He checked the eyehole, felt a jolt when he saw it was Skye. For an instant, he couldn’t look away. With her thick dark hair curling softly around her shoulders, a fuzzy pink cashmere sweater curving over her breasts, and a long, malt-brown wool skirt flaring around a pair of brown leather ankle boots, she looked luscious.

He stepped back as he pulled open the door. “Hi.” He worked not to stare. She looked even more feminine than usual—and even more tempting.

“I didn’t think you’d be asleep yet,” she said as she walked past him into the apartment.

For the first time, he noticed the carry-on she rolled in behind her, and everything inside him went still.

“What’s the matter?” She looked up at him with those pretty sea-green eyes. Then her gaze shot toward the hall leading to his bedroom, and a flush rose in her cheeks. “Someone’s here. I should have called. I feel like an idiot. I’m sorry.” She started to turn around, but Edge stepped in the way, blocking her retreat.

“No one’s here. No one but you.” He kicked the door closed with his boot as he backed her up against the wall and kissed her. He’d vowed to leave her alone, put things back the way they were before, but Fate had intervened. Since he was no match for Fate, he would follow the path that stretched out in front of him, find out where it might lead.

Edge gentled the kiss, coaxing now, his lips moving softly over hers. He could feel her response in the way she melted against him. She was here. Finally. He didn’t want to ruin things by moving too fast. Reluctantly, he eased away.

“I’m glad you decided to come over.” He glanced toward the bedroom. Too soon. Take it easy. “How are the girls doing? Are they getting settled in?”

“They’re fine. Talking about the past and making plans for the future.”

He nodded. “That’s good. So . . . are you hungry? You want something to eat? We could call for pizza or have Chinese food delivered. I know you like Chinese.”

Skye’s tension eased. She relaxed and smiled. “You’re nervous. You don’t ever get nervous.”

He smiled. “Maybe I’m a little nervous. You’re here. I really wanted you to come stay with me.”

She rested a hand on his cheek. He should have shaved, he thought, gotten rid of his days’ growth of beard.

Skye didn’t seem to mind. She went up on her toes and very softly kissed him. “I wanted to be here. It took a while for me to get up the courage, but I’ve wanted to be with you like this for a very long time.”

“Yeah?”

She smiled. “Yeah.”

Edge relaxed. He was good with women. He knew what they liked and how to give them what they wanted.