“Christ, you’re beautiful.”

She blushed, and he moaned, leaning down to breathe her in again.

“You like to sniff me.” Amusement was clear in her voice. “Also, it’s not like you haven’t seen it all before. And when it was in better shape.”

He scoffed at that.

“When you blush it heats your skin, and you smell really, really good. As far as better? No. Younger? Yes. But your tits are far nicer now. Your ass is higher, tighter. Your legs are more toned. There’s also the added bonus that we can f**k all night long in my apartment if we want and no one is going to come home to discover us.”

She laughed, pulling his shirt up and off, caressing all of him she could reach.

“You’re one to talk about beautiful.” She pressed a kiss on his chest, over his heart, her hands skimming across his back, helping to shove his pants down before she took handfuls of his ass and hauled him close.

So good. Skin to skin.

He felt the curve of her lips against his chest as she brushed against his c**k from side to side.

Thank God she seemed to be as on board with sex as he was.

The water was done, and he reluctantly moved away to turn it off and to switch the jets on. He’d bought condoms on his way home the night before, hoping he’d get the chance to use them. He glanced toward the medicine cabinet where he’d stored the ones not in his nightstand or wallet.

She stepped into the water and groaned. “Oh my God. If I had one of these in my apartment, I’d never leave it.”

He was absolutely fine with her spending as much time as she pleased in his big bathtub.

“I only use this tub when I get my ass kicked. But with you around, I can see other, better uses.”

He joined her, settling her in between his thighs. Funny, he had this moment as they sat together, the steam from the water rising between them, he’d never realized how unsettled he’d been until she had walked into his building and everything had sort of clicked into place. Not even a full two days ago. Christ, how much in your life can change in such a short time.

For the first time in a long time, and certainly since she’d answered that call three days before, she felt…all right. Being there with him soothed her. Made her feel safe.

Which was silly. Of course she was capable of taking care of herself. But it was novel, being taken care of for a change.

It was probably stupid to like it. Certainly to get used to it. They all seemed to talk like she’d simply move up to Portland. Which she supposed meant he wanted more than a fun weekend with her.

She didn’t know what she wanted. She had a life in Roseburg. A job she liked but was growing increasingly unhappy with because of the attitudes of her boss. Being here made her realize maybe it wasn’t enough.

“Want to share whatever’s got you thinking so hard your muscles are bunching up? I know you’re worried about Allie.” He spoke softly, his hands sliding up her arms where he began to knead her shoulders.

“You’re really good with your hands,” she nearly purred, relaxing into him.

He laughed. That laugh men do when they’re really thinking about sex. It sent a thrill through her. It wasn’t that she didn’t think the next stop was bed. She was lying in his tub naked, between his thighs, his c**k hard at the small of her back.

But he owned his sexuality in a way that rendered her a little breathless with anticipation. And that laugh, mmm.

“Restless I guess.” Which was the truth on several levels.

“Why do I get the feeling you mean more than just about Allie? Talk to me.”

“I’m not ready to yet. I’m mulling it all over.”

“When you’re like this, I realize how much I missed you all these years.”

That made her laugh. “How so? Naked? Between your legs?”

He laughed too, brushing a kiss at her temple. “I have not been like this with anyone. Not since you. Did you…never mind.”

“Did I sit in the bathtub and talk about my feelings with Mark?”

“I don’t have a right to know. It’s okay.”

“He was a good man. Is a good man. He loved me, and in my own way I guess I loved him too.” She paused, wondering about taking the risk of stripping herself bare. “But I couldn’t share a big part of my life with him. Or, well I could have, but I didn’t trust him with it. And I didn’t trust you with it either, back then. But I can be who I am when I’m with you, and that is something I’ve never had with anyone but Allie, and not…well not like this.”

The fingers that had been kneading stopped as he encircled her shoulders and pulled her close. “I’m surrounded by wolves every day. But until I looked into your eyes yesterday, I didn’t realize how lonely I was. I have missed you so much. Because I have always talked to you and you’ve always listened. But the adult Michelle? You’re beyond alluring. I know you have a case. And I know you have a life, but when this is settled, I want you to consider there’s something up here for you. I’m part of it.”

She wanted to accept. Wanted to spin and say yes and fall into his arms and be his. But sudden didn’t begin to describe what the situation was.

“This is moving so fast.”

“I’ve known you since you were twelve and I was fourteen. You were my first. My first everything. This isn’t fast. This is slow. Long and simmering. Until we were both in a different place. Enough to appreciate it maybe. I left in a dickish way and—”