As if she caught it, too, she lifted her chin and said, “Actually, I can use that for a card. WHAT’S THE ONLY TIME A HIT AND RUN IS APPROPRIATE?”

He arched a brow, wishing he could play the silly game all night, just to see her smile again.

“WITH YOUR BOOTY CALL.” She wiggled her shoulders and said, “Hey,” in a singsong voice.

“You definitely have a knack for the card stuff.” And for sex, and making me smile, and…Fuck…He wasn’t going there.

“Yeah, it’s a gift.” She climbed off the bed and started to take off his shirt, but he stopped her. “Keep it. It looks better on you.”

“You can’t drive home shirtless.”

“Sure I can.” He took her chin between his finger and thumb, tipping her face up. “You’re really something, Blue Eyes. Take care of yourself.” He pressed his lips to hers, aching to take her in his arms, disappear into her, and pretend the real world didn’t exist for a few more hours.

Which was exactly why he had to leave.

Now.

TOBIAS TOOK THE long way home, trying to shake off the urge to turn around and go back. He’d seen Madigan wince with his last remark. It had lasted only a second, but that was all he needed to feel it rip through his chest and to know it was the right thing to say to end whatever this was between them.

He couldn’t stomach the thought of going back to his empty apartment, where he’d toss and turn all night, wrestling ghosts of his past on a fucking futon that still smelled like Madigan. Why was he still on the Cape? His grandfather didn’t even remember him most of the time. He should pack his shit and get the hell out of there. He stopped at a red light at the corner of the road that led to his apartment. But when the light turned green, instead of turning toward his apartment, he sped straight ahead, took the entrance to the highway, and opened the throttle.

Wind whipped against his bare skin as his thoughts blasted from the present to the past, his sister’s hateful words—You stole the love of my life. I hope you never get yours back—scalding him anew. He drove faster, and when he came to Bourne, he flew over the bridge, leaving the Cape behind.