Understood by Maya Banks

down to caress his abdomen and fiddle in the fine line of hair that ran from his navel to the hollow in his chest.
    Then she lowered her head and ran her tongue over the same muscled ridges her fingers had just traced. He flinched and let out a desperate moan. She smiled.
    “Faster, sweetheart. Ride me faster.”
    His hands urged her on as his movements became more desperate. He was close. She could feel the swell as he grew more rigid inside her.
    She did as he asked, wanting to give him back the pleasure he’d given her.
    He closed his eyes tight and arched into her. His hands pressed into the flesh of her hips as he surged one last time. He cried out as he erupted, and she felt a keen sense of satisfaction.
    “Come here,” he muttered as he gathered her in his arms.
    He pulled her down to him, and she could feel his heart racing against her cheek. He kissed the top of her head and ran gentle fingers through her hair.
    “You are an incredible, incredible woman, Ellie.”
    She smiled against his chest. Then she raised her head so she could kiss him. A yawn escaped her as she burrowed back underneath his chin.
    “Are you staying over?” she asked. She hadn’t considered whether or not he’d stay the night or want to. It seemed senseless for him to go home at this hour.
    He continued stroking her hair. “Do you want me to?”
    “Mmm hmmm.”
    “Then I’m staying. Can’t think of anything better than to wake up with you all curled up in my arms.”
    A warm, happy glow lit her cheeks. She couldn’t imagine anything better either.

Chapter Eight
    Ellie opened her eyes and yawned broadly. She stretched and curled deeper into the bed. Jake had gotten up early and gone into work after issuing strict instructions for her to take the day off. Then he’d made some rather lewd remarks about what he’d like to do on his lunch break.
    She grinned and glanced over at her bedside clock. It was still early, and she had plenty of time before Jake would pop back in. A long bath. And breakfast. She was starving.
    Her body protested as she moved to get out of bed. She was sore from her and Jake’s lovemaking, but damn had it been worth every second.
    As she walked by the TV, she flipped it on then went to rummage in her closet for something to wear. She liked the noise. She didn’t deal well with silence.
    But when she heard Ray Hatcher’s name, she froze. Slowly, she turned around and walked to the door of her closet. She shouldn’t let it affect her. She should pay no attention, but hearing his name still had the power to knock her off balance.
    She stood frozen, staring at the object of her nightmares on screen. He was smiling, but then he’d always been charming. He looked young and carefree, like a twenty-something instead of a thirty-something, “old” NFL quarterback.
    He was being interviewed. Her ears picked up that much. The host was abuzz with the news of Ray’s contract extension. Several minutes passed as she stared dumbly at the screen.
    Then she heard her name, and horror crawled over her, clouding her mind in a flash of fear and hatred. The interviewer was asking about Ray’s marriage and the bastard, the bastard , sat there and let the lies roll off his lips as easily as if he were talking about the weather.
    Infidelity. Adultery. He was crushed. He loved Ellie, and it had devastated him when he discovered their marriage was in ruins.
    Her hand flew to her mouth as the host donned an appropriate expression of pity as they discussed the intimate details of Ray’s private life.
    But things were looking up. He’d found a new love interest. His career was back on track after a shaky few years. He’d moved past his ex-wife’s transgression.
    Oh God, she was going to vomit.
    She ran for the bathroom, tears streaming down her face. How could he? How could he destroy the only thing she had left? Her integrity. The knowledge that she had done nothing but love the wrong man.
    She threw herself at the toilet