“I was talking to Lisa about the business.” She was earnest and serious, but it made no difference because he already knew how much passion was simmering beneath that modest shirt. She dressed to hide her body, but curves like hers weren’t easily disguised, and he’d already discovered what was underneath her clothes. He could still feel the dip of her small waist and the fullness of her breasts. He could taste the sweet flavor of her mouth as she’d opened to him, and he wanted to taste it again. He wanted to drag her into the nearest empty side street and indulge in the sort of sex she’d never be able to describe as “nice.”

Realizing she was waiting for an answer, he cleared his throat. “That was kind of you.”

“Not really.” She looked uncertain. “It’s probably driven by a selfish need to feel competent at something I’m doing. That certainly isn’t child rearing. I need a crash course.”

Her insecurity tugged at him. He remembered feeling the same way a million times.

“Anyone who feels competent at child rearing is deluding themselves. If it’s going well, then you’d better realize it could change at any time. Just when you think you’ve got something nailed, they hit another phase, and suddenly you have no idea what you’re doing.”

“Was that how it was with Rachel?” Her earnest gaze made him slide deeper into the hole he’d dug for himself.

“Yeah. Losing my parents coincided with a difficult phase, so we never knew whether she was exhibiting grief or whether it was just normal behavior. We stumbled through it, making it up as we went along.”

“I’m worried my lack of skills might be psychologically damaging.”

He was pretty sure that being the child of Lana Fox would have done far more damage psychologically, but he kept that thought to himself. “I’m sure you’re doing just fine.”

“I ordered a ton of books, but so far I haven’t had time to read them.”

He could imagine her, focused on the internet, reading all the back cover copy in an attempt to decide which book would guarantee a safe future for Lizzy. “Parents never do. They’re too busy being parents. And I’m not sure what books can teach you that your instincts can’t.”

“I’m not sure I have the right instincts.” Her eyes were wide with uncertainty. “I know I don’t have the right feelings for her, but I can protect her. That’s my job. I’m trying to learn what she needs.”

He wondered why she didn’t recognize the feelings that were so obviously spilling over inside her. She had so much love to give it was like watching a balloon ready to burst.

Yet another reason to keep his distance.