The only sound in the room was the rhythm of their heavy breathing, gasping and panting in unison. After crying out her name, Adam had collapsed on top of her, hot sweaty and breathless. His body and erection twitching.

Not that she could blame him. Abby was having difficulty catching her breath after doing her own version of Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally. Twice. She closed her eyes and smiled as another aftershock rocked her body. Afraid to open them again in fear that it was all nothing more than an erotic dream and she would find herself back on the futon with her book clutched in her hands.

An image floated into her mind's eye. A moment frozen in time. It was in that instant when she had looked up into his face, witnessing in those amber eyes a look she would never forget. The emotions that had crossed his handsome features were so raw and unedited, she wondered how she would ever live without seeing it again.

She hadn't know him very long and although, they were as different as night and day, she knew one thing. What had just transpired between them, would never be the same with another. Abby knew in her heart, what she had seen was her downfall in his face.

If she thought for one second she was going to be able to walk away from him...from this...unscathed, she was foolishly mistaken. In one night of recklessness, she singlehandedly destroyed the life she had so carefully tried to create and now...everything was in jeopardy.

Raising a trembling hand up off the comforter, she slowly slid it down his muscled shoulder, feeling it ripple beneath her touch. He groaned, nuzzling his head deeper into her neck and her smile grew. This was supposed to be sex just for the sake of having sex and possibly, get him out of her system once and for all. But, instead, the tables had turned.

She wanted to stay. She wanted to remain wrapped up in his arms as long as she possibly could and revel in this feeling of bliss forever. The sensation of being safe and taken care of was overwhelming. The feel of his heart hammering next to hers while being warm and curled in the cage of his arms far too addicting for her own good, but, right now, there was no other place she would rather be.

"Am I getting too heavy?" His voice was low and sultry as his lips skimmed the underside of her jaw.

"It doesn't matter." Abby titled her head up, encouraging his roaming mouth, letting the lethargy roll over her. "I can't move anyway."

He chuckled, lightly sucking on her neck. "Words every man loves to hear."

"Getting kind of cocky, aren't we?"

"At the moment, no...but," he raised up on his forearms and gave her a lecherous grin, "give me about 15 minutes and I will show you how cocky I can be."

Just to prove his point, he rolled his hips making Abby gasp as a tingle raced along the sensitive walls of her pussy making her reach up and clutch his shoulders.

"Are you sore?" he asked, a small frown settling on his face in the dimly lit room.

"A little," Abby admitted, feeling a blush warm her cheeks. "But you won't hear me complaining."

"I have been too rough with you." He grimaced. Giving her a swift kiss, he eased his hands down between them. Holding the edge of the condom, he slowly pulled out.

Abby moaned at the movement, but immediately missed the feeling of him filling her.

"I'll be right back," he muttered, making his way to the bathroom and giving Abby her first complete view of his naked ass.

He truly was a magnificent specimen, she thought watching him disappear. There wasn't a muffin top to be seen. It was if flab feared to even contemplate defacing the hard slabs of toned muscle. A sigh of pure feminine appreciation slipped out of her lungs.

Stretching and easing her exquisitely sore muscles, Abby smiled and shook her head. She just had amazing sex like she only ever read about in her romances...with him...Adam Steele, CEO extraordinaire. It was hard to believe, even if she bore the razor stubble to prove it. Not only was it damn near impossible to wrap her head around, but it had been easily the best sex she had ever had.

Not that she possessed a lot of experience in her dossier to go off of, having only been with two men in her lifetime. Kyle wasn't hardly even worth mentioning and Roger, though sweet, never ignited the kind of powerful responses Adam did with only a touch.

Abby's gut clenched at her thoughts.

Roger. Oh God. How could she have forgotten about him? Curling up into a tight ball, Abby rolled over on her side. Shuddering, she grabbed the comforter and wrapped it around herself to ward off the sudden chill. What had she done? Her heart lurched painfully in her chest. If he finds out about Adam...a shot of panic gripped her hard and she jolted upright.

