Naya looked him up and down, and Daniel had the distinct impression of being assessed. She frowned. “Listen, she’s been through a lot.”

He turned to face Naya. “I know.” He thought he knew where this was going. “I made a mistake, not telling her how I knew her, and I don’t intend on doing anything else to hurt her.”

This earned him a small smile. “I understand that, but that’s not what I mean.” She paused and took a deep breath. “I mean, she’s been through a lot, and what she needs is stability. Someone she can rely on.” She focused her gaze on him.

Daniel felt his stomach drop. “Yeah?” Not going where he thought it would.

“Well, you’re divorced. You have a questionable relationship with alcohol. It’s not like you’re a successful surgeon who—” Naya stopped abruptly as if she’d revealed too much.

“Wow. Say what you mean, don’t hold back. I may not be Dr. Sajan Shah—” he raised an eyebrow and pointedly paused at the name, causing Naya to flush “—but I care about Annika, and I would never hurt her. And besides, she hasn’t really shown any interest in Sajan, has she?” The last bit came out a bit cockier than he’d intended, but there was a significant part of him that worried that maybe she would be better off with the good surgeon.

“Hasn’t she?” Naya raised an eyebrow at him.

A vise gripped his heart, and before he could respond, Annika stepped out of the bathroom in nothing but a thigh-length bathrobe, and Daniel lost the ability to speak. Her hair was damp and wavy, her skin glowed and what he could see of her long legs was enough to bring him back to his knees.

Annika’s face and eyes lit up as they landed on him, and he knew he had made the right choice coming here. “Hey, you.”

It was all the invitation he needed. In two steps, he was in front of her, his lips pressed against hers. He put everything he felt into that kiss. How much he needed her. How she was saving him. He kissed her as if he hadn’t seen her in ten years, instead of ten hours. In return, he found no doubt in her kiss. She wanted him.

Any doubt Naya had placed in front of him was gone. There was no way Annika could kiss him like this and still want another man. Handsome surgeon or not.

“Ahem.”

Annika pulled back slowly but stayed in his arms. They turned to face Naya. “Yes?”

“You’re going to make out while I’m standing right here?” Her previous chill had warmed some, though Daniel was sure it wasn’t all gone.

“Well, it saves you having to walk in on us.” Daniel grinned at her.