She grabbed his arm, stopping his work. Her crutch hit the floor with a dull thud, leaving her to balance on one foot.

He looked over his shoulder at her.

“It is a big deal, Aiden. If I’d known you’d be missing your big moment, I never would’ve agreed to let you stay.”

“I know. It’s okay.” He lowered the roller to his side, the muscles contracting under her hand. His eyes pierced hers, as fathomless as the deep blue sea. “That’s why I didn’t tell you, Jelly Bean.”

The old nickname made her heart roll over in her chest. His sacrifice brought mixed emotions, and they battled inside her. As did the realization that he was no longer that selfish boy. He was a man who’d put someone else’s needs ahead of his own.

Her needs.

“I can’t believe you did this,” she said finally. “What if you win?”

“Then Ross will deliver the nice acceptance speech you helped me write, no doubt doing a better job than I would’ve. Win or lose, I don’t have to be there for it, Sophie. But you needed me here—and here is where I wanted to be.”

Her breath caught at the sincerity in his eyes, in his voice. But what did it mean? Was he simply making up for a past mistake? Or was it something more? She was afraid to follow that thought.

His gaze swept over her face, seemingly taking in every inch, every plane, every slope.

Her cheeks heated under his inspection, her body prickling with awareness. Tension crackled between them, making the temperature rise by ten degrees. It was familiar, this feeling. Took her right back to when she’d last been his.

He cradled her face. His thumb brushed her cheek, awakening every cell. She was spellbound. Hopeless. At his mercy. Her grandmother had been right, and Sophie couldn’t even bring herself to care.

“I want to be here for you this time.” His voice was like molten honey. “It’s more important to me than any award I might win.”

She swayed toward him, precarious balance or magnetism, she wasn’t sure. He dropped the roller, catching her at the waist. So close she could feel his warmth through her T-shirt. Smell his piney scent.

His hands twitched at her waist. Her fingers clamped onto his biceps. Her gaze followed the column of his neck to his bristly jaw, to that sensual mouth, those smoldering eyes.

When his gaze fell to her mouth, she knew a moment of longing like she’d never experienced before. She wanted to feel his lips on hers again. Wanted to feel the delicious desire he alone had summoned. Wanted to feel cherished and adored. It had been so long.