Putting her face in her trembling hands, she tried to calm her raging thoughts. He didn't know. He didn't know where she was, she told herself. It's been six months and not a sign of him. She'd been careful. But, no matter how much she reasoned, she couldn't chase the ghost of what happened to Roger away. He haunted her thoughts right along the man who was to blame. Pulling her hands away from her face, she saw blood even though there wasn't a mark on them.

This was a mistake. Tears filled her eyes. Adam would be in danger...because of her. She had to get out of here. Abby's eyes bounced around the room. Pieces of her underwear lay scattered across the top of the bed. Scooping them up, she clutched them in her hands as she stared at the tattered remains. Her mind and heart laboring a mile a minute.

"All the king's horses and all the king's men...are not going to be able to put those back together again." Adam's amused, teasing voice made Abby jerk her head up and squeak in surprise. "I'm sorry, baby. I didn't mean to startle you."

"I...I have to go," she stuttered, dropping the scraps and crawling to the other side. Anxiety making her movements clumsy and awkward as she tried to get away from him.

"Go?"

"I'm sorry." Abby scrambled off the bed, dragging the comforter with her. "I thought I could do this...but...I can't." She ducked her head to avoid making eye contact with him. Keeping her head down with her heart pounding, she headed for the bedroom door. Panic had taken over, clinging to her, clawing away at everything except the urge to bolt.

"Abigail! Stop!" Adam grabbed her shoulders and gave her a little shake. "Talk to me. What the hell is going on?"

Adrenaline was pumping through her system fast and furious, his touch only increasing her agitation. Lashing out, she fought him, the comforter and the fear. "Let me go!" she cried, struggling to get past him.

"I won't!" Bending down, he put his face inches away from Abby's. "Do you hear me? I'm not letting go, dammit!"

When he refused to release her, Abby did the unthinkable...she slapped him...hard, his head snapping back from the force of the strike. The sound ricocheted around the room and she gaped at what she had done. With wide, worried eyes, she watched the reddening of her hand print bloom in his cheek. Curling her fingers around her stinging palm, she held it shakily against her chest as the shame started to pull away the icy fingers of terror gripping her.

Dark brown eyes locked with hers. The anger dimming and replaced with something she didn't understand as he grabbed a hold of her, hauling her against him, embracing her tightly. For a second, she stiffened in his arms, not sure how to respond. But, when he buried his face in her neck, she hugged him back. Clinging to him, she felt his soothing touch chase away the last of her anxiety and she deflated like a balloon into his strong chest.

Without saying a word, he scooped her up and carried her into the bathroom. Setting her down on her feet, he made quick work of unwinding her from the comforter before picking her up once more and striding towards the glorious sunken Jacuzzi tub she had admired the last time she was there filled with steamy water and decadent bubbles.

"What are you doing?" Abby's eyes popped wide as she twisted her head to face him.

"I'm bathing you."

"But...I just slapped you."

"I am aware." He looked down at her, giving her a wry smile. "And I must say, you pack one hell of a wallop."

"I...I don't understand." She shook her head in bewilderment. "You should be furious with me, not...," she waved her hand over the tub, "giving me a bath." Narrowing her eyes, she looked at him warily. "Unless you plan on drowning me."

He snorted. "Hardly."

"Then why?"

He sighed. "Because I thought it might be something you would enjoy, Abigail and it would ease your soreness."

"But I ..."

"Yes, you slapped me," he interrupted, shooting her an arched look. "I can't say I enjoyed it, but after how I acted earlier this evening, it was more than deserved. Since you forgave my transgression, I have chosen to forgive yours. Now," he smiled down at her in a way that made tingles race through her body, "would you like to take a bath with me or not?"

