She angled her head in an attempt to make out Seth’s face. He had his arm slung across her waist as if he feared she might otherwise slip away from him. She would’ve laughed at that idea, but when she thought about how he’d lost his mother and his brothers and then Shiloh, she could understand why he might feel the need to physically hang onto the people in his life.

She couldn’t make out the stubble on his cheeks and chin, but she knew it was there. She’d felt his beard growth against her neck, her breasts, even her thighs. He had to be the sexiest man she’d ever known—and he was unquestionably a good lover. Just the way he kissed was fulfilling. But it was the vulnerability he’d exhibited last night that’d really endeared him to her.

She was tempted to reach out and smooth his hair back so that she could see more of his face, but she knew for sure that would wake him. She understood why his mother worried about him. He didn’t get enough rest.

Moving slowly and carefully so that he wouldn’t feel it, she fingered the scars on her cheek and tried to imagine what he’d thought when he looked at her last night. She was used to men gazing at her with open admiration. But she couldn’t imagine anyone looking at her like that now.

She had to look grotesque. What she saw in the mirror couldn’t be a lie. Normally, that would’ve made her too self-conscious for a sexual encounter, but his need had been more important than her vanity.

He was also in love with another woman, so maybe her appearance didn’t matter. Maybe he’d just needed a warm and willing body to distract him from the torture of his mind.

So what happened before he got home that upset him so badly? He hadn’t told her. They hadn’t talked much. After they got out of the hot tub, he’d led her into the house, where they’d showered together. Then he’d pulled her into bed with him and used his mouth to make sure she wasn’t left disappointed before falling asleep almost immediately.

It hadn’t taken her long to drop off with him. It’d been a relief not to have to spend another endless night alone. Their relationship was temporary—he’d made that clear—but she was grateful for the intimacy and the companionship all the same. If nothing else, they were both filling a need.

“What are you doing awake?”

Startled by the sound of his voice, she pressed a hand to her chest. “You scared me. I was trying not to disturb you, so you’d be able to get some sleep.”

“Don’t worry about me. I’m fine.”