her in, and she didn’t intend for him to leave her hanging now. “Would what?”
He drew in a deep breath. “Purge you from my system. Help me see that what I thought was real was nothing but a fluke. That there was no way I could have met a woman who would make me consider something more than a toss between the sheets at night and a don’t-call-me, I’ll-call-you in the morning.”
Randi tried controlling the beat of her heart. She knew the stipulations regarding her and Quasar about earning the other’s love. Was this their first step in achieving those goals? What if the time was right for them to meet but not for them to do anything else, like move forward? What if the latter was supposed to take place at another time, or in another place? For the first time, she regretted not being able to know his inner thoughts.
She swallowed. “I told you why I’m not seriously involved with anyone.”
He nodded. “Yes, and I told you I don’t have a hang-up about your psychic abilities, and what I thought of the men who did. And as far as your work interfering, I understand, because I’m in a similar predicament. My work can take my anywhere at any time.”
Quasar took a step closer. “Can you look into my eyes, Randi, and tell me that we don’t need to explore what’s happening between us further? That you don’t agree that today wasn’t enough time?”
She knew there was no way she could do that. “But what if things don’t work out?” Especially if our timing is wrong.
“Then we will know.”
Will we? she wondered. Rushing into things now would be a mistake if this wasn’t the right time for them. She knew they were sexually attracted to each other, but they also had to earn each other’s love. What if they got caught up in the sex and didn’t focus on the love?
“When are you returning to Richmond?”
His question made her blink. She was finding it difficult to concentrate around him. “Excuse me?”
“Home? When will you return home?”
“Tomorrow. In the afternoon. After I attend church with my family, I’ll be driving back.”
“Do you have a problem with me coming to Richmond to see you next weekend?”
Her entire body reacted at the thought that she would see him again, and so soon. “No, I don’t have a problem with it.”
He smiled. “I’ll call you later in the week to get your address.”
At that moment, a couple passed them. The man had the woman curled into his side with his arm draped over her shoulders. The love Randi felt flowing between the two almost melted her insides. Funny how she was able to pick up the emotions of strangers, but she got a mental block where Quasar was concerned.
“It’s late. I’d better go,” she said quietly.
“Alright.”
He took a step closer to her, and when he began lowering his head toward hers, instead of taking a step back, she moved nearer. Bracing both hands on the roof of her car, he pinned her, caging her in his delicious strength and heat.
THE MOMENT QUASAR slanted his mouth over Randi’s, she couldn’t hold back the moan. It was the kiss she’d been waiting for all day. A kiss that robbed her of her senses while it overwhelmed her. She closed her eyes, and whatever strength she had left drained from her body. It was a good thing his arms had moved from the roof of her car to her waist to support her. Otherwise, she would have sunk to her knees the moment his tongue entered her mouth and began mating with hers.
She’d wondered about his taste since that first night, and now, the way his tongue was thrusting in and out of her mouth, she knew how he tasted. He shifted, and his body pressed hard against her. She could feel him—aroused. His erection was poking her in the belly. She became consumed by the heat of him with every languorous stroke of his tongue. Desire began coiling deep inside her.
Randi wrapped her arms around his neck while thickened blood rushed through her veins. She knew for certain that she’d never been kissed like this before. Instinctively she eased up on tiptoes, determined to return the kiss with the same hunger. Her tongue became the aggressor as it battled for control, but he refused to give her any. Instead he was proving that when it came to kissing, he had the skill. The know-how. Definitely more experience, and he intended to make her understand that. She figured her whimpers were a sign she had no problem conceding.
The pressure of his mouth eased up somewhat as slow, deep strokes replaced the intense, hungry ones. But pleasure continued racking her body, and when he finally released her mouth, she slumped against him, feeling totally drained.
And he held her. Even leaned in and licked her bottom lip a few times while telling her how good she tasted. Quasar Patterson had practically devoured her mouth and she’d not only let him, but she’d tried devouring his, as well. Intoxicated by lust, she breathed in his scent, removing her arms from around his neck, knowing he was still holding her up.
She released a deep, satisfied sigh when he took a step back. She figured it was a good thing he’d done so. Otherwise they might have gone after each other’s mouths again.
“You can follow me back to my hotel if you like,” he invited in his sensual voice.
Randi shook her head. God knew she was tempted, but this was meant to be more than just sex between them. “Thanks for the offer, but I need to go.” Away from you and the way you make me feel.
“Okay.”
She heard the disappointment in his tone. “How far is your car from here? Do you need a ride to it?” she asked him.
“Naw. It’s just a few cars up from yours. Since it’s so late, if you give me a minute to get to it, I want to follow you to make sure you get home safely.”
Follow her? From the look in his eyes, she knew there was no need to tell him not to bother. Besides, the thought that he was concerned for her well-being moved him up a notch. “Alright, if you think you can keep up,” she teased.
“Hey, no speeding. The cops in DC don’t play.”
Randi couldn’t help laughing. “Don’t I know it.”
“Hmm, sounds like a person who’s gotten a ticket or two.”
“Or three,” she said, fishing the car fob from her purse.
Quasar grinned. “With this car, I can see how that’s possible.”
He stepped back to allow her the space to unlock her car door and slide inside before he shut the door for her. “Thanks,” she said, tugging the shoulder harness in place before buckling her seat belt.
“Anytime.”
Placing both hands on her steering wheel, she told herself not to look back up at him, just to turn the ignition, say goodbye and drive off. But she couldn’t. Nor could she stop herself from rolling her window down. “Thanks for a wonderful day, Quasar. I really enjoyed myself.”
He crouched down, bringing his face level with hers, just outside the window. Their mouths were in kissing range. “So did I. Drive carefully.”
“Okay.”
He leaned his head in the window and copped a quick kiss from her lips...just like she’d been hoping he would do. “And no speeding, Randi.”
She was tempted to stick her tongue out at him, but it was still tingling from the force of his kiss. Instead, in an authoritative voice meant to mimic his, she said, “And no speeding, Quasar.”
He threw his head back and laughed. She started the engine and saw him move away and sprint ahead. She couldn’t help but appreciate how agilely he moved in his jeans. When she saw him