Her heart swelled and she wished she could reach for him but she needed to keep herself braced. She held on as he moved inside her, a rhythm that was unique and all their own.

The emotions rising inside her defied description as his hips continued to shift and roll against the most intimate part of her until once again, the glorious waves began. She went with them, losing herself to her second orgasm of the night. This one seemed to go on and on and she squeezed her inner muscles around him, wanting to feel every inch of him inside her.

“Oh, yes,” he muttered, pumping his hips harder and faster. Then his body stiffened and he thrust one last time, coming along with her.

“I’VE LOST MY MIND,” Derek said. “My daughter or father could walk in here any minute.” His arms were still braced on either side of Gabrielle, his body no longer inside her. But close.

She frowned. “I thought you locked the door.”

“I did. We should still go on upstairs.” He held out a hand and she followed him to the bedroom.

“Last one in the shower is a rotten egg,” she said, darting around him into the bathroom he and his father had remodeled together.

He stepped into his bathroom to find Gabrielle already in the shower, adjusting the water temperature. “Join me?” she asked, crooking a seductive finger his way.

He figured it was a rhetorical question and stepped under the warm spray along with her.

“I don’t have my shower stuff unpacked yet. In fact, my clothes are still in your car. So let’s see what you use in the way of soap.” She turned to find his plain old bar of Lever 2000.

She wet the bar in her hands, soaping them up, and began to lather her body, beginning with her arms, working her way up to her chest. Her breasts, pale compared to the rest of her tanned skin, called out to him.

“Let me.” He took the soap and worked his own hands into a lather. “Turn around.”

Her eyes glittered with understanding as she pivoted around. Water sprayed against his back and steam flowed around them. Beginning with her feet, he worked his way upward. He knelt down and slid his hands over her toned calves, her knees, her thighs. He lingered at her luscious behind, cupping her cheeks in his hands and smoothing his palms over and around, letting his fingers dip into hidden crevices.

She wriggled and groaned, then braced her hands against the shower glass. His hands traveled lower, finding her most sensitive spot. He moved his fingers back and forth before easing one inside her.

“Derek,” she moaned, and clenched her inner walls tight around him.

His erection throbbed hard against her cheeks and her hips gyrated, the motion nearly taking him over the edge.

“I need you inside me,” she whimpered.

He clenched his teeth. “I don’t have protection.”

“I’m on the pill and I’m safe.” She wriggled her backside against his straining hard-on. “Please.”

He couldn’t resist her plea.

Couldn’t resist her.

He wrapped one arm around her waist and positioned himself at her entrance. He already knew she was slick and wet, hot and ready for him.

“Bend lower,” he whispered against her ear.

She bent over and he thrust inside.

She cried out his name and pushed her hips backward against him, their bodies grinding together. Nothing had ever felt so good or so right, but he couldn’t remain still long enough to savor it. The urgency building inside him was too great.

He pulled out, feeling every inch of her, and lunged back in, cocooning himself in her hot sheath. His movements were frenzied and fast and she met him thrust for thrust, accepting all of him, deeper and harder, inside her.

“Derek, please.” Her breath came in faster gasps as she cried out his name.

The sound wrapped around his heart. He wound his fingers in the back of her hair. Maybe it was the fact that he was really inside her, with no barrier separating their bodies. Maybe it was just the effect Gabrielle had on him. But he didn’t last long, riding out the orgasm and continuing until he’d taken her up and over, too.

His heart was still galloping inside his chest as he slipped out of her and turned her around, sealing his lips against hers for a long, intimate kiss.

Sated and wiped out, he helped her out of the shower and, wrapped in towels, they made their way to the bed, collapsing together in exhaustion.

GABRIELLE AWOKE TO THE SOUND of distant voices. It took her a moment to realize she was in Derek’s bed, in his loft, and the sounds from downstairs were Derek and his daughter. Memories of last night came back and she snuggled closer into his bed, inhaling his scent in the sheets.

He’d shared her bed last night and she’d slept with him cocooned around her. Never had she felt so warm, safe or wanted. But he’d set the alarm early and rose to shower and dress before Holly came. If his daughter asked, he’d slept in Holly’s bed last night.

Gabrielle had left her suitcase in the car and she realized she’d have to borrow one of Derek’s shirts and, hopefully, a pair of sweats so she could go downstairs and get her things. She stretched and rose from the bed, keeping the sheet over her exposed breasts when she caught sight of her suitcase on the floor near the bathroom.

She grinned, appreciating Derek’s foresight. After a quick shower, she headed downstairs to see what the day would bring.

“Gabrielle!” Holly exclaimed, obviously happy to see her. “Dad, Gabrielle’s up!”

“I can see that,” he said wryly. Derek faced her from across his kitchen, coffee mug in hand. “Sleep well?” he asked, somehow managing a straight face.

She nodded. “I haven’t had such a good night’s sleep in ages. I’m glad I have a few more nights here, at least. Nice, comfortable bed.”

“Can I get you some coffee?” Derek asked.

She nodded. “I’d love some.”

“In the meantime, make yourself at home and grab some breakfast.” He pulled a mug out of the cupboard.

Gabrielle looked in the refrigerator, the cabinets and pantry. Settling on a bowl of corn flakes and milk, she joined Holly at the table.

“So what are you up to today?” she asked the girl.

She shrugged. “I’m not really sure. I think this girl I met when I first got here gets home from vacation today. Maybe she’ll remember to call me.” Holly propped her chin in her hand.

She didn’t seem like the normally cheerful kid Gabrielle had come to know.

Derek joined them and Gabrielle shot him a questioning look.

“What’s wrong?” he asked his daughter.

