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  She followed him to the floor. She loved dancing. When he turned, she stepped into his arms, relishing the feeling of his hands as they touched the small of her back and pulled her close. Zoey rested her head against his chest, sniffing his shirt. He smelled of soap from his recent shower, and wine. The combination was surprisingly attractive. His heart beat slow and steady beneath her ear, the gentle rhythm luring her even further down the path to complete and utter bliss.

  Zoey closed her eyes and recalled the first time they’d danced together. They’d been juniors in high school and Zoey had convinced him they should attend the Homecoming dance at school. They’d agreed to go with a big group of friends since neither of them had dates. Before they arrived at the school gym, Zoey pulled Robbie aside and made him promise he would slow dance with her if no one else asked because she didn’t want to look like a loser standing alone. As always, Robbie had made the vow.

  Nineteen years earlier

  The air in the gym was stifling. Obviously the school was trying to save money by not cranking up the air. Unfortunately they hadn’t anticipated just how much heat five hundred dancing teenagers could produce. Zoey swiped at the tiny line of sweat running down her face. At least she was in a lightweight dress. She felt sorry for the boys in long sleeve shirts and dress pants. Most of them—Robbie included—had shed their jackets and ties within moments of arriving. Even so, Robbie’s hair was matted to his head from all the crazy dancing their group was doing.

  Zoey laughed when a couple of the guys tried to do the moonwalk as Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” blared from the deejay’s huge speakers. The gym was fairly dark despite the strands of white Christmas lights Mrs. Duvall had draped along the bleachers.

  It had been a fun night so far and Zoey was glad she’d talked Robbie into coming. He’d been pretty quiet lately at school. She knew something was bothering him, but no matter how much she tried to coax the answer out of him, he wouldn’t talk about it. She smiled as she watched him dance and play air guitar, laughing with his friends.

  “You want to get some water?” Robbie yelled over the music.

  She nodded and together they walked to the refreshment table.

  “Damn it’s hot.” Robbie rubbed the icy plastic bottle over his forehead.

  “You would think they’d turn on the AC or bring in some fans or something.”

  “Yeah. At least the deejay is good. He’s doing an awesome mix of new and old stuff. Did I tell you my band is learning some Aerosmith songs?”

  Robbie had started a band last winter, his love of music overshadowing almost everything else in his life. She’d actually been jealous for a while because the hours he used to spend with her were now given to practicing with the guys in his garage. With time, she’d adjusted, finding other ways to occupy her time, other friends to hang out with. It wasn’t that she and Robbie weren’t still the best of friends. It was just they’d begun to pursue other interests away from each other.

  “Please tell me one of the songs you’re learning is ‘Dream On’.”

  Robbie laughed. “We’ve almost perfected that one. Come by the garage tomorrow afternoon and I’ll play it for you.”

  “Deal. Hey, are you okay?” She wasn’t sure when she’d be able to get him alone again to ask about his recent moodiness.

  “Yeah. Why?”

  “I don’t know. You’ve been quiet lately. I was wondering if something was bothering you.”

  Robbie glanced around the gym, then focused his attention back on her. “It’s just my dad.”

  “What about him?”

  “He’s been giving me a hard time about all the hours I spend practicing with the band. He’s still super pissed off at me for not going out for football.”

  Robbie and his dad had waged a mini world war at the end of the summer when Robbie informed his dad he was quitting the sport. His father had been the star quarterback at Harrisburg way back when, attending college on a football scholarship. He’d expected Robbie to follow in his footsteps and had blown a major fuse when his younger son balked at the idea.

  “I didn’t know he was still mad about that. I thought he’d gotten over it.”

  Robbie shrugged. “He keeps harping on how I’m flushing my future away. Says I had a real shot at a scholarship and that music is a one-way street to nowhere. I’m starting to wonder if he’s right.”

  “Do you want to play football again?”

