“I know that you struggled to live up to your mom’s expectations, but you had two sisters.”

He didn’t reply, and Piper wondered if the conversation, in his mind, was over.

“I’m your friend, Dylan, and—”

“As time passed I was able to convince myself they didn’t need me because they had each other, and Mom and Dad.”

Piper looked into the darkness and thought about what he said.

“But they didn’t have each other,” he continued. “Charlie left as soon as she could and never looked back. She closed herself off emotionally like I have, and Ava....”

His words fell away.

“You’re worried about her?”

“I am, and I’m not sure why. It’s just a hunch, but something is really off with her.”

“I’m guessing you have a pretty good read on people in your line of work.”

“I do, and while she tries to appear calm, there’s something going on there. Almost as if she’s scared of something, but what?”

“Opening up to you, maybe?”

He made a sound in his throat. “Sure there’s that, but we had a talk. I wrestled her into the car, and she made me drink something that was green and usually in my salad. It was a start.”

“I like the leafy green smoothie.”

“Why?”

“It’s healthy.”

“So is fish, but I don’t put that in a blender.”

Piper found a smile in the darkness. Then she felt Dylan move, and suddenly there he was, leaning over her.

“Dylan.”

“Piper, I need to tell you something.”

He touched her cheek, just a brush of his thumb, and she shivered.

“What?”

“I bought a box at the supermarket.”

“I’m not pregnant.”

“Pleased to hear it,” he whispered against her neck.

“Grace is through there.”

“Do you think parents give up sex when they have children?”

He kissed her. Soft and slow, it had her head reeling in seconds.

“We’re not doing that.”

“Okay, let’s just make out then.”

“You are a bad man.”

“And you’re a bad woman, that’s what I like about you.”

His hand slid under her shirt and cupped a bare breast. He rubbed her nipple, making her arch off the bed.

“Let me help you forget, Piper, just for a while.”

He climbed over her and took off her T-shirt. His lips followed his hands, and she was soon moaning as he took her to the brink, then over the edge. When he’d sheathed himself in a condom, and slid inside her, it was better than last time. Better, more intense.

“God you feel good,” he whispered in her ear.

“More than good,” Piper replied.

It was slow and agonizingly sensual, until Piper grabbed a handful of his hair and urged him on. His laugh was low and dirty, and seconds later he was pumping into her hard and fast. Piper came apart beneath him.