I sat patiently on Max and Conner's doorstep. I'd raced home from the diner, perhaps breaking a few of Lockwood's speeding laws to find Maddy wasn't at home. Grabbing up as many items of clothing as possible, I loaded them in the car and headed to Connors, but not before leaving a note for Maddy, just in case she wondered what I'd done with her car.

Connor rarely worked on a Sunday, but he had some big legal case and was, as he said, putting in the extra mileage to make sure he was prepared. I wasn't sure where Max was hanging out, but I would hazard a guess he was at his Ma's. For the size of the man, he was the biggest Mama's boy in the whole of the south.

Conner waved as his car pulled up. "Sorry princess, it's been a crazy day."

"Don't go apologising, I'm just happy you're here. It's an emergency."

"What's the 911, spill."

A stupid grin slid across my face as I tilted my chin up. "I'm taking that bull by the horns and in approximately." I glanced at my phone. "Three hours time, I'm gonna seduce my doctor."

He looked over my shoulder and then behind him?"

I looked around too. "What you looking for?"

"I'm looking for Riley Jo Lockwood, 'cause the one I know wouldn't do such a thing without a healthy dose of alcohol kicking through her hot little body." He cupped my cheeks. "And you look as sober as the day you were born!"

He was right. When friends with benefits blurted out. It had caught me in the moment. Adam's kiss had sucked all the oxygen from my lungs, therefore my brain was running low on the essential element required for rational thinking. And not to mention his deep, sexy voice when he'd told me he didn't like seeing me with Logan. That alone melted my heart and set my panties on fire!

Connor grinned. "So what can I do to help? Because we're fresh out of tequila."

I shook my head. "No alcohol, I just need your help in making me look the part of a sexy seductress."

"Princess!" he took my chin between his fingers. "You don't need anyone's help. You have all the equipment right here." He freed me and swished his hand dramatically over my body.

If only I could believe him. "Oh, I forgot my razor and I need to shower too." I pouted, fluttering my puppy dog eyes.

He slipped his arm across my shoulder and pulled me into his warmth. "Quit it with the crazy eyes. You're gonna walk outta here every inch the princess you are." He walked us inside.

Two hours later, every patch of skin had been plucked, razored, scrubbed and creamed. Connor stood next to me, his eyes roaming over my reflection. "That's the one— it screams, sexy and a little sass, but still with a hint of sweet southern good girl."

The pale blue dress Connor had picked hugged my breasts and hips. It left not one curve without attention. I slipped on my heels, which gave the illusion of longer, shapelier legs and for the first since arriving back in Lockwood. I felt sexy.

"Pity though," said Connor.

"What? What's a pity?"

Connor grinned. "You lookin' this fine, princess. You deserve to be wined and dined before it gets ripped from your delicious body."

"I never had you down for the romantic, Connor Jackson."

His eyes dropped from my reflection. "In this backwater town, it's hard, Riley. I can't hold Max's hand or kiss him whenever the moment takes me." His shoulders dropped too. "We both have family here and not everyone is open to our love yet."

I squeezed his hand, hating my best friend had to hide his feelings for the man he loved. True, it was no secret Connor was gay, but it would cause holy hell if the older conservative good folk of Lockwood came face to face with two men kissing.

Our heads both turned as the front door slammed and Max's heavy footsteps hit the stairs.

"Damn, Riley Jo. Girl, you look amazing." I blushed at Max's compliment. He snatched a kiss from Connor before planting one on my cheek.

"Why, thank you kindly, Sir." I performed a little curtsey.

"What's the occasion?"

Connor answered before I could. "She's seducing her doctor."

"The guy from yesterday? That was the doctor?"

"It was indeed. The hot and very sexy Dr Matthews." I ran my hand over my waist, smoothing out the material of my dress. "You rate my chances?"

Connor butted in. "Riley Jo, half the men of this town wouldn't let you leave their bed if you offered anything more than a smile. Hell, if I was straight, I'd be one of those dogs with their tails wagging and tongues hangin' out."

Rising on my tiptoes, I planted a kiss on Connor's cheek. "I love you Connor Jackson... and you too Max." I cupped Max's cheek. "God may have been testing me when he gave me my mama, but got it right, when he gave me two bestest friends."

