...Dane yawned, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She’d barely had a good night’s sleep since she’d stepped foot into town and the deprivation was taking its toll on her. Tonight she was determined to get some Zs, even if she had to inhale a bottle of Nyquil. Pulling her robe closed, she headed to her bedroom when a soft knock made her pause.

Who the hell is knocking at this hour?

The knock grew louder and more persistent. If they didn’t stop soon the sound was going to wake Roxy. Dane stomped to the door and looked through the peephole. “What the…”

She’d know that tight ass anywhere. Within seconds, she had the door open to confront the man who seemed obviously too dense to take a hint.

“What are you doing here?” she demanded.

Dane had caught John off guard just as he was walking away and he whirled around to face her. “I…well, truth is, you made it obvious you want nothing to do with me, so I thought it was time to clean out my closet. That’s when I found something that belongs to you.”

She crossed her arms, her hip against the doorframe. “Couldn’t you have put it in the mail?”

He blew out a breath and said, “No. This delivery needed to be personal.”

“Fine. Give to me.” Dane held out her hand with an attitude.

John nodded, fishing for the item in his front pocket. He finally pulled out the object, but before she could take a good look, his huge hand covered it. With a gentleness she didn’t expect, he placed the item in her hand and closed her fingers around it.

“Goodbye, Dane.” His voice cracked when he spoke. He gave her hand a soft squeeze and pulled away from her.

John turned to walk down the steps and she opened her palm, staring blankly at the silver band. She held it up to the light and caught some sort of inscription within the inside of the ring. The words “D+J=Forever” were beautifully embedded around the circular loop.

Her body fought an internal battle and she knew if she let him walk away from her without keeping some memory, owning some small part of John, she would regret it for the rest of her life.

“Fuck it,” Dane mumbled under her breath. “If I’m going to hell, I might as well enjoy the hand basket.”

She ran down the steps as she yelled, “John, wait!”

He stopped and turned slowly toward her just as she launched herself into his arms. “Please don’t go. Stay with me. Stay with me tonight, John.”

She watched his grim features transform when he smiled.

“You’re making it difficult for me to say no.”

“Then don’t say no. Don’t make things more complicated. Just agree and see where the moment takes us.” Dane returned the smile and she knew he never could resist the puppy dog eyes she was giving him.

She didn’t know when or how it happened but they ended up naked, standing before each other, two adults facing an intimate moment together. Dane shivered from the fear and anticipation of being with John. Ten years came with many changes and she felt suddenly shy.

He must have sensed her uncertainty and enveloped her in his arms, softly kissing her neck, her chin, and her cheek until his lips pressed gently against her temple. “Don’t be afraid, baby.”

She craned her neck to look at him and the soft glow of the moon shone through her window to outline his oversized frame. John was big and strong. He was built like a football player with thick muscles, all hard planes and unforgiving lines. She was happy to know he took care of himself, had continued to stay in shape. Dane couldn’t resist running her hands up and down the expanse of his chest and abs. The smooth, delectable creases sent a tingling sensation between her legs.

Feeling bold, she allowed her hands to slide lower. She brushed her fingers lightly through the soft dust of hairs and continued downward. He took in a sharp gasp of breath. Dane reached the object of her attentions and wrapped her hands around his thick, oversized shaft. He was bigger than any of her previous partners. In fact, he was much more endowed than she’d ever remembered him to be and her body only craved to taste him.