Looking up at him and then down at the lovely water, Abby was torn. She should insist he take her home. Though the panic attack had subsided, her worry hadn't. The more time she spent with him, the more danger she put him in and the harder it would be to leave. She didn't want to feel close to him...she couldn't feel close to him. The thought made her heart heavy and an ache formed in the back of her throat.

Closing her eyes briefly, she wondered how long she could remain immune to all his blatant masculinity and charm if she didn't leave now. The sensible answer would be to run and to keep on running, but for tonight...just for tonight...she didn't want to be practical. Even though, in her heart, she knew the safest thing was for him to take her home, she just couldn't make herself say the words. Deep down, beyond reason, she wanted to make enough memories to carry her through the many lonely nights she was going to face after everything turned back into a pumpkin and a bunch of rats.

Making up her mind, she nodded her head. He rewarded her with a pantie melting smile. Well...it would have been if she had been wearing any. Giving her a soft kiss, he gently lowered her down into the fragrant suds. Abby hissed as the hot water hit her sensitive bits.

"Is it too hot?" he asked, dropping his brow into a small frown.

"No, it's perfect," she sighed in satisfaction as the heat of the water oozed the tension from her body. She could get use to a tub like this one. It was deep, comfortable, maintained the temperature of the water and had jets. Hell, she could live in it.

Rolling her head, Abby watched through droopy eyelids as Adam lit several candles and dimmed the lights. Pressing a few buttons on a hidden panel, the tub came to life making her gasp as sweet music filled the room. Where most men only played at seduction, Adam mastered it with grace and elegance.

Once he was done, he turned to face Abby. Her eyes caressed his lean, hard muscles. He had an amazing body and she couldn't wait to slide her hands over his skin. The need to taste him, memorize him with her fingertips and lips made her stomach quiver in excitement.

"Keep looking at me like that and this bath will be over before it begins, baby." He slid in behind her, pulling her into his lap until she was settled comfortably against his chest. His long legs wrapping around hers and she giggled as the hair on his tickled her thighs.

But the giggle turned into a deep moan when Adam's hands started rubbing her shoulders and neck as he eased out the knots. "You keep doing that and we may never get out of this tub."

He chuckled. "And that would be a problem because?"

"We'll turn into prunes."

He leaned down and nipped her ear with a quick sharp bite that she felt between her legs before he soothed it with his tongue. "I happen to like prunes."

Abby gave a breathy laugh, as his wicked tongue slipped across her ear. "I do too."

"See? We are getting to know each other."

"I think you got to know me pretty well not too long ago."

"Mmm...I got to know some of you, but there is still much more I want to know, Abigail." He paused in his massaging. "How long have you been having panic attacks?"

Abby grew still in his arms. She wanted to deny it, but how could she when the evidence was still clearly on his cheek? That mark earned him the right to an honest answer. "For a while now," she whispered.

"Are you on medication for them?"

She shook her head. "Normally, I can restrain them...except...," she sighed, "every now and then I lose control."

He remained silent for a moment and then began moving his hands once more. "My mother suffers from constant panic attacks, but she never learned to control them, even with the medication and now...she's beyond help," he said softly.

Abby pulled away, turning to face him. "For how long has she had a panic disorder?"

He heaved a heavy sigh, turning his eyes to look off into a darkened corner before bringing them back to her. "For as long as I can remember."

The sadness in the shadowy depths broke her heart. It must have been terrifying to be a young child and not understand the stress of having a mother with a medical condition like that could cause. Reaching up, she gently cupped his red cheek.

"I am so sorry," she choked out.

He brought his hand up to hers and captured it. Bringing it to his lips, he pressed a kiss to her palm.

"I will never let go, because I don't want to lose you too."

Not wanting to tell him he would soon have to, she leaned forward, brushing her lips against his. It was meant to be a gentle soothing kiss, but when she touched him and her nipples brushed against his chest, her pulse began to pound. Her breath hitched, catching in her throat as an ache started to build between her legs.