  Robbie shook his head. “Hell no. I played that sport from the time I was old enough to toss a ball. Hated every minute of it, but I did it because it was what my dad expected. This has been the best fall of my life because I’m not out there on the field. I haven’t missed the game a bit.”

  Zoey’s temper piqued. “You’re an amazing musician. Maybe if your dad took the time to stop being an ass and actually listened to you, he’d realize that. Have you played him any of the songs you’ve been writing?”

  Robbie shook his head. “He’s not interested.”

  “You’re old enough to make up your own mind about this. Do you think you could give up playing the guitar and writing songs as easily as you did football?”

  “God no. It would kill me.”

  She smiled. “Then there’s your answer. You were born to make music. You’re going to be famous one day. You can’t let your dad convince you otherwise.”

  He fell silent for a moment. “You really believe that?”

  “With my whole heart.”

  “Thanks.”

  The music changed and Robbie brightened. “Oh hell yeah. Clapton.”

  Excited to hear a song by one of his music idols, Robbie failed to realize it was also a slow song. Zoey glanced toward the dance floor and noticed all their friends had quickly partnered up. She stood there awkwardly wondering if Robbie would remember his promise.

  “I guess you wanna dance, right?”

  She looked up at his face and laughed. “Of course I do.”

  He took her hand and led her to the floor as “Tears in Heaven” played. They found an open spot in the middle of the gym and turned to face each other. Robbie put his hands on her waist and she placed her hands on his shoulders.

  “I’ve never slow danced with a girl before,” he admitted after a few moments.

  “So I’m your first dance?”

  He rolled his eyes with fake annoyance. “You always end up being my first. Guess I need to get out there and start playing the field more.”

  “You act like I’m not a girl.”

  “I know you’re a girl, but you’re Zoey. You’re like my sister.”

  For some reason, his words pissed her off. While she understood the sentiment, she was tired of Robbie looking at her like he looked at the guys in his band. She’d fixed her hair in a fancy style and even put on make-up for tonight’s dance and he hadn’t noticed, hadn’t said a word about it.

  Funny how the blindness he suffered in regards to her didn’t impact him noticing other girls. When Barbie Jennings walked into the gym with her cleavage hanging out or when Stacy Barker shook her ass in a mini-skirt so tight, Zoey feared the girl would have to cut it off with scissors, she thought Robbie’s eyes would pop out of his head.

  She was a girl too. Maybe her parts weren’t as big or flashy, but she had them and she was tired of being invisible to him. Smiling, she decided her best friend needed a lesson about women. She stepped closer, not stopping until her chest was pressed firmly against his. She avoided eye contact, but she could sense she’d surprised him when he stiffened slightly.

  Robbie adjusted to the new position, his hands leaving her waist and resting on her back. Zoey unclasped the hands she’d locked behind his neck, using them instead to stroke his shoulders, to playfully toy with his hair. Her breasts swayed against his chest as they moved in time to the music and she heard Robbie swallow heavily.

  “Zoey?” he whispered. His bewildered voice appeased her jealousy.

  “I love this song.” She lifted her face to his. They
were only inches apart, his breath hot against her forehead. Somewhere in the last two years, he’d sprouted up a few inches.

  Robbie simply nodded, his gaze not leaving hers. Zoey tried to keep her face impassive when Robbie’s hands shifted lower, grazing the top of her ass. He pulled her closer and that was when she felt it.

  His penis was hard and it was rubbing against her stomach. She blinked, trying not to let her shock show. She’d started this game to teach Robbie a lesson. Now he was teaching her one. They might be best friends, they might be as close as siblings, but that didn’t mean she didn’t turn him on.

  Mercifully, the song segued into another—a fast dance tune that sounded too dim to penetrate the pounding of her heart. Robbie released her slowly, discreetly trying to adjust his pants to hide her effect on him from the others. Their friends slowly drifted back and once more they were swallowed up by the circle, everyone dancing, shouting to be heard, laughing.

  They hadn’t danced any more that night, though they’d shared other dances at other events—proms, weddings, birthday parties. Zoey had never tested him again, all their dancing done at a friendly distance.

