“Then it is time you give it another try, no? Do these attacks usually center around work problems?”

I thought over the past three attacks. “Yes, they all tied back to something I had to do for the company but worried about delivering on.”

“Can you arrange coverage for a few weeks? Get yourself off being on call unless it’s a true emergency?”

I hesitated. “Yes, I want to. But I may end up losing a client.”

His eyes held a serious glint. “Maybe you need to lose something in order to prove it will all be okay. That is what I tell my sister. She’s a top assistant over at Gucci. Ambitious. Smart. Her motto is ‘failure is not an option.’ She reminds me of you.”

I smiled. “Yeah, I know that motto quite well.”

“I think we get what we need even though at the time we don’t understand. For instance, without those panic attacks, my sister wouldn’t have learned to balance things or look after her health. It was a bad thing that led to a good thing. Maybe this is happening to give you a chance to change some things.”

“My mom said the same thing. But somehow, you don’t make me feel like a screwup.”

“Because I’m not your mama.” His eyes lit with mischief and he stroked my cheek. The gesture made my breath lock. “I’m a neutral party.”

He didn’t feel very neutral right now. His gaze dropped to my lips, and I wanted to rise on my tiptoes and kiss him. It had been too long since I kissed a man in a passionate impulse, and he must’ve caught my intention because his eyes darkened to a deep obsidian and he lowered his head an inch and—

Pulled me into his arms. Tucking my head against his shoulder, he held me tight and pressed his lips to my temple. My mind whirled as it tried to figure out why he’d made the move, but then I sank into the bliss of a man’s embrace and let go.

His hard chest cradled my cheek, and he whispered my name softly. My muscles loosened and melted into his muscular body. Seconds ticked by and we didn’t move. I just closed my eyes and savored every breath, trying to memorize the imprint of his male figure so I could recall it in my dreams.

Slowly, he peeled himself away, inch by inch. I expected to feel awkward, but he looked at me and smiled, and I smiled back. It was at that moment I realized everything between us had changed.

I was glad.

He walked me back to the hotel lobby. “I’ll see you at eight for breakfast,” he said. “Try to rest. We have a big day to see the Blue Grotto.”