She knew it was true. He would never have deserted her on her wedding day, like Bryan had. Lucas would stand by and defend her, protect her no matter what. Kate had never considered herself the kind of woman who yearned for a knight in shining armor, but just now the notion was appealing. And the look in his eyes was irresistible.

He was so close. She felt the warmth of him through his T-shirt. Kate turned her face into his hand and pressed a kiss against his calloused palm. He was a man’s man, a hard worker. Loyal to the death. Full of integrity. So many good things. She wanted all of them.

She kissed the curve of his jaw, feeling the coarseness of his stubble against her lips and relishing him for the man he was.

She heard his breath catch, and it emboldened her. With a hand against his face, she turned him toward her. Their lips met gently, and Kate soaked up his response. Her fingers tightened on the cotton material of his shirt.

Lucas pulled her closer, into the strength of his embrace. His stomach was hard against hers, his shoulders like solid rock. He was a sure foundation in a raging storm.

“Katie,” he whispered.

The taste of her name on his lips, so desperate and devoted, was sweet and heady.

I want him.

No, I need him.

He deepened the kiss, and she responded in kind, drawing her fingers through his hair. Lucas leaned into her, pressing her back against the bed, the weight of him more welcome than a cool breeze on sun-scorched skin.

What am I doing? The thought had no more than formed than she pushed it down.

But it resurfaced with force. Is this right, God? Do I love him?

He was her husband. She latched on to the thought, clinging with everything in her. He is my husband. He’s mine.

She ran her hands along the plane of his back and returned his kiss with fervor. She had every right . . . Didn’t she?

As if sensing her thoughts, he pulled back, putting space between them. “Katie . . .” he said, his breath ragged. His eyes were deep shadows of longing, a mirror of her own. “We should stop, honey.” She bit back the whimper that formed in her throat. “We’re married.”

He ran his finger down her cheek and smiled sadly, his eyes full of remorse. “You’d regret it later.

She wanted to protest. She wanted to pull him close and make him forget about being noble. But he was rolling away, leaving the room, putting distance between them. And Kate was left with an empty bed and unspent desire.

Twenty-Six

Twenty-Six

Decisions made in the dark of night must eventually face the light of day.

—Excerpt from Finding Mr. Right-for-You by Dr. Kate

Morning light flooded through the windows, piercing Kate’s aching eyes. She checked the clock and realized she’d slept late.