When he gave her an astonished look over the rim of his dark glasses, she burst out laughing and put her arms around him.

Dropping the bag, he clenched her against his hard length. The ferocity jettisoned her into an emotion so powerful she had to blink back tears.

Pulling back, she said, “You’ve done so much for me, I really don’t know how to—”

“Shut the fuck up.” He kissed her.

They both went up in flames. She wound her fingers through his hair, kissing him back with everything she had. When he finally lifted his head again, they were both shaking.

She stared into his glittering gaze. “Truth is, I wouldn’t be so eager to leave if I didn’t have to.”

“And I wouldn’t be so eager to see you go,” he muttered. He grasped her by the hips and pushed her away. “That doesn’t do either of us any good. This isn’t goodbye. I need to get the rest of the relocation money to you.”

She pulled his T-shirt back into place with hands that still shook. “What were you thinking?”

He glanced around again, hard face wary. “Meet me in New Orleans weekend after next. We’ll transfer funds then.”

Her stupid heart, which had been languishing in a gutter, rose up and began a Gene Kelly tap dance. “You sure you can get away?”

That brought his attention back. There was a banked heat in his expression that made her feel weightless, not quite connected to her surroundings. In that moment, they were the only two things that existed in the world. “I can get there safely. Just be sure that you do.”

“I’m headed out now. I have a full tank of gas, and I’m not looking back.”

He rubbed his thumb along her lower lip. “Drive the speed limit. Your new license may have a different name, but the police have your photo. If you get in an accident or get stopped, you’ll be charged with a felony.”

She heaved a sigh. “That’s one of the things I love about you. You’re such a bundle of sunshine and joy. You must have been a shih tzu in a former life.”

An unwilling smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. It vanished a moment later. Pushing back the edges of his suit jacket, he rested his hands on his hips. “Remember, without serious training, your power will remain undisciplined. Don’t be surprised when it leaks out in new and unusual ways. Self-discipline and meditation will help to calm it down, but mostly you need a teacher. You need to find someone.”

“I’m already working on it,” she said steadily.

What flashed across his features? Jealousy? Possessiveness? Whatever it was, she was pretty sure she shouldn’t feel quite as good about it as she did.