It was nearly midnight when they pulled up to the motel in the outskirts of the small town. Brendan parked the car and they went to the tiny office together, Brendan staying half a step behind her as if he didn't trust her at all.

"We need a room for the night," she told the skinny college-aged kid behind the desk. There was a board with a set of old-fashioned keys hanging on it behind the clerk.

"Two beds," Brendan grumbled, voice harsh.

The kid smirked as he grabbed a key and turned back toward them.

"Something funny?" Brendan growled, pulling himself to his full height and crossing his arms over his chest.

The kid's eyes went wide and he gulped. "No," he muttered. Brit had to bite back a smile.

When he held the key out, Brendan narrowed his eyes, glancing at her before back to him. "I want that room." He pointed at a different spot on the board. "That one have two beds?"

The boy looked where he had pointed, then nodded his head hastily. "Yeah, here." He handed it over and had them sign papers as quickly as he could. Brit rolled her eyes at Brendan's suspicions. She had a feeling it would be a long while before he even began to trust her.

Their room was on the other side of the building. Thankfully no one was around and Brit moved the car so it was parked right in front of their door.

With the key in hand, Brendan unlocked the door and held it open for her, his eyes taking in every inch.

The pace of the day seemed to catch up with her all at once and she tossed the bag she'd brought for Brendan on the second bed while she slumped down to sit on the first. Tension was thick in the air, and she watched, arms crossed, as he searched the room then checked the bathroom.

"You picked the room!" She huffed when he emerged again. "So there can't possibly be anything here."

He stopped to glower at her, his expression all fire then looked around again. "Well, I wouldn't be surprised if you were wired," he shot back, a hot challenging glint lighting his steel grey eyes.

Brit had had enough. "So strip me and see." She stood.

"Maybe I will," his voice was rough, his face stern.

Brendan took a step then another, backing her right up close to the wall next to the bed, never breaking her gaze as he started to unbutton her shirt, one by one, slow and intense-eyed.

She couldn't stand the overheated tension.

"How long is this going to take, Lynch? Out of practice?" Brit snarked.

His eyes narrowed and he ripped the last three buttons off in response, leaving her shirt hanging on her shoulders and raking his eyes down the expanse of skin he exposed.

Her breath hitched, audibly. She couldn't help herself.

Long, deft fingers met over the button of her jeans and he looked up to meet her gaze as he undid them and pushed them down just a little, running his fingers along her waistline as if he was looking for a weapon or a wire tucked away there.

Brit could hardly hold herself up now, each breath catching in her chest, her knees going weak. She wanted to lean against the wall but his hands slipped around to her lower back. The tips of his fingers slid softly up the length of her spine until they caught on the hook of her bra. Still glowering at her he undid the catch then skimmed his hands back down her sides, thumbs brushing the curves of her breast, still pretending he was searching for her betrayal.

In reality, this had already turned into something else entirely. Brit could see it in his eyes, the fire that lit his gaze, the desire that was burning there, and she knew it was reflected in her expression as well.

His hands were on her hips now, and she could feel the roughness of his fingers as he touched her bare skin. Tension was thick in the air between them, she could feel the heat radiating off his body, but he hesitated, so she glared right back at him.

"How do I know you're not hiding something?" she asked. Before she could second guess herself, she slipped her hand under his shirt, savoring the feel of his hard, flat stomach and the trail of fuzz that led down… Her palm followed the fly of his dark jeans and she could feel he was half hard already. She couldn't help but caress him.

For a moment he let her, seemingly frozen while her fingers traced the outline of his growing bulge and she cupped him in her palm. Brit pressed a little, catching her lower lip in her teeth and squeezed gently, remembering everything about him, everything about the way he felt and everything he liked.

The touch of her hand seemed to snap something inside of him because suddenly he was grabbing her wrist. He pushed her up hard against the wall.

"Is that how yeh want it?" His voice was low and rough, hot as fire, his accent thick. He didn't wait for an answer. In the next moment he was kissing her hard, his tongue spearing into her mouth, intense and deep. The full length of his body pressed to hers, pushing her roughly into the wall. She could feel how hard his cock was now and she couldn't help but move against him, savoring the sensation.

Brendan broke the kiss on a gasp, glaring at her, and when he spoke it was practically a growl. "It's been a very long time, Allen. I could really use a good fuck… But that is all this would be. One good fuck. Nothing else. It doesn't mean anything."

