“I want you to think about coming to Evan’s wedding and to Florida after. Talk to Mr. McCarthy. He’ll help you find a way to be gone from the lighthouse for a couple of months.”

“That’ll be asking a lot after leaving the way I did to come here.”

“It won’t hurt to ask. I’ll even put in a good word for you.”

“You’re sweet to want to help and to want me underfoot in Florida.”

He kissed her hand and nibbled on her knuckles, which set off fireworks inside her. That was all he had to do to get her motor running. “I want you more than underfoot. I want you under me in bed, on top of me, next to me. I want you, Erin Barton.”

Moved and aroused by his passionate words, she said, “I want you, too.”

“We’re going to figure this out. I promise.”

“You’re awfully certain.”

“I’m certain that I’ve waited a long time to feel this way about someone, and there’s no way I’m going to let you slip through my fingers.”

Keeping her hand linked with his, Erin got up to go around the countertop to where he was sitting. She stepped between his legs and let go of his hand to put her arms around him. “I’m going to miss you like crazy.”

“Same goes, sweetheart.”

“I’m not ready for our time together to be over.”

“It’s not over. It’s just getting started.” He drew back from her, framed her face in his hands and kissed her.

Erin wanted so badly to believe him that this was the beginning and not the end, but she was programmed to expect the worst. Her heart was heavy with dread and worry for his safety when she drove him to the airport later that morning in her dad’s prized Audi. She pulled up to the curb and got out to see him off.

He put his backpack on the sidewalk and wrapped her up in a tight hug. “I’ll see you soon, okay?”

“Okay.” The air was so cold, their warm breath made clouds around them.

“You believe me?”

“I want to.”

“Have some faith.” He kissed her one last time, mindless of where they were and who might be watching as he left her with no doubt whatsoever that he wanted her more than ever. When he pulled back from her, they were both breathless and aroused and, at least in her case, despondent.

“Let me know that you get there okay.”

“I will. And I’ll check on you later, too. You’ll hear from me so much, you’ll get sick of me.”

“Not possible.”