Shaking with anger, I led Jessica away from her prick ex-boyfriend and down the street. As we walked, I threaded my big fingers through her delicate ones. We walked at a quick pace, still hand in hand. No matter my situation, I was determined to make her understand I was in her corner—that I cared about what happened to her and whether she was safe.

Scaring that parasite away had been a good start.

"Where are we going?" she asked, slightly breathless.

"I'm taking you to the bakery."

"But—"

"No buts. Please." I knew I sounded gruff, but seeing Jacob block her from getting up from her chair really burned me. Counting to ten, I did some breathing exercises as we walked. I rolled my shoulders back, willing my body to relax.

Jessica glanced at me. "Why did you say you've heard all about Jacob? I didn't tell you anything."

I unclenched my jaw. "Catalina told me about the breakup the other night at the party."

"Ah."

"Does he stalk you like that a lot?" I tried to tamp down my rage. Thank God I'd followed her after she all but ran off the beach. I'd watched from across the street as she walked into the café and had intended on talking to her when she came out—I'd wanted to apologize for talking about the war and being such a dick—but then she had looked so peaceful and happy sitting in that chair, I hadn't wanted to disturb her. I'd been about to return to the sculpture when I saw the guy approach.

At first, jealousy had flared, but when I saw her narrowed eyes and the sneer on her lips, I realized it was her ex. Then, hearing her strong, clear voice telling the guy she had someone new in her life had spurred me to action. That someone was obviously me, and I knew I needed to intervene and prevent that asshole from ever talking to Jessica again. It was the least she deserved.

"Not really. No. He's tried to win me back and talk to me since we broke up, but I want nothing to do with him. He cheated on me."

I muttered a harsh swear word under my breath. "If he bothers you again, we're going to the police."

She huffed out a little laugh. "I don't think he'll bother me anymore, not after he saw you kissing me like that."

Stopping abruptly and spinning her by the shoulders to face me, I grinned and stared at her. I gently cupped her face in his hands. "Then I might have to keep kissing you every chance I get."

I lowered my head and coaxed a kiss from her lips, tentative at first, then deep and urgent. Just what I needed.

I broke away, grinning. "I can keep that up for hours. Days even."

She opened her mouth and gasped, then grinned. She obviously liked the idea of me kissing her, and that sent a fresh rush of desire through my body. Leaning down, I gave her another kiss. With a little bit of tongue. Just enough to hear a low moan erupt from her throat.

"Let's get you that coffee." My voice sounded foreign and gravelly in my ears.

We resumed walking, passing a T-shirt shop, a bar, and an art gallery, then turned down a street next to a dolphin sculpture before arriving at the bakery. I let go of Jessica's hand to dig in my pocket for the keys, but she stayed close, her shoulder touching mine.

Once the door was unlocked, I let her to go inside first, then locked it behind us. Jessica stood in the middle of the room. She looked gorgeous there, curious and a little lost as she took in the recent renovations.

"It's coming along fast," she said, pausing at a booth and running her hand over the smooth surface of a heavy wooden table.

I stepped up behind her and put my hands on her arms. I lightly brushed her bare skin up to her shoulders, then down to her wrists. It was velvety, warm, edible. Waves of pure lust surged through my body, and I pressed forward against her.

She turned, her ass up against the table edge, and gazed at me. Her eyes darkened, becoming more intense. Not from surprise or fear, though. This was pure, molten need.

Jess put her arms around me and sighed pleasurably. The noise sent me over the edge. My hands traveled up the sides of her body, over her shoulders, and up her neck. Taking her face firmly in my hands, I leaned down to kiss her.

Taste her.

Claim her.

The kiss went on and on. I stopped to catch my breath and put my forehead to hers, closing my eyes. The feel of her arms around my neck, her body against mine, was almost too much to handle. She smelled like suntan lotion and fresh breeze. I'd never smelled anything so sweet.

"Beautiful," I groaned. "You're so beautiful, Jessica."

With a swift motion, I hoisted her a few inches so she was sitting on the table. She grasped my T-shirt and pulled me close, opening her legs to allow me closer before wrapping them firmly around my hips. We fit so damn well together.

She went to put her hands around my waist, but I grinned and grabbed her wrists, playfully guiding her arms so her palms laid flat on the table behind her. I held her wrists firmly as I kissed her, my fingers splayed over the tops of her hands, my darker skin contrasting with hers. Our tongues swirled and teased, and she arched her back so her tits brushed my chest. That nearness swept my mind free of all awful thoughts.

I released her wrists so I could cup her tits. They were a perfect fit for my hands, and she moaned low in her throat. Pausing, I looked down at her gorgeous body now under my command.

"Leo, I thought we were taking things slow," she whispered.

I lifted my head, my hands still cradling her. I pushed her breasts upwards so I could see their tops near the collar of her V-neck T-shirt. "Slow is difficult when we're together."

