“God, Tara. I’m so sorry that happened to you. I know you loved him, but your ex was an arrogant, misogynistic asshole. He had no right to say any of that belittling shit to you. They were all lies.” He reached out and smoothed her hair behind her ear. “Never doubt that you’re a good person, and you can do whatever you set out to do.”

Emotion choked her, and the back of her eyes prickled with impending tears. “Well, my adventures in enology weren’t a complete waste. The lessons on body, scent, and flavor apply to beer as well. I think my background in wine has given me a leg up for brewing and aging beer to give it different nuances and layers.”

He seemed conflicted for a moment, as though he wanted to ask more about her relationship with Jason, but also to let her move on to safer topics. To her relief, he chose the latter. “I can see that. Your brews are amazing.”

“See. Everything in life has meaning. You just need to find out what it is.”

Seth muttered under his breath. She couldn’t quite catch it. Something about breaking someone’s jaw. She tucked her chin to hide her smile, appreciating his anger on her behalf. It was sweet.

She thought that a lot. That Seth was sweet. It happened so gradually that she had no idea how much her opinion of him had changed. She would never have thought that the cocky, superficial playboy could be so sweet. Maybe it was because he wasn’t who she’d thought he was. He was more. Her heart picked up speed, and her mind asked too many questions at once. No. She didn’t want to think about that.

He was looking at her with an inscrutable expression, and she decided she didn’t want to know what he was thinking either.

“So are you really going to be a Boy Scout and just sleep tonight?” she blurted.

“The last couple weeks of being near you but not having you was more than I can handle. I want you so much, I don’t think I could be gentle. I don’t want to risk hurting your ankle more.” The heat in his eyes and the rough regret in his voice shot straight to her vagina.

“You can’t say sexy things like that and not put out.” She flopped back onto her pillows and grabbed the front of her shirt, fanning herself briskly. “Why is it so fucking hot in here?”

Seth lay down next to her, chuckling low in his chest. The vibrations reverberated in her stomach, making all the butterflies take flight. He leaned in close and ran the back of his fingers down her bare leg. “Are you feeling frustrated?”

“Yes, dammit. I’m unbearably frustrated, and I want you to make love to me now.”

“May I suggest a compromise that we both will be happy with?” His clever hand traveled toward her inner thigh. “Let me elevate your leg for you.”