I’d never seen a woman in my house before—outside the bedroom, that was. The kind of dates I had would leave early in the morning, never staying for pillow talk or meals. It was the type of life I’d enjoyed and needed to survive the stress of my job.

But seeing Cara, in her goofy clothes and her unkempt hair, tossing pancakes and pouring coffee, made me realize that I might have been missing out on something major.

Something vital.

I’d always known I wanted Cara for more than a fling. She wasn’t Jo or any other girl I’d bring home for an evening or two.

She was special.

That was why I’d tried so damn hard to stay away.

For a man who didn’t believe in love beyond obligation, the very idea of her made me want to run. Even now, I could feel myself fighting the pull to stake my claim, after everything I’d done to make this moment a reality. Because once I did, there’d be no turning back.

“Tossed and turned,” I replied, taking the cup of coffee she’d offered.

Our fingers briefly touched before she pulled away and busied herself once again. I wondered if she could feel the heat of my touch seeping into her skin.

As she was seeping into my goddamn soul.

“I’ve got to get ready for work,” I announced, rising suddenly.

I couldn’t help the look of alarm that washed across my face. I felt in over my head.

I needed space.

Nearly running toward the master bedroom, I slammed the door shut, seeking shelter and silence.

Dear God, what the hell had I done?

Bent over with my hands on my knees, I tried to breathe, but even that felt like a luxury I shouldn’t be allowed.

I’d done a lot of terrible things in my life. I’d lied, cheated, and stolen to get to where I was. Being a businessman at the level I was… it was inevitable. Sure, we could say it was legal.

Taking over a small company and providing them with the stability to move forward for generations to come?

Fine.

But what it really was… was stealing. I’d stolen the livelihood of countless people for a profit. It was something my brother and father had only dabbled in.

We were an investment company. We invested money where we thought it would profit the most. But I’d taken it one step further and started buying out companies that had been succeeding and mowing them over.

My brother believed we were bringing them into the Cavenaugh family. But really we were just adding to the bottom line. At least, that was all I cared about.

And, now, I’d done the same thing with Cara.

I’d treated her like she was just another gain, an addition to my bottom line.