He saw her standing with a group of three other women. Lust hit him like the force of a size thirteen combat boot rammed into his stomach.

That lust quickly dropped several inches, making his cock swell.

Jason Devereux tipped up his bottle of beer and took a healthy pull of the cold, foamy brew. He'd refused at first when his friend Austin had invited him to this party. Being alone on New Year's Eve wasn't exactly his idea of fun, but an evening of trying to be polite with people he didn't know held no appeal either.

Seeing her made him glad he'd changed his mind.

Long, light brown hair with a hint of wave. Ivory skin. Full lips made for kissing, and for sliding down his hard cock. Slightly above average height, probably about five-six. She'd fit nicely against his six-foot frame.

He couldn't see the color of her eyes at this distance, but he'd bet they were green.

Jason's gaze slowly moved down her body. She wore a short-sleeved, vee-necked purple dress made of some slinky material. It clung to her curves, emphasizing her wide hips and generous breasts. Those breasts were large enough to fill his hands, and his hands weren't small.

He wondered if she had a round ass to match those luscious tits.

She laughed and turned toward one of her companions. Jason groaned to himself when he got a glimpse of her ass. Definitely round and as full as her breasts...perfect to hold while he pounded into her sweet pussy.

His cock swelled more at that mental image.

Austin had told him there would be plenty of women here who would spread their legs as soon as they were tapped on the shoulder. That sounded crude, but it was exactly what Jason wanted tonight.

One night of pleasure.

His love life lately had been nonexistent. Long hours at work left little time for play, plus he'd only been in North Texas for a month. A night of hot fucking with a warm, willing woman sounded perfect.

He wanted her to be that warm, willing woman.

It'd be rude of him to interrupt her while she talked with her friends. No matter. He could be very patient if he had to be.

Jason had no doubt she'd be worth the wait.

* * * * *

"He's still staring at you," Wendy said into her ear.

Gail Baxter looked over her shoulder. The tall, dark-haired man stood ten feet away, leaning against the end of one of the three bars set up in the large living room. Their gazes collided. With a crooked grin on his gorgeous mouth, he gestured at her with his beer bottle.

Gail sighed. What an incredible looking man. Thick, dark brown hair that almost touched his shoulders. Dark eyes. At least six feet tall. Broad shoulders. Wide chest. Flat stomach. Strong thighs. A healthy bulge between those thighs.

She'd bet her next paycheck that he knew exactly what to do with that bulge.

Wanda nudged her side. "You should go talk to him."

Returning her attention to her friend, Gail pushed her hair behind her ears. "I can't be so forward."

Diane snorted with laughter. "Since when?"

Eyes narrowed, Gail glared at her friend. "Are you insinuating I'm pushy?"

"Yeah, when you have to be. That's why you're such a successful doctor."

"Besides," Wanda said, "you came to this party to get laid."

Even though that was true, Gail didn't want it broadcast to everyone in the room. "Shh. Must you be so loud?"

"Who can hear me over The Rolling Stones?"

The fourth woman of the group, Lily, touched Gail's arm. "That man is hot and obviously wants to get in your panties. Go for it."

Lily was right and Gail knew it. She'd never had any trouble going after what she wanted in her professional life. She'd known from the time she was six years old that she wanted to be a doctor. She'd realized that dream. Now, at thirty, she was on staff at North Texas Highland Hospital in Fort Worth and very well-respected in her field of cardiology, despite her young age.

Unfortunately, her personal life wasn't as successful. Her last relationship ended almost four months ago. The break-up was one of the reasons she'd moved to Fort Worth.

She drained her glass of Chardonnay. "I want a refill. Anyone else?"

Diane grinned wickedly. "You just want to get closer to that hunk."

Gail returned her grin. "Maybe."

Lily shrugged. 'Like I said, go for it. You've been working twenty-six hours a day ever since you came on staff two months ago. You deserve a break with a hunky man."

No one knew better than Lily how many hours Gail worked. Lily was a surgical nurse at NTHH with Gail. Diane worked in Human Resources, Wanda in the lab.

Her friends were right. She did deserve a break with a hunky man...a break that included an entire night in his arms.

* * * * *

Jason straightened from his casual position and watched her walk right toward him. Her gaze connected with his a moment before she looked away. He continued to watch her as she walked past him and up to the bar.

The bartender smiled at her. "What can I get for you?"

"Chardonnay, please," she said, setting her empty glass on the bar.

Her soft voice wrapped around Jason, making him think of cool sheets and sweaty bodies. Oh, yes. This was definitely the woman he wanted to be with tonight. He took a step closer to her. "Hello."

She turned her head toward him and smiled. "Hello."

"I'm Jason."

"Gail."

"Here you go, ma'am," the bartender said as he set her glass of wine on the bar. He turned toward Jason. "Another beer, sir?"

"Sure. It's a party, right?"

"It's a loud party," Gail said.

"Music too much for you?"

"A little. I'm used to something...softer."

"How about if we go outside where it's quieter? I don't think the cold front has hit yet. It's still warm enough to stand on the patio."

She smiled again. "I'd like that."

