Page 52 of Here & Now

“I know.” If she hadn’t broken the vase, he probably wouldn’t be here at all.

“But I’m not sorry.”

She smiled at that. “Me, either.”

He looked relieved. “I’m leaving now, but I’d still like to have breakfast with you tomorrow if you want to.”

After what happened, it seemed impossible to say no, and she didn’t want to. “I’ll be ready at eight.”

“Okay. See you then.”

He quickly left, almost like he didn’t trust himself to stay a second more, and she locked the door behind him. She leaned her back against it and sighed. Talk about a hurricane! She felt like she’d been swept up in one and was being tossed around in the wind until she wasn’t sure which way was up or down.

She’d come to Sanibel with a single focus, to sell her grandparents’ house, and now she was focused on something else entirely, something that felt good now but would only cause her pain in the end. And it would end. It had to.

Soon she’d return to Michigan, where she had a job, an apartment, a family. Now that her grandparents were gone, and once their house was sold, she wouldn’t have a reason to return, unless...

“No! Don’t even go there.”

Pushing herself away from the door, she went into the living room and finished cleaning up. Then she put away the broom and dustpan, shut off the lights, and went down the hall to her bedroom.

She crawled into bed, knowing it would be a while before she fell asleep. Once settled, she picked up the historical romance novel on her nightstand and stared at the cover. A duke and his future duchess were caught up in a rapturous embrace. The woman wore an elaborate ballgown, and her breasts spilled over the top.

It was only a story, and the era was vastly different from now, but it reminded her of how she’d felt in Zane’s arms. The way he’d held her protectively and sensually. How he’d kissed her confidently and tenderly. The way his body had been firm yet comforting.

The images scrolled through her mind like a movie preview of a film she was dying to see or a dessert she’d tasted and wanted more of. She sighed and imagined what would have happened if they hadn’t stopped.

Maybe he would have scooped her into his arms and carried her down the hall to this room. She ran her hand over the empty space beside her. He could have been lying here right now, naked. She drew in a breath, imagining his gorgeous body without clothes, and wriggled against the sheets.

In this scenario, she’d have been naked too, and she scrunched up her nose at the thought of that. In the last few years, John had been the only man to see her naked, and it was daunting to think of baring herself to someone new.

Zane had seen her in a bathing suit, so he’d gotten a preview of sorts, but naked was a different story. It was almost enough to bring her fantasy to a crashing halt—almost.

She closed her eyes and imagined him lifting her pajama top and then burying his face between her breasts. His lush mouth would cover a nipple, and he would suck it gently, swirling his tongue around it. Then he’d move on to her other breast while his hand drifted down her stomach and into the waistband of her pajama bottoms.

A wave of heat crashed over her, and she flung off the covers.

His hand would keep moving until it reached the apex of her thighs. His fingertips would graze over her center, lightly teasing, exploring.

She’d spread her legs apart, welcoming his touch, craving it. He’d slowly insert one finger, swirling it around just where she needed it.

Her breath hitched as he added another finger, and then…

Her cell phone buzzed on the nightstand, bringing her fantasy to an abrupt end. She sat up, glanced at the screen, and answered.

“Hey, Ivy.”

“Did I wake you?”

“No.”

“You sound out of breath.”

“Oh. Well, it’s hot in here.” If her sister only knew why.

“I just put Sofie down, and I thought I’d check in with you. How’s the packing going?”

“Slow.”