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The last thing I wanted was for him to think I was stalking him.

Hell, I was stalking him.

Tearing my eyes from him, pulse racing, I rose at once and headed for the side exit, escaping as fast as I could.

Damp night air hit my skin as I hurried across the wet asphalt of the spring lot to my Audi.

I beeped the locks and was reaching for the handle when a timbred rumble sounded behind me.

‘Where’re you running to so quickly, De Stella?’

I froze.

My heart lurched, my fingers glued to the lever as he took another step toward me.

‘Woman, what you after? Not done with fucking me up?’

I turned slowly.

He stood close, his broad frame blocking out the streetlight, muscles, arms crossed over his chest.

‘Whatever you gotta hand me, do it,’ he grizzled. ‘You got two seconds to spit it out, or get in your car.’

I stared into the dark outline of his face, unable to form words.

‘Right. Nothing’s changed,’ he spat, dipping his face closer to mine. ‘So get gone.’

I froze, glued to the spot.

With a growl of annoyance, Deacon stepped forward, caging me in with both arms planted against the SUV on either side of my head.

He leaned down, running his nose down my temple and cheek.

I trembled as his breath heated my skin as he taunted me.

‘What are you really after, Ana? This?’

He lowered his lips to mine, a harsh, possessive surge of heat.

I grabbed his shoulders, pulling him down to me, pouring every ounce of longing into the kiss.

He gripped my hips to shove me back, but I held on tighter, pushing my tongue past his lips.

He growled into my mouth, his fingers snatching the key fob from my hand and clicking the locks open.

He tugged the rear door ajar, shoved me into the back seat, and slid in after me.

He slammed the door shut and hauled me back into his embrace as his lips overwhelmed mine again.

We scrabbled at each other, grunting, moaning, going at one another with more heat and savage desire than ever before.

I went for his waistline, undoing his belt, while he was pushing up my tee and tugging at my bra, his mouth feasting on my nipples.

He pulled back for a moment to slip off his jacket and shirt.

My eyes flicked over his magnificence, his ripped chest, his flexing abs, his inked arms, his chiseled face, his jewelry, his freakin’ beauty.

I’d never get enough of him.