“You got burned. Because I wasn’t there to help you with the fire.”
“My own clumsiness. No fault of yours.”
“I shouldn’t have stopped our lessons.”
“You needed space. You needed time to think. We were moving too fast. Both of us have had our share of pain. We’re skittish.”
“You’re the most understanding woman I’ve ever met.”
She wasn’t. Not really. But she did want only the best for Roan and Trinity, and if that meant she had to butt out of their lives, she would do it. From outside the house, the wind gusted and sent the chimes on her back porch dancing, various vibrating tones rippling through the air.
“The last time we were together...” Roan paused and held her gaze. “Things got pretty intense.”
“Very.”
“I’ve never wanted a woman as much as I want you,” he said.
“Ever?” she whispered, hating that she sounded so vulnerable.
“Never, ever,” he confirmed, his brown-eyed gaze locked onto her.
“Not even with—”
“Never.”
Seriously? He and Claire had been high school sweethearts and Roan was telling her the chemistry with his wife hadn’t been as intense as what she and Roan now shared?
A flash of crackle-bright lightning lit the room, followed immediately by a boom of thunder. They both jumped as sleet started pelting the windows. Sabrina let out a yowl and sprinted under the couch.
“You should go,” she said. “Before the roads start icing up.”
“I’m not leaving you alone in this mess.”
“Trinity needs you.”
“She’s safe with my folks.”
“So...” She hitched in a breath. “You’re willing to risk getting iced in with me?”
“I told you, Jazzy, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be right now.”
“Roan... I don’t know what to say to that.”
Taking care with her arm, he gathered her to him and kissed her. The kiss was just as potent, just as compelling as what they’d shared before. Had it really only been four days since they’d been together? It felt like eons.
He pulled back and looked down at her. “Are you hungry?”
“Yes,” she said, sighing happily. “For you.”
“C’mere,” he said, guiding her to the couch. “I’m going to get you set up and then go make lunch.”
“I can help.”
“I know you can, but I want to do something special for you. So, you rest right here.” He eased her down on the couch and covered her with the plush throw blanket. Sabrina came out from under the couch to settle into her lap.
Finding the remote control, Roan switched it on and set the channel for the local noon news. “You can keep an eye on the weather.”
“That’s a good idea.”