“I just miss Mom,” she admitted. “Not that I’m not having fun with you.”

He rose and ruffled her hair before sitting down again. “I understand completely.”

After pouring her milk, Gabrielle began to eat her cereal, pausing to enjoy her coffee. Derek had already added milk and sugar to it for her, the way she liked it. She smiled. “Hey, I just had an idea,” she said to Holly.

The young girl raised her gaze. “What is it?”

“Well, I need to go grocery shopping for a few things. No offence, but I eat a little differently from the way you and your dad do,” Gabrielle said.

“What do you mean?” Holly brushed her tangled hair off her face and resettled herself more comfortably in her seat.

“I use skim milk instead of regular or soy, and have Special K instead of corn flakes for breakfast. That kind of stuff. If you and your dad want to hang out with me today, I thought maybe we could take that trip to Target first.”

Holly’s eyes regained their sparkle. “Can we, Dad? Please? I want to check out those clothes Gabrielle told me about.”

“And I thought maybe we could pick up a couple of DVDs later? I need you to tell me what’s out now and what’s good.” Gabrielle directed her comments to Holly. “If your dad has a DVD player?”

“I do,” Derek said.

“Awesome idea. Dad doesn’t have On Demand like we have at Mom’s and I’ve already missed some of my favorite shows and movies.” She put one foot on the floor and began her typical excited bouncing. “Can we do it, Dad? Huh?”

Gabrielle glanced down at her mug, trying not to meet Derek’s gaze. She didn’t know if he’d appreciate her suggestions without asking him first, but she couldn’t stand seeing Holly so sad.

“Sure thing,” Derek said. “Why don’t you go shower and get dressed?”

She pushed her chair out and grabbed her cereal bowl, placing it in the sink. “Back in a few.”

“Take your time! The stores don’t open for hours!” he called to her retreating back.

Gabrielle chuckled. “Actually Target opens at 8:00 a.m.”

He rolled his eyes and groaned. “Don’t tell her that. We’ll be finished by nine and have the entire day ahead of us to kill.”

“I’m sorry. I should have asked you before I suggested it to her. I don’t want you to have to do something-”

“Don’t be silly. It’s fine. You made her smile and I appreciate it. It’s been hard for her being away from her mother for so long.”

Gabrielle stared at the lone corn flake swirling in milk. “And you think she’s safe with me?” She wasn’t worried about her own safety. So far she’d been burglarized twice and been left harassing notes, but there had been no physical threats to her safety. Still…

“I’ll be with you at all times, so, yes, I think she’s safe with you. I worry about both of you,” he said, his voice filled with caring. “And as long as I’m around, nothing is going to happen to you.”

She smiled, and before she could answer, the phone rang.

He answered. “Hello?”

A few minutes later, he hung up, looking none too pleased.

“What’s wrong?”

He held up one finger and called out to his daughter. “Holly, did you get into the shower yet?”

“No!” she yelled back.

“Then don’t bother. Fred had a run-in with a mud puddle and Grandpa wants you to help give him a bath!”

Gabrielle shook her head and laughed. “That’s one way to kill time before shopping.”

To Derek’s surprise, Gabrielle insisted on helping with the dog’s bath. They all changed into shorts and old T-shirts and headed outside to meet up with Hank and Fred.

“I got the shampoo,” Holly said, running out from Derek’s house with her favorite bottle.

“He’s gonna smell like a female,” Hank complained, turning toward the house to retrieve a different one.

Holly perched her hands on her hips. “And what’s wrong with smelling like a lady?”

Derek chuckled. “Nothing…unless you’re a man.”

Gabrielle laughed. “Come on, let’s turn on the hose.” With Holly by her side, they walked to the back of the house.

He vividly remembered those long legs draped over his shoulders last night, and he’d woken up with them tangled around him this morning. His groin hardened, ready for another go with her.

“Easy,” he muttered as he turned away from the women who were returning, live hose in hand.

Derek grabbed Fred’s collar, holding him in place. Hank poured the shampoo over the stinky, mud-caked hound, and Holly scrubbed him down with both hands and the rest of her body until she was covered in soap bubbles. Gabrielle waited patiently with the hose.

Once Fred was soaped down, Hank stepped aside and went into the house for towels, or so he said. Derek had a hunch he was just avoiding the work.

“Let ’er rip,” Holly called out to Gabrielle.

She squeezed the hose and ran it over the dog, while Holly again rubbed him, trying to rinse him off. Besides Holly, Derek took the bulk of the dousing, since he was crouched nearest to Fred. By the time they were finished, everyone was soaked.

Everyone except Gabrielle.

She dropped the hose at her feet and wiped her hands on the towels Hank had left on the picnic table.

“Wait, I still see soap on Fred,” Derek said.

“I’ve got it,” Gabrielle offered.

He shook his head. “You’re dry. I can do it.” He picked up the hose before she could argue. “Holly, why don’t you dry Fred off?”

“I thought he had more soap on him?”

“No, I just said that because you and I look like drowned rats and Gabrielle is just a little too dry, don’t you think?” Hose in hand, he stepped toward her.

Her eyes opened wide as she realized his intent. “You wouldn’t.” She raised her hands in front of her, as if to ward him off.

He grinned. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“Daddy!” Holly shrieked, laughing at the same time. “That’s so mean!”

“Listen to your daughter, Derek.” Her hands still raised in submission, Gabrielle stepped back.

He stalked forward.

She edged back. “Derek,” she said in warning.

He really shouldn’t.

But she was so dry and…tempting. “How about I give you some warning? One, two…three.” He pressed the hose and directed the long stream of cold water her way.