Brit slipped her fingers behind his belt buckle, tugging him to press against her again and narrowed her eyes. "What makes you think I'd want anything else?"

Brendan did growl at that, his annoyance obvious but he fused his mouth to hers once more. His strong hands slid over her hips, pushing her jeans down again, then around to cup her arse and tug her harder against him. When Brit moaned he gripped her thighs, lifting her then turning to drop her to the bed in one swift motion.

She gasped as the full length of Brendan's body fell onto hers, pinning her to the bed. He covered her mouth before she could say anything more, playing his tongue with hers. With one hand, she gripped the bed covers, trying to hold on but his hips were cradled between her legs and she could feel every inch of him. He rubbed against her, teasing her, she knew. Unable to help it, Brit lifted her own hips, wanting more. She was desperate now.

Brendan was so, so good. He felt so good and it had been so long. Years had passed since their brief affair. She'd had a couple of other lovers in that time, but no one had ever compared in any way to him and she'd quickly lost interest in anyone that wasn't Brendan Lynch.

Breaking their kiss, he slid his hands down her body and hooked his fingers in her jeans. He tugged them down her legs while his other hand shifted to cup her breast. His eyes were hot and intense, and he never stopped touching her - struggling to take her jeans the rest of the way off with one hand. She knew then that it had been a long time for him as well. She knew he rarely let himself get involved with anyone, and he'd been in jail half the time anyway. His eagerness told her that perhaps she was something a little different to him, despite his gruff demeanor.

"Brendan," she gasped as he came back to her, sliding the other hand up her rib cage to join the first, teasing her breasts. He pressed his hips back to her again and she bit her lip, smiling.

"Just one fuck," he reminded her, his voice husky, trying to look serious.

Brit couldn't help herself, she grinned knowing there was no way this was not going to be repeated again as long as they were near each other, it was too good. She saw the glint in his eyes, and she knew that he knew it as well. She chuckled and Brendan's face broke into a smile. "Hush," he grumbled at her, then he kissed her again.

Her hands could not stay idle any longer. She had waited too long. With one slow sweep of her hand, she moved her fingers to caress him again through his tight jeans, pressing her palm against the ridge of his swollen cock.

His hips jerked as she explored him, and she moved her other hand to join the first. Making quick work of his leather belt then the buttons on his fly. He kissed her again, stroking his tongue against hers, but she was not distracted. She tugged his jeans and boxers down while he thoroughly explored her mouth, his cock springing eagerly into her waiting hand. He was soft and hot and thick, smooth velvet over steel. A groan escaped him as she gripped his shaft and he thrust into her palm.

"Not yet," he growled, pulling away. He shifted to her side, and slid his hand over her abdomen. In one quick motion, he sat up, pulling his own shirt over his head and getting rid of the rest of his clothes before fumbling with her loose shirt to pull it and her bra off of her shoulders. When they were gone, he laid her back on the bed and slipped his fingers down her belly, around her navel and then under the top edge of her panties.

Brit gasped, lifting into his touch, but he pushed her back down, teasing her with gentle sweeps of his calloused fingertips over the sensitive skin of her lower abdomen. His fingers slipped lower and she cried out loud as he slid them inside of her. A harsh sigh left Brendan, then he was on top of her, nothing between them before she had even realized what had happened. In the next moment the tip of him was pressed against her, and he cupped her jaw, tilting her head so she was looking into his eyes, searching for permission, and he pushed in.

Within seconds he was deep, deep inside of her. Brit took a breath, and let it out slowly, willing herself to relax fully as he stretched her. Despite his harsh demeanor, he seemed to sense her need to adjust to him and he stayed still, suckling at her collarbone, then downward to her breasts while he waited for her to ease. When he captured one tight peaked nipple between his lips, Brit whimpered, pleasure lighting up her nerves, shooting straight to where they were joined. The sensation made her rock her hips, and Brendan moaned, letting himself thrust gently against her. Soon they were moving together, and he was taking her with steady strokes of his cock into her body, each one building ecstasy between them.

Brit writhed and rocked beneath him, loving the way he felt - inside of her, on top of her, all over. She was gasping for breath then he began to take her harder and she cried out loud with pleasure. Brendan growled against the skin of her chest, then lowered his mouth to suckle at her nipple again. Her entire body sparkled with the contact, lit up like a supernova.

