“I don’t know. I never remember the details, just the fear.” She rubbed a weary hand over her cheek and wished for a glass of water. “Did I…um…say anything?”

He replaced the hand she had on her face with his own. “You kept saying, ‘Cease fire, hold your fire.’”

“Shit,” she said with a deep sigh.

He stretched out next to her on top of the comforter and settled her head on his shoulder. “It was a traumatic thing, Sam, but it wasn’t your fault.”

Steeped in the masculine scent of citrus and spice, she closed her eyes against the rush of emotion and absorbed the comfort he offered. Just for a minute. His chest hair brushed against her face, making her want him so fiercely. “If only I could forgive myself as easily as you’ve forgiven me.”

He brought her closer to him.

“Um, Nick?”

“Hmm?”

“I’m kind of naked under here.”

“Yeah, I noticed.”

As all the reasons this was a bad idea came crashing down on her, she attempted to struggle out of his embrace. “I can’t,” she whispered. “I can’t have this. I can’t have you.”

“Yes, you can.”

Her face still pressed to his chest, Sam gave herself another second to wallow in the scent that she’d never forgotten. “Not here. Not now.”

He released a deep, ragged breath. “I missed you, Sam. I thought about you, about that night, so often.”

“I did, too,” she said, her eyes closed tight against the onslaught of emotions she’d only felt this acutely once before.

“I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you. If you’re in the room, I want you.”

“I seem to have the same problem.”

“We’ve got a few hours until daybreak. Would it be okay if I just held you until then?”

“I’d love nothing more, but it’s too tempting. You’re too tempting.”

Sighing again, he released her and sat up. He leaned down to press a soft kiss to her lips. “See you in the morning.”

Sam watched him go, knowing she’d never get back to sleep with every cell in her body on fire for him.

Chapter 15

Sam corralled her hair into a ponytail, strapped on her shoulder holster, clipped the badge to her belt, and adjusted her suit jacket over the same scoop-necked top she’d worn yesterday. When she was ready, she took a long look around to make sure she wasn’t leaving behind any sign that she had spent the night for the team she planned to send in there later that day. Satisfied by the quick sweep of the room, she emerged to find Nick waiting for her in the living room. Somehow he managed to appear pressed and polished in yesterday’s clothes. His face was smooth and his hair still damp from the shower.

“Ready?” he asked.

She nodded.