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settled on her laptop but heard him pause and knock on her door, “Are you decent?”
    “Yeah.”
    He opened the door and held up her cigarettes, “See me when you want one.”
    “What? You’re going to hold my cigarettes hostage?”
    “Think of it as holding your health hostage.” Her jaw dropped before she asked, “Can I have one now?”
    “You just smoked one, Candice.”
    “And you’re making me want another one.”
    Shaking his head, he advised her to drink some juice. She dug into her purse, finding two dollars and a few pennies. Groaning, she went in search and found him in the living room. Unused to manipulating, she put her hands together and begged. When that didn’t work, she drove her hands into her hair and shrieked, “What do I have to do?”
    “Did you drink some juice?”
    “If I drink some juice, can I have a cigarette?” He cocked an eyebrow at the panic in her voice but nodded. She quickly went to the fridge and poured a bit into a glass. He laughed behind her, “Try ten times that amount.”
    After drinking her third glass when he complained that it was a small glass, he curled a finger at her. She stepped closer and thrust her hand out—palm up—but he shook his head, “Not until I get a kiss.”
    She sputtered, “But…that…you didn’t…”
    “Kissing is healthier for you than that juice.”
    She stared at him for a split second before growling, “On the cheek.”
    “Lips or no cigarette.” When she tensed, he shrugged and started to turn around. She danced in place before screeching, “Okay, okay. One peck.”
    Breathless and almost shaking again, she stepped forward and stood tensely before him. He rolled his eyes, “You act like I’m a snake getting ready to strike.”
    “I’m not used to men…”
    “…desiring you. I get it.”
    Her eyes widened as her mouth formed an ‘O’ at his words. He quickly took full advantage, pulling her to him and kissing her even deeper than before. She started pushing at his chest before her hands fisted in his T-shirt when his tongue darted into her mouth to explore.
    A whimper spiraled up her throat, bringing her back to reality. She bit his bottom lip but, instead of releasing her, he tightened his grip and bit her back. She gasped and almost slid down him when he suddenly broke the kiss. With heated eyes, he growled a fraction of an inch above her lips, “I enjoy nibbles so, next time you’ll want to think that over before trying it.”
    He released her so suddenly that she stumbled into a chair. Appearing as if he could eat her alive, he pointed to his bedroom, “Come on. I’ll get your…cigarette.”
    She obeyed but skidded to a stop when he entered. Grinning knowingly, he handed it to her and nodded, “Just try stealing one. I’ll show you more uses for that mouth.”
    She spun around and almost ran for the patio door. She admitted to herself that she’d love to climb all over him but thought he was just trying to make her feel better. While she smoked, she thought about him working tomorrow. Reminding herself to ask him about it, she tried to shove his kiss out of her mind but every sensual caress of his tongue made her ache for more.
    Spying him on the sofa, she stubbed the butt of her cigarette out and slipped inside. Sinking down on the far end, she asked about his plans for working. He grinned, “See how cigarettes rule you.” At her frown, he shrugged, “You’ll just have to come to work with me. You need the money anyway and I need some help if someone comes inside. Besides, you can write there.”
    She thought about it and finally nodded, “Okay. Will you let me have a cigarette without kissing you? I mean…what if someone comes in?”
    His chest shook with laughter before he said, “They’ll see a couple kissing. Or you could wear short sleeves tomorrow instead.”
    She tilted her head, wondering if she’d heal enough by tomorrow, “Can I answer that in the morning?
    With a sly expression, he nodded