And then he eased inside her, infinitely gentle and for a moment she stopped breathing because underneath the electrifying excitement was the knowledge that nothing in her life had ever felt so completely right before. She’d never experienced anything like this thrilling, intricate tangle of the physical and the emotional. Never felt so connected to anyone. She was caught in a dizzying whirl of need and he responded with his own urgency until there was nothing but heat and sensation as they tumbled over that peak together.

And afterward, even after the wildness of the storm had eased, they stayed locked together, bodies entangled as they talked in hushed voices, each exchange flavored by the new intimacy.

Often in the past she questioned her decisions, but she wasn’t questioning this one. And even if this one night was all they had, she knew she wouldn’t regret it.

He curved her against him and she felt safe, and needed, and wanted and so many good things all at once.

Josh said nothing, and after a moment she lifted her head.

“Are you all right?”

“Mmm.” His eyes were closed and she wondered if, maybe, she’d read this all wrong that he was having regrets.

“What are you thinking?”

He stirred and finally opened his eyes. “That Steven was a fool to let you go, but his loss is my gain so I can’t be too angry with the guy.”

She glowed. “Marrying him wasn’t a good decision, but I do make some good decisions.”

“I count at least five in the past hour.”

She grinned. “Josh Ryder. Are you being a scoundrel?”

“I don’t know.” He shifted her underneath him in a smooth movement. “Tell me what scoundrels do, and I’ll tell you if I fit the description.” He lowered his head and kissed her. “You’re incredible, Martha.”

No one had ever called her incredible before. “Just for the record, which bit of me is incredible?”

“All of you, from your cute curly hair to your amazing butt. Mostly your nature. You’re the kindest, most generous person I’ve ever met.”

She ran her fingers through his hair feeling it fall, silky soft, between her fingers. “Are you saying I’m a doormat?”

“Doormat?”

“A pushover. Weak.”

“Kindness isn’t weakness. Kindness is a quality that is often underrated—” he rolled onto his back, taking her with him “—except by me. I’ve always been good at spotting value. It’s one of my talents.”

“You have other talents.” She trailed her fingers over his chest and down his abdomen. “Want me to list them?”

She’d been beating herself up about making bad decisions, but every decision she’d made had led her to this moment. If she’d made a different choice at any stage of her life, she wouldn’t have been here now. And she wouldn’t have missed this moment for the world.