Grabbing my purse, it felt heavy as I opened to find it awash with condoms. "What—honestly, how many?" I raised my brows. "A little over-optimistic, aren't we?" I plucked a handful, and there were still more.

"You know me princess, too many is still never enough."

"Yeah, but Connor, there's enough here for me to sleep my way through half of Lockwood!"

He laughed, coming to stand behind me, running his hand over my waist, pulling me against him. "You look beautiful, princess," he whispered. "I hope he knows how lucky he is."

I smiled. "Well, I guess no harm in being optimistic." I was good at talking the talk, but honestly, I would be happy with one of Adam's breath stealing, heart pounding kisses.

Heading to the car, I took a deep breath. "Wish me luck, boys."

"You got this," they said at the same time.

Arriving, I parked up. Not a few minutes later, Adam's car pulled up alongside mine. He gave a brief hand signal, and I jumped from the car excitedly.

His eyes ran the length of me. "Wow, Riley, you look amazing." The way he looked at me sucked out the surrounding oxygen, making me lightheaded. I blushed all kinds of pink as he walked toward me. The look was the same he'd worn when he'd asked me to dance.

"Why thank you, Dr Matthews," I teased, gripping my bottom lip between my teeth.

"C'mon inside." He placed his hand on my lower back as a voice cut between us.

"Adam..." We both turned.

Walking toward us, with the grace of a cat hunting a mouse, was one of Lockwood's finest women, as my Mama would say, Tiffany Saint-Clare.

She and my Mama had been friends for years. She'd introduced Tiffany to her second husband. But currently I'd heard she was on the lookout for husband number three, or was it four?

Warning signals flashed through my head as Tiffany smiled sweeter than cotton candy at Adam.

I wouldn't deny she was fiercely beautiful, though mother nature wasn't solely responsible for that picture perfect face.

Skin, taut and smooth framed by rebellious red curls with curves that made her look like that cartoon character Jessica Rabbit and just as Jessica Rabbit wasn't real—neither were the inflated balloons decorating her chest, courtesy of her ex-husband's monthly alimony. And the dress she wore did very little to conceal them.

"Are you ready, Adam?" she asked.

"Sorry. Ready? For what?" he asked.

"Why, the Rosenburg monthly dinner, of course. You asked to be my plus one."

I side glanced Adam, confusion mixed with irritation was clear as day.

She continued, not even the slightest bit ruffled that he'd apparently forgotten. "Remember, we planned it last Saturday?" She looked him up and down. "I can wait inside whilst you change." Her attention slid to me. Clearly, she was staking some sort of claim.

Adam shook his head, turning toward me. It honestly shocked me that he would spend any time with this woman, let alone go out on a date, but what did I know?

"Why, is that you Riley Jo Lockwood?"

I smiled innocently; she knew damn it was me. We'd chatted at the Lockwood annual barbeque where she'd lectured me on making a difference in the world and how young women today lacked moral values and any actual substance.

Ha! Like she was one to talk. Her goal in life was to find her next victim, oops, husband that could provide her with the life she so rightly thought she deserved.

"Hi Mrs Saint-Clare, I didn't know you lived in this neighbourhood."

"Just moved in and please sugar, call me Tiffany. Mrs Saint-Clare makes me sound like your mama, when in fact we could practically be sisters." She giggled.

Was she for real? Even with all her plastic enhancements, the woman still looked her age.

"What brings you here, Riley Jo? And does your Mama know?"

Shit, that stumped me. What could I say? Thankfully, Adam was thinking on his feet.

"Riley Jo has kindly offered to be my temporary housekeeper."

Housekeeper? I didn't know the first thing about housekeeping. But Tiffany seemed to buy it and I wasn't sure if I should be relieved or insulted.

She eyed me up and down. "Yeah, why I do suppose you would be good at housekeeping. Your mama told me you lack any aspirations in life, well apart from your love of food." She winked. "That I can clearly see, sugar."

Bitch! The acid dripped from her words and I felt no more than two feet tall. Trust my mama's friends to have a dig at my weight.

