He drew back an inch or two so he could look her in the eye. “I’d like to hire you to redecorate my house.”

Sydney started to reply, but he stopped her with a finger to her lips.

“Hear me out. It needs everything, so you’d be committing to a project that could take a year or two.”

“That’s a long time,” she said gravely, playing along.

“Hopefully long enough for you to try island life on for size, and while you’re at it, you can try me on for size, too.”

Sydney reached down to cup his erection, squeezing in the places that made him crazy. “I like your size just fine.”

“Syd,” he gasped, “quit that. I’m trying to talk to you.”

“I’m listening.” She smiled up at him, enjoying the tortured look on his face.

He closed his hand around hers to stop her from stroking him. “After you finish the house, you can decide if you want to stay for good. If you don’t, we’ll go somewhere else.”

“And you’d be okay with that?”

“As long as you’re with me, I’d be okay anywhere.”

Touched by what he’d said, she flattened her hands on his chest and kissed him. “I’ll accept your proposition on one condition—you don’t have to hire me. I was hoping to use before and after pictures of your place in my portfolio to help start my business.”

“I suppose I can live with that.”

“Then I suppose I can live with you.”

“That’s the best news I’ve had in years.”

“I have some things to deal with at home after Labor Day.” Her euphoria faded a bit at the reminder. “But then I’ll be back.”

Luke traced a finger over the furrow between her brows. “Every time you refer to the things you need to take care of at home, you lose your sparkle. What do you have to do?”

“The guy who hit us is being sentenced on September fifth.” She looked up at him. “I have to be there.”

“Maybe so, but you don’t have to go alone.”

She shook her head. “I don’t expect you—”

He silenced her with another kiss. “I’m going with you. What else?”

“Well, if I’m moving out here, there’s no reason to keep my house in Wellesley. I’ll need to pack up my stuff, the kids’ things I want to keep, Seth’s stuff.” Just the thought of it was enough to make her want to run and hide, but she knew it had to be done eventually.

“Hey,” he said, compelling her to meet his gaze. “We’ll do it together. Whatever you need to do, I’ll be right there with you, okay?”