Everett grabbed her chin, his face a storm of anger. She had an uncanny knack for getting under his skin with just a few words.


    Selena smiled, a hint of mischief in her eyes, as she held his face and kissed him softly. Her lips brushed over his brow, his lips, his chin, and his throat, each kiss making Everett''s anger melt away, reced by a simmering heat.


    "You little tease," he gasped, his breath ragged.


    Everett pushed her back onto the bed, yanking off his belt and letting it fall to the floor with a tter. He leaned in, his desire almost tangible.


    Yet, her small hand was there again on his chest. "Everett, it''ste. Take me home."


    Everett felt his patience stretch to the limit. "Selena, do you really think I''m gonna be thrilled about driving you home right now?"


    He sped her hand, letting her feel the urgency and longing coursing through him.


    Selena remained cool as a cucumber. "If you don''t, I might just find myself in someone else''s bed tomorrow."


    Her voice was sultry, with a hint of yfulness that drew him in like a moth to a me. But every word she spoke made Everett''s frustration re.


    His eyes burned as he captured her lips in a fierce kiss, breaking it off with a groan, gripping her hand tightly.


    Eventually, he rolled away, lying on his back, his frustration all too evident. "Selena, you''re gonna drive me crazy."


    Leaving him in suspense like this. What man could handle it?


    The flush on Selena''s cheeks faded a bit as she draped herself across his bare chest, her fingers tracingzy circles. "If I''m not your endgame, why should I care if you''re out ofmission?"


    Honestly, it would serve him right, she thought with a smirk.


    Everett was left speechless, his anger simmering. "They weren''t kidding when they said hell hath no fury like a woman."


    Selena wasn''t fazed. She sat up gracefully, smoothing her tousled hair, still damp from their earlier tussle. With an elegant twist, she gathered it up.


    From Everett''s vantage point, he admired the graceful curve of her neck, the elegant line of her shoulder des, and her skin, so fair it almost shone.


    Her body was marked with the evidence of his passion, red marks from where he''d kissed, bitten, or held her.


    His throat worked as desire surged within him again. He sat up, wrapping his arms around Selena''s slender frame from behind, kissing the back of her neck, his voice a low rumble. "Selena, stay with me tonight, would you?"


    Selena was unfazed. She slipped out of his embrace, got dressed with a


    nonchnt air, not minding his gaze on her.


    Then, she looked down at him with a teasing smile. "If you won''t take me home, I''ll just go myself."


    With that, Selena turned on her heel, ready to leave.


    Everett watched her graceful silhouette, frustration gnawing at him over her seeming indifference. Yet, despite himself, he quickly got dressed and followed her out.


    An hourter, they pulled into the parking lot at Crescent Bay.


    Before stepping out, Selena leaned over and nted a quick kiss on his cheek—a small reward, perhaps.


    After all, a little reward now and then kept himing back for more.


    Sure enough, Everett''s previously annoyed expression softened, a hint of a smile ying at his lips. "Dinner tomorrow?"


    Selena shook her head. "Tomorrow, I''m spending the day with my son, Mateo."


    Everett sighed, not pleased, but he wasn''t about topete with her son. "How about the day after?"


    He was starting to get it. Women could be unpredictable.


    If he wanted her willingly in his life,


    he''d have to put in the effort. ying


    theve suitor wasn''t the worst


    thing if it kept her from looking elsewhere.