"Excuse me?" said Adam, tensing up beside me.

My lips parted in shock.

Shit!

That last thing I needed was for him to retaliate on my behalf. That would be a disaster and raise more questions than I had answers to with my mama. I quickly jumped in, placing my hand on his arm. "It's fine, Dr Matthews, I can come back tomorrow, and you can show me what you need me to do."

He held my gaze for a few seconds, his eyes a myriad of emotions. "No, stay right there, Riley. This is my mistake." He shifted his attention to Tiffany. "I'm sorry Tiffany. Tonight doesn't work for me. I've only just come out of surgery, and I'm call." He didn't sound sorry at all.

The smug look from moments ago flickered with wrath before she composed herself. "Well, I can't say I'm not disappointed, Adam. But I guess we can reschedule for next month, when you're not so busy with work and the help... "

He didn't answer.

"Well, good night to you both." She walked away in her hazardous shiny black heels but swiftly turned, her eyes narrowing on me. "Be sure to say hello to your mama, Riley Jo. Tell her I'll be seeing her soon."

Shit! There was no way my mama would not find out I was here tonight.

"Thank Christ," said Adam as his hand brushed against my lower back, burning through the thin material of my dress as he turned us toward his house. "Are you okay?" he spoke in a hushed tone.

I forced a smile. "Don't you worry about me. Their throw away comments are water off a ducks back." He studied me for a second, his jaw twitching.

"I'm sorry to put you in that position." He paused. "I have a vague recollection of her coming over last Saturday. But I had a banging headache all day and I would have agreed to sell my soul just to get rid of the woman."

He appeared sincere. "Well, lucky for you doctor, you don't have to sell your soul today." I giggled. "It appears I've saved you from becoming her next husband... or at the very least her date for tonight."

Adam shuddered. "Don't even joke about that." We arrived at his front door as he fumbled for his keys. "She's everything I wouldn't look for in a woman."

He lifted his head, his eyes captured mine. And there it was again, the heat that always accompanied his stare. It curled around me, pulling me toward him, and I couldn't look away.

Finally, Adam blinked. "We had better head in before she comes back."

Following him inside, my eyes toured the surroundings, dancing up the impressive staircase a few feet away. It was oddly familiar, but new at the same time. I hoped when I walked out his front door this time it would be with an unforgettable memory, and he would smile as he did now.

"Drink?" he asked.

"Sure. Would you prefer if I removed my shoes?" looking down, I was frightened to damage his stunning hardwood flooring. "The floor, It's beautiful." Looking up, Adam was staring at my feet.

"Thank you, it's Brazilian Cherry and no, please I like them, leave them on." Connor said heels were sexy and men loved women in heels. Honestly, I'd purchased them on impulse in New York. They'd cost me a small fortune, but the way Adam's gaze travelled up my legs, it was so worth it.

I sucked in a breath, dropping my eyes to blush, when I noticed a prominent bulge in his slacks.

Damn, was it hot in here?

Adam seemed to catch himself staring and turned, heading toward a closed door. "This way." He cleared his throat. "The kitchen."

I followed, noting the beautiful décor and clearly the man required no help with housekeeping.

"Coffee, or something stronger? Wine or perhaps a beer? I have both."

"I'm good with coffee. But don't let me stop you." His eyes dipped to my lips as I licked across them.

"No, I'll join you. Coffee sounds good. Please, sit," he gestured toward the table.

Strangely, I felt too wired to sit. Ants in my pants, as Nana would say. Instead, I ran my hand along his kitchen counter, placing my purse down. "I'll stand for a while if that's okay. And you really do have a lovely home."

"Emma—" He stopped himself. "Sorry, Riley."

"Please, don't be. She was your wife, and important to you. I don't want you to feel you can't talk about her... anytime." I genuinely meant that. He nodded once, then returned to his task with swift efficiency, preparing our coffee.

Being in his home didn't feel odd. I could feel him all around me. The room felt hot and cold at the same time.

A minute or two passed, and I realised it was quiet, too quiet.

"Don't let what others say affect the way you see yourself Riley."

