I was promised dinner," she said, smirking. Clint couldn't help but grin back at her. "It's nine in the morning." She sauntered in and stretched out on his couch. "Then I guess you have a lot of time to prepare.

I'm going to cook you a dinner, which we'll eat by candlelight. Roses, wine, witty banter, the whole first-date deal." Everywhere he touched, her skin tingled with the promise of more. Feeling a soft breeze brush across her skin, she glanced toward the common room and flashed him a wicked smirk. "A bedroom with a door?" "Mmmhmmm," he murmured as he tilted his head toward her, smirking. "I hadn't realized you were so high maintenance.

I'm going to kiss you." He was giving her one last chance to back out, to push him away. That was not going to happen. Her mouth twisted with amusement. "Not if I kiss you first.

Contrary to popular belief," Gretchen grumbled. "It's creepy to watch a girl while she sleeps." Clint shrugged and smiled. "Sorry, I guess I should've just woken you up.

What are you, Zombie Slayer Barbie?" The big man in the back barked a laugh. "You'll pay for that one.

But something about Clint tossed off sparks that set her nerves on fire.

With an evil, tempting wink that threatened to undo him, she added, "I'm the one you have to watch out for.

Gretchen," Clint said, his voice full of the same luscious agony Gretchen felt building inside of her. "I'm going to kiss you." He was giving her one last chance to back out, to push him away. That was not going to happen.Her mouth twisted with amusement. "Not if I kiss you first.

I'm sorry, I really did want to talk to you." His free hand went to her face and cupped her cheek. Something tightened pleasantly in her belly. "Just talk?" she breathed.He nodded, but used their clasped hands to pull her closer to him. She raised her head and met his eyes, a storm of blue and green. She smirked. "That's a shame.

He was so much more than she had expected. More than a delicious body and a smile that came out of nowhere to light up the darkness of this hopeless place.