He went on forever, it felt like, until they were both sweaty and gasping then finally he lifted his head to look at her, his eyes hot with bluefire. Slipping his hand down her stomach, he settled his thumb against her clit and made slippery circles in time with each thrust. Brit wailed as the electrifying sensation washed over her; when he moved a little quicker, she came hard, her body surging up against him as she cried his name, taking him deeper within. Even while she still writhed, overcome with pleasure, she felt him pulse and empty inside of her. His growl rumbled against her skin as he buried his face in her neck, her climax triggering his own.

Brit held him, her hands slipping over his back, slick with a sheen of sweat, as he came inside of her, even while her own body was still shaking with aftershocks. When he settled, his heavy breaths beginning to quiet, he shifted to her side, so only half his weight was on top of her and nestled his head against her shoulder. Brit held him, floating on a cloud of bliss...pleasure and endorphins still surging through her veins. No one had ever compared to Brendan Lynch.

But could this ever last? She didn't know, but she wasn't going to question it. They were stuck together, at least until they got the money. After that…

Brendan sighed deeply and within moments he was snoring softly. Brit savored the sound. Sleep rarely came easily for him. This gave her hope that maybe she gave him a measure of peace. At least he trusted her enough to sleep at her side.

As for herself, she didn't fall asleep for quite awhile. When she'd agreed with JR to come after Brendan, she'd told herself it was only for him and for the money, but now she knew this outcome had always been in the back of her mind. And she was going to enjoy it while she had it.

A soft rustling woke Brit early the next morning. The room was still very dark, the curtains drawn, and she could feel Brendan's body, warm and protective next to hers. Her brain was foggy with sleep and she was so comfortable, more than she could remember being in a long time, so she didn't move.

Only a moment passed, however, before Brendan was carefully disengaging from her side - slipping his arm slowly and carefully from beneath her and pulling away as if he didn't want to wake her. Perhaps he was only being considerate, but as he silently stood up from the bed, Brit felt an inevitable sense of suspicion settle in her chest. He was pulling away, second guessing, regretful.

She heard him move across the room to his bag, gathering up his discarded clothes from the night before and packing his duffel. Not a good sign. Then he disappeared into the bathroom and she heard the shower start. A plan formed in her mind. He wasn't going to get away from her yet.

Hot water showered down as Brendan bent his head, letting the hard spray hit his shoulders. What the fuck was he going to do. Lifting his head he ran one hand through his soaked hair pushing it back. He couldn't stay, she was too… tempting. He could not risk that. And he couldn't risk her; it would be dangerous to be with him. Then it was settled, he would take off before she woke. A pang of remorse hit him but he pushed it aside. Brit could take care of herself, she would be fine.

Decision made, he knew he should get on with it, but still he lingered, taking his time in the shower for too long. He couldn't quite bring himself to rush out…

Damn it! He cursed himself. Don't let her get to you.

He shut off the water with angry flick of his wrist and toweled off quickly. After he dressed, he slung his bag over his shoulder, glad he'd brought it all in the bathroom with him and steeled himself for leaving fast and silent. No looking back.

When he passed the bed on his way out, he saw out of the corner of his eye the shape she made under the quilt, still curled up as he left her, but he would not look. He would not be tempted to crawl back into bed at her side, gather her naked in his arms and…

Brendan shook his head and reached for the door, resolve set. Head bent, he stepped out in the bright Australian sunshine letting the motel door close silently behind him. He took a step toward the parking lot only to look up and find Brit leaning against the car, smoking a cigarette. The corner of her mouth lifted when she met his eyes and she put the cigarette out on the ground. "What took you so long?"

He knew he must look shocked but he firmed his jaw and didn't answer.

"Ready to go?" She asked.

He shoved his hands in his jean pockets, glaring at her.

"Look Brendan," she crossed her arms. "It's only for a couple of weeks, and it's for a lot of money. It's not all bad, right?"

Finally, he gave in, letting his gaze drift down the length of her body. Her jeans hugged her hips and legs like a glove and he could see a mark on the pale skin over her collarbone. A mark he had left. Brendan sighed, giving in.

He needed the money, he told himself. "Aye," he answered. "Not all bad. I was just coming to warm the car up."

"Right." Brit laughed as she slid into the driver seat. The sound hit him right in the gut and worst of all he craved the feeling.

No, he wouldn't try and ditch her again. He would enjoy the next few weeks, get her out of his system, get the money then be on his way. No problem.

AN: Thank you once again to Siri-Wan Kenobi for co-writing and Geri K for her help! Check out their stories too! Please review and let us know what you think!