“Aww, baby, don’t cry.” He tugged her hand to bring her onto his lap, wrapping his strong arms around her as he buried his face in her hair. “You know I can’t take it when you cry.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. It was a scary thing. It’ll be a long time before I stop hearing her screams.”

“That was the worst part.” She took a deep sigh. “I’m probably better off not having kids of my own if this is the kind of mother I’d be.”

“You’d be a great mom. Our kids would be so lucky to have you.”

“You really think so?” She wanted to ask if he might have a timetable as to when that might happen, but after the day they’d already had, she didn’t have the courage to open that door. Not now, anyway.

“I know so.” He held her and kissed her and made her feel better, the way he always did, but she couldn’t help but wonder if he ever thought about getting married and having those kids he thought she’d be such a good mother to.

Chapter 7

There is only one happiness in this life,

to love and be loved.

—George Sand

Emma came to slowly, languidly, after the best nap she’d had in longer than she could recall. Grayson’s chest made for a comfortable pillow, and sleeping in his arms was delightful. Then she opened her eyes to total darkness and let out a squeak of distress that woke him, too.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s totally dark. What time is it?”

He lit up the face of his watch. “A little after five.”

“I need to go.” Like Cinderella after the ball, the party was over, and soon she’d turn into a pumpkin if she didn’t get home to her little pumpkin. Surely they were back from skiing by now and probably wondering where she was. “Would it be possible to take a quick shower?”

Grayson turned on the bedside lamp. “Of course.”

Emma closed her eyes against the light and the jarring return to reality. It was foolish, she knew, to feel shy about being naked in front of him after the afternoon they’d spent together, but she grasped the sheet to her breasts nonetheless.

“Let me see if Ella’s packed the towels yet.” He got out of bed and went into the bathroom.

Emma watched him go, taking a good long look at the tight muscular ass that made her mouth water when she remembered the flex of those muscles as he pounded into her. A tingle between her legs caught her by surprise. After what they’d just done, how could she still want more?