He brushed over her forearm and circled her wrist with his fingers. She was so tiny and fine-boned. That alone brought out his protective streak. He wanted to bang his chest and tell the world she was his, keep everyone else away and ensure nothing bad ever happened to her.

Which was of course a continuation of his ridiculous thinking. Who was he? Tarzan? And why would she need protecting?

She did occasionally get a dart of sadness in her eyes, though, and he couldn’t put his finger on why.

Perhaps it was simply her family living in Australia? Was she lonely? They’d moved to the other side of the world and left her here. Her own choice yes, but choosing between going with her family or staying was always going to be hard, no matter what the final decision.

But maybe it was more. Perhaps there was something else that gave her the haunted, distant expression he’d seen her wearing at Frank’s as she’d nursed a glass of wine in the evenings, spinning the stem and frowning into the pale golden liquid as though her thoughts were a million miles away.

She stirred a little, moved her legs and sighed softly.

He held her closer, enjoying the way her warm chest was pressing into his. She was so responsive, all of her, that it had been almost effortless because they’d been perfectly in synch, their bodies in time. He adored her all the more for that, for being so giving and relaxed.

He licked his lips, recalling her taste.

The clock showed eight—it was well past his usual time to be at the studio. Grant would no doubt be wondering where he was. He could hardly say he was getting some from the pretty girl he’d met at Frank’s Bar. Grant would have a field day ribbing him about it and asking for information.

Information James didn’t want to give. This was all so new and special. It was just for them, Megan and him. It was almost as if their new fledgling relationship was made of glass—the thinnest, most delicate glass imaginable. And even someone else knowing about it, talking about them, might cause it to shatter. He didn’t want the bubble to burst.

He held her tighter still, knowing that soon he’d have to get out of bed and shower. Much as he’d like to wake her with a morning session, he didn’t think they were quite at that stage yet, and with Megan, it was too special to risk spooking her. Maybe a few dates down the road—if he was lucky enough to have her agree to spend more time with him—he’d wake her that way and get her day started with one hell of a bang.

And his too.