“Oh, shut up. I still think you’re overstepping into areas where you have no responsibility.”

“But,” he prodded.

“But…” She paused and took a breath like she was working herself up to do something she didn’t want to do. “I’m sorry I worried you. And I’m sorry I took unnecessary risks. And just because I’m saying I’m sorry doesn’t mean that I want to date you or—”

He stepped onto the tiles in front of hers. “I’m sorry for maybe possibly slightly overreacting and scaring you off with my Fix It Better routine. But I want to be the one you call, Maggie.”

“I’m only here for—”

He pressed his index finger to her lips. “I want to be the one you call,” he said again.

Those whiskey-warm eyes were wide, and the flutter of her pulse at the base of her neck fascinated him.

“Can I be the one you call? I’ll accept it if Dean’s the first call. For now. But I want to make the short list.”

She hesitated, and it made him hold his breath. “Okay,” she said finally, against his finger.

He withdrew it. “Then I’m good. Are you good?” he asked.

She looked at him suspiciously, like she couldn’t believe making up could be that easy. “I’m good,” she said, then held out her hand.

He grinned down at it. “Darlin’, that’s not how we seal deals.”

The momentary flash of panic and anticipation in those pretty brown eyes when he leaned in tickled him.

“This is how we seal the deal,” he whispered.

He nudged her chin higher. She was already parting her lips for him when his mouth found hers. It was supposed to be soft, sweet. Not a blood-stirring mauling. But once again, he’d underestimated his control when it came to touching Maggie.

She clung to the front of his wet shirt like he was an anchor steadying her in the storm. But he was the storm. He devoured her mouth, savored the slide of her tongue against his, and celebrated the way she pressed her body against his. He reached for her ponytail, using it to tug her head back. His blood was electrified as he breathed her in.

Rain pattered hard on the window, and a flash of lightning outside felt like fireworks when the thunder rumbled on its heels.

It’s a sign, he figured. All his years of kissing women and she was the first one who made him lose his damn mind in the process.

“Um,” Maggie managed when he pulled back.

He grinned down at her, settling his hands on her shoulders.

“Is this how you seal all your deals in Idaho?” she asked, taking a self-preserving step back.

“Only the good ones.” He winked.

The house suddenly filled with what sounded like a funeral organ. “What the hell was that?”