My eyebrows raised. I wouldn't deny it hurt when my mama made me feel less than my sister. "How should I see myself?"

He stilled. "You should see yourself as the stunning, sexy woman you are. In truth, I've seen no one else who looks better in Lockwood Creek."

My knees weakened as my hand reached out for the counter. That had to be the nicest thing anyone had ever said to me and if it didn't get my heart pounding and my mouth drying, along with my face heating to a million degrees.

Unsure what to say, I stood frozen. It took two blinks of an eye for him to be towering above me. The heat of his body wrapping around mine making me a little dizzy.

I slowly angled my head up.

"Fuck, Riley. I don't know what's worse. That this is so wrong or the fact that I can't stop thinking about you," his voice lowered. "I know I should step away, but—fuck, I want you."

It was safe to say my heart exploded and my panties pretty much vaporised as his mouth came down on mine. In that second, every thought apart from one evaporated.

He wanted me!

The touch of his lips triggered every desire imaginable. It drove me crazy with the need to get closer to him. His tongue slipped past my lips into my hungry mouth. It was passionate and filled with so much heat I worried about melting right here in his kitchen.

And If I thought it was a quick kiss, then I was so wrong, he pressed me into the counter, the edge of the marble tops bit into the curve of my back, but he didn't stop. His kiss was urgent as he seized my hips and dug his fingers in, as if to stop himself from going any further.

I wanted him to go further as I pushed up on my tiptoes to rub my body against his now very prominent erection.

He groaned and was almost brutal in the way he now attacked my mouth as I clutched a fistful of his shirt, suddenly wanting it gone.

I could taste the need between us. I pulled at his shirt, freeing it from his slacks, letting my hand slip under the hem to feel his hot, smooth skin.

He shuddered and I let out the softest sigh.

His fingers lightened the hold on my hips as his hands slipped down, pulling the material of my dress up.

Our lips separated as he moved across my jaw, upwards to my ear. "Stop me, Riley," he whispered.

Stop? No, no, no. I wanted to do anything but stop him. He'd lit this fire, and I wanted to burn. "Please... I don't want you to stop."

Stilling, edging back a little, he peered at me, and I could see the desire for me and the fight that was going on inside them.

He was torn between wanting to do the right thing and doing what he wanted. I wished I'd accepted the offer of a little Dutch courage. The wine would have spurred me on and acted out what my mind screamed. It would certainly make it easier to rip the shirt from him and tear the dress off me.

Neither happened, instead Adam reached for my hand to bring it between us. He pressed my hand over his erection. "Feel how much I want you, Riley. If you don't ask me to stop, then I won't."

Shaking my head. "I won't ask you to stop." I palmed his hardness to show how much I wanted him.

He searched every inch of my face, but I wanted his lips back on mine. Keeping my hand on him, I raised on my toes and pressed our lips together. It was enough for him to take the lead as he pushed forward in my hand, devouring my mouth.

His hand slid up my dress, up my thigh and I had to move my hand as his came between us, sliding over my panties. His fingernail traced the flimsy material as his fingers slipped inside and I sucked in a breath.

His lips left mine, tracing down across my skin, sucking lightly on the skin of my neck as his fingers found the spot. Still on the balls of my feet, we both exhaled at the same time. He could feel how wet I was as his finger skated across my clit.

His other hand went around to my lower back as both of mine had to find the edge of the counter and hold on as he circled my clit in tortuous slow motions that tingled, buzzed and tightened all at once.

My head fell back as I tried to keep my eyes open, but the slightest movement of his fingers forced them closed as I shivered.

Pure elation fanned up and down my spine. His mouth continued sucking on my skin, my breathing unsteady as I became feverishly hot.

My nipples stiffened and my pussy clenched. My nana was so right about his amazing hands. They were pure heaven or chocolate or maybe chocolate heaven. I couldn't think straight, half out of my mind.

He stroked and touched me, sending my mind further into chaos as a familiar and welcome sensation began its climb. Small pants and moans filled the room as I gripped the counter harder.

"Let me hear you, Riley." His words vibrated along my skin.

I was heading for the point of no return, every nerve primed and ready as I surrendered to every feeling he was compelling upon me.