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opinion of them and highlighted the unique bond they shared. By the time Lynn kicked back in the seat, reclining against her fiancé’s broad chest, her eyelids drooping, Sloan could commiserate.
    The emotional roller coaster she’d ridden all day had sapped her energy.
    Mark turned to her and caught her stifling a yawn behind her cupped palm. He smiled then looped his arm over her shoulders as though it were nothing—a gesture he’d made a million times before.
    Physical connection came so naturally around him. She and her ex had been coworkers long before they’d become lovers. Her respect for his aptitude on the job had led to her accepting a business lunch invitation though she’d refused to see him socially. Once she’d left her company, lured away by the racing league, she agreed to take their relationship further.
    They’d become acquaintances during that time and she hadn’t wanted to lose their connection. She should have quickly realized the error of that logic. If he would have drifted away as a friend, clearly nothing more glued them together. Though they’d always had plenty to talk about when it came to PR, intimacy had never come easy.
    Lovemaking had been quick and awkward, pleasant at best.
    Looking back, she realized the dickhead had coveted her success and started lashing out with affairs around the time she really began to climb the corporate ladder. He’d used her guilt over her long hours and time away to justify his behavior. The first time she found out he’d cheated, she made an effort to repair their relationship. The next time, she left—only realizing the magnitude of his philandering when he threw it in her face during the divorce proceedings.
    “What’s that sigh for?” Mark whispered into her hair.
    The nuzzle of his stubbled jaw condensed her nipples and made her eager to cuddle closer.
    “Thinking about how effortless this is.” Sloan admitted the truth to them both. She’d never felt this pure, elemental attraction to another man, certainly not her ex. She went with it, tipping her cheek onto Mark’s shoulder and breathing deep. The scent of his skin mixed with his aftershave went to her head quicker than the alcohol she’d consumed earlier.
    Mark squeezed her thigh beneath the table and she knew he understood.
    A couple minutes later, the waitstaff began stacking chairs—upside down—on the tables around them. When had the restaurant cleared out?
    “Looks like we’re getting the ol’ heave-ho.” Sebastian smiled at her and Mark. “Lynn and I are going to walk down to the river. You’re welcome to join us but I realize neither of you got much sleep last night. Are you heading back to the apartment complex?”
    “Uh, yeah, I’m beat. And I assume we’re leaving early in the morning.” Did going home imply Mark would stay with her or in his apartment instead? Out of her league when it came to dating, especially around these two pros, she stumbled over the next move. “Where should I meet you all?”
    “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of everything.” Mark slipped from beneath her and rose to his feet, extending his hand to help her up.
    That sounded promising.
    Now she had to decide if she was ready to expose herself again. After an entire evening of enduring the waves of lust rolling off Mark, battering her senses, she thought she might welcome the relief.

Chapter Four
     
    Sloan exited the taxi in front of Mark, treating him to a view worth every penny of the cab fare. Her classy pencil skirt hugged the gentle curve of her hips and snugged to her perfect ass as though the fabric had been custom cut for it. Hell, maybe it had been.
    He dug in his pocket for his wallet, catching the driver stealing a peek in the rearview mirror. Well, it wasn’t as if he could blame the guy. Still, his hackles rose and he stifled the urge to growl at the lucky bastard.
    Enjoy the tip, buddy.
    He exited the cab and reclaimed Sloan’s hand, but neither one of them spoke as