But Mike was a whole new ballgame. He knew things. And did things. And those things were very, very intense. Her fingertips gently circled against his scalp. The fact that she trusted him completely made it easier to let herself go and enjoy the ride. She smiled to herself. So to speak. The last year of her marriage hadn’t exactly been intimate. So any touch was likely to get her turned on.

No, it was Mike’s touch. Her friend. And now...her lover.

Last night, she’d told him nothing would ever be the same. Was it possible that it would be better? Tonight could be a bubble that would burst at any moment. But the bubble was oh, so sweet. It was something she’d want to tell her best friend about. The best friend who was currently naked in her bed.

“That feels amazing,” his low voice rumbled against her skin. “But don’t forget we’re out of condoms.”

She hesitated, then began moving her fingers in circles again. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“I don’t think you did. I just...woke up and felt your fingers moving. Oh, shit...” He shifted a little, looking at the window. “Is that...?”

“Morning? I’m afraid so.”

“What time is it?”

“Almost six thirty.” She let out a long sigh. “We need to get up. The power’s still out, but the real world will be at the doorstep by eight. Isn’t that what time Owen and Zayne said they’d stop by?”

Mike nodded, stretched, then met her gaze. She could easily get lost in his eyes and ignore the real world. But that world wouldn’t ignore them, and she couldn’t allow anyone to find them like this. A chill went across her skin. She couldn’t allow anyone to know about last night—especially her daughter.

“Hey...” Mike’s eyebrows lowered in concern. “What’s wrong?”

“What happened last night can’t—”

He put his finger against her lips to silence her.

“We agreed that we wouldn’t call this a mistake.”

She shook her head. “I wasn’t going to call it a mistake. It’s just...whatever it was needs to stay between us. Whatever comes next, it can’t be some public boyfriend-girlfriend thing.”

“On one hand, you’re saying there’s a next for us, and I’d really like to do this again.” He swooped in for a quick kiss. He was really good at that. “On the other hand, you’re saying we have to be a big secret. Why?”

“I have a daughter, Mike.”

“I’m aware of that.” He frowned. “Oh. You don’t want Hazel to know. That makes sense.” His expression didn’t match his words. He did not look happy.