"Abigail," he growled, pulling her across his lap.

Before she could catch her breath, his mouth was on hers, kissing her fiercely.

Abby shoved her hands into his hair and kissed him back. Their mouths moving with an urgency that drove her wild. It was a mixture of need and desperation. She sucked on his tongue, listening to his moans of approval as his hands slid over her back, his erection prodding her hip. Without releasing his lips, she reached down and grasped him.

"Oh yes...touch me," he rasped, jerking his hips up as her fingers slowly glided up and down his cock. His legs spreading further to accommodate her touch.

A pleasant burn between her thighs intensified as she stroked him. His groans of pleasure guiding her to all his sensitive spots. She wanted him on the edge. She wanted to see how far she could push him, relishing in the control of bringing him to the brink. He was so hard, like stone in her hands and she seized him over and over, sliding her hand up from root to tip.

"I can't take much more." His words were half warning, half promise.

His dark voice broke the damn inside her and Abby rose up, lifting her hips to straddle him. Her body quivered in anticipation. The need to have him fill her up overwhelming.

He tore his mouth from hers. "Condom. By the faucet."

The fact he remembered and she didn't, startled her, but then again...ever since she met him, she had not been herself. Her lust for this man constantly chased away her common sense.

Fumbling for the packet, her fingers shook. The slippery suds made opening the damn thing almost impossible and she cussed in frustration.

"Here," Adam plucked it out of her useless fingers and ripped it open with his teeth. A movement she found strangely appealing as she watched him make quick work of sheathing himself.

Desperate to have him, Abby set her hands on his shoulders and kneeled over his lap. Hovering above his cock, she locked eyes with him.

His hands grabbed on tightly to her hips. "Go easy, baby. You're sore and I don't want to hurt you," he ordered through clenched teeth.

The tense look on his face as he kicked his head back when she positioned him at her throbbing entrance would be an image she would remember forever. A hot flush colored her skin and her breasts felt heavy with her need for him. Slowly, she lowered herself onto him, feeling the delightful painful pinch of discomfort as he filled her.

"Fuck, Abigail," he moaned, his hands gripping her thighs as she seated herself firmly, taking all of him.

Easing herself up and down, she rode him, watching his face as he neck arched, pressing hard against the side of the tub. His hands guiding her frantic actions.

"You are so beautiful," he growled, thrusting his hips up.

Abby moaned as he stroked something deep inside her over and over again. Their rapid movements making the water in the tub slosh violently up and over the edge. The sounds, the smell of their lovemaking...all of it...was driving her towards the brink.

When he pressed his palm to her lower belly and rubbed her clit with the pad of his thumb, everything inside of her tightened and clenched causing spasms to radiate outward until Abby tumbled over the threshold. Leaning forward, he captured her cry of pleasure with his lips as she flew apart into a million cascading pieces. She could do nothing more but helplessly cling to him as her body jerked with every pulse of pleasure.

Tearing his mouth from hers, he groaned out a curse as he pounded his hips into hers, yanking her down to meet his thrusts before he finally stilled. The muscles in his neck bulging, his eyes slamming closed as he released deep inside her. His body shaking in her arms as the intensity of his orgasm ripped through him. The motion of his hips grinding against her sent her into a wave of aftershocks.

Abby wrapped her arms around his neck, his heavy breaths hitting her face matched her own.

"Jesus...you're going to kill me," he muttered, nuzzling into her neck.

Abby stilled, clutching Adam to her chest. Not if she could help it.

Hello everyone! Thank you so much for all your support and patience during the writing of this story. I wanted to inform you that I now have a FaceBook page where I will posting occasional sneak peeks, random thoughts and just allowing you to share a bit of my general mayhem.

So, if you wish, come on by and give it a like and we'll have some fun! You can find me at K. M. Halandras. Thanks again for all your support and as usual, if you liked this chapter...go ahead and give it a vote. I also love hearing from you in the comments.