They looked at each other. There was a clear and apparent line that they had crossed. There was no going back and they probably needed to talk about it. “You’re not a lech,” she said with a smile. “Could you pass me the whiskey?”

He gathered their glasses and the bottle, taking a seat beside her. As he poured them both another shot, she drew her knees to her chest and snuggled against the arm of the couch. There was a considerable amount of space between the two of them and perhaps that was a relief. Maybe Mr. Creely’s interruption was a blessing in disguise. She’d actually been about to have sex with a man in her kitchen during a blackout. That’s how babies are made.

“What are you grinning about?” he asked, handing her a glass.

Antonia shook her head. “I think we were about to do something rather foolish.”

Aiden returned her smile. “You think?”

“Unless you brought something else besides whiskey?” she asked. “Like protection?”

“I’m afraid I didn’t,” he admitted. “Like I said, it certainly wasn’t my intention to, uh, you know.” He cleared his throat.

Antonia scooted to his side of the couch and settled against him. He gathered her to him, wrapping an arm around her waist. “To get into my pants?” she offered.

“Right. That.”

“It was quite alright,” she said, resting her cheek against the soft springy hair of his chest. Antonia didn’t want to admit it, but that passionate make out session was what she needed to affirm what she should have thought about herself. She was still sensual and still desirable. Antonia just needed to be herself and let the chips fall where they may. Aiden awakened something in her that she’d ignored out of hurt.

“What would you like to do tomorrow?” Aiden asked.

She stifled a yawn and snuggled closer to him. “I don’t know. I think I might write some more.”

“Have you found some more inspiration?” he asked. She heard the smile in his voice.

“I have,” she replied. “Bryon is going to make out with Augusta.”

“Sounds like a right wolf, that one.”

Chapter Sixteen

Aiden woke up to the morning light shining through the living room. The clattering in the kitchen reminded him that he was still in Antonia’s home. After that magnificent storm from last night, it was now a quiet sunny day. He stretched his legs along her couch and twisted his back to work out the kinks.

“Antonia?”

“I’m making something to eat,” she said from the kitchen. “I don’t have eggs, but I’ve got pizza.”

He smiled. No doubt, one of his frozen margherita pizzas. “That sounds wonderful.”

Aiden was famished and thirsty with all the drinking they’d done on empty stomachs. It’d been fine enough at the time, when it seemed like Antonia would be on the menu. He sat on the couch staring into the now dead fireplace. My god. The kiss they had shared in the dark kitchen was far better than any naughty fantasy he could have dreamt. Antonia’s body was so right in his hands. He remembered cupping every delicious curve as he picked her up and hugged her close. Everything about her fit perfectly against his mouth and in his hands. While Mr. Creely’s poorly timed interruption was infuriating, he was relieved he didn’t do anything foolish. Another wave of relief swept through Aiden. One tangled with powerful lust. He was glad they’d been interrupted because he wanted to make love to her during the day. He wanted to see the warm glow of her brown skin bathed in light. He wanted Antonia with an overwhelming intensity that he hadn’t known in ages.