passionate love to was muttering, âCrap, crap, crap,â under her breath.
He eased her into a more comfortable position on her couch, then collapsed next to her. In the time that theyâd been immersed in lovemaking, dusk had fallen. Ghostly blue shadows gathered in the corners of the room. He knew what was coming next. Instead of enjoying a blissful afterglow, and maybe sharing a pan of peanut butter brownies, as heâd prefer, Cherie was about to head straight for a massive dose of self-Ârecrimination.
Right now, with everything going on in his life, he didnât want to go through that cycle one more time.
He cleared his throat and spoke before she could shift from âCrap, crap, crapâ to something more specific. âLook, Cherie. We just had sex, and it was awesome, as always. Why donât we just let it be? Letâs skip the part where you beat yourself up and make us both swear weâre never going to touch each other again.â
She lifted her head, her mouth dropping open in a rosy oval of surprise. âAm I really that predictable?â
Vader looked at her soberly. âIf you were predictable, this would be easier. I know you, thatâs all. Or at least certain parts of you.â
Even though he hadnât intended any kind of sexual innuendo, a flush gathered on the pillowy flesh of her chest and made its way up her throat. He wanted to follow it with his lips, but he restrained himself. âIâll make a deal with you, Cherie. You know how you keep telling me you want to be friends?â
âYes, and I realize my behavior hasnât exactly backed me up, but . . .â
âThatâs okay. I get it. Iâm such a virile, handsome devil you canât resist me.â He put up a hand before she could laugh too hard at his mocking self-Âassessment. âNo need to argue, we both know itâs true. Moving on. Iâm willing to be your friend, on one condition.â
She sat up, pulled a silky scarf off the arm of the couch, and gathered it around her shoulders. Heâd never understood why she draped the scarves everywhere, but now, seeing the way the iridescent fabric shone against her skin, he was glad she did. âWhat condition?â
âYou tell me the truth.â
An odd sort of flinch rippled across her face, so quickly he wouldnât have noticed if he didnât know her so well. âWhat do you mean?â
He had to steel himself for this next part. This was what heâd wrestled with late at night. âI want to know why you donât want me.â
And yes, it hurt just as much as heâd predicted to say those words out loud.
âI want to know why you keep pushing me away. Even when things are going great. No, especially when things are going great. Thatâs when you always drop the hammer. Itâs fucked up, Cherie. And before you say itââÂhe put up another hand as she opened her mouthâÂâI know you donât mean to hurt me. Iâm