“What if I don’t want to?” What did he mean? Suddenly desperate to understand, she searched his face and watched as his eyes darkened into shadowed whirlpools.

She forgot how to breathe.

“What if I want you to stay?” His gaze traveled the planes of her face and stopped at her lips.

“What . . .” He was so close she couldn’t think. His thumb grazed her cheekbone, barely a touch, and yet it heated her skin. She shuddered and closed her eyes against the riptide tugging inside her. What was happening? This was Lucas, not Bryan. Lucas, who frustrated her with his lack of organization. Lucas, who annoyed her with his sluggishness.

Lucas, who held you in his arms when you were seasick. Lucas, who stepped in and saved you when you were desperate.

“Open your eyes, honey.”

Her stomach tightened at the endearment. She was powerless against the emotion raging inside her. It felt wonderful and terrible and scary.

“Lucas.” Nothing more than a whisper.

“Open your eyes,” he said. “See what’s right in front of you.”

She obeyed his request. What was this spell he’d cast? She wanted to fall into the depths of his eyes and get lost. She wanted to touch his jaw and feel the roughness against her fingers.

But before she could follow the impulse, he closed the distance between them. And his lips touched hers, gentle and slow.

Without thought, Kate laid her palm against his face and heard his intake of breath before he deepened the kiss, pulling her closer, making her head spin. His movements were sure and slow, like everything else he did.

It wasn’t even their first kiss. But the others hadn’t been like this. There was no photographer snapping pictures, no public judging the validity of their vows, no family to convince.

It was just Lucas and Kate. All alone. Exploring feelings she hadn’t known existed.

No. That’s not true.

Maybe she had known, or maybe she’d been in denial. Maybe she’d been blinded by Bryan’s rejection. But she was seeing things now. And feeling them. Things that she’d never felt before, not even with Bryan. The way Lucas made her forget everything except the feel of his lips. Made her want more. Made her need more.

More. She slid her hand into his hair, cupping his head, and arched closer. He was warm and strong. He smelled like cedar and musk. All man.

“Katie . . .” Lucas whispered against her lips.

She didn’t think, just felt. The urgency pushed her on. It’s okay, Kate. You’re married. Lucas is your husband. She submitted to the thought, letting her emotions guide her.

But . . . what happens when it ends?

Against her will, the question rose from a deep and distant well of reason. Kate ignored it, let the feel of Lucas’s body against hers drown everything out.

But the voice grew louder, more insistent.