He held her tightly, locking her against him as she cried, murmuring gentle words into her hair. It’s okay, it’s going to be okay, I’ve got you.

She tried to stop. She wanted to stop. What was wrong with her? It was the most incredible sex of her life, and she was crying? It was embarrassing and awful, and she was mortified. What must he be thinking? She had no idea because he didn’t say anything. He simply held her patiently while she sobbed. She cried until she had nothing left, and then eventually she took a juddering breath. She was upset about Christy, of course, but she knew that the reason she’d cried was so much more complicated than that. She was crying for herself. For the way she was. For the way she felt about Zac.

How could she have thought that there would be no emotion involved? That this encounter could be just physical?

She’d thought it would make her feel better, but instead it had made her feel worse. If she couldn’t detach emotionally, then it meant she was doomed to never have sex again.

She kept her face buried against the warmth of his chest. She didn’t want to look at him or talk.

She could happily have stayed there forever.

But she had to say something, didn’t she?

“Sorry.” She muttered the word and felt his fingers stroke her hair gently. “You should probably leave now.”

“Why would I leave?”

“Because a howling, sobbing woman is so attractive.”

But he didn’t leave. He tugged her closer. “I happen to be comfortable where I am. The bed is warm. You’re naked. That’s two good reasons to stay.”

“I really am sorry.” She sniffed and eased away. “I’ve probably crushed your ego.”

“You haven’t.” He tugged the covers up and lay facing her. “I’m taking it as a compliment that you’ll lower your guard enough to cry in front of me.”

“Again.” She gave a choked laugh. “Believe it or not, I don’t do this with anyone but you.”

He wiped away her tears with the pad of his thumb, all traces of laughter gone. “Are you going to tell me why you’re so upset?”

“It was great sex. I was crying for all those women who don’t know what they’re missing.”

He smiled. “Nice try. But I happen to know you were upset when you came back from your walk.”

She didn’t like the fact that he knew her so well. “Why would you think that?”

“Maybe because you drank my wine?”

“I was thirsty. And it was good wine.”

She knew she should pull away, but she liked the feel of his fingers stroking her arm.

She opened her mouth to speak, but then heard her phone buzz.

Christy! It would be Christy, trying to fix things. Telling her that everything was going to be okay. That their friendship mattered to her and that they’d find a way through this.

She shot out of bed, stumbling as she grabbed her discarded clothes. Phone. Where was it? She found it eventually and checked her messages with shaking hands.