His concern for her was surprising given the distance he’d been keeping. And she didn’t want to consider the scenario he was talking about because he was right. She’d read about celebrities accosted and hurt by crazy fans.

“I’m fine,” she assured him as well as herself.

“But what if you weren’t?” Fire blazed in his blue eyes as his grip on her tightened.

He wasn’t hurting her but his intensity was extreme. And she knew why. Given his military history and the IED blast that had taken him out of commission, he had an overprotective streak for those he cared about. She didn’t delude herself that she was one of those people. Not anymore. But the crush of people and the overeager male fan had triggered him.

She reached up and touched her hand to his cheek, feeling the softness of his beard for the first time. “We’re both safe,” she said softly.

His gaze fell to her lips, and his eyes darkened in a way she recognized. Her heart skipped a beat, and her stomach flipped as awareness settled between them. She leaned in, all the while wondering what she was doing. She’d barely survived losing him the first time. Not that he knew how she’d fallen apart, and she felt certain he’d never believe her if she told him. Because he’d been right. She had put her career front and center.

But with his mouth so close to hers, she couldn’t worry about the past and kissed him before he could change his mind.

He stilled at the touch of her lips to his, and her breath caught as she waited for him to pull away.

He didn’t.

Instead, he turned her against the back seat of the car and took charge, clearly needing to feel in control of himself, of her, and of life in general. One hand cupped her face, his thumb brushing her cheek while his mouth devoured, his tongue sliding back and forth, tangling with hers.

She’d missed him. Missed this and drowned in his familiar scent and taste. His beard scratched her face and she didn’t care. The sensation aroused her, and she wanted so much more than a kiss in the back seat of a car. But she’d take what she could get and threaded her fingers through his short hair, lightly scratching his scalp and getting a harsh groan in reply.

And then they were jolted when the vehicle came to a stop and the driver spoke. “We’re here.”

“Shit.” Xander jerked himself off her, as if the driver’s words brought reality crashing back.