When he opened his eyes, she rose over him in the soft gray light, her hair bright as fire, her eyes sharp and green. Then she bowed back, fisting her hands in her own hair as she rode them both to finish.

“Mother of God,” was all he could manage, and nothing could have pleased her more.

“Good morning to you.” She felt golden and bright. “

“And that’s all the time I have for you. I’ve got to be going.”

“What? Why?” He grabbed for her hand, but she slipped nimbly out of reach.

“Well, I’m finished with you, boyo, and I’ve work to do.”

“Come back.” He thought about sitting up, but only rolled to his side. “I’ll do better by you now that I’m waking up.”

“I did well enough by both of us.” She tugged her Tshirt on, then shrugged the flannel one over it. “And I’m expected at the hotel. As it is, I’ve got to take at least a quick look at your car, since I told Dad that was why I was coming by here first.”

“Tonight, then.” He only grunted when the cat leaped up on his ass and nipped it with his claws. “Find a way and stay here tonight.”

“Stay” was the word that made her uneasy, but she snuck a glance at him while she pulled on her work pants. His eyes were half closed. “I’m working at the pub tomorrow night. I can say I’m sleeping over with Darcy.”

“Why do you have to lie?”

“You know how people would talk if anyone knew we were seeing each other this way.”

“And that matters?”

“Of course it does.” This time when she looked over at him, she was surprised to note his eyes weren’t sleepy, but focused and alert.

“Is this something that shames you, then, Brenna?”

“No. But it’s private. I’ll have a look at your car now, and the fact is I’ll give it a good going-over first chance I have.” She leaned over to kiss him, then shoved back her hair. “I’ll be back ’round soon as I can.”

He rolled over onto his back, annoying Bub enough to set the cat to stalking off again. Alone, he stared at the ceiling until he heard her shut the front door behind her.

When, he wondered, had he started wanting more? Why should she be the one he wanted more from? What was this need that was growing inside him? Had it always been there?

Questions, he thought in disgust. Well, he seemed to have plenty of them, without the first answer.

He rolled out of bed and might have sulked off into the shower, but the sound of his own car starting up drew him to the window.

Brenna was just rounding to the bonnet, and as he watched she yanked it open, stuck her head under. He imagined she was already muttering curses because he’d neglected this or allowed that to get dirty. It never did him a bit of good to tell her that as far as he was concerned everything in there was dirty and mysterious and not of any particular interest to him. As long as the engine started when he turned the key, he didn’t give a rat’s ass what made the whole business possible.