He made her mind spin a dozen lazy pirouettes, with her pulse throbbing thick to keep the beat.

She wanted to send that rhythm speeding. Wanted it more than she’d anticipated. And floating on that lovely mix of anticipation, sensation and desire, she let her head fall back.

“That was nice.” Her fingers slid up into his hair. “Why don’t we do that again?”

He wanted to—to start and finish in one huge gulp. And his six-year-old son was splashing in the sink down the hall. “I can’t do this.”

“I think we just proved you could.”

“I’m not going to do this.” Now he did hold her at arm’s length. Her eyes were dark, her mouth soft. “Damn, you muddle a man’s brain.”

“Apparently not enough. But it’s a beginning.”

He let her go. It was the safest move. And stepped back. “You know, it’s been a long time since I…played this game.”

“It’ll come back to you. You may have been on the bench for a while, but it’ll come back. Why don’t we go out to dinner and start your training?”

“I washed both sides,” Jack announced as he hopped back into the room. “Can I have another cookie?”

“No.” He couldn’t take his eyes off hers. Couldn’t seem to do anything but stare and want. And wonder. “We have to go. Say thank you to Kate.”

“Thanks, Kate.”

“You’re welcome, Jack. Come back and see me, okay?”

“Okay.” He grinned at her as his father bundled him into his coat. “Will you have hot chocolate?”

“I’ll make sure of it.”

She walked them to the door, stood in the opening to watch them climb into the truck. Jack waved enthusiastically. Brody didn’t look back at all.

A cautious man, she thought as they drove off. Well, she could hardly blame him. If she’d had something as precious as that little boy to worry about, she’d have been cautious, too.

But now that she’d met the son, she was even more interested in the man. He was a good father, one who obviously paid attention. Jack had been warmly dressed, healthy, friendly, happy.

It couldn’t be easy, raising a child alone. But Brody O’Connell was doing it, and doing it well.

She respected that. Admired that. And, was attracted to that.

Maybe she’d been a little hasty, acting on pure chemistry. But she pressed her lips together, remembering the feel and taste of his and wondered who could blame her.

Still, it wouldn’t hurt to take more time, to get to know him better.

After all, neither of them were going anywhere.

Chapter Four

“Earthquakes,” Kate said.

“Ice storms,” Brandon countered.

“Smog.”

“Snow shovels.”

She tossed back her hair. “The joy of the changing seasons.”

He pulled her hair. “The beach.”

They’d been having the debate for years—East Coast versus West. At the moment, Kate was using it to take her mind off the fact that Brandon was leaving in under an hour.

Just the post-Christmas blues, she assured herself. All that excitement and preparation, then the lovely warmth of a traditional Christmas at home had kept her so busy, and so involved.