“I thought coming here would at least help me clarify my options.” She didn’t look at Hank as she tried to put words to the conflicting thoughts and emotions she’d experienced the past week. “Call hospital security, don’t call hospital security. Call the police, don’t call the police.”

“Tell me, don’t tell me.”

There was no hurt in his voice—he was under tight control. She didn’t flinch, made herself turn and look at him. “That’s right.”

He was on his feet, and before she knew what was happening, he had her in his arms. He held her shoulders. “Antonia, listen to me. When you look at me, I don’t want you to see a senator or an air force officer, or a man who’s lost his family and can’t bear to be hurt again—I want you to see me. Just me. Do you understand that?”

“I do, Hank, but you’re all of those things. You can’t separate—”

“What I can’t do is let someone I care about put herself in danger because of me. I can’t have a woman I’m in love with hold back on me because she’s trying to protect me.”

She was too stricken to speak.

“I am in love with you. I know it’s awkward as hell. My timing couldn’t be worse with your sister’s botched wedding, my campaign, this mess you’re in, but—” He stopped, letting his hands slide down her back, his mouth find hers in a kiss that was brief, fierce and impossibly tender, leaving her breathless, even more out of control. When he pulled away, he smacked her on the butt and smiled. “Talk to me next time, okay?”

“I was trying to do the right thing. You know that, don’t you?”

“You’re a Winter, Antonia. You’re a natural risk-taker. Take a risk with me. Talk to me.”

“I will, but tell me something first, Hank. You say you’re in love with me. I don’t mind, because I’ve been in love with you since I saw you in front of Carine’s woodstove. But are you fighting it?”

He stared at her a moment, then didn’t answer. “What do you have in here for supper?”

“Hank—”

“The only thing I’m fighting is whether I’d rather eat dinner now or make love to you now.”

He’d wormed his way under her defenses, until she could only laugh. “First things first. Always.”

CHAPTER 8

A hurricane watch went up overnight for Cape Cod and the islands. Mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders had been posted for vulnerable areas. Hope remained a Category 2 hurricane and looked as if it would hit the Cape before it made its expected turn east.