Yeah, her either. She’d planned on him being nothing more than the fun-time guy to have a little thing with. That’s what her bullet journal had him down as. And that shit was in ink, which meant it was gospel. She’d never have done it if she’d known he planned on sticking around. “You’d really retire?”

He shrugged. “I’ve had my share of excitement. More than.” He paused. “So what are you afraid of?”

Only everything, not the least of which was that he could read her like a damn book. She was no longer surprised to realize that he was much deeper and more complicated than she’d ever imagined. So yeah, she was scared. Scared to go deeper, and even more scared to lose him, as at the moment, he was the only sane thing in her world. “I’m not sure afraid is the right word.”

“What is then?”

Good question. What if he decided that if she couldn’t give that mysterious “more,” would he walk away? It wouldn’t be the first time. But unlike with Ry, she was in too deep with Cam to not get hurt if he did. Freaking out a little bit, she slipped out of bed, busying herself looking for her clothes, which she’d been stupid enough—and excited enough—to strew everywhere last night in her hurry to get him naked. “I’ve got to get to work by seven, sorry.”

“Are you?”

She glanced over at him still in the bed, the sheet sunk dangerously low on his hips. His hair was tousled, his stubble delicious, and he looked like the very best thing she’d ever seen. “It’s work,” she said. “I don’t have any control over that.”

Cam slid out of the bed. “Are you going to tell me what you’re thinking, or keep me hanging while I’m gone?”

Where was her other shoe? Her bra? Dammit. She stilled, eyes closed. He was going to go on a mission. It was his job, his life, and yet . . . he was probably being shipped out to a place like where her parents had been killed.

He turned her to face him. He was holding her bra. “Playing games is unlike you, Piper. You’re one of the most direct women I’ve ever known. If you don’t want what I want, or if you’re not feeling anything, just tell me.”

Look at him, way overestimating her emotional ability. Had he not met her? In any case, she was feeling a whole bunch, thank you very much. But their needs were complete opposites. She’d been planning on going out and getting the life she’d been waiting years to get, and he was looking to sink roots and settle down.

If she gave in to what they had between them, it could mean compromising her life. Again.