After picking up his fresh bottle of beer, Jason took Gail's elbow and steered her toward the French doors that opened to the patio. He rubbed his thumb lightly over the inside of her elbow. Her skin felt as soft as velvet.

He longed to find out if her skin was as soft on other parts of her body.

Several people stood on the patio, laughing and talking. Jason led Gail to a corner so they'd have privacy to talk. He didn't realize a couple stood next to the house, sheltered by a large potted plant. They'd apparently slipped behind the plant to engage in some heavy necking.

It wasn't the first couple Jason had stumbled across tonight in the throes of passion.

Her blouse was unbuttoned, her bra strap pulled down her arm. The man cradled her bare breast in his hand, his thumb rubbing over her hard nipple. They kissed passionately while he caressed her. She didn't appear to mind the fondling one bit.

Gail cleared her throat. "Maybe we should go somewhere else."

"Yeah," Jason said, his voice raspy. He watched the couple another moment, his gaze focused on the man touching the woman's bare breast, before looking back at Gail. "Would you like to take a walk? I've never been here, but my friend told me the grounds are huge and well lighted."

"A walk sounds good."

Taking her elbow again, Jason guided her through the people on the patio and down the steps leading to the backyard. He used the crowd as an excuse to keep her close to his side.

"Does your friend own this place?" Gail asked.

"No. Austin works for Verilar Enterprises. This is the CEO's house."

"I think 'mansion' is a better description."

"True."

He led her through the maze of small tables that had been set up across the lawn to the last one. Pulling out a chair, he waited until Gail sat before taking the chair across from her. "It's a beautiful place, but I can't imagine living in something so big. I'd probably get lost on my way to the bathroom. That could be embarrassing."

She giggled. "I know what you mean."

Jason leaned forward, holding his beer bottle between both hands. "So, tell me all about you."

"I thought that was my line. Don't men love to talk about themselves?"

Her eyes twinkled with laughter. The lighting was too dim for him to make out their exact color, but they weren't dark enough to be brown, like his. He was still betting on green. "I'll admit I've been known to bore a person from time to time with my life story."

"I find that hard to believe."

"Ah, got you fooled already."

She sipped her wine. Jason almost groaned when she licked the wine from her top lip.

Damn, he wanted to fuck her.

"Do you live here in Dallas?" he asked.

Gail shook her head. "Technically, in White Settlement. I work in Fort Worth."

"Where?"

"North Texas Highland Hospital."

"So you're a...lab tech? Nurse? Doctor?"

"Doctor. Cardiologist, to be exact."

The lady was intelligent and successful as well as lovely. "I'm impressed."

"Don't be. It's a job, just like any other."

"I imagine your job is a lot more exciting than mine."

"Which is?"

"I own a plumbing company."

She swirled the wine in her glass. A hint of a teasing smile touched her lips. "That could be exciting when a sewer backs up."

He chuckled. "I've definitely worked on my share of those."

Leaning forward, she rested her elbows on the small table. "But you said you own the company. Don't your workers do the actual jobs?"

Her position caused her dress to gape, exposing a generous amount of her cleavage. Jason had to concentrate to keep his gaze on her face. "I work with my guys. I won't ask them to do something I'm not willing to do."

"Now I'm impressed."

Her praise only made him want her more. He reached out and touched the back of her hand with one forefinger. "Thanks."

A loud giggle made Jason look over his shoulder. The couple he and Gail had caught on the patio were walking toward them. Or rather, waddling toward them. They'd obviously overindulged on the free booze. She stopped waddling ten feet away from the table and jerked the guy to a stop. Wrapping one arm around his neck, she openly fondled his penis through his pants while kissing him deeply.

Jason glanced back at Gail. She watched the couple's display while biting her lower lip. He couldn't tell if the scene bothered her, or excited her.

The couple stopped kissing and staggered by the table, heading toward the back of the property.

Jason ran his finger over her hand. "I guess there's no doubt what they're going to do."

"No," Gail said softly, "I guess not."

"Did watching her touch him bother you?"

"Bother me how?"

"Disgust you."

She shook her head.

Taking her hand, he turned it over so he could caress her palm with his thumb. He took a chance and asked the question he wanted to ask her. "Did it excite you?"

She bit her bottom lip again. "Maybe a little."

Honesty. He liked that. He wanted to be just as honest with her. "Every time you bite your lip like that, I want to kiss you."

Her eyes widened a moment, then turned sultry. That teasing smile touched her lips again. "Really?"

"Yeah, really."

"Then why don't you?"

Loud laughing and inventive cursing from a nearby table of young men made Jason frown. He couldn't seduce Gail the way he wanted to with an audience nearby. "Let's walk some more."

"Okay."

Leaving his beer on the table, Jason stood and pulled out Gail's chair so she could stand also. He intertwined his fingers with hers and steered her toward the lighted path that wound through the property.

It'd been a long time since he'd felt so at ease with a woman. His last relationship had left his heart and ego bruised. He'd been reluctant to try again, reluctant to take a chance on having his heart trampled once more. Being with Gail, holding her hand, felt right.

Maybe taking another chance wouldn't be a bad idea.

