She gasped when she looked at the stove clock. “I don’t have much time.” Ava sat down at the table, took her first bite, and closed her eyes, then hummed.
It made him feel good that she enjoyed the meal he’d made for her.
She looked up to find him watching her. He couldn’t help not looking at her.
She smiled at him. “This is the best omelet I’ve ever eaten, Sean. Thank you.”
He smiled back and picked up his own fork. “I’m glad you like it.”
They ate in silence for a few minutes. Ava rose, took her plate to the sink, and quickly rinsed it. After wiping her hands, she turned. “I’m sorry to rush you, but I really have to go.”
He rose with his plate. “It’s no problem. Now let’s get you to work.” As he walked back to Ava, he pulled her into a quick hug. God, she fit perfectly in his arms. He wanted to pick her up and take her back to bed. More than that, he wanted, no, needed, her under him. He needed the closeness that only lovemaking could give them.
In due time, he thought.
“I’m glad you’re feeling better. We have to do better at taking care of you.”
She pulled out of Sean’s arms and picked up her purse. He assumed it also gave her an excuse to avoid looking at him, but he didn’t push her.
He took a sudden step forward only to stop when she flinched away. That infuriated him.
Someone had abused this woman. If he ever had got his hands on the bastard, he’d kill him. He kept his voice and facial expressions as gentle as possible. “Come on, honey.”
He loved how she automatically took the hand he held out. The attraction between them was evident, and he just hoped she’d be able to conquer her fear and give him a chance.
“Can you put in the code for your security system? It would be best if you didn’t leave it off at all. Leave it on even when you’re in the house.”
“I always do. I never forget it.”
“It wasn’t on when I brought you home last night.”
“Oh, I might have forgotten because of the headache and medicine I was on.”
“That’s possible.”
He helped her toward his truck, and desire unlike any he’d ever felt slammed into him when he smelled her essence that she couldn’t hide from him. God, what he wouldn’t give to slide deep into her body and make her his in every sense of the word and in every way. It took every bit of his strength to move away from her.
“Let’s get you to work.”
He breathed deeply as he circled the truck. He needed to calm down, or he’d scare her to death. She needed to trust him. What made it possible was the picture she made, the passion running through her was wholly visible to him. She was his, and he just had to bide his time because she was already comfortable with him. That was a huge step. The rest would come. He’d just nudge it along faster.
****
Ava took several breaths, trying to calm her racing heart as she waited for him to lock the front door. She couldn’t remember ever forgetting the alarm. It was like second nature to her. It took a moment for her to remember he’d brought her home and into the house, so she’d somehow missed setting it. She would do better because she couldn’t afford not to.
As they walked to the truck, she glanced over at him.
Everything about him appealed to her on a feminine level, but she didn’t think she was ready to get into another relationship. She didn’t know if she ever would be.
“I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself, Sean.” She looked quickly at him, watching for any anger, but found none, then looked away. “I really did appreciate your help last night, but that doesn’t happen very often.”
“Baby, look at me,” he continued when she looked up. “I know you don’t trust me yet. It’s so early in our relationship.”
Her breath stuttered in her chest. “We don’t have a relationship,” she reminded him.
He went on like she hadn’t spoken. “But the more you get to know me, you’ll know I’d rather cut my arm off than hurt you, and I’d kill anyone who did.”
Ava looked intently at the serious expression on his face. Had anyone ever been that protective of her before, someone who wasn’t a family member? No, no one, she admitted. The fact she let him take over last night already showed she trusted him.