“But Nicola and Sugar? And Mia? They’ve got kids. I think.”

“They’re all new additions. It’s all happened so fast. And I never thought about it. Besides, how would that go? Well, look, here’s my wife. I’ve got one too.” He rubbed a hand over his face. “That sounds ridiculous. It just never came up, and I liked you safely away from that side of me.”

“That seems…” Her hand waved in the air, reaching for a lost word.

“Selfish. I see it now. What I did to protect you girls only made things worse. You’re my family. And Titan’s my family too.” At least they were. “You should’ve been part of that. Now I’ve lost them and am hoping to God that I haven’t lost you.”

She bit her lip.

“Angel, I’m not dumb enough to think hot sex in the back of a Hummer and a revelation about PTSD will bring you home. But it’d be a lie if I said I didn’t hope it did.”

She scanned the back seat, finally settling back on him. Her fingers twisted in her lap. “I’m going to see a counselor about that. The PTSD.” Her cheeks pinked, and he wished a serious screw could banish the negativity that came with mental blocks.

“Nothing wrong with talking to a pro. You lived through an awful experience.”

“I held it together for the girls. Too many young kids in the room to let me fall apart.” Her soft voice cracked. “I tried to pretend we were on vacation.”

“And for that, I’m grateful. Strongest woman I know.”

She scoffed. “Not really. There’s a big difference between pretending to be on vacation for the kids’ sake and hiding parts of myself from my husband because I didn’t push myself. That’s weak. I hid behind the excuse of ease.”

“You thought I’d judge?” Would he have? No. Not a chance. Especially when it came down to anything in the bedroom.

“No. Not judge.”

“Then what?”

“I don’t know…” She shrugged. “Do you have any secrets?”

“From you? No.”

Her brows bounced once, drifting down, sadly. Disappointed. “Oh.”

Was the disappointment in him or herself? He didn’t know. He wouldn’t call what he kept private secrets. Just thoughts he hadn’t shared. Which was… a secret. Hello, genius. “Well, that’s not true. I had my own secrets, I guess.”

Her eyes lit up, hopeful. “Tell me.”

“I mean, I don’t have some amazing talent that I’ve kept hidden.”

She batted his chest, and it was the first time that a warm smile had crossed her lips since they’d started the drive. Secrets weren’t secrets because he had something to hide. They’d just found a groove throughout years of marriage and kids. Asking for something bigger, stronger, more intense seemed unnecessary.

He wasn’t any damn good at sharing. But Sarah wanted it. He exhaled heavy thoughts. This rebuilding-reconnecting stuff made for some uncomfortable moments. He rolled his shoulders and readied to flounder his way through. Only another hour and a half to kill recouping and rehashing until they reached the resort. And their private room. It had a hot tub and a private pool…