Jessica's eyes closed, and she smiled with pleasure. I released her, then arranged her hair behind her shoulders. Her face rested on my neck, and with each second that passed, she dissolved a little more into my body. We were both breathing as if we'd run a marathon.

"Do you want to take things slow?" I almost wanted her to say yes. It'd be safer. But then I spotted her nipples poking through her shirt.

Brain: off. Cock: hard.

"No," she said. "Well, yes."

Our eyes met. We both grinned.

"Confession time," she murmured, unwrapping her legs from my hips.

"Okay..."

"You're the only guy I've ever felt this kind of intense..." her voice trailed off.

"Need?"

She nodded. "Need. Want. Whatever you call it."

"I feel the same way about you," I whispered, and went in for another kiss.

"But..." she broke away, putting a finger to my lips, "I understand things are complicated. For you and for me. And I apologize if I've been bitchy. I wanted to tell you that."

My hands went into her hair, and I shifted so my mouth was next to her ear. "Don't apologize. You have nothing to apologize for. I'm sorry for a lot of things, Jessica. I'm the one who needs to prove I'm worthy of you. And I'm not doing a great job. I was a jerk back on the beach."

I leaned back and smoothed her hair away from her face. "I shouldn't have sounded like such an ass when you asked me if I had anyone I could call when I have nightmares."

A little scowl appeared on her forehead, and she paused. Then she seemed to steel herself to ask a question. "Why didn't you want to come into my apartment the other night? Is it because I'm bigger than when we were teenagers? Are you only interested when you're caught up in the moment?"

I reared back and frowned. Women could be so confusing. Here I was with a massive hard-on, ready to drop to my knees and beg for sex, and she was asking if I was attracted to her.

"What?" I said, incredulous.

"I'm bigger than when we first met. I mean, I know I was a tall girl and a little thick even then, but I've kind of filled out since. I didn't know if maybe..." She stopped talking, probably because I was staring at her, horrified.

"Hell no," I growled. "I can't even believe you'd say that, Jess. I love your body. Always have. Jesus." I looked at her thighs and her stomach and her breasts and inhaled deeply. Fuck, I wanted her. Now. Forever.

Then I took her hand and guided it to the front of my shorts. "Does this feel like someone who's not turned on?"

She stroked a few times, her palm pressed against my cock. When she stopped, I groaned as if I was in pain.

She lifted her legs and wrapped them around my hips again, guiding me close to her. "I'm sorry. I was doing okay about my body for a while, going to yoga with my friend Skylar. She was a big girl too, but she believed in just owning her size."

I twirled her hair around my index fingers. "She sounds like a good influence. Stick with her."

Jessica sighed. "She was good for me. But she left for Miami with her fiancé last year, and then everything happened with Mom and Jacob and I started feeling bad about myself again. Sorry. You know how women are. We're all self-conscious about our bodies. Even the skinny ones."

I shot her another skeptical look and let go of her hair. "I guess I haven't picked up on that. I mean, I've been busy fighting a war and all. Believe it or not, I haven't been around a ton of women." Not when the only one I could think about was her.

"I know it's stupid, talking about weight. But I'm sure every woman you've dated has complained about her body or size or face in some way. We're all the same."

I brushed my lips against hers, then looked into her eyes, which had darkened to emerald. Now was the time for my confession.

"I've only ever been with one woman. And she's right in front of me, wearing a Hello Kitty T-shirt with her legs wrapped around me. You know what size she is? Size sexy."

Jessica's mouth opened into a surprised half-smile. I grinned and landed a kiss on her nose.

"You've only slept with one woman? Me?"

I nodded, and a little shiver escaped me. She'd slipped her hands under my shirt and was touching his bare skin. Goosebumps spread everywhere across my chest.

"Why?"

I shrugged, not sure how much I should admit. "I went into the military right after graduation. I didn't have a chance to meet anyone. And I was kind of hung up on you for a long time."

Her mouth curved into a pretty smile, and she grazed her fingers over my pecs. I went in for a kiss, my mouth seeking hers. But she interrupted.

"I've only been with one guy. You."

"Really?" I pulled back. She was so gorgeous, and her kisses were so sensual, I'd assumed she'd slept with others. Didn't want to think about it, but had assumed. And what about her ex back at the coffee shop?

"I never slept with Jacob, thank God. We...well, it wasn't meant to be."

"I guess we never got over each other, did we?" I asked. I thought I heard something odd in her voice when she spoke about Jacob, but I didn't want to ask about the details. Just the image of them together made me want to punch something. And her hands traveled downward, making my thoughts fail. All I could think about was how I wanted her to keep going lower and lower.

"Nope. And after what happened with you and me, I...like, shied away from guys and sex for a long time. Went on some dates, but just couldn't. Not after us."

I rested my lips on her forehead, thinking. "That was so messed up, wasn't it? God, that week our parents found out...it was so awful."

"I know. I wish I hadn't panicked and told my mom I thought I was pregnant."

Her hands traced my stomach muscles, and I involuntarily twitched.

