After a pause, Justine asked, “Am I too needy?”

“Hell, no.” He hurried to reassure her. “You have a terrific sense of self-worth. Although…”

“Go ahead. Say it.”

“Although you don’t always act like it. Stand up for yourself with your boss. Demand they pay you what you’re worth or leave.”

She frowned. “I left on time today.”

“That’s great. Keep doing that while demanding to be compensated for your work.”

“I will. But baby steps work better for me than just ripping into my boss.”

“I didn’t say rip into him. I just worry they’ll keep taking advantage of you if you let them.”

She looked annoyed. “You sound like my father.”

“Ouch.”

She sighed. “I’m sorry. You’re right.”

“You asked.” He shrugged, a little hurt she didn’t seem to be listening to him. “This is why I have trouble with relationships. Sometimes I should just listen, but you did ask.”

“I know.” She leaned forward to kiss him. “I’m just frazzled because I made a big leap forward. Leaving on time when my boss wanted me to stay. It might not seem like a lot, but I hate confrontation.”

“Most people do.” He stroked her hair and kissed her. “You’re so smart and talented.”

“You’ve never seen my work.” She smiled.

“But I know who you are, and your intelligence shines through.”

“That’s one of the nicest things anyone’s said to me.”

“It shouldn’t be, though I can see men commenting on your looks before your smarts, only because you’re gorgeous.”

“Keep it up and my head will swell.”

“You mean, more than it already is? You’re pretty and all, but yeah, what a big head.”

She laughed and knocked him back. “Take it back.”

“Make me.”

Their wrestling match turned into a tickle fight. Except he got the better of her.

“Stop tickling me, you monster,” she said between giggles.

“Nope. I want to hear the words.”

“Your beard makes you look like a red panda?”

“My—what?”

She laughed harder. “My aunt’s dog used to tilt its head like that when you called its name. I’m gonna start calling you Sparky.”

He tickled her some more. “Not the right words.”

“Okay! Okay!” She writhed under him until he gave her a reprieve by kissing her.

Their kisses turned passionate, and he lost himself in her until a glimmer of self reared its head. Too much feeling, too soon. It scared him, the depth of his need. He pulled back and studied her. What was it about her that called to him?

“Xavier?”

“The words,” he said, his voice deep.

“I love you.”

Oh my God. Justine hadn’t meant to admit that. Not yet, when she wasn’t sure of it herself. What was love, really? Because she thought she’d been in love before. But the feeling had never been so all-consuming.

Staring up into his fathomless eyes, she couldn’t help herself.

He didn’t respond at all, which started to feel awkward. But then he kissed her, and she felt so much unsaid in that kiss that she released any sense of tension and indulged in the passion between them.