  Tonight that distance was gone for good. Robbie’s hands stroked her back, slowly, seductively. Every now and then, his fingers would brush her ass before moving away. She didn’t bother to hide the effect he was having on her. She caressed his arms and his chest, pressed her body to his.

  As the music faded away, Robbie cupped her face. “We need to go home. Now.” The huskiness of his voice called to her. He wanted her.

  Zoey’s pulse picked up speed and her nipples tightened beneath her blouse. Oh hell yeah.

  Robbie tossed enough cash on the table to cover the bill and the tip, dragging her none-too-gently from the restaurant. Fortunately their drive home was a short one. Zoey ran her hand along the front placket of Robbie’s pants as he drove…and groaned…and promised retribution.

  When they pulled into the parking lot, Robbie turned to look at her, his hand stopping her from opening the door and getting out. “Wait a second.”

  He reached down, pushing his hand beneath her skirt. “Open your legs.”

  She licked her lips, wondering what he planned. They were in the parking lot adjacent to their townhouse. While it wasn’t exactly a busy spot, it was well-lit and within view of the front row of houses.

  Robbie pushed her panties aside and dipped two fingers into her pussy. She gasped.

  “You’re soaking wet,” he said.

  “Of course I am. I’m horny as shit.”

  He laughed, pulling his hand away. She missed it instantly, her previous concern about being seen washed away by pure, pulse-pounding, painful need.

  Robbie got out of the car, walking around the front to open her door. As soon as she stepped out, he was ready for her. She giggled when he picked her up on the sidewalk, fireman style, tossing her over his shoulder and carrying her to the front door. The moment they crossed the threshold, Robbie placed her on her feet, closed the door, then turned to push her against it.

  “Lift up your skirt and take off those damn panties.”

  Robbie had never been anything other than a considerate, patient lover, but his powerful, demanding words spoke to a quiet part of her she didn’t often acknowledge. She hastily did his bidding as he opened his pants and shoved them to his ankles. His cock was hard and more than ready. Zoey only had a moment to react when Robbie lifted her leg and drove deep inside her with one rough thrust. Her head fell against the door with a loud thud, but Robbie didn’t notice. He was too intent on fucking her.

  Zoey gripped the material of his shirt, fisting it as she sought for something to ground herself. Robbie lifted her other leg, letting the door behind her support most of her weight as he pummeled inside her deeper, stronger.

  Zoey didn’t try to hide her baser desires, Instead, she urged him on, digging her fingernails into his skin and groaning with each powerful blow. It was the most primal sex she’d ever experienced and she loved every minute of it. She pushed her hips against his as much as the position would allow, silently begging for more.

  “God, Zoey,” Robbie cried. She sensed he was getting close. “Can’t hold off. Play with your clit. I can’t reach it. Want you with me.”

  He’d learned early on the secret to her orgasm. With his hands full, holding her against the wall, he couldn’t give her the extra stimulation she needed. She released his shirt and touched herself. Applied enough pressure to her clit to see stars behind her closed eyelids.

  “Oh my God,” she gasped.

  “That’s it. Just like that. Push harder. Rub it faster.”

  His words shook her as strongly as his cock pounding into her body. Within seconds, she felt herself giving in to the inevitable.

  “God. Robbie.” Her voice sounded far away as her climax washed over her. Her entire body tingled as her toes clenched and flexed against the cool air. Her pussy contracted, squeezing his cock in the way she knew he couldn’t resist. They’d perfected the ability to come together the third night he was home.

  Spurt after spurt of come filled her as Robbie continued to thrust inside her. It seemed his body had separated from his mind, his physical needs overriding the part that knew he was spent. Even as his cock softened, his hips kept moving, kept rocking inside her.

  She caressed his cheek. “Robbie,” she whispered.

  His motions slowed as he lifted his face from her shoulder, his gaze capturing hers. Slowly, he lowered her legs, making sure to hold on to her until she found her balance. “Did I hurt you?”