"Are you still ticklish?" she asked. She skimmed my skin lightly, and I laughed.

I didn't want to talk about anything bad right now. I kissed her again, hard, and the fire between us flared. I bit her lip until she moaned and scratched my back with her nails.

"So, let's just get this fully out of the way," I said as she fluttered kisses along my jaw toward my ear. "You're gorgeous. I love your size. I mean, I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm kind of a big guy myself."

"Mmm, I have noticed," she said, her fingers finding my nipple and pinching it gently, sending a jolt straight to my cock. "But you're muscular."

"Whatever. I prefer bigger women. I prefer you. Know what I want you to wear?"

"What?" she whispered, leaning into me so there was a sexy curve in her lower back.

"Anything that makes you happy. I like your curves and your juiciness." I reached around and squeezed her ass with both hands, growling as I did.

She laughed, then narrowed her eyes. "So, if you like my juiciness, why didn't you want to stay over the other night?"

"I did. But I told you, I want to go slow. But it's so damn difficult around you. I want..." I pushed out a breath. "I knew Jessica the girl. I want to know Jessica the woman. I want to know your dreams and your wishes. I want to figure out what makes you happy. I want—"

I'd been about to say, I want you because I love you, but I stopped myself. What was I doing? I couldn't have any of this. Not now, not ever.

"Okay. I get it," she said.

My hands were still on my thighs, and I ran them along her bare, silky legs. When I slipped my fingertips under the hem of her shorts, she squirmed, so I moved back to the safe territory of her knees. But by now, my cock—hell, my whole body—was throbbing with need.

"You're leaving eventually, aren't you?" She looked me squarely in the eye.

I nodded slowly as I remembered New Orleans. This wasn't the conversation I wanted to have while I was rock hard. A heaviness settled onto my shoulders. "Probably. But aren't you trying to sell the hotel? I heard you and your sister talk about an appraisal. Aren't we both leaving eventually?"

She shrugged. "Nicole wants to sell."

"Do you want that?"

"I'm not sure. I don't know what I want. On one hand, I love it here on Palmira. It's all I've ever known." She shrugged and tipped her head from side to side. "On the other, it's all I've ever known. I'd love to see more of the world."

"What do you want in your heart?"

She looked up. "I want my sister to stop trying to pretend my mother never existed."

Jessica's voice sounded choked with pain, I took her chin between my finger and thumb. "People grieve differently. Maybe this is your sister's way of honoring your mother by moving on and not being sentimental. That might sound odd to you, but maybe it makes sense to her."

Jessica thought a moment, then nodded. "Maybe. That's pretty wise, actually."

"I've had a lot of wise advice—or therapy. Whatever you want to call it. All thanks to the United States Marine Corps."

Jess wrapped herself around me again, and we hugged for a long time. If only I could stay like this forever, lost in her coconut-vanilla smell and her arms.

Pulling out of my embrace, she eased off the table to stand next to me. Breaking the silence, she said, "I've gotta leave now. Not because I'm running away from you, but because I promised my sister I'd meet her at the hotel and work the desk. I'm already late. I'll take a rain check on that coffee, though. And on everything else we talked about."

I grinned. "I'm definitely down for the 'everything else' at some point, sooner or later."

"Good. Because I am too."

Jess paused at the door, turning back with happiness shimmering in her eyes.

"Thank you," she said.

I tilted my head. "For what?"

"For saving me from Jacob. For being understanding. For being attracted to me for who I am."

"How could I not be attracted to you?"

A grin twisted her lips, and she walked back to plant another kiss on my lips. "See you later."

Her voice was a sexy whisper, and it sent even more desire crashing through me.

And a tinge of hopelessness.

hours later...

Why was there a dead Afghani man in my bathtub? No. No. No.

My heart hammered, and I ran.

Fear clawing through me, I booked down the stairs of my apartment and through the bakery, fumbling for the truck keys in my pocket. I needed to see if Jessica was okay, if there were any dead people in her hotel. That's all I wanted—to make sure she was okay.

Once safely inside my truck, I locked the doors and fired it up.

Music came on, full blast. It was a bluesy rock song by The Black Keys, and the fuzz of the guitar jarred me awake.

Fuck. It happened again. Only this time, I'd almost driven my truck through the sleepy streets of Palmira.

My chest was pounding like I was going to have a heart attack. Gasping, I killed the ignition and rested my head against the steering wheel as the nighttime island silence overtook me. Once again, my body was clammy with sweat.

I'd been exhausted and had taken a sleeping pill...

I lifted my head and looked at the empty street. Sleepwalking. Which had almost turned into sleep-driving. And Christ, I'd also had a nightmare. This combination of a fugue state and a terrifying dream was a new and entirely unwelcome development.

Fucking awesome. I scrubbed my face with my hands. What if I hadn't woken up? What if I'd killed someone while driving? Would I have ended up at Jessica's? The very thought made my gut twist. When was this going to end?

When would I get better?

Ever?

____