Blind to the cruelty.

Cowardly.

Having circled the small room, Reese now stood in front of her. “Alice?”

Distress got a stranglehold on her. She met his gaze, wishing she could will away the past, wishing she could convince him to stay, wishing she could put off this confrontation forever....

He studied her face, and concern pulled his brows. “It’s getting late.”

Bedtime. A time when her thoughts would relentlessly circle memories she badly wanted to bury. “Yes.”

“Shhh. Don’t panic.”

He’d known she was?

Reese touched her cheek, ran two fingers along her jaw. “I don’t relish the idea of folding myself onto your couch again.”

Confirmed. He wanted to leave her. Her heart tripped as she stood, her mind searching for words to convince him to stay.

Cash sidled out from between them and headed out of the room, probably going to the aforementioned couch.

They stared at each other. Her voice quavered as much as her nerve. “I...I don’t want you to leave.”

Rock-steady, he held her gaze. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Just that fast, anxiety deflated. “You’re not?”

“The path your thoughts take...” He shook his head, that cocky, crooked little smile in place again. “I want to share your bed, honey.”

Share her...? As in sleep with her, under the covers with her, his big body right there, hot and solid, comforting and so tempting...

“Just sleep for now. Not sex. But I’d love to stay closer tonight.” He brought up her chin. “May I, Alice?”

Elation burst through her. “Okay.” More than okay. Already her toes curled, and a sweet ache unfurled. She breathed a little faster.

“Not for sex,” he chided again.

For tonight, for right now, she’d take what she could get. “Okay.”

His smile curled more. “Not just yet, anyway.”

She nodded. She wasn’t ready yet—but now she knew she would be...and soon.

He cupped the back of her neck, his mood shifting in some intense, indefinable way. “Now seems like a good time for that kiss we discussed.”

Before she could even absorb what he’d said, he touched his mouth to hers, warm, barely there at first, then more firmly. He moved his mouth over hers, parting her lips, angling his head to fit her more surely.

On a sound of wonder, Alice sank against him.

Wrapping one arm around her, he gathered her closer still, drew her in until her br**sts pressed into the solid muscles of his body. Her heart thundered.

So did his.

She felt his tongue, tentative at first, touching her bottom lip, the edge of her teeth.

She held on tighter.

His exploration grew more curious, deeper, bold as he dueled with her tongue, and finally seductive, consuming.

She tasted him. And that, combined with his touch, his scent, overwhelmed her. Heat pooled between her legs, her ni**les drew tight and somehow the two were connected, throbbing together.

God, it felt good to be aroused again, to react normally, to want a man so much. Not just any man, but this man. Reese Bareden. Macho, sexy, caring.

The whole package.

And he was here, with her. Judging by the hardness of his body, he wanted her just as much.

Amazing.

A groan snuck out as she ran her hands over his broad, solid chest, up to his shoulders, down to his biceps. So hot. She held on to him, ensuring he couldn’t leave her. Not just yet.

Reese sank a hand into her hair, palming her skull, keeping her right there with him. Dazed, incredibly excited, Alice relished the hungry way he took her mouth.

His arm around her loosened, but only so he could open his big hand over her back. She felt the gentle press of his palm between her shoulder blades, then down the length of her spine. Stopping short of her behind, he brought it up again. Down once more, slower this time, almost as if he fought himself until...

He opened his hand over one cheek, caressed, delved down...

The press of his fingers nearly stopped her heart.

With a low sound deep in his throat, Reese suddenly released her.

Mouth tingling, adrenaline pumping, Alice stared up at him. Never before had she seen his green eyes look so bright or so burning.

He sounded hoarse when he said, “Already I’m going to have one hell of a time sleeping. Any more of that and I’ll have to take the couch so I don’t rush you.”

Reflex clenched her hands tight in his shirt. “But you already promised to sleep with me.” And she already anticipated it with all her heart.

One way or another, she’d hold him to it.

His quick laugh turned into a groan. His hands covered hers, not to pull her away, but in reassurance. “Stop thinking I’m backing out on you, or anything with you. Okay?”

So he hadn’t been? “Okay.” Still a little breathless, Alice nodded. “Good.” And she thought to add, “Thank you.”

He thumbed the rioting pulse in her wrists. “You have an amazing ass.”

No one had ever said anything so outrageous, so wonderful to her before. The compliment warmed her clear through to her soul. She grinned at him.

With a shake of his head, Reese said, “Go.” He pried her hands loose, turned her and planted a light swat on her behind—the behind he claimed to admire. “Do whatever you have to do before bed. It’s time we turned in—before I forget myself. Again.”

Alice was counting on him doing just that. Soon. Very, very soon.