  She shook her head, touched by his concern. “Not even close.”

  “God, Zoey, if you knew all the kinky things I want to do to you, all the dirty ways I want to take you, you’d probably run for the hills.”

  She laughed. “Kinky sounds good, especially if it’s anything like what we just did. That may have been the single hottest sex moment of my life.”

  “Jesus,” Robbie teased. “If that’s the hottest, it’s obvious the losers you’ve dated weren’t only pricks, but they were lousy in bed.”

  “You know a lot of the guys I dated were really nice. You can’t call them all pricks.”

  He shrugged. “None of them deserved you. They weren’t good enough. Not even close.”

  His words warmed her heart. “I love you, Robbie Granger.”

  He kissed her and she realized it was the first time their lips had touched since they’d entered the house. When he released her, she noticed a slight shadow in his eyes. She’d seen the same sad look at the restaurant when he’d talked about the miseries of life on the road.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked.

  He gave her lopsided grin. “How do you do that?”

  “Do what?”

  “Read my face and ask the right question?”

  She shrugged. “Lucky guess?”

  He pulled his pants up. Zoey’s skirt had fallen into place the moment he’d lowered her legs. Apart from her panties still lying on the floor, they were both completely dressed. Amazing considering the orgasm he’d just wrung out of her.

  “How about a shower?” he suggested, grasping her hand and tugging her toward the stairs.

  “Is this an evasion technique?”

  He shook his head. “Nope. This is exhaustion, pure and simple. You wore me out, babe. I want to stand under the hot water with your naked body next to mine and then I want to crawl into bed and hold you all night. I don’t deserve you either, Zoey, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to keep you with me for as long as I can.”

  He released her hand when they entered the bathroom, bending over to turn on the shower. Zoey watched as he disrobed and stepped beneath the stream of water.

  She wanted to tell him he was wrong. It was she who didn’t deserve him. Unfortunately all she could think about was his last declaration. He’d keep her with him as long as he could.

  How long did he think that would be?

  And was foreve
r a possibility?

  Chapter Four

  Zoey sat in the recliner, her white-knuckled grip on the leather arms tightening as the nurse inserted the IV into the port. She tried to breathe, but her chest was tight.

  Robbie sat next to her, his gaze never wavering from the IV solution. It was poison, pure and simple. The oncologist referred to it as medicine, a drug, but she knew its true name and purpose. It might be killing cancer cells, but that wasn’t all it would take with it.

  The nurse fiddled with the IV, then looked at her. “Okay. You’re all set. Are you comfortable?”

  Zoey nodded, while inside her head she was screaming, Get it out! Let me leave! I don’t want this!

  The nurse, Jenna, patted her hand in a gesture meant to be comforting. It didn’t work. Zoey was numb. She blinked rapidly, wishing she were anywhere but here.

  Jenna smiled at Robbie. “I’ll be around later to check on you two, but if you need anything before then, press the buzzer and I’ll come right back. You’re going to be here at least four hours. We’re having soup and sandwiches brought in for lunch. Let me know if you want to place an order.”

  “Thanks.” Robbie had set up his laptop on a small table in the corner and he shifted uncomfortably on the chair. Zoey felt guilty for lying on her big leather recliner while he was stuck on that hard, plastic thing for the next few hours.

  The nurse left to check on other patients. Zoey had passed several rooms as they’d entered, the glimpses she’d caught of the people inside pressing in on her until she felt she would collapse under the crushing weight. Most of the patients were bald and pale with sunken cheeks and dark circles under their eyes. Some were alone in their rooms, while others had a family member or friend with them. Zoey looked out of place with her full head of hair and pink cheeks. How long would it take until she resembled the rest of them? A month from now? A week? Tomorrow? She closed her eyes against the images, but they wouldn’t leave her.

  She’d endured her parents’ visit, assuring them she’d call weekly to let them know what was going on. Her mother had made her promise to call if she needed anything and if so they’d head back to Zoey on the next flight.