Hilarious! Oh my God, Oliver is going to have me peeing in the shower, and with my luck he’d roll around in it because right now nothing he could say or do would shock me. When he looks up at me, I raise an eyebrow because I wonder when he’s going to realize that the showerhead pressed against the crotch of my thick fabric shorts does nothing for me.

The locked door in the hall is high on my curiosity list, but before this truth serum wears off there’s one more thing for which I need an honest answer. I massage my fingernails along his scalp as he looks up at me.

“What did you really think of my back when I first showed you?”

He looks into my eyes and smiles. “I thought you were a gift, an apology from God.”

I stand corrected. He just shocked me.

I’m not sure what it is, but I know he just revealed a huge piece of his past to me. However, his puzzle is still too jumbled to figure out what any of it really means.

“I’m soaked.” I spray him in the face. “Let’s get out.” Shutting off the water, I wring out my hair then grab a towel.

“You’re such a cock tease today.” He shakes his head while struggling to his feet.

I shove the towel into his chest then grab one for myself. He doesn’t dry off. Instead, he wraps the towel around his head. I can honestly say I have never seen a guy do that. The water glistens against his skin and I feel my nipples strain against my lace bra and wet T-shirt. What do I find attractive in a guy? Oliver. His name is now synonymous with handsome, thoughtful, funny, and scorchingly sexy. He is the official litmus test for all other men.

He sways a bit then takes a few unsure steps past me. I check out his firm, bare ass and can’t help myself.

Smack!

He freezes, not even turning to look at me. “You. Did. Not. Just. Spank. Me.”

I open my mouth then close it. My face scrunches into a nervous grimace. “I … I didn’t spank you. I … just patted you on the butt.”

“You spanked me.”

“It was a playful … smack.”

“It was a spank.”

“A spank is bending someone over your knee and hitting their butt. This was a … I don’t know, sort of a … high five to your ass, like athletes do to each other.”

He turns and I see the devil in his eyes—wicked. As he steps closer, I look left then right to assess my situation and plan my escape route. I notice he’s still swaying a bit. His inebriated state should give me a slight advantage.

I fake right then go left into the bedroom toward the door. He rams into the wall at first then lunges for me as I round the corner.

Crash!

“Goddammit!”

I turn. “Oli! Oh shit, oh no …” He’s on the floor and there’s blood running down his face. “What happened?” I take the towel that’s fallen off his head and hold it to the gash next to his eye.

“I tripped and hit the fucking corner of the dresser!”

“It looks bad, I think you’re going to need stitches.”

“No shit!”

I don’t appreciate his attitude, but given the circumstances I let it slide.

“Uh … hold this to your head while I get you some clothes.” I run into his closet and grab the first things I see. Dressing drunk Oliver with my shaky hands, his lack of coordination, and blood freely flowing from his head proves to be a challenge.

I help him down the stairs. “I’m so very sorry, Oli.”

“Grab my keys.”

I help him out the door and down the stairs. He plods to the driver’s side.

“Oliver, you’re not driving.”

“Well, neither are you.”

I open the passenger door and dangle his key. “Yes, I am. Now get in!”

He collapses in the seat showing more coordination than I expected. The alcohol must be wearing off. I slip in the driver’s seat and fasten in.

“Ahh … you’re wet! My leather seats!”

I glare at him. “Really, Oli? You’re drunk with blood still running down your face, but you’re worried about your leather seats?” I pull out onto the street and he grips the arm rest with his free hand.

It’s possible I’ve been told that I drive like a maniac.

“Slow down!”

“Pipe down.”

“I’m serious.”

I speed up taking the corner much faster than I should.

“Jesus! Slow down!”

“Chill out, Oli. I got an A in Driver’s Ed.”

* * *

Oliver

Vivian is dangerous to my health. She should come with a huge warning label and a list of side effects. I thought all three of us were going to perish on the way to the hospital—her, me, and my car. Indie drivers look like Driving Miss Daisy compared to Vivian.

My drunken brain has tapered off to a light buzz, just enough to still feel a little punchy.

“I think eight stitches should do it.” The ER doctor finishes sewing my head back together. “How did this happen?”

“She spanked me while I was naked and then I fell into the corner of the dresser.”

The doctor smiles. He’s clearly amused by my comment. Vivian … not so much.

“Oh my God! I …” Her eyes bug out and her jaw plummets to the floor. “He’s kidding … that’s not what happened.”

As the saying goes, if looks could kill … yep, I’d be dead.

The doctor turns and grins at Vivian. “Is it raining out?”

She looks down at her wet clothes and grabs a few strands of her wet hair. “Um … no …”

“She couldn’t even wait to take her clothes off before jumping in the shower with me.”

Another fatal glare. “I’ll be in the waiting room!” She huffs.

“You’re not the son I imagined seeing in the ER.” My dad enters the room.

“Hey, how’d you know I was here?”

He steps closer and looks at my cut, shaking his head. “I’m listed as your emergency contact, and while this isn’t an emergency they made a professional courtesy call to me anyway. How’d this happen?”

The ER doctor grins. I’m sure he’s waiting to see if I give the same explanation to my dad.

“Too much to drink with Chance tonight. I face-planted into the corner of my dresser.”

“Don’t you think you’re too old to be spending your Monday nights at a bar?”

“Probably. What can I say … it’s been a rough day. You off?”

“Just got out of surgery, so yes, I’m heading home. Do you need a ride?”

