“Hands down.” His order held bite and her hands slapped the glass.

Then he tugged her breasts just enough to show he was serious. “I said, spread your legs.”

Like prey in a trap, she stilled. He’d let her leave if she wanted—heck, he’d drive her home. The next moment was hers to control. If she stayed, she’d give up control to the force of nature that was Jake Lodge. His sensual gaze promised dark pleasure, but at what cost?

Need trembled through her. The man could quench the fire he’d already stoked in her. Her body leaped to life with want for his sexy promise, while her brain bellowed caution.

Screw her brain.

She panted, lifting her breasts even as he kept his hold. Licking her lips, she hesitantly, sensually, widened her knees.

He blinked. Slowly.

Her skirt rose up her thighs. Her ankles dangled on either side of his chair. Lowering her chin, she met his gaze with as much challenge as she could throw from her eyes. He wanted control? The man had better fucking earn it.

He shot to his feet. Fast. The man was fast. Keeping her gaze, he leaned over her and shoved plates off the table. They crashed to the wooden deck, shattering. Surprised, she dropped back on her elbows and gasped.

Heat cascaded off him and onto her bare skin. Sliding his palms along her arms, he removed her shirt and bra.

She trembled.

He leaned closer, trapping her. Crimson spiraled across his high cheekbones, enhancing the dangerous hollows in his chiseled face. His calloused hands manacled her thighs.

She jerked. Desire uncoiled inside her abdomen with the force of nature. Thunder rolled in the distance, in tandem with the slamming of her heart.

Pinning her with a look, he ran his abrasive palms up the flesh of her thighs. His hips kept her open, his gaze kept her captive.

She bit back a whimper.

Pure instinct tilted her pelvis toward him.

“Hold still, Sunshine,” he commanded softly.

Her breath hitched. Hold still? No way. She shook her head.

“Yes.” He ran a thumb along the outside of her panties.

Nerves fired to life. Her body trembled with the urge to move. “Please—”

“No.” He leaned over her and kissed from her collarbone to her jugular. “The begging comes later,” he whispered in her ear.

His heated breath shivered along every nerve she owned. “W-who do you think will be begging?” she forced out.

He moved her panties and plunged one strong finger inside her.

She cried out, sparks flashing behind her eyes. Oh God. Her orgasm was so fucking close. Needing to move against him, she nearly growled in frustration as he held her still.

His finger rotated. “I believe you’ll be begging.” Low, guttural, his voice rasped with hunger.

A strangled moan slipped from her mouth.

“Now that’s a pretty sound.” He released her to tug off her panties and skirt, leaving her completely nude. Lust glimmered in his eyes as he looked his fill in the waning light. “You’re stunning.”

For the first time in her life, she felt stunning. Beautiful and somehow…safe.

His hand curled around her nape, gripping just hard enough to show his strength. Then he slid his rough palm down between her breasts, over her tightening abdominal muscles, to stop at her mound, his heated gaze following his touch.

She started to shake with a need that bordered on painful.

The lingering daylight faded, leaving his face shrouded in darkness. The moon lit him from behind, a strong, dangerous figure who held her captive in his spell. He was as wild as the land that had created him.

So much for safety.

He dropped back to his chair, his hand sliding under her butt.

Panic seized her. She struggled to sit up, even with her legs dangling over the table. “No—”

His thumb pressed on her clit just as his mouth found her.

She arched her back with a garbled cry. Mini-explosions rippled through her—not enough. Not even close to enough.

He licked her again. “Lay back down.”

It was too much. “No—”

His hard hand slapped her clit.

The world sheeted white and went silent. She dropped on her back, lost in the erotic sensations he’d created.

His mouth found her again. A low hum against her vibrated through her entire body. Oh God. She teetered on an edge, a fine, dangerous edge. More than anything in the world, she wanted to go over.

But that pinnacle lay within Jake’s control. At the thought, her need spiraled even higher.

His finger entered her. Easily. Another finger—stretching her. Pain and pleasure spasmed through her. Then his rough tongue flicked and caressed her clit. Circling. Tempting and teasing. Her muscles tightened, her abdomen rolled.

He sucked.

The universe detonated. She arched her back, screaming his name. Explosions of electrical fire roared through her, sparking every nerve, shaking every muscle. Hot pleasure rippled through her and crested into waves.

He worked her, prolonging the orgasm until she really did want to beg.

Finally, the waves settled. Her body relaxed on the table, her muscles turned to mush.

Wetness slid along her face. Her eyes fluttered open. Was she crying? No. Then she frowned. “When did it start raining?”

He chuckled, finally releasing her to stand. “Just a moment ago.” Drawing her toward him, he lifted her. Firm lips brushed hers as she clasped her ankles behind his back.

Aftershocks of pleasure rippled through her sex. More. She needed more.

He lifted his head, his grin pure sin. “Hold on, Sunshine.”

She nodded before lowering her mouth to his neck. He tasted of salt and man—earthy and sensual. The corded muscle along his neck and jaw tempted her to nibble and nip, uncaring of their movements.

Or where he was taking her.

The scrape of a door failed to stop her exploration until the world shifted and she found herself on her back, spread out on a comfortable bedspread.

Rain glistened in Jake’s darkened hair, while hunger flared in his eyes. He stood by the bed and ripped his shirt over his head.

Such raw strength hitched her breath.

She couldn’t match him. Hell, a tornado couldn’t match him. “Um—”

“I’ll keep you safe.”

