“Come what may, I gotta set things right. I’ve been deceiving Steele, and I need to come clean with him. And this way, you won’t ever wonder if I’m saying or doing something because of the deal. You’ll know you can trust me.”

Finally she nodded. “I understand. And I respect you all the more for what you need to do.”

He let himself relax, and for the first time since holding her, he took notice of the softness of her body pressing into him, along with her warmth and nearness. The way she clung to his shirt and the intensity of her gaze sent a surge of heat through him. Doggone, he needed to kiss her.

His attention dropped to her lips. Would she welcome him? Somehow the thought of kissing and holding her seemed right, another way to offer comfort and support in the difficulties of life . . . during this difficulty of Astrid being gone.

As if coming to the same conclusion, her fingers released his shirt and glided up his torso to his shoulders. The caress sent more heat through him and slung his self-control out the window. If he kissed her tonight, he was only asking for trouble. He’d end up sweeping her into his arms, carrying her to the bed, and lying down next to her.

Although every muscle in his body tightened with his desire, tonight wasn’t the right night. Before he could change his mind, he took a step back and broke their connection.

She dropped her hands, her expression chagrined.

He had another urge, almost overwhelming, to pick up her hands and kiss each of her fingers. “I’m going now,” he whispered, “before I do something I might regret come morning.”

“Regret?” Her eyes rounded with confusion.

“Yep. I’m aiming to talk to Steele and call off the deal before I kiss you again.”

“You don’t have to.” As soon as her words were out, her cheeks turned pink.

With a suppressed moan, he forced himself back another step. “Yep, I have to. ’Cause next time I kiss you, I ain’t gonna stop.”

She dropped her attention to the floor, her pretty lips turning up into a shy smile.

He forced himself to turn and walk to the door. For tonight he had to be satisfied with her smile and the realization that when he did get around to kissing her again, she’d be good and ready. He’d see to that.

Chapter 24

Astrid had been gone for two full days and two full nights. And with every passing day and night, the chances that something dire had happened to her increased. Greta didn’t want to think about all the scenarios, but her mind flashed with scenes of Astrid lying injured at the bottom of a ravine or lost somewhere in the mountains.