“I have my car.” I ease off the table.

“You’re in no condition to be driving.”

I point toward the waiting room. “Vivian’s here.”

“Oh, come on. I’ll say hi before I leave.”

I follow him out realizing the upper hand I had ten minutes earlier is slipping fast.

“Vivian!”

She stands with a mix of a smile and grimace on her face. “Mr. Konrad.”

“Please, call me Hugh.” He hugs her which is very uncharacteristic for him. I get the feeling that if there were teams tonight he would be on Team Vivian.

He pulls back looking her over. “Is it raining out?”

She rolls her eyes then looks at me with her jaw clenched. “No, this is a side effect of taking care of your drunk son.” Her lips curl into a see-how-it-feels-to-be-thrown-under-the-bus smile.

My dad turns, giving me a wide-eyed look. I shrug.

“Well, thanks for taking care of him. Make sure he treats you right.”

It’s my turn to roll my eyes. If he only knew what this woman has put me through today.

Vivian smiles. “Oh, I will.”

Dad pats me on the shoulder. “Looks like you’re in good hands.”

He wouldn’t say that if she drove him home.

“Mmm, yes. See ya, Dad.”

Vivian dangles my key again. “Shall we?”

* * *

We make it back in record time, the screech of the tires and the whispering of my desperate prayers the only sounds breaking the silence.

She tosses my keys on the counter. “Um … so, is there anything else you need before I go home?”

I chuckle and stare at her, loving the way she squirms when I look at her. She’s fidgety, unsure of where to look and what to do with her hands.

“As a matter of fact, there is one more thing I need.” I move closer, backing her up against the wall.

She risks a quick glance up and swallows. “What’s that?” she squeaks.

I peel her damp top off and my dick goes from hard to concrete when I see her firm nipples pressed into red lace. Her shorts go next. I love seeing her chest rise and fall like a strong tide as full red lips part and soft eyes gaze at me on my knees. Pressing my nose to her matching lace panties, I inhale her scent and smile when I hear her breath catch.

I don’t recognize myself with her. Thoughts and desires that I used to suppress have been unleashed and can no longer be ignored. Gripping her thighs, I clench the waist of her panties with my teeth and drag them down her legs.

Her hands fist my hair. “Oli … your head—”

“Is fine.”

I devour her. She is the antidote for the poison that is my past. Spreading her open, I take everything until all that’s holding her up is the wall and my hands on her legs. She yells my name over and over, desperate words fade to soft whimpers in my ears as her sweet taste infiltrates my mouth.

Then I remove my clothes, turn her around, hands pressed to the wall … and I take more.

* * *

Here I am, once again. The sun peeks over the horizon and despite the humiliation, the hot coffee that threatened to singe my nuts, my excessive intoxication, a gouge to my head, and a near-death ride to the hospital … I’m alive. My head, however, wishes that weren’t the case. There’s nothing quite like blunt trauma to the head to make a hangover feel like a jackhammer on my brain.

“Hey,” a sleepy whisper sounds behind me. Vivian squints her eyes behind her matted hair that seems to be at war with itself.

Wearing only my T-shirt, she lifts her slender leg and straddles mine stretched out on the lounge chair. Her lips brush against the colorful border of my eye and stitched skin. “I’m sorry.”

“You have a tattoo, and I’m Scarface. We’re a real badass couple.”

She smiles so bright, it feels like she’s saying, “Take that, sun.”

“You’re up early.” I rub my nose against hers.

“I was lonely in bed.”

I chuckle then grimace as it intensifies the throb in my brain. “I doubt that. You have a habit of stealing the covers and crowding me out of my own bed.”

She kisses my forehead and rubs gentle circles along my temples. “I think you’re exaggerating.”

I slide my hands up her thighs. “I’m really not, but it’s okay. I like seeing your naked body sprawled out on my bed, even if my view is from the floor.”

She shakes her head. “I’m going home. I need a shower and dry clothes.”

Another grimace as I attempt to smile.

“Have you taken something for the pain?”

“I took you against the wall last night and then two more times in bed.”

“Sex? Really? That’s your analgesic?”

I skim my hands over her stomach to her bare breasts. “Yes, and my last dose is wearing off.”

“I have to get ready for work.” She grinds against me, proving her body doesn’t agree with her words.

“I’ll be quick.” I slide my thumb down between her legs and circle over her sensitive, wet skin.

“But people can see us.” She closes her eyes and I know she’s throwing out random excuses that won’t change what’s happening.

“Didn’t stop you yesterday.”

She’s gone. Her lips collide with mine as she rocks her hips into me. “Mm-my phone.” She pulls away and climbs off me.

I reach for her, but she’s too fast.

I sigh. “Have you heard of voice mail? What are you, on call or something?”

“Nobody calls me this early in the morning unless it’s an emergency.”

Apparently a swollen penis doesn’t qualify as an emergency in her category.

“I have to go.” She gives me a quick kiss on the cheek.

“Whoa, wait! Where are you going?”

“Kai needs me.”

I fight through the beating drum in my head to stand up and follow her. “Kai, as in your ex-boyfriend?”

“As in my best friend.” She grabs her wadded up damp clothes off the floor next to the wall.

“Is he hurt or in trouble?”

“Sort of hurt.”

“I don’t follow.”

She opens the front door. “Kate, his girlfriend, left him.”

I laugh. “You can’t be serious. That’s the emergency?”

“Don’t be so insensitive. I’ll see you after work.”