“I see he’s never made you feel sexy…” Bastard. He couldn’t stop himself from brushing a lock of hair off her cheek. “And beautiful…” His finger swept across her lower lip. “And desired.” The man was a fool.

Tears brimmed, then spilled. He wiped them away with his thumb. “Whatever went wrong in your relationship, that’s for the two of you to figure out. But the cheating part? That’s all on him.”

“Don’t tell anybody, but I’ve only ever been with one man.”

That didn’t surprise him. “Nothing to be ashamed of.”

“I’ll bet you’ve been with dozens of women. Hundreds.” Her eyes widened. “Thousands.”

“Somewhere in the middle.”

“You’ve been with more than five hundred women?”

“No. I was kidding. I don’t keep count.”

“I’ll bet you’re good in bed. You’re really…manly and…I bet you just take what you want.”

She said take what I want all throaty and exaggerated. Made him smile. “Last I checked, my online rating was a nine-point-seven.” Sounded like Marcel didn’t give her what she needed at all.

“What did you get marked down for?”

“Even tipsy, you’re smart. I like that. And the point-three was from my first time. It took me a minute to find the joy button.”

“Joy…” Her eyes flared. “Oh, you mean the clitoris.”

“Sometimes I forget I’m dealing with a scientist.”

“Or just a grown up.” She grinned.

“But once I found it, sure, I figured out how to use it. It’s not all that fun unless you’re both getting something out of it.”

She squirmed. “Oh, I’ll bet. I’ll bet.” She got a determined expression. “I’m going to find a cowboy who knows how to work my love button.”

And there was the hooking up thing again. He didn’t like the idea of some stranger getting his hands on her. “Here’s another thing I hope you’ll remember in the morning. You’re special, princess. And, if you hook up with someone, make sure it’s a man who really turns you on. Wait for the guy who makes you feel wild and exciting.”

“Someone like you?”

“Nah. I’m not the guy for you.”

“But you’re the one who makes me feel wild and exciting.”

“Now, here’s something I hope you don’t remember in the morning. You tempt me like no other woman ever has, but we’re not going there.”

“I get that.” She gave a sigh of sad acceptance.

“Get what?”

“You’re a free spirit. You can get wild and exciting any time you want. Why bother with someone who comes with all this baggage?”

“You’ve got funny ideas about me. First of all, I’m not some playboy who bangs anything in a skirt. I need to have a connection with someone. I need to like them.”