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Thrill surged in his veins. As if they’d talked all night, had too much to drink, and ended with a ravenous kiss at the door. His pulse fired. All systems go.

He leaned in and kissed her for a breath longer.

Before he could retreat, she locked her hands around the back of his neck. Traced her fingertips around his ear, and held him close.

She kissed him again, lips soft and beyond tempting, with bold confidence.

He shifted the kiss and focused on her bottom lip, the corner of her mouth, breath measured with hers as he slowed down. “Let’s decide tomorrow.”

He kicked shut the fridge door behind him.

He pulled away to set down the beers.

When he turned back, she was grinning wickedly and laughed out loud. “So tonight we’re neighbors who had sex once, and tomorrow we’ll reassess?”

He embedded his hand in her hair and pulled her close, pressing his mouth to hers.

With him, her lips parted.

Sweeping, he plunged his tongue inside and stroked hers in a heady, sweltering kiss that sent lust coating his skin, blazing hot, coiling low in his belly. “Who said one night means only once?”

He scooped her up. Hooked her legs around his waist.

She cradled his jaw in her palms and kissed him hard, fast, drinking him up. “I really like you.”

Bracing her backside, he splayed his palm over her low back and carried her out of the kitchen.

Crushing the moment flat, his phone rang.

Breathless, she kissed him again and again as he shifted directions and carried her as he walked them back into the kitchen to check his phone. Between kisses, she asked, “Are you on call?”

“Always.” More breathless than she was, and he didn’t need as much oxygen.

Palming her low back while she trailed kisses over his neck, he checked his phone behind her.

She kissed along his jaw, fire surging from every point of contact.

His mood lurched when he saw the caller. Lexi. What the hell? She had to know he was busy; she’d set this up.

He lowered Eryn to the floor and blocked the phone so she couldn’t see who was calling. “Yeah?” he answered as he walked across the room.

She watched him walk away, head tipped curiously, patiently.

Lexi whispered, “Is Eryn with you?”

“Yup.”

“I’m so sorry to interrupt, but I need… your expertise,” she squealed in a quiet, muffled whisper, the echoing sounds of a bathroom fan and a toilet flushing in the background.

“Hang on.” He covered the mic and said to Eryn, “This might be a minute.” He held the phone to his ear and stalked into his bedroom. “All clear. What’s up?”

“I’m sorry to interrupt. I hope to hell you guys were having fun, but I need your help.” Lexi’s tone was strained, her voice wavering.

“We usually call you for help, and we don’t give out our numbers.”

“It’s an emergency.” Shriller by the second, she sounded terrified.

“Date’s going that bad, huh?” he teased, using subtle humor to calm her enough to tell him straight what was going on.