“I want to see you again, Emma. I want to spend more time together.” The words were out of his mouth before he decided to say them, because the thought of her getting away, of never seeing her or Simone again except at family events, was unacceptable to him. Here he’d just taken steps to simplify his life, and one night with her had made everything complicated again. And that was fine with him.

“Oh, um, you do?”

“I really do. I haven’t talked to a woman the way I’ve talked to you tonight in, well, ever. I don’t want to stop talking to you, even though I should let you get to bed so you’re not exhausted tomorrow. Something tells me Miss Simone won’t be too forgiving of an exhausted mother.”

“You’re right. She’ll take full advantage. But I’m not quite ready to go to bed just yet.”

“No?”

She shook her head as she returned his gaze, never blinking as they drank each other in. Once again, Grayson acted before thinking, leaning in to kiss her. He was careful not to move too fast or take too much, but he couldn’t let this night end without tasting her. As soon as he processed that first taste, he knew it wasn’t going to be anywhere near enough.

The slight mewling sound that came from her throat made him instantly hard. He drew back to look at her, slightly stunned by his reaction. Her eyes were closed, her lips parted and damp. He dragged his fingertip over her bottom lip.

“You’re beautiful, Emma.”

Her eyes opened slowly, and she took a long look at him, as if trying to gauge his sincerity. He’d never been more sincere.

“How long are you here?” he asked.

She cleared her throat. “Molly invited us to spend the week since Simone is on vacation.”

“Could Lucy watch Simone so I could take you to dinner tomorrow night?”

“I… I think they’d both love that.”

“How about you? Would you love it if Simone went with Lucy so you can go out with me?”

“Yes, Grayson, I believe I’d love that, too.”

Chapter 1

I love you the more in that I believe

you had liked me for my own sake and for

nothing else.

—John Keats

How was it possible to forget to breathe? Emma was going to pass out if she didn’t remember to breathe. All day, she’d relived the magical few hours in the Abbotts’ den, sitting by the fire sharing confidences with the supremely handsome, sexy and successful Grayson Coleman.