He slowly drew his belt free of his pant loops, the leather whipping through with a whisper that caressed down her body. After unsnapping his jeans, he kicked free of his clothing.

She swallowed. His cock was solid and huge. He reached into a side table for protection and rolled on a condom. Settling on his knees on the bed, he lowered himself so they were flesh to flesh.

She moaned in pleasure at his heavy weight, her nipples scraping against his hard chest.

Finally, she could explore him. Hard ridges of muscle filled her palms when she ran them across his chest. He vibrated, barely civilized, barely contained.

Then, his muscles bunching, his forehead sweating, he slowly, purposefully entered her inch by swollen inch.

“Jake, hurry up,” Sophie groaned, digging her fingers into his shoulders.

“Patience.” He dropped his forehead to hers. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You won’t.” Her words emerged garbled and breathy.

He chuckled against her lips and then kissed her deep and sure. With a hard push, he embedded himself fully in her. God, he was big. Almost too much. “Are you all right?”

Concern from the strong, controlled man above her shot emotion straight to her heart. Right where she didn’t want it to go. “If you don’t move, I really am going to hurt you,” she hissed.

His dimple dared her to try it. She nipped his bottom lip. His eyes darkened to liquid midnight. One hand held her hip in place. The other tangled in her hair. “And you were being so good. Now you don’t get to move.” His hand slid around and clasped her butt.

“Not a chance.” She tried to move against him.

He kept her in place.

Fire rushed down her torso.

His weight pinned her, the hand in her curls tethered her, and the hand at her butt kept her still. He was in complete control. He waited, his gaze determined, his focus absolutely on her.

At least a minute passed.

Finally, she relaxed beneath him. Obeyed his silent demand to submit. She could trust him—and she did.

He moved her against him. Then moved faster. Then started to pound. As he took over her body, he breached her last emotional shield. Heat coiled inside her, rolling outward, powerful waves lighting her nerves. She exploded. Tears filled her eyes as the intense ripples devastated her.

He thrust harder, prolonging her orgasm, filling the world with Jake Lodge. Finally, with a low growl of her name against her skin, he leaped into pleasure with her.

Exhaustion shuttered her eyes closed before he’d removed the condom and tucked her close. He smoothed a kiss against her damp forehead. “Go to sleep, sweetheart.”

With a sigh, she turned boneless. Warm and safe, she stretched into oblivion.

The dream started on Jake’s deck with the moon high in the sky. Sophie stumbled across the smooth wood, her gaze on the shattered dinner plates. “Um…”

Bob leaped onto the deck from the backyard. “Howdy!”

Sophie shrieked and dropped into a fighting stance. Okay, it was more of a yoga stance, but still. She could kick him if needed. “You scared me.”

“Oops. Sorry.” He kicked an uneaten dinner roll out of the way with his shiny golf shoe. “Looks like a big fight.”

Sophie’s face heated. “I think it was just an accident.” She straightened and studied the spirit guide, if that’s what he was. Tonight he’d donned an argyle sweater, striped knickers, golf shoes, and a captain’s hat. “Are you going to a costume party?”

He frowned, glancing at his outfit. “No. For some reason, I thought we’d get to golf together.” Sighing, he climbed up and sat on the deck railing. “So, you and Jake do it yet?”

Sophie dropped into a chair. Heat slammed into her gut. “Excuse me?”

Bob waved. “Just asking.”

Her spirit guide was a pervert. “That’s none of your business.”

He tugged his captain’s hat lower. “Oh. Sorry.”

She nodded. “That’s okay.”

His gray eyebrows slashed down. “It most certainly is not okay. Don’t be a doormat.”

She jumped to her feet. “I’m not a doormat.”

“I know. But you’re kinda acting like one.” He reached in his pocket and drew out a piece of jerky. Delight lifted his lips as he shoved the end in his mouth.

“Why do you say that?” Had he been watching? “Did you, I mean, did you see…”

“No.” Bob wrinkled his nose. “I didn’t see anything. If you’re playing weird sex games, I didn’t see anything.”

On all that was holy. “We’re not.”

“Okay. Don’t really care.” Bob choked on the jerky. With a growl, he threw the remains out to the lawn. “I meant that you agreed to design the garden for a group that didn’t agree to support you. Why would you do that?”

She frowned. “To be honest, I want to design a garden. And they don’t have to agree with me—we have different perspectives.”

Bob nodded. “I see. So what’s the problem?”

“I have another job. One that matters—especially since my uncle needs me.” She sighed.

“Don’t take this the wrong way.” He reached down and tugged up his mismatched sock. “You’re not much of a risk taker. With your odd past, I don’t blame you. But life is about risks.”

“I take risks.”

“Whatever.” Bob grinned. “Why else did you agree to design the garden? Come on. Dig deep here.”

Dig deep? Fine. “I like it here. I like being part of everything. It’s nice to, ah, belong.”

“Exactly.” Bob grinned, flashing sparkling white teeth. “Just remember that in the weeks to come.” He disappeared.

Weird. Her spirit guide was seriously weird. And maybe a perv.

Sophie awoke to a large hand idly caressing her hair on the pillow. Her back was pressed against his broad chest, and warmth flowed around her, through her. She slowly stretched sore muscles that hadn’t been used in much too long. And never like that. Jake had awoken her three other times during the wonderfully long night, and it was well worth it each time.

“Good morning.” His voice rumbled with sleep.

“Morning.” She snuggled into his warmth and stilled as parts of him hardened instantly. “What are you, a machine?”