They remained silent as they strolled among the many flowers, bushes, and trees. Instead of searching for something to say, Jason was content to simply walk with Gail without talking. Several moments passed before he spoke again.

"I imagine your work schedule is pretty hectic, being a doctor."

"Yes, it is."

"Doesn't leave a lot of time for dating, huh?"

"No, not really. Relationships have been...strained."

"Are you involved with someone?"

"I was. My schedule got in the way. I worked a lot of hours since I'm the new kid on the block. I still do."

"I can tell by your speech that you aren't a native Texan. Did you recently move here?"

"Two months ago. I used to live in northern California, near San Jose."

They came to a fork in the path. Jason elected to turn left. "What brought you to Fort Worth? Aren't there great hospitals in California?"

"Yes, there are, but NTHH is the leader in the country in cardiology. I wanted to be where I could do the most good for people."

"The guy you were involved with. He lived in California?"

She nodded.

"Did you love him?"

She looked Jason straight in the eyes. "Yes. Very much."

"If he knew that, then he should've been more supportive of your career."

Gail sighed. "It isn't always that simple. I neglected him. I know that. Yes, my schedule has been crazy since I started my internship, but I should've made more time for him."

"Is he part of the reason you moved to Texas?"

"I thought a fresh start would be good for me, and I wanted to work at NTHH. When the opportunity to be on staff there was offered to me, I accepted it."

"So you made a fresh start in a new state. Are you ready for a new relationship, too?"

Gail stopped walking and faced him. "I don't like being alone."

Jason cradled her cheek with his free hand. "I don't like being alone either."

Slowly, he lowered his head until his lips touched hers. He kept the kiss soft, gentle, unsure if she'd pull away from him.

She didn't.

A soft moan from deep in her throat traveled straight to Jason's cock. It lengthened, thickened, as if in anticipation of slipping into her sweet pussy.

The thing had always had a mind of its own.

He slipped his hand around her neck and tilted her head. His tongue touched her lips, silently asking for entrance into her warm mouth. She parted her lips an inch, answering the intimate caress with the tip of her tongue.

She tasted of the wine she'd drunk, and of desire.

Growing bolder, he slid his tongue along her bottom lip, then the top one. Gail parted her lips a bit wider. Jason took advantage of her softening and darted his tongue into her mouth.

She moaned again.

Tightening his hold on her neck, he deepened the kiss, thrusting his tongue past her lips over and over in a simulation of lovemaking. She gripped his waist as she returned his passionate kisses. Each stroke of her tongue against his, each panting breath she took, sent his desire soaring up another degree.

His cock felt as hard as a pipe wrench.

Gail stopped the kiss with a final swipe of her tongue across his lips. She buried her face against his neck. He could feel her hot breath on his skin. Sliding his hand down her back, he gripped one round buttock and squeezed it.

"You're quite a kisser, lady," he rasped.

"So are you." She kissed her way up his neck to his jaw, then back to his lips. This time, she clasped his neck while devouring his mouth.

He had no problem with her taking the lead.

Jason wrapped his arms tightly around her, pulling her body flush against his. She had to feel his erection pressed to her pelvis, evidence of how much he wanted her. How easy it would be to push her up against the large oak tree three feet away, peel off her panties, and thrust inside her. Her intense kisses were proof she was as hot for him as he was for her.

He took a step forward, intent on directing her to that tree, when she stopped their kiss. She stared into his eyes. Here, so far down the path, the lights were spaced farther apart, but he could still see her face. Her eyes clearly showed her desire.

"Maybe we should walk a bit more," she whispered.

It took Jason a moment to clear his brain of lust before he realized what she said. "Walk?"

She nodded. "Please?"

No matter how sharply desire clawed at him, he would never expect a woman to have sex with him if she wasn't ready. He cleared his throat. "Sure."

Taking her hand, he once more led her down the path. He wasn't sure what to say after the kisses they'd shared. Resuming the conversation about their jobs after experiencing her passion seemed...backward.

Gail suddenly stopped walking. "What's that?"

"What's what?"

"That noise."

Jason's eyebrows drew together. "Noise?"

"Listen."

He stood still and strained to hear whatever Gail had heard. A moment passed before he heard the sounds. A moan. A grunt. The unmistakable rhythm of flesh slapping against flesh.

Someone nearby was fucking.

Jason's hand tightened on Gail's as he looked into her eyes again. "You know what's happening, don't you?" he asked.

She nodded.

"Do you want to watch?"

Biting her lower lip, she nodded again.

He dropped a quick kiss on her mouth. "C'mon."

Following the sounds, Jason soon discovered the groping couple from the patio occupying one of the lounge chairs by the tennis court. He pulled Gail into the shadows of the trees and brush so they wouldn't be seen. Their position, less than five feet from the couple, gave them a clear view of the action.

She was on her elbows and knees, her dress up around her waist. The man's pants and underwear lay in a pool on the cement. He straddled the lounge, his hands gripping the woman's waist, as he pounded into her pussy.

Gail gasped softly. Jason quickly placed his hand over her mouth to quiet her. "Shhh," he whispered directly into her ear. "Just watch."

a