“Come on, then.”
She wanted to resist, really she did. But for once it felt so good to have a man take the lead, to take care of her. Especially when it was the man she’d fallen hopelessly in love with.
If only he could return her feelings. She sighed. That would never be. She’d have to settle for a man who couldn’t resist doing a favor for his big sister.
Still a wonderful man, just not her wonderful man.
* * *
Amber took a long hot bath and wrapped herself in the luxurious fluffy robe provided by the hotel. Harper and Blake both had rooms on the same floor. Harper had told her to order room service, but she wasn’t hungry. She was tired—oh, so weary—and numb.
So very numb.
She lay down on her bed, wanting to cry. Wanting to sob her heart out. The tears didn’t come.
She got up, left the room, and walked across the hall. She knocked on Harper’s door.
Harper answered, looking tousled and sexy in green cotton lounging pants and no shirt. His hair was wet and clung to the sides of his neck, Evening stubble had emerged on his chin.
“Amber. You okay?”
She nodded.
“What do you need?”
“I…I don’t want to be alone.”
He shook his head. “You can’t stay here.”
Her heart sank. “I’m not asking to stay here. Can I just come in for a little while? Maybe watch some TV or something? I just need to know there’s another body in the room.”
“I’m sorry. You have to go back to your own room.” He walked through the door and grabbed her arm. “I’ll walk you back.”
He took the key card from her hand and slid it into her door. He opened it.
“Please, can you come in? Just for a few minutes.”
“Damn it, Amber.”
“I’m sorry if I’m being so needy. It’s been…” It’s been what? A hell of a day? A hell of a few days? A hell of a few days from my nightmares?
A hell of a life?
“Amber, I’m telling you, I can’t come in.”
“Why, Harper?”
He raked his fingers through his damp hair. “Damn it!” He pushed her through the door and followed her in, slamming it. Then he grabbed her and crushed his mouth to hers.
He tasted of Irish coffee, of salt, of wild berries. She’d never tasted anything more delicious. Who knew that was exactly what she’d been craving? Now was not the time to be coy. She opened her mouth and welcomed his tongue.
Their tongues slithered together in a kiss of wildness and passion. Of pure unadulterated need.
Need. Amber needed him. Now. So much now. But not just now.
Forever.
She stopped her thoughts. Forever would not happen for them. She knew that.